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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bulfinch's Mythology, by Thomas Bulfinch
+(#4 in our series by Thomas Bulfinch)
+
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+Title: Bulfinch's Mythology
+
+Author: Thomas Bulfinch
+
+Release Date: January, 2004  [EBook #4928]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
+[This file was first posted on March 27, 2002]
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+Edition: 10
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+Language: English
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+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, BULLFINCH'S MYTHOLOGY ***
+
+
+
+
+Robert Rowe, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+BULFINCH'S MYTHOLOGY
+
+THE AGE OF FABLE
+
+THE AGE OF CHIVALRY
+
+LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE
+
+BY THOMAS BULFINCH
+
+COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME
+
+
+[Editor's Note: The etext contains all three sections.]
+
+
+
+
+PUBLISHERS' PREFACE
+
+
+No new edition of Bulfinch's classic work can be considered
+complete without some notice of the American scholar to whose wide
+erudition and painstaking care it stands as a perpetual monument.
+"The Age of Fable" has come to be ranked with older books like
+"Pilgrim's Progress," "Gulliver's Travels," "The Arabian Nights,"
+"Robinson Crusoe," and five or six other productions of world-wide
+renown as a work with which every one must claim some acquaintance
+before his education can be called really complete. Many readers
+of the present edition will probably recall coming in contact with
+the work as children, and, it may be added, will no doubt discover
+from a fresh perusal the source of numerous bits of knowledge that
+have remained stored in their minds since those early years. Yet
+to the majority of this great circle of readers and students the
+name Bulfinch in itself has no significance.
+
+Thomas Bulfinch was a native of Boston, Mass., where he was born
+in 1796. His boyhood was spent in that city, and he prepared for
+college in the Boston schools. He finished his scholastic training
+at Harvard College, and after taking his degree was for a period a
+teacher in his home city. For a long time later in life he was
+employed as an accountant in the Boston Merchants' Bank. His
+leisure time he used for further pursuit of the classical studies
+which he had begun at Harvard, and his chief pleasure in life lay
+in writing out the results of his reading, in simple, condensed
+form for young or busy readers. The plan he followed in this work,
+to give it the greatest possible usefulness, is set forth in the
+Author's Preface.
+
+"Age of Fable," First Edition, 1855; "The Age of Chivalry," 1858;
+"The Boy Inventor," 1860; "Legends of Charlemagne, or Romance of
+the Middle Ages," 1863; "Poetry of the Age of Fable," 1863;
+"Oregon and Eldorado, or Romance of the Rivers,"1860.
+
+In this complete edition of his mythological and legendary lore
+"The Age of Fable," "The Age of Chivalry," and "Legends of
+Charlemagne" are included. Scrupulous care has been taken to
+follow the original text of Bulfinch, but attention should be
+called to some additional sections which have been inserted to add
+to the rounded completeness of the work, and which the publishers
+believe would meet with the sanction of the author himself, as in
+no way intruding upon his original plan but simply carrying it out
+in more complete detail. The section on Northern Mythology has
+been enlarged by a retelling of the epic of the "Nibelungen Lied,"
+together with a summary of Wagner's version of the legend in his
+series of music-dramas. Under the head of "Hero Myths of the
+British Race" have been included outlines of the stories of
+Beowulf, Cuchulain, Hereward the Wake, and Robin Hood. Of the
+verse extracts which occur throughout the text, thirty or more
+have been added from literature which has appeared since
+Bulfinch's time, extracts that he would have been likely to quote
+had he personally supervised the new edition.
+
+Finally, the index has been thoroughly overhauled and, indeed,
+remade. All the proper names in the work have been entered, with
+references to the pages where they occur, and a concise
+explanation or definition of each has been given. Thus what was a
+mere list of names in the original has been enlarged into a small
+classical and mythological dictionary, which it is hoped will
+prove valuable for reference purposes not necessarily connected
+with "The Age of Fable."
+
+Acknowledgments are due the writings of Dr. Oliver Huckel for
+information on the point of Wagner's rendering of the Nibelungen
+legend, and M. I. Ebbutt's authoritative volume on "Hero Myths and
+Legends of the British Race," from which much of the information
+concerning the British heroes has been obtained
+
+
+
+
+
+AUTHOR'S PREFACE
+
+
+If no other knowledge deserves to be called useful but that which
+helps to enlarge our possessions or to raise our station in
+society, then Mythology has no claim to the appellation. But if
+that which tends to make us happier and better can be called
+useful, then we claim that epithet for our subject. For Mythology
+is the handmaid of literature; and literature is one of the best
+allies of virtue and promoters of happiness.
+
+Without a knowledge of mythology much of the elegant literature of
+our own language cannot be understood and appreciated. When Byron
+calls Rome "the Niobe of nations," or says of Venice, "She looks a
+Sea-Cybele fresh from ocean," he calls up to the mind of one
+familiar with our subject, illustrations more vivid and striking
+than the pencil could furnish, but which are lost to the reader
+ignorant of mythology. Milton abounds in similar allusions. The
+short poem "Comus" contains more than thirty such, and the ode "On
+the Morning of the Nativity" half as many. Through "Paradise Lost"
+they are scattered profusely. This is one reason why we often hear
+persons by no means illiterate say that they cannot enjoy Milton.
+But were these persons to add to their more solid acquirements the
+easy learning of this little volume, much of the poetry of Milton
+which has appeared to them "harsh and crabbed" would be found
+"musical as is Apollo's lute." Our citations, taken from more than
+twenty-five poets, from Spenser to Longfellow, will show how
+general has been the practice of borrowing illustrations from
+mythology.
+
+The prose writers also avail themselves of the same source of
+elegant and suggestive illustration. One can hardly take up a
+number of the "Edinburgh" or "Quarterly Review" without meeting
+with instances. In Macaulay's article on Milton there are twenty
+such.
+
+But how is mythology to be taught to one who does not learn it
+through the medium of the languages of Greece and Rome? To devote
+study to a species of learning which relates wholly to false
+marvels and obsolete faiths is not to be expected of the general
+reader in a practical age like this. The time even of the young is
+claimed by so many sciences of facts and things that little can be
+spared for set treatises on a science of mere fancy.
+
+But may not the requisite knowledge of the subject be acquired by
+reading the ancient poets in translations? We reply, the field is
+too extensive for a preparatory course; and these very
+translations require some previous knowledge of the subject to
+make them intelligible. Let any one who doubts it read the first
+page of the "Aeneid," and see what he can make of "the hatred of
+Juno," the "decree of the Parcae," the "judgment of Paris," and
+the "honors of Ganymede," without this knowledge.
+
+Shall we be told that answers to such queries may be found in
+notes, or by a reference to the Classical Dictionary? We reply,
+the interruption of one's reading by either process is so annoying
+that most readers prefer to let an allusion pass unapprehended
+rather than submit to it. Moreover, such sources give us only the
+dry facts without any of the charm of the original narrative; and
+what is a poetical myth when stripped of its poetry? The story of
+Ceyx and Halcyone, which fills a chapter in our book, occupies but
+eight lines in the best (Smith's) Classical Dictionary; and so of
+others.
+
+Our work is an attempt to solve this problem, by telling the
+stories of mythology in such a manner as to make them a source of
+amusement. We have endeavored to tell them correctly, according to
+the ancient authorities, so that when the reader finds them
+referred to he may not be at a loss to recognize the reference.
+Thus we hope to teach mythology not as a study, but as a
+relaxation from study; to give our work the charm of a story-book,
+yet by means of it to impart a knowledge of an important branch of
+education. The index at the end will adapt it to the purposes of
+reference, and make it a Classical Dictionary for the parlor.
+
+Most of the classical legends in "Stories of Gods and Heroes" are
+derived from Ovid and Virgil. They are not literally translated,
+for, in the author's opinion, poetry translated into literal prose
+is very unattractive reading. Neither are they in verse, as well
+for other reasons as from a conviction that to translate
+faithfully under all the embarrassments of rhyme and measure is
+impossible. The attempt has been made to tell the stories in
+prose, preserving so much of the poetry as resides in the thoughts
+and is separable from the language itself, and omitting those
+amplifications which are not suited to the altered form.
+
+The Northern mythological stories are copied with some abridgment
+from Mallet's "Northern Antiquities." These chapters, with those
+on Oriental and Egyptian mythology, seemed necessary to complete
+the subject, though it is believed these topics have not usually
+been presented in the same volume with the classical fables.
+
+The poetical citations so freely introduced are expected to answer
+several valuable purposes. They will tend to fix in memory the
+leading fact of each story, they will help to the attainment of a
+correct pronunciation of the proper names, and they will enrich
+the memory with many gems of poetry, some of them such as are most
+frequently quoted or alluded to in reading and conversation.
+
+Having chosen mythology as connected with literature for our
+province, we have endeavored to omit nothing which the reader of
+elegant literature is likely to find occasion for. Such stories
+and parts of stories as are offensive to pure taste and good
+morals are not given. But such stories are not often referred to,
+and if they occasionally should be, the English reader need feel
+no mortification in confessing his ignorance of them.
+
+Our work is not for the learned, nor for the theologian, nor for
+the philosopher, but for the reader of English literature, of
+either sex, who wishes to comprehend the allusions so frequently
+made by public speakers, lecturers, essayists, and poets, and
+those which occur in polite conversation.
+
+In the "Stories of Gods and Heroes" the compiler has endeavored to
+impart the pleasures of classical learning to the English reader,
+by presenting the stories of Pagan mythology in a form adapted to
+modern taste. In "King Arthur and His Knights" and "The
+Mabinogeon" the attempt has been made to treat in the same way the
+stories of the second "age of fable," the age which witnessed the
+dawn of the several states of Modern Europe.
+
+It is believed that this presentation of a literature which held
+unrivalled sway over the imaginations of our ancestors, for many
+centuries, will not be without benefit to the reader, in addition
+to the amusement it may afford. The tales, though not to be
+trusted for their facts, are worthy of all credit as pictures of
+manners; and it is beginning to be held that the manners and modes
+of thinking of an age are a more important part of its history
+than the conflicts of its peoples, generally leading to no result.
+Besides this, the literature of romance is a treasure-house of
+poetical material, to which modern poets frequently resort. The
+Italian poets, Dante and Ariosto, the English, Spenser, Scott, and
+Tennyson, and our own Longfellow and Lowell, are examples of this.
+
+These legends are so connected with each other, so consistently
+adapted to a group of characters strongly individualized in
+Arthur, Launcelot, and their compeers, and so lighted up by the
+fires of imagination and invention, that they seem as well adapted
+to the poet's purpose as the legends of the Greek and Roman
+mythology. And if every well-educated young person is expected to
+know the story of the Golden Fleece, why is the quest of the
+Sangreal less worthy of his acquaintance? Or if an allusion to the
+shield of Achilles ought not to pass unapprehended, why should one
+to Excalibar, the famous sword of Arthur?--
+
+    "Of Arthur, who, to upper light restored,
+     With that terrific sword,
+     Which yet he brandishes for future war,
+     Shall lift his country's fame above the polar star."
+
+[Footnote: Wordsworth]
+
+It is an additional recommendation of our subject, that it tends
+to cherish in our minds the idea of the source from which we
+sprung. We are entitled to our full share in the glories and
+recollections of the land of our forefathers, down to the time of
+colonization thence. The associations which spring from this
+source must be fruitful of good influences; among which not the
+least valuable is the increased enjoyment which such associations
+afford to the American traveller when he visits England, and sets
+his foot upon any of her renowned localities.
+
+The legends of Charlemagne and his peers are necessary to complete
+the subject.
+
+In an age when intellectual darkness enveloped Western Europe, a
+constellation of brilliant writers arose in Italy. Of these, Pulci
+(born in 1432), Boiardo (1434), and Ariosto (1474) took for their
+subjects the romantic fables which had for many ages been
+transmitted in the lays of bards and the legends of monkish
+chroniclers. These fables they arranged in order, adorned with the
+embellishments of fancy, amplified from their own invention, and
+stamped with immortality. It may safely be asserted that as long
+as civilization shall endure these productions will retain their
+place among the most cherished creations of human genius.
+
+In "Stories of Gods and Heroes," "King Arthur and His Knights" and
+"The Mabinogeon" the aim has been to supply to the modern reader
+such knowledge of the fables of classical and mediaeval literature
+as is needed to render intelligible the allusions which occur in
+reading and conversation. The "Legends of Charlemagne" is intended
+to carry out the same design. Like the earlier portions of the
+work, it aspires to a higher character than that of a piece of
+mere amusement. It claims to be useful, in acquainting its readers
+with the subjects of the productions of the great poets of Italy.
+Some knowledge of these is expected of every well-educated young
+person.
+
+In reading these romances, we cannot fail to observe how the
+primitive inventions have been used, again and again, by
+successive generations of fabulists. The Siren of Ulysses is the
+prototype of the Siren of Orlando, and the character of Circe
+reappears in Alcina. The fountains of Love and Hatred may be
+traced to the story of Cupid and Psyche; and similar effects
+produced by a magic draught appear in the tale of Tristram and
+Isoude, and, substituting a flower for the draught, in
+Shakspeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream." There are many other
+instances of the same kind which the reader will recognize without
+our assistance.
+
+The sources whence we derive these stories are, first, the Italian
+poets named above; next, the "Romans de Chevalerie" of the Comte
+de Tressan; lastly, certain German collections of popular tales.
+Some chapters have been borrowed from Leigh Hunt's Translations
+from the Italian Poets. It seemed unnecessary to do over again
+what he had already done so well; yet, on the other hand, those
+stories could not be omitted from the series without leaving it
+incomplete.
+
+THOMAS BULFINCH.
+
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+STORIES OF GODS AND HEROES
+
+      I. Introduction
+     II. Prometheus and Pandora
+    III. Apollo and Daphne--Pyramus and Thisbe--Cephalus and Procris
+     IV. Juno and her Rivals, Io and Callisto--Diana and Actaeon
+         --Latona and the Rustics
+      V. Phaeton
+     VI. Midas--Baucis and Philemon
+    VII. Proserpine--Glaucus and Scylla
+   VIII. Pygmalion--Dryope--Venus and Adonis--Apollo and Hyacinthus
+     IX. Ceyx and Halcyone
+      X. Vertumnus and Pomona--Iphis and Anaxarete
+     XI. Cupid and Psyche
+    XII. Cadmus--The Myrmidons
+   XIII. Nisus and Scylla--Echo and Narcissus--Clytie--Hero and Leander
+    XIV. Minerva and Arachne--Niobe
+     XV. The Graeae and Gorgons--Perseus and Medusa--Atlas--Andromeda
+    XVI. Monsters: Giants--Sphinx--Pegasus and Chimaera--Centaurs
+         --Griffin--Pygmies
+   XVII. The Golden Fleece--Medea
+  XVIII. Meleager and Atalanta
+    XIX. Hercules--Hebe and Ganymede
+     XX.  Theseus and Daedalus--Castor and Pollux--Festivals and Games
+    XXI. Bacchus and Ariadne
+   XXII. The Rural Deities--The Dryads and Erisichthon
+         --Rhoecus--Water Deities--Camenae--Winds
+  XXIII. Achelous and Hercules--Admetus and Alcestis--Antigone--Penelope
+   XXIV. Orpheus and Eurydice--Aristaeus--Amphion--Linus
+         --Thamyris--Marsyas--Melampus--Musaeus
+    XXV. Arion--Ibycus--Simonides--Sappho
+   XXVI. Endymion--Orion--Aurora and Tithonus--Acis and Galatea
+  XXVII. The Trojan War
+ XXVIII. The Fall of Troy--Return of the Greeks--Orestes and Electra
+   XXIX. Adventures of Ulysses--The Lotus-eaters--The Cyclopes
+         --Circe--Sirens--Scylla and Charybdis--Calypso
+    XXX. The Phaeacians--Fate of the Suitors
+   XXXI. Adventures of Aeneas--The Harpies--Dido--Palinurus
+  XXXII. The Infernal Regions--The Sibyl
+ XXXIII. Aeneas in Italy--Camilla--Evander--Nisus and Euryalus
+         --Mezentius--Turnus
+  XXXIV. Pythagoras--Egyptian Deities--Oracles
+   XXXV. Origin of Mythology--Statues of Gods and Goddesses
+         --Poets of Mythology
+  XXXVI. Monsters (modern)--The Phoenix--Basilisk--Unicorn--Salamander
+ XXXVII. Eastern Mythology--Zoroaster--Hindu Mythology--Castes--Buddha
+         --The Grand Lama--Prester John
+XXXVIII. Northern Mythology--Valhalla--The Valkyrior
+  XXXIX. Thor's Visit to Jotunheim
+     XL. The Death of Baldur--The Elves--Runic Letters--Skalds--Iceland
+         --Teutonic Mythology--The Nibelungen Lied
+         --Wagner's Nibelungen Ring
+    XLI. The Druids--Iona
+
+KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS
+
+
+    I. Introduction
+   II. The Mythical History of England
+  III. Merlin
+   IV. Arthur
+    V. Arthur (Continued)
+   VI. Sir Gawain
+  VII. Caradoc Briefbras; or, Caradoc with the Shrunken Arm
+ VIII. Launcelot of the Lake
+   IX. The Adventure of the Cart
+    X. The Lady of Shalott
+   XI. Queen Guenever's Peril
+  XII. Tristram and Isoude
+ XIII. Tristram and Isoude (Continued)
+  XIV. Sir Tristram's Battle with Sir Launcelot
+   XV. The Round Table
+  XVI. Sir Palamedes
+ XVII. Sir Tristram
+XVIII. Perceval
+  XIX. The Sangreal, or Holy Graal
+   XX. The Sangreal (Continued)
+  XXI. The Sangreal (Continued)
+ XXII. Sir Agrivain's Treason
+XXIII. Morte d'Arthur
+
+
+THE MABINOGEON
+
+
+      Introductory Note
+   I. The Britons
+  II. The Lady of the Fountain
+ III. The Lady of the Fountain (Continued)
+  IV. The Lady of the Fountain (Continued)
+   V. Geraint, the Son of Erbin
+  VI. Geraint, the Son of Erbin (Continued)
+ VII. Geraint, the Son of Erbin (Continued)
+VIII. Pwyll, Prince of Dyved
+  IX. Branwen, the Daughter of Llyr
+   X. Manawyddan
+  XI. Kilwich and Olwen
+ XII. Kilwich and Olwen (Continued)
+XIII. Taliesin
+
+
+HERO MYTHS OF THE BRITISH RACE
+
+
+Beowulf
+Cuchulain, Champion of Ireland
+Hereward the Wake
+Robin Hood
+
+LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE
+
+
+Introduction
+The Peers, or Paladins
+The Tournament
+The Siege of Albracca
+Adventures of Rinaldo and Orlando
+The Invasion of France
+The Invasion of France (Continued)
+
+Bradamante and Rogero
+Astolpho and the Enchantress
+The Orc
+Astolpho's Adventures continued, and Isabella's begun.
+Medoro
+Orlando Mad
+Zerbino and Isabella
+Astolpho in Abyssinia
+The War in Africa
+Rogero and Bradamante
+The Battle of Roncesvalles
+Rinaldo and Bayard
+Death of Rinaldo
+Huon of Bordeaux
+Huon of Bordeaux (Continued)
+Huon of Bordeaux (Continued)
+Ogier, the Dane
+Ogier, the Dane (Continued)
+Ogier, the Dane (Continued)
+
+GLOSSARY
+
+
+
+
+
+STORIES OF GODS AND HEROES
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+The religions of ancient Greece and Rome are extinct. The so-
+called divinities of Olympus have not a single worshipper among
+living men. They belong now not to the department of theology, but
+to those of literature and taste. There they still hold their
+place, and will continue to hold it, for they are too closely
+connected with the finest productions of poetry and art, both
+ancient and modern, to pass into oblivion.
+
+We propose to tell the stories relating to them which have come
+down to us from the ancients, and which are alluded to by modern
+poets, essayists, and orators. Our readers may thus at the same
+time be entertained by the most charming fictions which fancy has
+ever created, and put in possession of information indispensable
+to every one who would read with intelligence the elegant
+literature of his own day.
+
+In order to understand these stories, it will be necessary to
+acquaint ourselves with the ideas of the structure of the universe
+which prevailed among the Greeks--the people from whom the
+Romans, and other nations through them, received their science and
+religion.
+
+The Greeks believed the earth to be flat and circular, their own
+country occupying the middle of it, the central point being either
+Mount Olympus, the abode of the gods, or Delphi, so famous for its
+oracle.
+
+The circular disk of the earth was crossed from west to east and
+divided into two equal parts by the Sea, as they called the
+Mediterranean, and its continuation the Euxine, the only seas with
+which they were acquainted.
+
+Around the earth flowed the River Ocean, its course being from
+south to north on the western side of the earth, and in a contrary
+direction on the eastern side. It flowed in a steady, equable
+current, unvexed by storm or tempest. The sea, and all the rivers
+on earth, received their waters from it.
+
+The northern portion of the earth was supposed to be inhabited by
+a happy race named the Hyperboreans, dwelling in everlasting bliss
+and spring beyond the lofty mountains whose caverns were supposed
+to send forth the piercing blasts of the north wind, which chilled
+the people of Hellas (Greece). Their country was inaccessible by
+land or sea. They lived exempt from disease or old age, from toils
+and warfare. Moore has given us the "Song of a Hyperborean,"
+beginning
+
+    "I come from a land in the sun-bright deep,
+        Where golden gardens glow,
+     Where the winds of the north, becalmed in sleep,
+        Their conch shells never blow."
+
+On the south side of the earth, close to the stream of Ocean,
+dwelt a people happy and virtuous as the Hyperboreans. They were
+named the Aethiopians. The gods favored them so highly that they
+were wont to leave at times their Olympian abodes and go to share
+their sacrifices and banquets.
+
+On the western margin of the earth, by the stream of Ocean, lay a
+happy place named the Elysian Plain, whither mortals favored by
+the gods were transported without tasting of death, to enjoy an
+immortality of bliss. This happy region was also called the
+"Fortunate Fields," and the "Isles of the Blessed."
+
+We thus see that the Greeks of the early ages knew little of any
+real people except those to the east and south of their own
+country, or near the coast of the Mediterranean. Their imagination
+meantime peopled the western portion of this sea with giants,
+monsters, and enchantresses; while they placed around the disk of
+the earth, which they probably regarded as of no great width,
+nations enjoying the peculiar favor of the gods, and blessed with
+happiness and longevity.
+
+The Dawn, the Sun, and the Moon were supposed to rise out of the
+Ocean, on the eastern side, and to drive through the air, giving
+light to gods and men. The stars, also, except those forming the
+Wain or Bear, and others near them, rose out of and sank into the
+stream of Ocean. There the sun-god embarked in a winged boat,
+which conveyed him round by the northern part of the earth, back
+to his place of rising in the east. Milton alludes to this in his
+"Comus":
+
+    "Now the gilded car of day
+     His golden axle doth allay
+     In the steep Atlantic stream,
+     And the slope Sun his upward beam
+     Shoots against the dusky pole,
+     Pacing towards the other goal
+     Of his chamber in the east"
+
+The abode of the gods was on the summit of Mount Olympus, in
+Thessaly. A gate of clouds, kept by the goddesses named the
+Seasons, opened to permit the passage of the Celestials to earth,
+and to receive them on their return. The gods had their separate
+dwellings; but all, when summoned, repaired to the palace of
+Jupiter, as did also those deities whose usual abode was the
+earth, the waters, or the underworld. It was also in the great
+hall of the palace of the Olympian king that the gods feasted each
+day on ambrosia and nectar, their food and drink, the latter being
+handed round by the lovely goddess Hebe. Here they conversed of
+the affairs of heaven and earth; and as they quaffed their nectar,
+Apollo, the god of music, delighted them with the tones of his
+lyre, to which the Muses sang in responsive strains. When the sun
+was set, the gods retired to sleep in their respective dwellings.
+
+The following lines from the "Odyssey" will show how Homer
+conceived of Olympus:
+
+    "So saying, Minerva, goddess azure-eyed,
+    Rose to Olympus, the reputed seat
+    Eternal of the gods, which never storms
+    Disturb, rains drench, or snow invades, but calm
+    The expanse and cloudless shmes with purest day.
+    There the inhabitants divine rejoice
+    Forever"--Cowper.
+
+The robes and other parts of the dress of the goddesses were woven
+by Minerva and the Graces and everything of a more solid nature
+was formed of the various metals. Vulcan was architect, smith,
+armorer, chariot builder, and artist of all work in Olympus. He
+built of brass the houses of the gods; he made for them the golden
+shoes with which they trod the air or the water, and moved from
+place to place with the speed of the wind, or even of thought. He
+also shod with brass the celestial steeds, which whirled the
+chariots of the gods through the air, or along the surface of the
+sea. He was able to bestow on his workmanship self-motion, so
+that the tripods (chairs and tables) could move of themselves in
+and out of the celestial hall. He even endowed with intelligence
+the golden handmaidens whom he made to wait on himself.
+
+Jupiter, or Jove (Zeus [Footnote: The names included in
+parentheses are the Greek, the others being the Roman or Latin
+names] ), though called the father of gods and men, had himself a
+beginning. Saturn (Cronos) was his father, and Rhea (Ops) his
+mother. Saturn and Rhea were of the race of Titans, who were the
+children of Earth and Heaven, which sprang from Chaos, of which we
+shall give a further account in our next chapter.
+
+There is another cosmogony, or account of the creation, according
+to which Earth, Erebus, and Love were the first of beings. Love
+(Eros) issued from the egg of Night, which floated on Chaos. By
+his arrows and torch he pierced and vivified all things, producing
+life and joy.
+
+Saturn and Rhea were not the only Titans. There were others, whose
+names were Oceanus, Hyperion, Iapetus, and Ophion, males; and
+Themis, Mnemosyne, Eurynome, females. They are spoken of as the
+elder gods, whose dominion was afterwards transferred to others.
+Saturn yielded to Jupiter, Oceanus to Neptune, Hyperion to Apollo.
+Hyperion was the father of the Sun, Moon, and Dawn. He is
+therefore the original sun-god, and is painted with the splendor
+and beauty which were afterwards bestowed on Apollo.
+
+    "Hyperion's curls, the front of Jove himself"
+
+     --Shakspeare.
+
+Ophion and Eurynome ruled over Olympus till they were dethroned by
+Saturn and Rhea. Milton alludes to them in "Paradise Lost." He
+says the heathens seem to have had some knowledge of the
+temptation and fall of man.
+
+    "And fabled how the serpent, whom they called
+     Ophion, with Eurynome, (the wide-
+     Encroaching Eve perhaps,) had first the rule
+     Of high Olympus, thence by Saturn driven."
+
+The representations given of Saturn are not very consistent; for
+on the one hand his reign is said to have been the golden age of
+innocence and purity, and on the other he is described as a
+monster who devoured his children. [Footnote: This inconsistency
+arises from considering the Saturn of the Romans the same with the
+Grecian deity Cronos (Time), which, as it brings an end to all
+things which have had a beginning, may be said to devour its own
+offspring] Jupiter, however, escaped this fate, and when grown up
+espoused Metis (Prudence), who administered a draught to Saturn
+which caused him to disgorge his children. Jupiter, with his
+brothers and sisters, now rebelled against their father Saturn and
+his brothers the Titans; vanquished them, and imprisoned some of
+them in Tartarus, inflicting other penalties on others. Atlas was
+condemned to bear up the heavens on his shoulders.
+
+On the dethronement of Saturn, Jupiter with his brothers Neptune
+(Poseidon) and Pluto (Dis) divided his dominions. Jupiter's
+portion was the heavens, Neptune's the ocean, and Pluto's the
+realms of the dead. Earth and Olympus were common property.
+Jupiter was king of gods and men. The thunder was his weapon, and
+he bore a shield called Aegis, made for him by Vulcan. The eagle
+was his favorite bird, and bore his thunderbolts.
+
+Juno (Hera) was the wife of Jupiter, and queen of the gods. Iris,
+the goddess of the rainbow, was her attendant and messenger. The
+peacock was her favorite bird.
+
+Vulcan (Hephaestos), the celestial artist, was the son of Jupiter
+and Juno. He was born lame, and his mother was so displeased at
+the sight of him that she flung him out of heaven. Other accounts
+say that Jupiter kicked him out for taking part with his mother in
+a quarrel which occurred between them. Vulcan's lameness,
+according to this account, was the consequence of his fall. He was
+a whole day falling, and at last alighted in the island of Lemnos,
+which was thenceforth sacred to him. Milton alludes to this story
+in "Paradise Lost," Book I.:
+
+    "... From morn
+    To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve,
+    A summer's day; and with the setting sun
+    Dropped from the zenith, like a falling star,
+    On Lemnos, the Aegean isle."
+
+Mars (Ares), the god of war, was the son of Jupiter and Juno.
+
+Phoebus Apollo, the god of archery, prophecy, and music, was the
+son of Jupiter and Latona, and brother of Diana (Artemis). He was
+god of the sun, as Diana, his sister, was the goddess of the moon.
+
+Venus (Aphrodite), the goddess of love and beauty, was the
+daughter of Jupiter and Dione. Others say that Venus sprang from
+the foam of the sea. The zephyr wafted her along the waves to the
+Isle of Cyprus, where she was received and attired by the Seasons,
+and then led to the assembly of the gods. All were charmed with
+her beauty, and each one demanded her for his wife. Jupiter gave
+her to Vulcan, in gratitude for the service he had rendered in
+forging thunderbolts. So the most beautiful of the goddesses
+became the wife of the most ill-favored of gods. Venus possessed
+an embroidered girdle called Cestus, which had the power of
+inspiring love. Her favorite birds were swans and doves, and the
+plants sacred to her were the rose and the myrtle.
+
+Cupid (Eros), the god of love, was the son of Venus. He was her
+constant companion; and, armed with bow and arrows, he shot the
+darts of desire into the bosoms of both gods and men. There was a
+deity named Anteros, who was sometimes represented as the avenger
+of slighted love, and sometimes as the symbol of reciprocal
+affection. The following legend is told of him:
+
+Venus, complaining to Themis that her son Eros continued always a
+child, was told by her that it was because he was solitary, and
+that if he had a brother he would grow apace. Anteros was soon
+afterwards born, and Eros immediately was seen to increase rapidly
+in size and strength.
+
+Minerva (Pallas, Athene), the goddess of wisdom, was the offspring
+of Jupiter, without a mother. She sprang forth from his head
+completely armed. Her favorite bird was the owl, and the plant
+sacred to her the olive.
+
+Byron, in "Childe Harold," alludes to the birth of Minerva thus:
+
+    "Can tyrants but by tyrants conquered be,
+     And Freedom find no champion and no child,
+     Such as Columbia saw arise, when she
+     Sprang forth a Pallas, armed and undefiled?
+     Or must such minds be nourished in the wild,
+     Deep in the unpruned forest,'midst the roar
+     Of cataracts, where nursing Nature smiled
+     On infant Washington? Has earth no more
+     Such seeds within her breast, or Europe no such shore?"
+
+Mercury (Hermes) was the son of Jupiter and Maia. He presided over
+commerce, wrestling, and other gymnastic exercises, even over
+thieving, and everything, in short, which required skill and
+dexterity. He was the messenger of Jupiter, and wore a winged cap
+and winged shoes. He bore in his hand a rod entwined with two
+serpents, called the caduceus.
+
+Mercury is said to have invented the lyre. He found, one day, a
+tortoise, of which he took the shell, made holes in the opposite
+edges of it, and drew cords of linen through them, and the
+instrument was complete. The cords were nine, in honor of the nine
+Muses. Mercury gave the lyre to Apollo, and received from him in
+exchange the caduceus.
+
+[Footnote: From this origin of the instrument, the word "shell" is
+often used as synonymous with "lyre," and figuratively for music
+and poetry. Thus Gray, in his ode on the "Progress of Poesy,"
+says:
+
+    "O Sovereign of the willing Soul,
+     Parent of sweet and solemn-breathing airs,
+     Enchanting shell! the sullen Cares
+     And frantic Passions hear thy soft control."]
+
+Ceres (Demeter) was the daughter of Saturn and Rhea. She had a
+daughter named Proserpine (Persephone), who became the wife of
+Pluto, and queen of the realms of the dead. Ceres presided over
+agriculture.
+
+Bacchus (Dionysus), the god of wine, was the son of Jupiter and
+Semele. He represents not only the intoxicating power of wine, but
+its social and beneficent influences likewise, so that he is
+viewed as the promoter of civilization, and a lawgiver and lover
+of peace.
+
+The Muses were the daughters of Jupiter and Mnemosyne (Memory).
+They presided over song, and prompted the memory. They were nine
+in number, to each of whom was assigned the presidence over some
+particular department of literature, art, or science. Calliope was
+the muse of epic poetry, Clio of history, Euterpe of lyric poetry,
+Melpomene of tragedy, Terpsichore of choral dance and song, Erato
+of love poetry, Polyhymnia of sacred poetry, Urania of astronomy,
+Thalia of comedy.
+
+The Graces were goddesses presiding over the banquet, the dance,
+and all social enjoyments and elegant arts. They were three in
+number. Their names were Euphrosyne, Aglaia, and Thalia.
+
+Spenser describes the office of the Graces thus:
+
+    "These three on men all gracious gifts bestow
+    Which deck the body or adorn the mind,
+    To make them lovely or well-favored show;
+    As comely carriage, entertainment kind,
+    Sweet semblance, friendly offices that bind,
+    And all the complements of courtesy;
+    They teach us how to each degree and kind
+    We should ourselves demean, to low, to high,
+    To friends, to foes; which skill men call Civility."
+
+The Fates were also three--Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. Their
+office was to spin the thread of human destiny, and they were
+armed with shears, with which they cut it off when they pleased.
+They were the daughters of Themis (Law), who sits by Jove on his
+throne to give him counsel.
+
+The Erinnyes, or Furies, were three goddesses who punished by
+their secret stings the crimes of those who escaped or defied
+public justice. The heads of the Furies were wreathed with
+serpents, and their whole appearance was terrific and appalling.
+Their names were Alecto, Tisiphone, and Megaera. They were also
+called Eumenides.
+
+Nemesis was also an avenging goddess. She represents the righteous
+anger of the gods, particularly towards the proud and insolent.
+
+Pan was the god of flocks and shepherds. His favorite residence
+was in Arcadia.
+
+The Satyrs were deities of the woods and fields. They were
+conceived to be covered with bristly hair, their heads decorated
+with short, sprouting horns, and their feet like goats' feet.
+
+Momus was the god of laughter, and Plutus the god of wealth.
+
+ROMAN DIVINITIES
+
+The preceding are Grecian divinities, though received also by the
+Romans. Those which follow are peculiar to Roman mythology:
+
+Saturn was an ancient Italian deity. It was attempted to identify
+him with the Grecian god Cronos, and fabled that after his
+dethronement by Jupiter he fled to Italy, where he reigned during
+what was called the Golden Age. In memory of his beneficent
+dominion, the feast of Saturnalia was held every year in the
+winter season. Then all public business was suspended,
+declarations of war and criminal executions were postponed,
+friends made presents to one another and the slaves were indulged
+with great liberties. A feast was given them at which they sat at
+table, while their masters served them, to show the natural
+equality of men, and that all things belonged equally to all, in
+the reign of Saturn.
+
+Faunus, [Footnote: There was also a goddess called Fauna, or Bona
+Dea.] the grandson of Saturn, was worshipped as the god of fields
+and shepherds, and also as a prophetic god. His name in the
+plural, Fauns, expressed a class of gamesome deities, like the
+Satyrs of the Greeks.
+
+Quirinus was a war god, said to be no other than Romulus, the
+founder of Rome, exalted after his death to a place among the
+gods.
+
+Bellona, a war goddess.
+
+Terminus, the god of landmarks. His statue was a rude stone or
+post, set in the ground to mark the boundaries of fields.
+
+Pales, the goddess presiding over cattle and pastures.
+
+Pomona presided over fruit trees.
+
+Flora, the goddess of flowers.
+
+Lucina, the goddess of childbirth.
+
+Vesta (the Hestia of the Greeks) was a deity presiding over the
+public and private hearth. A sacred fire, tended by six virgin
+priestesses called Vestals, flamed in her temple. As the safety of
+the city was held to be connected with its conservation, the
+neglect of the virgins, if they let it go out, was severely
+punished, and the fire was rekindled from the rays of the sun.
+
+Liber is the Latin name of Bacchus; and Mulciber of Vulcan.
+
+Janus was the porter of heaven. He opens the year, the first month
+being named after him. He is the guardian deity of gates, on which
+account he is commonly represented with two heads, because every
+door looks two ways. His temples at Rome were numerous. In war
+time the gates of the principal one were always open. In peace
+they were closed; but they were shut only once between the reign
+of Numa and that of Augustus.
+
+The Penates were the gods who were supposed to attend to the
+welfare and prosperity of the family. Their name is derived from
+Penus, the pantry, which was sacred to them. Every master of a
+family was the priest to the Penates of his own house.
+
+The Lares, or Lars, were also household gods, but differed from
+the Penates in being regarded as the deified spirits of mortals.
+The family Lars were held to be the souls of the ancestors, who
+watched over and protected their descendants. The words Lemur and
+Larva more nearly correspond to our word Ghost.
+
+The Romans believed that every man had his Genius, and every woman
+her Juno: that is, a spirit who had given them being, and was
+regarded as their protector through life. On their birthdays men
+made offerings to their Genius, women to their Juno.
+
+A modern poet thus alludes to some of the Roman gods:
+
+    "Pomona loves the orchard,
+       And Liber loves the vine,
+     And Pales loves the straw-built shed
+       Warm with the breath of kine;
+     And Venus loves the whisper
+       Of plighted youth and maid,
+     In April's ivory moonlight,
+       Beneath the chestnut shade."
+
+    --Macaulay, "Prophecy of Capys."
+
+N.B.--It is to be observed that in proper names the final e and es
+are to be sounded. Thus Cybele and Penates are words of three
+syllables. But Proserpine and Thebes are exceptions, and to be
+pronounced as English words. In the Index at the close of the
+volume we shall mark the accented syllable in all words which
+appear to require it.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+PROMETHEUS AND PANDORA
+
+
+The creation of the world is a problem naturally fitted to excite
+the liveliest interest of man, its inhabitant. The ancient pagans,
+not having the information on the subject which we derive from the
+pages of Scripture, had their own way of telling the story, which
+is as follows:
+
+Before earth and sea and heaven were created, all things wore one
+aspect, to which we give the name of Chaos--a confused and
+shapeless mass, nothing but dead weight, in which, however,
+slumbered the seeds of things. Earth, sea, and air were all mixed
+up together; so the earth was not solid, the sea was not fluid,
+and the air was not transparent. God and Nature at last
+interposed, and put an end to this discord, separating earth from
+sea, and heaven from both. The fiery part, being the lightest,
+sprang up, and formed the skies; the air was next in weight and
+place. The earth, being heavier, sank below; and the water took
+the lowest place, and buoyed up the earth.
+
+Here some god--it is not known which--gave his good offices in
+arranging and disposing the earth. He appointed rivers and bays
+their places, raised mountains, scooped out valleys, distributed
+woods, fountains, fertile fields, and stony plains. The air being
+cleared, the stars began to appear, fishes took possession of the
+sea, birds of the air, and four-footed beasts of the land.
+
+But a nobler animal was wanted, and Man was made. It is not known
+whether the creator made him of divine materials, or whether in
+the earth, so lately separated from heaven, there lurked still
+some heavenly seeds. Prometheus took some of this earth, and
+kneading it up with water, made man in the image of the gods. He
+gave him an upright stature, so that while all other animals turn
+their faces downward, and look to the earth, he raises his to
+heaven, and gazes on the stars.
+
+Prometheus was one of the Titans, a gigantic race, who inhabited
+the earth before the creation of man. To him and his brother
+Epimetheus was committed the office of making man, and providing
+him and all other animals with the faculties necessary for their
+preservation. Epimetheus undertook to do this, and Prometheus was
+to overlook his work, when it was done. Epimetheus accordingly
+proceeded to bestow upon the different animals the various gifts
+of courage, strength, swiftness, sagacity; wings to one, claws to
+another, a shelly covering to a third, etc. But when man came to
+be provided for, who was to be superior to all other animals,
+Epimetheus had been so prodigal of his resources that he had
+nothing left to bestow upon him. In his perplexity he resorted to
+his brother Prometheus, who, with the aid of Minerva, went up to
+heaven, and lighted his torch at the chariot of the sun, and
+brought down fire to man. With this gift man was more than a match
+for all other animals. It enabled him to make weapons wherewith to
+subdue them; tools with which to cultivate the earth; to warm his
+dwelling, so as to be comparatively independent of climate; and
+finally to introduce the arts and to coin money, the means of
+trade and commerce. Woman was not yet made. The story (absurd
+enough!) is that Jupiter made her, and sent her to Prometheus and
+his brother, to punish them for their presumption in stealing fire
+from heaven; and man, for accepting the gift. The first woman was
+named Pandora. She was made in heaven, every god contributing
+something to perfect her. Venus gave her beauty, Mercury
+persuasion, Apollo music, etc. Thus equipped, she was conveyed to
+earth, and presented to Epimetheus, who gladly accepted her,
+though cautioned by his brother to beware of Jupiter and his
+gifts. Epimetheus had in his house a jar, in which were kept
+certain noxious articles, for which, in fitting man for his new
+abode, he had had no occasion. Pandora was seized with an eager
+curiosity to know what this jar contained; and one day she slipped
+off the cover and looked in. Forthwith there escaped a multitude
+of plagues for hapless man,--such as gout, rheumatism, and colic
+for his body, and envy, spite, and revenge for his mind,--and
+scattered themselves far and wide. Pandora hastened to replace the
+lid! but, alas! the whole contents of the jar had escaped, one
+thing only excepted, which lay at the bottom, and that was HOPE.
+So we see at this day, whatever evils are abroad, hope never
+entirely leaves us; and while we have THAT, no amount of other
+ills can make us completely wretched.
+
+Another story is that Pandora was sent in good faith, by Jupiter,
+to bless man; that she was furnished with a box, containing her
+marriage presents, into which every god had put some blessing. She
+opened the box incautiously, and the blessings all escaped, HOPE
+only excepted. This story seems more probable than the former; for
+how could HOPE, so precious a jewel as it is, have been kept in a
+jar full of all manner of evils, as in the former statement?
+
+The world being thus furnished with inhabitants, the first age was
+an age of innocence and happiness, called the Golden Age. Truth
+and right prevailed, though not enforced by law, nor was there any
+magistrate to threaten or punish. The forest had not yet been
+robbed of its trees to furnish timbers for vessels, nor had men
+built fortifications round their towns. There were no such things
+as swords, spears, or helmets. The earth brought forth all things
+necessary for man, without his labor in ploughing or sowing.
+Perpetual spring reigned, flowers sprang up without seed, the
+rivers flowed with milk and wine, and yellow honey distilled from
+the oaks.
+
+Then succeeded the Silver Age, inferior to the golden, but better
+than that of brass. Jupiter shortened the spring, and divided the
+year into seasons. Then, first, men had to endure the extremes of
+heat and cold, and houses became necessary. Caves were the first
+dwellings, and leafy coverts of the woods, and huts woven of
+twigs. Crops would no longer grow without planting. The farmer was
+obliged to sow the seed and the toiling ox to draw the plough.
+
+Next came the Brazen Age, more savage of temper, and readier to
+the strife of arms, yet not altogether wicked. The hardest and
+worst was the Iron Age. Crime burst in like a flood; modesty,
+truth, and honor fled. In their places came fraud and cunning,
+violence, and the wicked love of gain. Then seamen spread sails to
+the wind, and the trees were torn from the mountains to serve for
+keels to ships, and vex the face of ocean. The earth, which till
+now had been cultivated in common, began to be divided off into
+possessions. Men were not satisfied with what the surface
+produced, but must dig into its bowels, and draw forth from thence
+the ores of metals. Mischievous IRON, and more mischievous GOLD,
+were produced. War sprang up, using both as weapons; the guest was
+not safe in his friend's house; and sons-in-law and fathers-in-
+law, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, could not trust one
+another. Sons wished their fathers dead, that they might come to
+the inheritance; family love lay prostrate. The earth was wet with
+slaughter, and the gods abandoned it, one by one, till Astraea
+alone was left, and finally she also took her departure.
+
+[Footnote: The goddess of innocence and purity. After leaving
+earth, she was placed among the stars, where she became the
+constellation Virgo--the Virgin. Themis (Justice) was the mother
+of Astraea. She is represented as holding aloft a pair of scales,
+in which she weighs the claims of opposing parties.
+
+It was a favorite idea of the old poets that these goddesses would
+one day return, and bring back the Golden Age. Even in a Christian
+hymn, the "Messiah" of Pope, this idea occurs:
+
+    "All crimes shall cease, and ancient fraud shall fail,
+     Returning Justice lift aloft her scale,
+     Peace o'er the world her olive wand extend,
+     And white-robed Innocence from heaven descend."
+
+See, also, Milton's "Hymn on the Nativity," stanzas xiv. and xv.]
+
+Jupiter, seeing this state of things, burned with anger. He
+summoned the gods to council. They obeyed the call, and took the
+road to the palace of heaven. The road, which any one may see in a
+clear night, stretches across the face of the sky, and is called
+the Milky Way. Along the road stand the palaces of the illustrious
+gods; the common people of the skies live apart, on either side.
+Jupiter addressed the assembly. He set forth the frightful
+condition of things on the earth, and closed by announcing his
+intention to destroy the whole of its inhabitants, and provide a
+new race, unlike the first, who would be more worthy of life, and
+much better worshippers of the gods. So saying he took a
+thunderbolt, and was about to launch it at the world, and destroy
+it by burning; but recollecting the danger that such a
+conflagration might set heaven itself on fire, he changed his
+plan, and resolved to drown it. The north wind, which scatters the
+clouds, was chained up; the south was sent out, and soon covered
+all the face of heaven with a cloak of pitchy darkness. The
+clouds, driven together, resound with a crash; torrents of rain
+fall; the crops are laid low; the year's labor of the husbandman
+perishes in an hour. Jupiter, not satisfied with his own waters,
+calls on his brother Neptune to aid him with his. He lets loose
+the rivers, and pours them over the land. At the same time, he
+heaves the land with an earthquake, and brings in the reflux of
+the ocean over the shores. Flocks, herds, men, and houses are
+swept away, and temples, with their sacred enclosures, profaned.
+If any edifice remained standing, it was overwhelmed, and its
+turrets lay hid beneath the waves. Now all was sea, sea without
+shore. Here and there an individual remained on a projecting
+hilltop, and a few, in boats, pulled the oar where they had lately
+driven the plough. The fishes swim among the tree-tops; the anchor
+is let down into a garden. Where the graceful lambs played but
+now, unwieldy sea calves gambol. The wolf swims among the sheep,
+the yellow lions and tigers struggle in the water. The strength of
+the wild boar serves him not, nor his swiftness the stag. The
+birds fall with weary wing into the water, having found no land
+for a resting-place. Those living beings whom the water spared
+fell a prey to hunger.
+
+Parnassus alone, of all the mountains, overtopped the waves; and
+there Deucalion, and his wife Pyrrha, of the race of Prometheus,
+found refuge--he a just man, and she a faithful worshipper of the
+gods. Jupiter, when he saw none left alive but this pair, and
+remembered their harmless lives and pious demeanor, ordered the
+north winds to drive away the clouds, and disclose the skies to
+earth, and earth to the skies. Neptune also directed Triton to
+blow on his shell, and sound a retreat to the waters. The waters
+obeyed, and the sea returned to its shores, and the rivers to
+their channels. Then Deucalion thus addressed Pyrrha: "O wife,
+only surviving woman, joined to me first by the ties of kindred
+and marriage, and now by a common danger, would that we possessed
+the power of our ancestor Prometheus, and could renew the race as
+he at first made it! But as we cannot, let us seek yonder temple,
+and inquire of the gods what remains for us to do." They entered
+the temple, deformed as it was with slime, and approached the
+altar, where no fire burned. There they fell prostrate on the
+earth, and prayed the goddess to inform them how they might
+retrieve their miserable affairs. The oracle answered, "Depart
+from the temple with head veiled and garments unbound, and cast
+behind you the bones of your mother." They heard the words with
+astonishment. Pyrrha first broke silence: "We cannot obey; we dare
+not profane the remains of our parents." They sought the thickest
+shades of the wood, and revolved the oracle in their minds. At
+length Deucalion spoke: "Either my sagacity deceives me, or the
+command is one we may obey without impiety. The earth is the great
+parent of all; the stones are her bones; these we may cast behind
+us; and I think this is what the oracle means. At least, it will
+do no harm to try." They veiled their faces, unbound their
+garments, and picked up stones, and cast them behind them. The
+stones (wonderful to relate) began to grow soft, and assume shape.
+By degrees, they put on a rude resemblance to the human form, like
+a block half-finished in the hands of the sculptor. The moisture
+and slime that were about them became flesh; the stony part became
+bones; the veins remained veins, retaining their name, only
+changing their use. Those thrown by the hand of the man became
+men, and those by the woman became women. It was a hard race, and
+well adapted to labor, as we find ourselves to be at this day,
+giving plain indications of our origin.
+
+The comparison of Eve to Pandora is too obvious to have escaped
+Milton, who introduces it in Book IV. of "Paradise Lost":
+
+    "More lovely than Pandora, whom the gods
+     Endowed with all their gifts; and O, too like
+     In sad event, when to the unwiser son
+     Of Japhet brought by Hermes, she insnared
+     Mankind with her fair looks, to be avenged
+     On him who had stole Jove's authentic fire."
+
+Prometheus and Epimetheus were sons of Iapetus, which Milton
+changes to Japhet.
+
+Prometheus has been a favorite subject with the poets. He is
+represented as the friend of mankind, who interposed in their
+behalf when Jove was incensed against them, and who taught them
+civilization and the arts. But as, in so doing, he transgressed
+the will of Jupiter, he drew down on himself the anger of the
+ruler of gods and men. Jupiter had him chained to a rock on Mount
+Caucasus, where a vulture preyed on his liver, which was renewed
+as fast as devoured. This state of torment might have been brought
+to an end at any time by Prometheus, if he had been willing to
+submit to his oppressor; for he possessed a secret which involved
+the stability of Jove's throne, and if he would have revealed it,
+he might have been at once taken into favor. But that he disdained
+to do. He has therefore become the symbol of magnanimous endurance
+of unmerited suffering, and strength of will resisting oppression.
+
+Byron and Shelley have both treated this theme. The following are
+Byron's lines:
+
+    "Titan! to whose immortal eyes
+       The sufferings of mortality,
+       Seen in their sad reality,
+     Were not as things that gods despise;
+     What was thy pity's recompense?
+     A silent suffering, and intense;
+     The rock, the vulture, and the chain;
+     All that the proud can feel of pain;
+     The agony they do not show;
+     The suffocating sense of woe.
+
+    "Thy godlike crime was to be kind;
+       To render with thy precepts less
+       The sum of human wretchedness,
+     And strengthen man with his own mind.
+       And, baffled as thou wert from high,
+       Still, in thy patient energy
+     In the endurance and repulse
+       Of thine impenetrable spirit,
+     Which earth and heaven could not convulse,
+       A mighty lesson we inherit."
+
+Byron also employs the same allusion, in his
+"Ode to Napoleon Bonaparte":
+
+    "Or, like the thief of fire from heaven,
+       Wilt thou withstand the shock?
+     And share with him--the unforgiven--
+       His vulture and his rock?"
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+APOLLO AND DAPHNE--PYRAMUS AND THISBE CEPHALUS AND PROCRIS
+
+
+The slime with which the earth was covered by the waters of the
+flood produced an excessive fertility, which called forth every
+variety of production, both bad and good. Among the rest, Python,
+an enormous serpent, crept forth, the terror of the people, and
+lurked in the caves of Mount Parnassus. Apollo slew him with his
+arrows--weapons which he had not before used against any but
+feeble animals, hares, wild goats, and such game. In commemoration
+of this illustrious conquest he instituted the Pythian games, in
+which the victor in feats of strength, swiftness of foot, or in
+the chariot race was crowned with a wreath of beech leaves; for
+the laurel was not yet adopted by Apollo as his own tree.
+
+The famous statue of Apollo called the Belvedere represents the
+god after this victory over the serpent Python. To this Byron
+alludes in his "Childe Harold," iv., 161:
+
+    "... The lord of the unerring bow,
+     The god of life, and poetry, and light,
+     The Sun, in human limbs arrayed, and brow
+     All radiant from his triumph in the fight
+     The shaft has just been shot; the arrow bright
+     With an immortal's vengeance; in his eye
+     And nostril, beautiful disdain, and might
+     And majesty flash their full lightnings by,
+     Developing in that one glance the Deity."
+
+APOLLO AND DAPHNE
+
+Daphne was Apollo's first love. It was not brought about by
+accident, but by the malice of Cupid. Apollo saw the boy playing
+with his bow and arrows; and being himself elated with his recent
+victory over Python, he said to him, "What have you to do with
+warlike weapons, saucy boy? Leave them for hands worthy of them.
+Behold the conquest I have won by means of them over the vast
+serpent who stretched his poisonous body over acres of the plain!
+Be content with your torch, child, and kindle up your flames, as
+you call them, where you will, but presume not to meddle with my
+weapons." Venus's boy heard these words, and rejoined, "Your
+arrows may strike all things else, Apollo, but mine shall strike
+you." So saying, he took his stand on a rock of Parnassus, and
+drew from his quiver two arrows of different workmanship, one to
+excite love, the other to repel it. The former was of gold and
+sharp pointed, the latter blunt and tipped with lead. With the
+leaden shaft he struck the nymph Daphne, the daughter of the river
+god Peneus, and with the golden one Apollo, through the heart.
+Forthwith the god was seized with love for the maiden, and she
+abhorred the thought of loving. Her delight was in woodland sports
+and in the spoils of the chase. Many lovers sought her, but she
+spurned them all, ranging the woods, and taking no thought of
+Cupid nor of Hymen. Her father often said to her, "Daughter, you
+owe me a son-in-law; you owe me grandchildren." She, hating the
+thought of marriage as a crime, with her beautiful face tinged all
+over with blushes, threw arms around her father's neck, and said,
+"Dearest father, grant me this favor, that I may always remain
+unmarried, like Diana." He consented, but at the same time said,
+"Your own face will forbid it."
+
+Apollo loved her, and longed to obtain her; and he who gives
+oracles to all the world was not wise enough to look into his own
+fortunes. He saw her hair flung loose over her shoulders, and
+said, "If so charming in disorder, what would it be if arranged?"
+He saw her eyes bright as stars; he saw her lips, and was not
+satisfied with only seeing them. He admired her hands and arms,
+naked to the shoulder, and whatever was hidden from view he
+imagined more beautiful still. He followed her; she fled, swifter
+than the wind, and delayed not a moment at his entreaties. "Stay,"
+said he, "daughter of Peneus; I am not a foe. Do not fly me as a
+lamb flies the wolf, or a dove the hawk. It is for love I pursue
+you. You make me miserable, for fear you should fall and hurt
+yourself on these stones, and I should be the cause. Pray run
+slower, and I will follow slower. I am no clown, no rude peasant.
+Jupiter is my father, and I am lord of Delphos and Tenedos, and
+know all things, present and future. I am the god of song and the
+lyre. My arrows fly true to the mark; but, alas! an arrow more
+fatal than mine has pierced my heart! I am the god of medicine,
+and know the virtues of all healing plants. Alas! I suffer a
+malady that no balm can cure!"
+
+The nymph continued her flight, and left his plea half uttered.
+And even as she fled she charmed him. The wind blew her garments,
+and her unbound hair streamed loose behind her. The god grew
+impatient to find his wooings thrown away, and, sped by Cupid,
+gained upon her in the race. It was like a hound pursuing a hare,
+with open jaws ready to seize, while the feebler animal darts
+forward, slipping from the very grasp. So flew the god and the
+virgin--he on the wings of love, and she on those of fear. The
+pursuer is the more rapid, however, and gains upon her, and his
+panting breath blows upon her hair. Her strength begins to fail,
+and, ready to sink, she calls upon her father, the river god:
+"Help me, Peneus! open the earth to enclose me, or change my form,
+which has brought me into this danger!" Scarcely had she spoken,
+when a stiffness seized all her limbs; her bosom began to be
+enclosed in a tender bark; her hair became leaves; her arms became
+branches; her foot stuck fast in the ground, as a root; her face,
+became a tree-top, retaining nothing of its former self but its
+beauty. Apollo stood amazed. He touched the stem, and felt the
+flesh tremble under the new bark. He embraced the branches, and
+lavished kisses on the wood. The branches shrank from his lips.
+"Since you cannot be my wife," said he, "you shall assuredly be my
+tree. I will wear you for my crown; I will decorate with you my
+harp and my quiver; and when the great Roman conquerors lead up
+the triumphal pomp to the Capitol, you shall be woven into wreaths
+for their brows. And, as eternal youth is mine, you also shall be
+always green, and your leaf know no decay." The nymph, now changed
+into a Laurel tree, bowed its head in grateful acknowledgment.
+
+That Apollo should be the god both of music and poetry will not
+appear strange, but that medicine should also be assigned to his
+province, may. The poet Armstrong, himself a physician, thus
+accounts for it:
+
+    "Music exalts each joy, allays each grief,
+     Expels diseases, softens every pain;
+     And hence the wise of ancient days adored
+     One power of physic, melody, and song."
+
+The story of Apollo and Daphne is often alluded to by the poets.
+Waller applies it to the case of one whose amatory verses, though
+they did not soften the heart of his mistress, yet won for the
+poet wide-spread fame:
+
+    "Yet what he sung in his immortal strain,
+     Though unsuccessful, was not sung in vain.
+     All but the nymph that should redress his wrong,
+     Attend his passion and approve his song.
+     Like Phoebus thus, acquiring unsought praise,
+     He caught at love and filled his arms with bays."
+
+The following stanza from Shelley's "Adonais" alludes to Byron's
+early quarrel with the reviewers:
+
+    "The herded wolves, bold only to pursue;
+    The obscene ravens, clamorous o'er the dead;
+    The vultures, to the conqueror's banner true,
+    Who feed where Desolation first has fed,
+    And whose wings rain contagion: how they fled,
+    When like Apollo, from his golden bow,
+    The Pythian of the age one arrow sped
+    And smiled! The spoilers tempt no second blow;
+    They fawn on the proud feet that spurn them as they go."
+
+PYRAMUS AND THISBE
+
+Pyramus was the handsomest youth, and Thisbe the fairest maiden,
+in all Babylonia, where Semiramis reigned. Their parents occupied
+adjoining houses; and neighborhood brought the young people
+together, and acquaintance ripened into love. They would gladly
+have married, but their parents forbade. One thing, however, they
+could not forbid--that love should glow with equal ardor in the
+bosoms of both. They conversed by signs and glances, and the fire
+burned more intensely for being covered up. In the wall that
+parted the two houses there was a crack, caused by some fault in
+the structure. No one had remarked it before, but the lovers
+discovered it. What will not love discover! It afforded a passage
+to the voice; and tender messages used to pass backward and
+forward through the gap. As they stood, Pyramus on this side,
+Thisbe on that, their breaths would mingle. "Cruel wall," they
+said, "why do you keep two lovers apart? But we will not be
+ungrateful. We owe you, we confess, the privilege of transmitting
+loving words to willing ears." Such words they uttered on
+different sides of the wall; and when night came and they must say
+farewell, they pressed their lips upon the wall, she on her side,
+he on his, as they could come no nearer.
+
+Next morning, when Aurora had put out the stars, and the sun had
+melted the frost from the grass, they met at the accustomed spot.
+Then, after lamenting their hard fate, they agreed, that next
+night, when all was still, they would slip away from watchful
+eyes, leave their dwellings and walk out into the fields; and to
+insure a meeting, repair to a well-known edifice standing without
+the city's bounds, called the Tomb of Ninus, and that the one who
+came first should await the other at the foot of a certain tree.
+It was a white mulberry tree, and stood near a cool spring. All
+was agreed on, and they waited impatiently for the sun to go down
+beneath the waters and night to rise up from them. Then cautiously
+Thisbe stole forth, unobserved by the family, her head covered
+with a veil, made her way to the monument and sat down under the
+tree. As she sat alone in the dim light of the evening she
+descried a lioness, her jaws reeking with recent slaughter,
+approaching the fountain to slake her thirst. Thisbe fled at the
+sight, and sought refuge in the hollow of a rock. As she fled she
+dropped her veil. The lioness after drinking at the spring turned
+to retreat to the woods, and seeing the veil on the ground, tossed
+and rent it with her bloody mouth.
+
+Pyramus, having been delayed, now approached the place of meeting.
+He saw in the sand the footsteps of the lion, and the color fled
+from his cheeks at the sight. Presently he found the veil all rent
+and bloody. "O hapless girl," said he, "I have been the cause of
+thy death! Thou, more worthy of life than I, hast fallen the first
+victim. I will follow. I am the guilty cause, in tempting thee
+forth to a place of such peril, and not being myself on the spot
+to guard thee. Come forth, ye lions, from the rocks, and tear this
+guilty body with your teeth." He took up the veil, carried it with
+him to the appointed tree, and covered it with kisses and with
+tears. "MY blood also shall stain your texture," said he, and
+drawing his sword plunged it into his heart. The blood spurted
+from the wound, and tinged the white mulberries of the tree all
+red; and sinking into the earth reached the roots, so that the red
+color mounted through the trunk to the fruit.
+
+By this time Thisbe, still trembling with fear, yet wishing not to
+disappoint her lover, stepped cautiously forth, looking anxiously
+for the youth, eager to tell him the danger she had escaped. When
+she came to the spot and saw the changed color of the mulberries
+she doubted whether it was the same place. While she hesitated she
+saw the form of one struggling in the agonies of death. She
+started back, a shudder ran through her frame as a ripple on the
+face of the still water when a sudden breeze sweeps over it. But
+as soon as she recognized her lover, she screamed and beat her
+breast, embracing the lifeless body, pouring tears into its
+wounds, and imprinting kisses on the cold lips. "O Pyramus," she
+cried, "what has done this? Answer me, Pyramus; it is your own
+Thisbe that speaks. Hear me, dearest, and lift that drooping
+head!" At the name of Thisbe Pyramus opened his eyes, then closed
+them again. She saw her veil stained with blood and the scabbard
+empty of its sword. "Thy own hand has slain thee, and for my
+sake," she said. "I too can be brave for once, and my love is as
+strong as thine. I will follow thee in death, for I have been the
+cause; and death which alone could part us shall not prevent my
+joining thee. And ye, unhappy parents of us both, deny us not our
+united request. As love and death have joined us, let one tomb
+contain us. And thou, tree, retain the marks of slaughter. Let thy
+berries still serve for memorials of our blood." So saying she
+plunged the sword into her breast. Her parents ratified her wish,
+the gods also ratified it. The two bodies were buried in one
+sepulchre, and the tree ever after brought forth purple berries,
+as it does to this day.
+
+Moore, in the "Sylph's Ball," speaking of Davy's Safety Lamp, is
+reminded of the wall that separated Thisbe and her lover:
+
+    "O for that Lamp's metallic gauze,
+       That curtain of protecting wire,
+     Which Davy delicately draws
+       Around illicit, dangerous fire!
+
+     The wall he sets 'twixt Flame and Air,
+       (Like that which barred young Thisbe's bliss,)
+     Through whose small holes this dangerous pair
+       May see each other, but not kiss."
+
+In Mickle's translation of the "Lusiad" occurs the following
+allusion to the story of Pyramus and Thisbe, and the metamorphosis
+of the mulberries. The poet is describing the Island of Love:
+
+    "... here each gift Pomona's hand bestows
+     In cultured garden, free uncultured flows,
+     The flavor sweeter and the hue more fair
+     Than e'er was fostered by the hand of care.
+     The cherry here in shining crimson glows,
+     And stained with lovers' blood, in pendent rows,
+     The mulberries o'erload the bending boughs."
+
+If any of our young readers can be so hard-hearted as to enjoy a
+laugh at the expense of poor Pyramus and Thisbe, they may find an
+opportunity by turning to Shakspeare's play of the "Midsummer
+Night's Dream," where it is most amusingly burlesqued.
+
+CEPHALUS AND PROCRIS
+
+Cephalus was a beautiful youth and fond of manly sports. He would
+rise before the dawn to pursue the chase. Aurora saw him when she
+first looked forth, fell in love with him, and stole him away. But
+Cephalus was just married to a charming wife whom he devotedly
+loved. Her name was Procris. She was a favorite of Diana, the
+goddess of hunting, who had given her a dog which could outrun
+every rival, and a javelin which would never fail of its mark; and
+Procris gave these presents to her husband. Cephalus was so happy
+in his wife that he resisted all the entreaties of Aurora, and she
+finally dismissed him in displeasure, saying, "Go, ungrateful
+mortal, keep your wife, whom, if I am not much mistaken, you will
+one day be very sorry you ever saw again."
+
+Cephalus returned, and was as happy as ever in his wife and his
+woodland sports. Now it happened some angry deity had sent a
+ravenous fox to annoy the country; and the hunters turned out in
+great strength to capture it. Their efforts were all in vain; no
+dog could run it down; and at last they came to Cephalus to borrow
+his famous dog, whose name was Lelaps. No sooner was the dog let
+loose than he darted off, quicker than their eye could follow him.
+If they had not seen his footprints in the sand they would have
+thought he flew. Cephalus and others stood on a hill and saw the
+race. The fox tried every art; he ran in a circle and turned on
+his track, the dog close upon him, with open jaws, snapping at his
+heels, but biting only the air. Cephalus was about to use his
+javelin, when suddenly he saw both dog and game stop instantly.
+The heavenly powers who had given both were not willing that
+either should conquer. In the very attitude of life and action
+they were turned into stone. So lifelike and natural did they
+look, you would have thought, as you looked at them, that one was
+going to bark, the other to leap forward.
+
+Cephalus, though he had lost his dog, still continued to take
+delight in the chase. He would go out at early morning, ranging
+the woods and hills unaccompanied by any one, needing no help, for
+his javelin was a sure weapon in all cases. Fatigued with hunting,
+when the sun got high he would seek a shady nook where a cool
+stream flowed, and, stretched on the grass, with his garments
+thrown aside, would enjoy the breeze. Sometimes he would say
+aloud, "Come, sweet breeze, come and fan my breast, come and allay
+the heat that burns me." Some one passing by one day heard him
+talking in this way to the air, and, foolishly believing that he
+was talking to some maiden, went and told the secret to Procris,
+Cephalus's wife. Love is credulous. Procris, at the sudden shock,
+fainted away. Presently recovering, she said, "It cannot be true;
+I will not believe it unless I myself am a witness to it." So she
+waited, with anxious heart, till the next morning, when Cephalus
+went to hunt as usual. Then she stole out after him, and concealed
+herself in the place where the informer directed her. Cephalus
+came as he was wont when tired with sport, and stretched himself
+on the green bank, saying, "Come, sweet breeze, come and fan me;
+you know how I love you! you make the groves and my solitary
+rambles delightful." He was running on in this way when he heard,
+or thought he heard, a sound as of a sob in the bushes. Supposing
+it some wild animal, he threw his javelin at the spot. A cry from
+his beloved Procris told him that the weapon had too surely met
+its mark. He rushed to the place, and found her bleeding, and with
+sinking strength endeavoring to draw forth from the wound the
+javelin, her own gift. Cephalus raised her from the earth, strove
+to stanch the blood, and called her to revive and not to leave him
+miserable, to reproach himself with her death. She opened her
+feeble eyes, and forced herself to utter these few words: "I
+implore you, if you have ever loved me, if I have ever deserved
+kindness at your hands, my husband, grant me this last request; do
+not marry that odious Breeze!" This disclosed the whole mystery:
+but alas! what advantage to disclose it now! She died; but her
+face wore a calm expression, and she looked pityingly and
+forgivingly on her husband when he made her understand the truth.
+
+Moore, in his "Legendary Ballads," has one on Cephalus and
+Procris, beginning thus:
+
+    "A hunter once in a grove reclined,
+       To shun the noon's bright eye,
+     And oft he wooed the wandering wind
+       To cool his brow with its sigh
+     While mute lay even the wild bee's hum,
+       Nor breath could stir the aspen's hair,
+     His song was still, 'Sweet Air, O come!'
+       While Echo answered, 'Come, sweet Air!'"
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+JUNO AND HER RIVALS, IO AND CALLISTO--DIANA AND ACTAEON--LATONA
+AND THE RUSTICS
+
+
+Juno one day perceived it suddenly grow dark, and immediately
+suspected that her husband had raised a cloud to hide some of his
+doings that would not bear the light. She brushed away the cloud,
+and saw her husband on the banks of a glassy river, with a
+beautiful heifer standing near him. Juno suspected the heifer's
+form concealed some fair nymph of mortal mould--as was, indeed the
+case; for it was Io, the daughter of the river god Inachus, whom
+Jupiter had been flirting with, and, when he became aware of the
+approach of his wife, had changed into that form.
+
+Juno joined her husband, and noticing the heifer praised its
+beauty, and asked whose it was, and of what herd. Jupiter, to stop
+questions, replied that it was a fresh creation from the earth.
+Juno asked to have it as a gift. What could Jupiter do? He was
+loath to give his mistress to his wife; yet how refuse so trifling
+a present as a simple heifer? He could not, without exciting
+suspicion; so he consented. The goddess was not yet relieved of
+her suspicions; so she delivered the heifer to Argus, to be
+strictly watched.
+
+Now Argus had a hundred eyes in his head, and never went to sleep
+with more than two at a time, so that he kept watch of Io
+constantly. He suffered her to feed through the day, and at night
+tied her up with a vile rope round her neck. She would have
+stretched out her arms to implore freedom of Argus, but she had no
+arms to stretch out, and her voice was a bellow that frightened
+even herself. She saw her father and her sisters, went near them,
+and suffered them to pat her back, and heard them admire her
+beauty. Her father reached her a tuft of grass, and she licked the
+outstretched hand. She longed to make herself known to him, and
+would have uttered her wish; but, alas! words were wanting. At
+length she bethought herself of writing, and inscribed her name--
+it was a short one--with her hoof on the sand. Inachus recognized
+it, and discovering that his daughter, whom he had long sought in
+vain, was hidden under this disguise, mourned over her, and,
+embracing her white neck, exclaimed, "Alas! my daughter, it would
+have been a less grief to have lost you altogether!" While he thus
+lamented, Argus, observing, came and drove her away, and took his
+seat on a high bank, from whence he could see all around in every
+direction.
+
+Jupiter was troubled at beholding the sufferings of his mistress,
+and calling Mercury told him to go and despatch Argus. Mercury
+made haste, put his winged slippers on his feet, and cap on his
+head, took his sleep-producing wand, and leaped down from the
+heavenly towers to the earth. There he laid aside his wings, and
+kept only his wand, with which he presented himself as a shepherd
+driving his flock. As he strolled on he blew upon his pipes. These
+were what are called the Syrinx or Pandean pipes. Argus listened
+with delight, for he had never seen the instrument before. "Young
+man," said he, "come and take a seat by me on this stone. There is
+no better place for your flocks to graze in than hereabouts, and
+here is a pleasant shade such as shepherds love." Mercury sat
+down, talked, and told stories till it grew late, and played upon
+his pipes his most soothing strains, hoping to lull the watchful
+eyes to sleep, but all in vain; for Argus still contrived to keep
+some of his eyes open though he shut the rest.
+
+Among other stories, Mercury told him how the instrument on which
+he played was invented. "There was a certain nymph, whose name was
+Syrinx, who was much beloved by the satyrs and spirits of the
+wood; but she would have none of them, but was a faithful
+worshipper of Diana, and followed the chase. You would have
+thought it was Diana herself, had you seen her in her hunting
+dress, only that her bow was of horn and Diana's of silver. One
+day, as she was returning from the chase, Pan met her, told her
+just this, and added more of the same sort. She ran away, without
+stopping to hear his compliments, and he pursued till she came to
+the bank of the river, where he overtook her, and she had only
+time to call for help on her friends the water nymphs. They heard
+and consented. Pan threw his arms around what he supposed to be
+the form of the nymph, and found he embraced only a tuft of reeds!
+As he breathed a sigh, the air sounded through the reeds, and
+produced a plaintive melody. The god, charmed with the novelty and
+with the sweetness of the music, said, 'Thus, then, at least, you
+shall be mine.' And he took some of the reeds, and placing them
+together, of unequal lengths, side by side, made an instrument
+which he called Syrinx, in honor of the nymph." Before Mercury had
+finished his story he saw Argus's eyes all asleep. As his head
+nodded forward on his breast, Mercury with one stroke cut his neck
+through, and tumbled his head down the rocks. O hapless Argus! the
+light of your hundred eyes is quenched at once! Juno took them and
+put them as ornaments on the tail of her peacock, where they
+remain to this day.
+
+But the vengeance of Juno was not yet satiated. She sent a gadfly
+to torment Io, who fled over the whole world from its pursuit. She
+swam through the Ionian sea, which derived its name from her, then
+roamed over the plains of Illyria, ascended Mount Haemus, and
+crossed the Thracian strait, thence named the Bosphorus (cow-
+ford), rambled on through Scythia, and the country of the
+Cimmerians, and arrived at last on the banks of the Nile. At
+length Jupiter interceded for her, and upon his promising not to
+pay her any more attentions Juno consented to restore her to her
+form. It was curious to see her gradually recover her former self.
+The coarse hairs fell from her body, her horns shrank up, her eyes
+grew narrower, her mouth shorter; hands and fingers came instead
+of hoofs to her forefeet; in fine there was nothing left of the
+heifer, except her beauty. At first she was afraid to speak, for
+fear she should low, but gradually she recovered her confidence
+and was restored to her father and sisters.
+
+In a poem dedicated to Leigh Hunt, by Keats, the following
+allusion to the story of Pan and Syrinx occurs:
+
+    "So did he feel who pulled the bough aside,
+     That we might look into a forest wide,
+
+     Telling us how fair trembling Syrinx fled
+     Arcadian Pan, with such a fearful dread.
+     Poor nymph--poor Pan--how he did weep to find
+     Nought but a lovely sighing of the wind
+     Along the reedy stream; a half-heard strain.
+     Full of sweet desolation, balmy pain."
+
+CALLISTO
+
+Callisto was another maiden who excited the jealousy of Juno, and
+the goddess changed her into a bear. "I will take away," said she,
+"that beauty with which you have captivated my husband." Down fell
+Callisto on her hands and knees; she tried to stretch out her arms
+in supplication--they were already beginning to be covered with
+black hair. Her hands grew rounded, became armed with crooked
+claws, and served for feet; her mouth, which Jove used to praise
+for its beauty, became a horrid pair of jaws; her voice, which if
+unchanged would have moved the heart to pity, became a growl, more
+fit to inspire terror. Yet her former disposition remained, and
+with continual groaning, she bemoaned her fate, and stood upright
+as well as she could, lifting up her paws to beg for mercy, and
+felt that Jove was unkind, though she could not tell him so. Ah,
+how often, afraid to stay in the woods all night alone, she
+wandered about the neighborhood of her former haunts; how often,
+frightened by the dogs, did she, so lately a huntress, fly in
+terror from the hunters! Often she fled from the wild beasts,
+forgetting that she was now a wild beast herself; and, bear as she
+was, was afraid of the bears.
+
+One day a youth espied her as he was hunting. She saw him and
+recognized him as her own son, now grown a young man. She stopped
+and felt inclined to embrace him. As she was about to approach,
+he, alarmed, raised his hunting spear, and was on the point of
+transfixing her, when Jupiter, beholding, arrested the crime, and
+snatching away both of them, placed them in the heavens as the
+Great and Little Bear.
+
+Juno was in a rage to see her rival so set in honor, and hastened
+to ancient Tethys and Oceanus, the powers of ocean, and in answer
+to their inquiries thus told the cause of her coming: "Do you ask
+why I, the queen of the gods, have left the heavenly plains and
+sought your depths? Learn that I am supplanted in heaven--my place
+is given to another. You will hardly believe me; but look when
+night darkens the world, and you shall see the two of whom I have
+so much reason to complain exalted to the heavens, in that part
+where the circle is the smallest, in the neighborhood of the pole.
+Why should any one hereafter tremble at the thought of offending
+Juno, when such rewards are the consequence of my displeasure? See
+what I have been able to effect! I forbade her to wear the human
+form--she is placed among the stars! So do my punishments result--
+such is the extent of my power! Better that she should have
+resumed her former shape, as I permitted Io to do. Perhaps he
+means to marry her, and put me away! But you, my foster-parents,
+if you feel for me, and see with displeasure this unworthy
+treatment of me, show it, I beseech you, by forbidding this guilty
+couple from coming into your waters." The powers of the ocean
+assented, and consequently the two constellations of the Great and
+Little Bear move round and round in heaven, but never sink, as the
+other stars do, beneath the ocean.
+
+Milton alludes to the fact that the constellation of the Bear
+never sets, when he says:
+
+    "Let my lamp at midnight hour
+     Be seen in some high lonely tower,
+     Where I may oft outwatch the Bear," etc.
+
+And Prometheus, in J. R. Lowell's poem, says:
+
+    "One after one the stars have risen and set,
+     Sparkling upon the hoar frost of my chain;
+     The Bear that prowled all night about the fold
+     Of the North-star, hath shrunk into his den,
+     Scared by the blithesome footsteps of the Dawn."
+
+The last star in the tail of the Little Bear is the Pole-star,
+called also the Cynosure. Milton says:
+
+    "Straight mine eye hath caught new pleasures
+     While the landscape round it measures.
+
+     Towers and battlements it sees
+     Bosomed high in tufted trees,
+     Where perhaps some beauty lies
+     The Cynosure of neighboring eyes"
+
+The reference here is both to the Pole-star as the guide of
+mariners, and to the magnetic attraction of the North He calls it
+also the "Star of Arcady," because Callisto's boy was named Arcas,
+and they lived in Arcadia. In "Comus," the brother, benighted in
+the woods, says:
+
+    "... Some gentle taper!
+     Though a rush candle, from the wicker hole
+     Of some clay habitation, visit us
+     With thy long levelled rule of streaming light,
+     And thou shalt be our star of Arcady,
+     Or Tyrian Cynosure."
+
+DIANA AND ACTAEON
+
+Thus in two instances we have seen Juno's severity to her rivals;
+now let us learn how a virgin goddess punished an invader of her
+privacy.
+
+It was midday, and the sun stood equally distant from either goal,
+when young Actaeon, son of King Cadmus, thus addressed the youths
+who with him were hunting the stag in the mountains:
+
+"Friends, our nets and our weapons are wet with the blood of our
+victims; we have had sport enough for one day, and to-morrow we
+can renew our labors. Now, while Phoebus parches the earth, let us
+put by our implements and indulge ourselves with rest."
+
+There was a valley thick enclosed with cypresses and pines, sacred
+to the huntress queen, Diana. In the extremity of the valley was a
+cave, not adorned with art, but nature had counterfeited art in
+its construction, for she had turned the arch of its roof with
+stones as delicately fitted as if by the hand of man. A fountain
+burst out from one side, whose open basin was bounded by a grassy
+rim. Here the goddess of the woods used to come when weary with
+hunting and lave her virgin limbs in the sparkling water.
+
+One day, having repaired thither with her nymphs, she handed her
+javelin, her quiver, and her bow to one, her robe to another,
+while a third unbound the sandals from her feet. Then Crocale, the
+most skilful of them, arranged her hair, and Nephele, Hyale, and
+the rest drew water in capacious urns. While the goddess was thus
+employed in the labors of the toilet, behold Actaeon, having
+quitted his companions, and rambling without any especial object,
+came to the place, led thither by his destiny. As he presented
+himself at the entrance of the cave, the nymphs, seeing a man,
+screamed and rushed towards the goddess to hide her with their
+bodies. But she was taller than the rest and overtopped them all
+by a head. Such a color as tinges the clouds at sunset or at dawn
+came over the countenance of Diana thus taken by surprise.
+Surrounded as she was by her nymphs, she yet turned half away, and
+sought with a sudden impulse for her arrows. As they were not at
+hand, she dashed the water into the face of the intruder, adding
+these words: "Now go and tell, if you can, that you have seen
+Diana unapparelled." Immediately a pair of branching stag's horns
+grew out of his head, his neck gained in length, his ears grew
+sharp-pointed, his hands became feet, his arms long legs, his body
+was covered with a hairy spotted hide. Fear took the place of his
+former boldness, and the hero fled. He could not but admire his
+own speed; but when he saw his horns in the water, "Ah, wretched
+me!" he would have said, but no sound followed the effort. He
+groaned, and tears flowed down the face which had taken the place
+of his own. Yet his consciousness remained. What shall he do?--go
+home to seek the palace, or lie hid in the woods? The latter he
+was afraid, the former he was ashamed, to do. While he hesitated
+the dogs saw him. First Melampus, a Spartan dog, gave the signal
+with his bark, then Pamphagus, Dorceus, Lelaps, Theron, Nape,
+Tigris, and all the rest, rushed after him swifter than the wind.
+Over rocks and cliffs, through mountain gorges that seemed
+impracticable, he fled and they followed. Where he had often
+chased the stag and cheered on his pack, his pack now chased him,
+cheered on by his huntsmen. He longed to cry out, "I am Actaeon;
+recognize your master!" but the words came not at his will. The
+air resounded with the bark of the dogs. Presently one fastened on
+his back, another seized his shoulder. While they held their
+master, the rest of the pack came up and buried their teeth in his
+flesh. He groaned,--not in a human voice, yet certainly not in a
+stag's,--and falling on his knees, raised his eyes, and would have
+raised his arms in supplication, if he had had them. His friends
+and fellow-huntsmen cheered on the dogs, and looked everywhere for
+Actaeon, calling on him to join the sport. At the sound of his
+name he turned his head, and heard them regret that he should be
+away. He earnestly wished he was. He would have been well pleased
+to see the exploits of his dogs, but to feel them was too much.
+They were all around him, rending and tearing; and it was not till
+they had torn his life out that the anger of Diana was satisfied.
+
+In Shelley's poem "Adonais" is the following allusion to the story
+of Actaeon:
+
+    "'Midst others of less note came one frail form,
+    A phantom among men: companionless
+    As the last cloud of an expiring storm,
+    Whose thunder is its knell; he, as I guess,
+    Had gazed on Nature's naked loveliness,
+    Actaeon-like, and now he fled astray
+    With feeble steps o'er the world's wilderness;
+    And his own Thoughts, along that rugged way,
+    Pursued like raging hounds their father and their prey."
+
+    Stanza 31.
+
+The allusion is probably to Shelley himself.
+
+LATONA AND THE RUSTICS
+
+Some thought the goddess in this instance more severe than was
+just, while others praised her conduct as strictly consistent with
+her virgin dignity. As, usual, the recent event brought older ones
+to mind, and one of the bystanders told this story: "Some
+countrymen of Lycia once insulted the goddess Latona, but not with
+impunity. When I was young, my father, who had grown too old for
+active labors, sent me to Lycia to drive thence some choice oxen,
+and there I saw the very pond and marsh where the wonder happened.
+Near by stood an ancient altar, black with the smoke of sacrifice
+and almost buried among the reeds. I inquired whose altar it might
+be, whether of Faunus or the Naiads, or some god of the
+neighboring mountain, and one of the country people replied, 'No
+mountain or river god possesses this altar, but she whom royal
+Juno in her jealousy drove from land to land, denying her any spot
+of earth whereon to rear her twins. Bearing in her arms the infant
+deities, Latona reached this land, weary with her burden and
+parched with thirst. By chance she espied on the bottom of the
+valley this pond of clear water, where the country people were at
+work gathering willows and osiers. The goddess approached, and
+kneeling on the bank would have slaked her thirst in the cool
+stream, but the rustics forbade her. 'Why do you refuse me water?'
+said she; 'water is free to all. Nature allows no one to claim as
+property the sunshine, the air, or the water. I come to take my
+share of the common blessing. Yet I ask it of you as a favor. I
+have no intention of washing my limbs in it, weary though they be,
+but only to quench my thirst. My mouth is so dry that I can hardly
+speak. A draught Of water would be nectar to me; it would revive
+me, and I would own myself indebted to you for life itself. Let
+these infants move your pity, who stretch out their little arms as
+if to plead for me;' and the children, as it happened, were
+stretching out their arms.
+
+"Who would not have been moved with these gentle words of the
+goddess? But these clowns persisted in their rudeness; they even
+added jeers and threats of violence if she did not leave the
+place. Nor was this all. They waded into the pond and stirred up
+the mud with their feet, so as to make the water unfit to drink.
+Latona was so angry that she ceased to mind her thirst. She no
+longer supplicated the clowns, but lifting her hands to heaven
+exclaimed, 'May they never quit that pool, but pass their lives
+there!' And it came to pass accordingly. They now live in the
+water, sometimes totally submerged, then raising their heads above
+the surface or swimming upon it. Sometimes they come out upon the
+bank, but soon leap back again into the water. They still use
+their base voices in railing, and though they have the water all
+to themselves, are not ashamed to croak in the midst of it. Their
+voices are harsh, their throats bloated, their mouths have become
+stretched by constant railing, their necks have shrunk up and
+disappeared, and their heads are joined to their bodies. Their
+backs are green, their disproportioned bellies white, and in short
+they are now frogs, and dwell in the slimy pool."
+
+This story explains the allusion in one of Milton's sonnets, "On
+the detraction which followed upon his writing certain treatises."
+
+    "I did but prompt the age to quit their clogs
+       By the known laws of ancient liberty,
+       When straight a barbarous noise environs me
+     Of owls and cuckoos, asses, apes and dogs.
+     As when those hinds that were transformed to frogs
+       Railed at Latona's twin-born progeny,
+       Which after held the sun and moon in fee."
+
+The persecution which Latona experienced from Juno is alluded to
+in the story. The tradition was that the future mother of Apollo
+and Diana, flying from the wrath of Juno, besought all the islands
+of the Aegean to afford her a place of rest, but all feared too
+much the potent queen of heaven to assist her rival. Delos alone
+consented to become the birthplace of the future deities. Delos
+was then a floating island; but when Latona arrived there, Jupiter
+fastened it with adamantine chains to the bottom of the sea, that
+it might be a secure resting-place for his beloved. Byron alludes
+to Delos in his "Don Juan":
+
+    "The isles of Greece! the isles of Greece!
+       Where burning Sappho loved and sung,
+     Where grew the arts of war and peace,
+       Where Delos rose and Phoebus sprung!"
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+PHAETON
+
+
+Phaeton was the son of Apollo and the nymph Clymene. One day a
+schoolfellow laughed at the idea of his being the son of the god,
+and Phaeton went in rage and shame and reported it to his mother.
+"If," said he, "I am indeed of heavenly birth, give me, mother,
+some proof of it, and establish my claim to the honor." Clymene
+stretched forth her hands towards the skies, and said, "I call to
+witness the Sun which looks down upon us, that I have told you the
+truth. If I speak falsely, let this be the last time I behold his
+light. But it needs not much labor to go and inquire for yourself;
+the land whence the Sun rises lies next to ours. Go and demand of
+him whether he will own you as a son." Phaeton heard with delight.
+He travelled to India, which lies directly in the regions of
+sunrise; and, full of hope and pride, approached the goal whence
+his parent begins his course.
+
+The palace of the Sun stood reared aloft on columns, glittering
+with gold and precious stones, while polished ivory formed the
+ceilings, and silver the doors. The workmanship surpassed the
+material; [Footnote: See Proverbial Expressions.] for upon the
+walls Vulcan had represented earth, sea, and skies, with their
+inhabitants. In the sea were the nymphs, some sporting in the
+waves, some riding on the backs of fishes, while others sat upon
+the rocks and dried their sea-green hair. Their faces were not all
+alike, nor yet unlike,--but such as sisters' ought to be.
+[Footnote: See Proverbial Expressions.] The earth had its towns
+and forests and rivers and rustic divinities. Over all was carved
+the likeness of the glorious heaven; and on the silver doors the
+twelve signs of the zodiac, six on each side.
+
+Clymene's son advanced up the steep ascent, and entered the halls
+of his disputed father. He approached the paternal presence, but
+stopped at a distance, for the light was more than he could bear.
+Phoebus, arrayed in a purple vesture, sat on a throne, which
+glittered as with diamonds. On his right hand and his left stood
+the Day, the Month, and the Year, and, at regular intervals, the
+Hours. Spring stood with her head crowned with flowers, and
+Summer, with garment cast aside, and a garland formed of spears of
+ripened grain, and Autumn, with his feet stained with grape-juice,
+and icy Winter, with his hair stiffened with hoar frost.
+Surrounded by these attendants, the Sun, with the eye that sees
+everything, beheld the youth dazzled with the novelty and splendor
+of the scene, and inquired the purpose of his errand. The youth
+replied, "O light of the boundless world, Phoebus, my father,--if
+you permit me to use that name,--give me some proof, I beseech
+you, by which I may be known as yours." He ceased; and his father,
+laying aside the beams that shone all around his head, bade him
+approach, and embracing him, said, "My son, you deserve not to be
+disowned, and I confirm what your mother has told you. To put an
+end to your doubts, ask what you will, the gift shall be yours. I
+call to witness that dreadful lake, which I never saw, but which
+we gods swear by in our most solemn engagements." Phaeton
+immediately asked to be permitted for one day to drive the chariot
+of the sun. The father repented of his promise; thrice and four
+times he shook his radiant head in warning. "I have spoken
+rashly," said he; "this only request I would fain deny. I beg you
+to withdraw it. It is not a safe boon, nor one, my Phaeton, suited
+to your youth and strength. Your lot is mortal, and you ask what
+is beyond a mortal's power. In your ignorance you aspire to do
+that which not even the gods themselves may do. None but myself
+may drive the flaming car of day. Not even Jupiter, whose terrible
+right arm hurls the thunderbolts. The first part of the way is
+steep, and such as the horses when fresh in the morning can hardly
+climb; the middle is high up in the heavens, whence I myself can
+scarcely, without alarm, look down and behold the earth and sea
+stretched beneath me. The last part of the road descends rapidly,
+and requires most careful driving. Tethys, who is waiting to
+receive me, often trembles for me lest I should fall headlong. Add
+to all this, the heaven is all the time turning round and carrying
+the stars with it. I have to be perpetually on my guard lest that
+movement, which sweeps everything else along, should hurry me also
+away. Suppose I should lend you the chariot, what would you do?
+Could you keep your course while the sphere was revolving under
+you? Perhaps you think that there are forests and cities, the
+abodes of gods, and palaces and temples on the way. On the
+contrary, the road is through the midst of frightful monsters. You
+pass by the horns of the Bull, in front of the Archer, and near
+the Lion's jaws, and where the Scorpion stretches its arms in one
+direction and the Crab in another. Nor will you find it easy to
+guide those horses, with their breasts full of fire that they
+breathe forth from their mouths and nostrils. I can scarcely
+govern them myself, when they are unruly and resist the reins.
+Beware, my son, lest I be the donor of a fatal gift; recall your
+request while yet you may. Do you ask me for a proof that you are
+sprung from my blood? I give you a proof in my fears for you. Look
+at my face--I would that you could look into my breast, you would
+there see all a father's anxiety. Finally," he continued, "look
+round the world and choose whatever you will of what earth or sea
+contains most precious--ask it and fear no refusal. This only I
+pray you not to urge. It is not honor, but destruction you seek.
+Why do you hang round my neck and still entreat me? You shall have
+it if you persist,--the oath is sworn and must be kept,--but I beg
+you to choose more wisely."
+
+He ended; but the youth rejected all admonition and held to his
+demand. So, having resisted as long as he could, Phoebus at last
+led the way to where stood the lofty chariot.
+
+It was of gold, the gift of Vulcan; the axle was of gold, the pole
+and wheels of gold, the spokes of silver. Along the seat were rows
+of chrysolites and diamonds which reflected all around the
+brightness of the sun. While the daring youth, gazed in
+admiration, the early Dawn threw open the purple doors of the
+east, and showed the pathway strewn with roses. The stars
+withdrew, marshalled by the Day-star, which last of all retired
+also. The father, when he saw the earth beginning to glow, and the
+Moon preparing to retire, ordered the Hours to harness up the
+horses. They obeyed, and led forth from the lofty stalls the
+steeds full fed with ambrosia, and attached the reins. Then the
+father bathed the face of his son with a powerful unguent, and
+made him capable of enduring the brightness of the flame. He set
+the rays on his head, and, with a foreboding sigh, said, "If, my
+son, you will in this at least heed my advice, spare the whip and
+hold tight the reins. They go fast enough of their own accord; the
+labor is to hold them in. You are not to take the straight road
+directly between the five circles, but turn off to the left. Keep
+within the limit of the middle zone, and avoid the northern and
+the southern alike. You will see the marks of the wheels, and they
+will serve to guide you. And, that the skies and the earth may
+each receive their due share of heat, go not too high, or you will
+burn the heavenly dwellings, nor too low, or you will set the
+earth on fire; the middle course is safest and best. [Footnote:
+See Proverbial Expressions] And now I leave you to your chance,
+which I hope will plan better for you than you have done for
+yourself. Night is passing out of the western gates and we can
+delay no longer. Take the reins; but if at last your heart fails
+you, and you will benefit by my advice, stay where you are in
+safety, and suffer me to light and warm the earth." The agile
+youth sprang into the chariot, stood erect, and grasped the reins
+with delight, pouring out thanks to his reluctant parent.
+
+Meanwhile the horses fill the air with their snortings and fiery
+breath, and stamp the ground impatient. Now the bars are let down,
+and the boundless plain of the universe lies open before them.
+They dart forward and cleave the opposing clouds, and outrun the
+morning breezes which started from the same eastern goal. The
+steeds soon perceived that the load they drew was lighter than
+usual; and as a ship without ballast is tossed hither and thither
+on the sea, so the chariot, without its accustomed weight, was
+dashed about as if empty. They rush headlong and leave the
+travelled road. He is alarmed, and knows not how to guide them;
+nor, if he knew, has he the power. Then, for the first time, the
+Great and Little Bear were scorched with heat, and would fain, if
+it were possible, have plunged into the water; and the Serpent
+which lies coiled up round the north pole, torpid and harmless,
+grew warm, and with warmth felt its rage revive. Bootes, they say,
+fled away, though encumbered with his plough, and all unused to
+rapid motion.
+
+When hapless Phaeton looked down upon the earth, now spreading in
+vast extent beneath him, he grew pale and his knees shook with
+terror. In spite of the glare all around him, the sight of his
+eyes grew dim. He wished he had never touched his father's horses,
+never learned his parentage, never prevailed in his request. He is
+borne along like a vessel that flies before a tempest, when the
+pilot can do no more and betakes himself to his prayers. What
+shall he do? Much of the heavenly road is left behind, but more
+remains before. He turns his eyes from one direction to the other;
+now to the goal whence he began his course, now to the realms of
+sunset which he is not destined to reach. He loses his self-
+command, and knows not what to do,--whether to draw tight the
+reins or throw them loose; he forgets the names of the horses. He
+sees with terror the monstrous forms scattered over the surface of
+heaven. Here the Scorpion extended his two great arms, with his
+tail and crooked claws stretching over two signs of the zodiac.
+When the boy beheld him, reeking with poison and menacing with his
+fangs, his courage failed, and the reins fell from his hands. The
+horses, when they felt them loose on their backs, dashed headlong,
+and unrestrained went off into unknown regions of the sky, in
+among the stars, hurling the chariot over pathless places, now up
+in high heaven, now down almost to the earth. The moon saw with
+astonishment her brother's chariot running beneath her own. The
+clouds begin to smoke, and the mountain tops take fire; the fields
+are parched with heat, the plants wither, the trees with their
+leafy branches burn, the harvest is ablaze! But these are small
+things. Great cities perished, with their walls and towers; whole
+nations with their people were consumed to ashes! The forest-clad
+mountains burned, Athos and Taurus and Tmolus and OEte; Ida, once
+celebrated for fountains, but now all dry; the Muses' mountain
+Helicon, and Haemus; Aetna, with fires within and without, and
+Parnassus, with his two peaks, and Rhodope, forced at last to part
+with his snowy crown. Her cold climate was no protection to
+Scythia, Caucasus burned, and Ossa and Pindus, and, greater than
+both, Olympus; the Alps high in air, and the Apennines crowned
+with clouds.
+
+Then Phaeton beheld the world on fire, and felt the heat
+intolerable. The air he breathed was like the air of a furnace and
+full of burning ashes, and the smoke was of a pitchy darkness. He
+dashed forward he knew not whither. Then, it is believed, the
+people of Aethiopia became black by the blood being forced so
+suddenly to the surface, and the Libyan desert was dried up to the
+condition in which it remains to this day. The Nymphs of the
+fountains, with dishevelled hair, mourned their waters, nor were
+the rivers safe beneath their banks: Tanais smoked, and Caicus,
+Xanthus, and Meander; Babylonian Euphrates and Ganges, Tagus with
+golden sands, and Cayster where the swans resort. Nile fled away
+and hid his head in the desert, and there it still remains
+concealed. Where he used to discharge his waters through seven
+mouths into the sea, there seven dry channels alone remained. The
+earth cracked open, and through the chinks light broke into
+Tartarus, and frightened the king of shadows and his queen. The
+sea shrank up. Where before was water, it became a dry plain; and
+the mountains that lie beneath the waves lifted up their heads and
+became islands. The fishes sought the lowest depths, and the
+dolphins no longer ventured as usual to sport on the surface. Even
+Nereus, and his wife Doris, with the Nereids, their daughters,
+sought the deepest caves for refuge. Thrice Neptune essayed to
+raise his head above the surface, and thrice was driven back by
+the heat. Earth, surrounded as she was by waters, yet with head
+and shoulders bare, screening her face with her hand, looked up to
+heaven, and with a husky voice called on Jupiter:
+
+"O ruler of the gods, if I have deserved this treatment, and it is
+your will that I perish with fire, why withhold your thunderbolts?
+Let me at least fall by your hand. Is this the reward of my
+fertility, of my obedient service? Is it for this that I have
+supplied herbage for cattle, and fruits for men, and frankincense
+for your altars? But if I am unworthy of regard, what has my
+brother Ocean done to deserve such a fate? If neither of us can
+excite your pity, think, I pray you, of your own heaven, and
+behold how both the poles are smoking which sustain your palace,
+which must fall if they be destroyed. Atlas faints, and scarce
+holds up his burden. If sea, earth, and heaven perish, we fall
+into ancient Chaos. Save what yet remains to us from the devouring
+flame. O, take thought for our deliverance in this awful moment!"
+
+Thus spoke Earth, and overcome with heat and thirst, could say no
+more. Then Jupiter omnipotent, calling to witness all the gods,
+including him who had lent the chariot, and showing them that all
+was lost unless speedy remedy were applied, mounted the lofty
+tower from whence he diffuses clouds over the earth, and hurls the
+forked lightnings. But at that time not a cloud was to be found to
+interpose for a screen to earth, nor was a shower remaining
+unexhausted. He thundered, and brandishing a lightning bolt in his
+right hand launched it against the charioteer, and struck him at
+the same moment from his seat and from existence! Phaeton, with
+his hair on fire, fell headlong, like a shooting star which marks
+the heavens with its brightness as it falls, and Eridanus, the
+great river, received him and cooled his burning frame. The
+Italian Naiads reared a tomb for him, and inscribed these words
+upon the stone:
+
+    "Driver of Phoebus' chariot Phaeton,
+     Struck by Jove's thunder, rests beneath this stone.
+     He could not rule his father's car of fire,
+     Yet was it much so nobly to aspire"
+
+[Footnote: See Proverbial Expressions]
+
+His sisters, the Heliades, as they lamented his fate, were turned
+into poplar trees, on the banks of the river, and their tears,
+which continued to flow, became amber as they dropped into the
+stream.
+
+Milman, in his poem of "Samor," makes the following allusion to
+Phaeton's story:
+
+    "As when the palsied universe aghast
+     Lay mute and still,
+     When drove, so poets sing, the Sun-born youth
+     Devious through Heaven's affrighted signs his sire's
+     Ill-granted chariot. Him the Thunderer hurled
+     From th' empyrean headlong to the gulf
+     Of the half-parched Eridanus, where weep
+     Even now the sister trees their amber tears
+     O'er Phaeton untimely dead"
+
+In the beautiful lines of Walter Savage Landor, descriptive of the
+Sea-shell, there is an allusion to the Sun's palace and chariot.
+The water-nymph says:
+
+    "I have sinuous shells of pearly hue
+     Within, and things that lustre have imbibed
+     In the sun's palace porch, where when unyoked
+     His chariot wheel stands midway on the wave.
+     Shake one and it awakens; then apply
+     Its polished lip to your attentive ear,
+     And it remembers its august abodes,
+     And murmurs as the ocean murmurs there."
+
+    --Gebir, Book I.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+MIDAS--BAUCIS AND PHILEMON
+
+
+Bacchus, on a certain occasion, found his old schoolmaster and
+foster-father, Silenus, missing. The old man had been drinking,
+and in that state wandered away, and was found by some peasants,
+who carried him to their king, Midas. Midas recognized him, and
+treated him hospitably, entertaining him for ten days and nights
+with an unceasing round of jollity. On the eleventh day he brought
+Silenus back, and restored him in safety to his pupil. Whereupon
+Bacchus offered Midas his choice of a reward, whatever he might
+wish. He asked that whatever he might touch should be changed into
+GOLD. Bacchus consented, though sorry that he had not made a
+better choice. Midas went his way, rejoicing in his new-acquired
+power, which he hastened to put to the test. He could scarce
+believe his eyes when he found a twig of an oak, which he plucked
+from the branch, become gold in his hand. He took up a stone; it
+changed to gold. He touched a sod; it did the same. He took an
+apple from the tree; you would have thought he had robbed the
+garden of the Hesperides. His joy knew no bounds, and as soon as
+he got home, he ordered the servants to set a splendid repast on
+the table. Then he found to his dismay that whether he touched
+bread, it hardened in his hand; or put a morsel to his lips, it
+defied his teeth. He took a glass of wine, but it flowed down his
+throat like melted gold.
+
+In consternation at the unprecedented affliction, he strove to
+divest himself of his power; he hated the gift he had lately
+coveted. But all in vain; starvation seemed to await him. He
+raised his arms, all shining with gold, in prayer to Bacchus,
+begging to be delivered from his glittering destruction. Bacchus,
+merciful deity, heard and consented. "Go," said he, "to the River
+Pactolus, trace the stream to its fountain-head, there plunge your
+head and body in, and wash away your fault and its punishment." He
+did so, and scarce had he touched the waters before the gold-
+creating power passed into them, and the river-sands became
+changed into GOLD, as they remain to this day.
+
+Thenceforth Midas, hating wealth and splendor, dwelt in the
+country, and became a worshipper of Pan, the god of the fields. On
+a certain occasion Pan had the temerity to compare his music with
+that of Apollo, and to challenge the god of the lyre to a trial of
+skill. The challenge was accepted, and Tmolus, the mountain god,
+was chosen umpire. The senior took his seat, and cleared away the
+trees from his ears to listen. At a given signal Pan blew on his
+pipes, and with his rustic melody gave great satisfaction to
+himself and his faithful follower Midas, who happened to be
+present. Then Tmolus turned his head toward the Sun-god, and all
+his trees turned with him. Apollo rose, his brow wreathed with
+Parnassian laurel, while his robe of Tyrian purple swept the
+ground. In his left hand he held the lyre, and with his right hand
+struck the strings. Ravished with the harmony, Tmolus at once
+awarded the victory to the god of the lyre, and all but Midas
+acquiesced in the judgment. He dissented, and questioned the
+justice of the award. Apollo would not suffer such a depraved pair
+of ears any longer to wear the human form, but caused them to
+increase in length, grow hairy, within and without, and movable on
+their roots; in short, to be on the perfect pattern of those of an
+ass.
+
+Mortified enough was King Midas at this mishap; but he consoled
+himself with the thought that it was possible to hide his
+misfortune, which he attempted to do by means of an ample turban
+or head-dress. But his hair-dresser of course knew the secret. He
+was charged not to mention it, and threatened with dire punishment
+if he presumed to disobey. But he found it too much for his
+discretion to keep such a secret; so he went out into the meadow,
+dug a hole in the ground, and stooping down, whispered the story,
+and covered it up. Before long a thick bed of reeds sprang up in
+the meadow, and as soon as it had gained its growth, began
+whispering the story, and has continued to do so, from that day to
+this, every time a breeze passes over the place.
+
+The story of King Midas has been told by others with some
+variations. Dryden, in the "Wife of Bath's Tale," makes Midas's
+queen the betrayer of the secret:
+
+    "This Midas knew, and durst communicate
+     To none but to his wife his ears of state."
+
+Midas was king of Phrygia. He was the son of Gordius, a poor
+countryman, who was taken by the people and made king, in
+obedience to the command of the oracle, which had said that their
+future king should come in a wagon. While the people were
+deliberating, Gordius with his wife and son came driving his wagon
+into the public square.
+
+Gordius, being made king, dedicated his wagon to the deity of the
+oracle, and tied it up in its place with a fast knot. This was the
+celebrated Gordian knot, which, in after times it was said,
+whoever should untie should become lord of all Asia. Many tried to
+untie it, but none succeeded, till Alexander the Great, in his
+career of conquest, came to Phrygia. He tried his skill with as
+ill success as others, till growing impatient he drew his sword
+and cut the knot. When he afterwards succeeded in subjecting all
+Asia to his sway, people began to think that he had complied with
+the terms of the oracle according to its true meaning.
+
+BAUCIS AND PHILEMON
+
+On a certain hill in Phrygia stands a linden tree and an oak,
+enclosed by a low wall. Not far from the spot is a marsh, formerly
+good habitable land, but now indented with pools, the resort of
+fen-birds and cormorants. Once on a time Jupiter, in, human shape,
+visited this country, and with him his son Mercury (he of the
+caduceus), without his wings. They presented themselves, as weary
+travellers, at many a door, seeking rest and shelter, but found
+all closed, for it was late, and the inhospitable inhabitants
+would not rouse themselves to open for their reception. At last a
+humble mansion received them, a small thatched cottage, where
+Baucis, a pious old dame, and her husband Philemon, united when
+young, had grown old together. Not ashamed of their poverty, they
+made it endurable by moderate desires and kind dispositions. One
+need not look there for master or for servant; they two were the
+whole household, master and servant alike. When the two heavenly
+guests crossed the humble threshold, and bowed their heads to pass
+under the low door, the old man placed a seat, on which Baucis,
+bustling and attentive, spread a cloth, and begged them to sit
+down. Then she raked out the coals from the ashes, and kindled up
+a fire, fed it with leaves and dry bark, and with her scanty
+breath blew it into a flame. She brought out of a corner split
+sticks and dry branches, broke them up, and placed them under the
+small kettle. Her husband collected some pot-herbs in the garden,
+and she shred them from the stalks, and prepared them for the pot.
+He reached down with a forked stick a flitch of bacon hanging in
+the chimney, cut a small piece, and put it in the pot to boil with
+the herbs, setting away the rest for another time. A beechen bowl
+was filled with warm water, that their guests might wash. While
+all was doing, they beguiled the time with conversation.
+
+On the bench designed for the guests was laid a cushion stuffed
+with sea-weed; and a cloth, only produced on great occasions, but
+ancient and coarse enough, was spread over that. The old lady,
+with her apron on, with trembling hand set the table. One leg was
+shorter than the rest, but a piece of slate put under restored the
+level. When fixed, she rubbed the table down with some sweet-
+smelling herbs. Upon it she set some of chaste Minerva's olives,
+some cornel berries preserved in vinegar, and added radishes and
+cheese, with eggs lightly cooked in the ashes. All were served in
+earthen dishes, and an earthenware pitcher, with wooden cups,
+stood beside them. When all was ready, the stew, smoking hot, was
+set on the table. Some wine, not of the oldest, was added; and for
+dessert, apples and wild honey; and over and above all, friendly
+faces, and simple but hearty welcome.
+
+Now while the repast proceeded, the old folks were astonished to
+see that the wine, as fast as it was poured out, renewed itself in
+the pitcher, of its own accord. Struck with terror, Baucis and
+Philemon recognized their heavenly guests, fell on their knees,
+and with clasped hands implored forgiveness for their poor
+entertainment. There was an old goose, which they kept as the
+guardian of their humble cottage; and they bethought them to make
+this a sacrifice in honor of their guests. But the goose, too
+nimble, with the aid of feet and wings, for the old folks, eluded
+their pursuit, and at last took shelter between the gods
+themselves. They forbade it to be slain; and spoke in these words:
+"We are gods. This inhospitable village shall pay the penalty of
+its impiety; you alone shall go free from the chastisement. Quit
+your house, and come with us to the top of yonder hill." They
+hastened to obey, and, staff in hand, labored up the steep ascent.
+They had reached to within an arrow's flight of the top, when
+turning their eyes below, they beheld all the country sunk in a
+lake, only their own house left standing. While they gazed with
+wonder at the sight, and lamented the fate of their neighbors,
+that old house of theirs was changed into a temple. Columns took
+the place of the corner posts, the thatch grew yellow and appeared
+a gilded roof, the floors became marble, the doors were enriched
+with carving and ornaments of gold. Then spoke Jupiter in
+benignant accents: "Excellent old man, and woman worthy of such a
+husband, speak, tell us your wishes; what favor have you to ask of
+us?" Philemon took counsel with Baucis a few moments; then
+declared to the gods their united wish. "We ask to be priests and
+guardians of this your temple; and since here we have passed our
+lives in love and concord, we wish that one and the same hour may
+take us both from life, that I may not live to see her grave, nor
+be laid in my own by her." Their prayer was granted. They were the
+keepers of the temple as long as they lived. When grown very old,
+as they stood one day before the steps of the sacred edifice, and
+were telling the story of the place, Baucis saw Philemon begin to
+put forth leaves, and old Philemon saw Baucis changing in like
+manner. And now a leafy crown had grown over their heads, while
+exchanging parting words, as long as they could speak. "Farewell,
+dear spouse," they said, together, and at the same moment the bark
+closed over their mouths. The Tyanean shepherd still shows the two
+trees, standing side by side, made out of the two good old people.
+
+The story of Baucis and Philemon has been imitated by Swift, in a
+burlesque style, the actors in the change being two wandering
+saints, and the house being changed into a church, of which
+Philemon is made the parson. The following may serve as a
+specimen:
+
+    "They scarce had spoke, when, fair and soft,
+     The roof began to mount aloft;
+     Aloft rose every beam and rafter;
+     The heavy wall climbed slowly after.
+     The chimney widened and grew higher,
+     Became a steeple with a spire.
+     The kettle to the top was hoist.
+     And there stood fastened to a joist,
+     But with the upside down, to show
+     Its inclination for below;
+     In vain, for a superior force,
+     Applied at bottom, stops its course;
+     Doomed ever in suspense to dwell,
+     'Tis now no kettle, but a bell.
+     A wooden jack, which had almost
+     Lost by disuse the art to roast,
+     A sudden alteration feels
+     Increased by new intestine wheels;
+     And, what exalts the wonder more.
+     The number made the motion slower;
+     The flier, though't had leaden feet,
+     Turned round so quick you scarce could see't;
+     But slackened by some secret power,
+     Now hardly moves an inch an hour.
+     The jack and chimney, near allied,
+     Had never left each other's side:
+     The chimney to a steeple grown,
+     The jack would not be left alone;
+     But up against the steeple reared,
+     Became a clock, and still adhered;
+     And still its love to household cares
+     By a shrill voice at noon declares,
+     Warning the cook-maid not to burn
+     That roast meat which it cannot turn;
+     The groaning chair began to crawl,
+     Like a huge snail, along the wall;
+     There stuck aloft in public view,
+     And with small change, a pulpit grew.
+     A bedstead of the antique mode,
+     Compact of timber many a load,
+     Such as our ancestors did use,
+     Was metamorphosed into pews,
+     Which still their ancient nature keep
+     By lodging folks disposed to sleep."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+PROSERPINE--GLAUCUS AND SCYLLA
+
+
+When Jupiter and his brothers had defeated the Titans and banished
+them to Tartarus, a new enemy rose up against the gods. They were
+the giants Typhon, Briareus, Enceladus, and others. Some of them
+had a hundred arms, others breathed out fire. They were finally
+subdued and buried alive under Mount Aetna, where they still
+sometimes struggle to get loose, and shake the whole island with
+earthquakes. Their breath comes up through the mountain, and is
+what men call the eruption of the volcano.
+
+The fall of these monsters shook the earth, so that Pluto was
+alarmed, and feared that his kingdom would be laid open to the
+light of day. Under this apprehension, he mounted his chariot,
+drawn by black horses, and took a circuit of inspection to satisfy
+himself of the extent of the damage. While he was thus engaged,
+Venus, who was sitting on Mount Eryx playing with her boy Cupid,
+espied him, and said, "My son, take your darts with which you
+conquer all, even Jove himself, and send one into the breast of
+yonder dark monarch, who rules the realm of Tartarus. Why should
+he alone escape? Seize the opportunity to extend your empire and
+mine. Do you not see that even in heaven some despise our power?
+Minerva the wise, and Diana the huntress, defy us; and there is
+that daughter of Ceres, who threatens to follow their example. Now
+do you, if you have any regard for your own interest or mine, join
+these two in one." The boy unbound his quiver, and selected his
+sharpest and truest arrow; then straining the bow against his
+knee, he attached the string, and, having made ready, shot the
+arrow with its barbed point right into the heart of Pluto.
+
+In the vale of Enna there is a lake embowered in woods, which
+screen it from the fervid rays of the sun, while the moist ground
+is covered with flowers, and Spring reigns perpetual. Here
+Proserpine was playing with her companions, gathering lilies and
+violets, and filling her basket and her apron with them, when
+Pluto saw her, loved her, and carried her off. She screamed for
+help to her mother and companions; and when in her fright she
+dropped the corners of her apron and let the flowers fall,
+childlike she felt the loss of them as an addition to her grief.
+The ravisher urged on his steeds, calling them each by name, and
+throwing loose over their heads and necks his iron-colored reins.
+When he reached the River Cyane, and it opposed his passage, he
+struck the river-bank with his trident, and the earth opened and
+gave him a passage to Tartarus.
+
+Ceres sought her daughter all the world over. Bright-haired
+Aurora, when she came forth in the morning, and Hesperus when he
+led out the stars in the evening, found her still busy in the
+search. But it was all unavailing. At length, weary and sad, she
+sat down upon a stone, and continued sitting nine days and nights,
+in the open air, under the sunlight and moonlight and falling
+showers. It was where now stands the city of Eleusis, then the
+home of an old man named Celeus. He was out in the field,
+gathering acorns and blackberries, and sticks for his fire. His
+little girl was driving home their two goats, and as she passed
+the goddess, who appeared in the guise of an old woman, she said
+to her, "Mother,"--and the name was sweet to the ears of Ceres,--
+"why do you sit here alone upon the rocks?" The old man also
+stopped, though his load was heavy, and begged her to come into
+his cottage, such as it was. She declined, and he urged her. "Go
+in peace," she replied, "and be happy in your daughter; I have
+lost mine." As she spoke, tears--or something like tears, for the
+gods never weep--fell down her cheeks upon her bosom. The
+compassionate old man and his child wept with her. Then said he,
+"Come with us, and despise not our humble roof; so may your
+daughter be restored to you in safety." "Lead on," said she, "I
+cannot resist that appeal!" So she rose from the stone and went
+with them. As they walked he told her that his only son, a little
+boy, lay very sick, feverish, and sleepless. She stooped and
+gathered some poppies. As they entered the cottage, they found all
+in great distress, for the boy seemed past hope of recovery.
+Metanira, his mother, received her kindly, and the goddess stooped
+and kissed the lips of the sick child. Instantly the paleness left
+his face, and healthy vigor returned to his body. The whole family
+were delighted--that is, the father, mother, and little girl, for
+they were all; they had no servants. They spread the table, and
+put upon it curds and cream, apples, and honey in the comb. While
+they ate, Ceres mingled poppy juice in the milk of the boy. When
+night came and all was still, she arose, and taking the sleeping
+boy, moulded his limbs with her hands, and uttered over him three
+times a solemn charm, then went and laid him in the ashes. His
+mother, who had been watching what her guest was doing, sprang
+forward with a cry and snatched the child from the fire. Then
+Ceres assumed her own form, and a divine splendor shone all
+around. While they were overcome with astonishment, she said,
+"Mother, you have been cruel in your fondness to your son. I would
+have made him immortal, but you have frustrated my attempt.
+Nevertheless, he shall be great and useful. He shall teach men the
+use of the plough, and the rewards which labor can win from the
+cultivated soil." So saying, she wrapped a cloud about her, and
+mounting her chariot rode away.
+
+Ceres continued her search for her daughter, passing from land to
+land, and across seas and rivers, till at length she returned to
+Sicily, whence she at first set out, and stood by the banks of the
+River Cyane, where Pluto made himself a passage with his prize to
+his own dominions. The river nymph would have told the goddess all
+she had witnessed, but dared not, for fear of Pluto; so she only
+ventured to take up the girdle which Proserpine had dropped in her
+flight, and waft it to the feet of the mother. Ceres, seeing this,
+was no longer in doubt of her loss, but she did not yet know the
+cause, and laid the blame on the innocent land. "Ungrateful soil,"
+said she, "which I have endowed with fertility and clothed with
+herbage and nourishing grain, no more shall you enjoy my favors."
+Then the cattle died, the plough broke in the furrow, the seed
+failed to come up; there was too much sun, there was too much
+rain; the birds stole the seeds--thistles and brambles were the
+only growth. Seeing this, the fountain Arethusa interceded for the
+land. "Goddess," said she, "blame not the land; it opened
+unwillingly to yield a passage to your daughter. I can tell you of
+her fate, for I have seen her. This is not my native country; I
+came hither from Elis. I was a woodland nymph, and delighted in
+the chase. They praised my beauty, but I cared nothing for it, and
+rather boasted of my hunting exploits. One day I was returning
+from the wood, heated with exercise, when I came to a stream
+silently flowing, so clear that you might count the pebbles on the
+bottom. The willows shaded it, and the grassy bank sloped down to
+the water's edge. I approached, I touched the water with my foot.
+I stepped in knee-deep, and not content with that, I laid my
+garments on the willows and went in. While I sported in the water,
+I heard an indistinct murmur coming up as out of the depths of the
+stream: and made haste to escape to the nearest bank. The voice
+said, 'Why do you fly, Arethusa? I am Alpheus, the god of this
+stream.' I ran, he pursued; he was not more swift than I, but he
+was stronger, and gained upon me, as my strength failed. At last,
+exhausted, I cried for help to Diana. 'Help me, goddess! help your
+votary!' The goddess heard, and wrapped me suddenly in a thick
+cloud. The river god looked now this way and now that, and twice
+came close to me, but could not find me. 'Arethusa! Arethusa!' he
+cried. Oh, how I trembled,--like a lamb that hears the wolf
+growling outside the fold. A cold sweat came over me, my hair
+flowed down in streams; where my foot stood there was a pool. In
+short, in less time than it takes to tell it I became a fountain.
+But in this form Alpheus knew me and attempted to mingle his
+stream with mine. Diana cleft the ground, and I, endeavoring to
+escape him, plunged into the cavern, and through the bowels of the
+earth came out here in Sicily. While I passed through the lower
+parts of the earth, I saw your Proserpine. She was sad, but no
+longer showing alarm in her countenance. Her look was such as
+became a queen--the queen of Erebus; the powerful bride of the
+monarch of the realms of the dead."
+
+When Ceres heard this, she stood for a while like one stupefied;
+then turned her chariot towards heaven, and hastened to present
+herself before the throne of Jove. She told the story of her
+bereavement, and implored Jupiter to interfere to procure the
+restitution of her daughter. Jupiter consented on one condition,
+namely, that Proserpine should not during her stay in the lower
+world have taken any food; otherwise, the Fates forbade her
+release. Accordingly, Mercury was sent, accompanied by Spring, to
+demand Proserpine of Pluto. The wily monarch consented; but, alas!
+the maiden had taken a pomegranate which Pluto offered her, and
+had sucked the sweet pulp from a few of the seeds. This was enough
+to prevent her complete release; but a compromise was made, by
+which she was to pass half the time with her mother, and the rest
+with her husband Pluto.
+
+Ceres allowed herself to be pacified with this arrangement, and
+restored the earth to her favor. Now she remembered Celeus and his
+family, and her promise to his infant son Triptolemus. When the
+boy grew up, she taught him the use of the plough, and how to sow
+the seed. She took him in her chariot, drawn by winged dragons,
+through all the countries of the earth, imparting to mankind
+valuable grains, and the knowledge of agriculture. After his
+return, Triptolemus built a magnificent temple to Ceres in
+Eleusis, and established the worship of the goddess, under the
+name of the Eleusinian mysteries, which, in the splendor and
+solemnity of their observance, surpassed all other religious
+celebrations among the Greeks.
+
+There can be little doubt of this story of Ceres and Proserpine
+being an allegory. Proserpine signifies the seed-corn which when
+cast into the ground lies there concealed--that is, she is carried
+off by the god of the underworld. It reappears--that is,
+Proserpine is restored to her mother. Spring leads her back to the
+light of day.
+
+Milton alludes to the story of Proserpine in "Paradise Lost," Book
+IV.:
+
+    ". . . Not that fair field
+     Of Enna where Proserpine gathering flowers,
+     Herself a fairer flower, by gloomy Dis
+     Was gathered, which cost Ceres all that pain
+     To seek her through the world,--
+     ... might with this Paradise
+     Of Eden strive."
+
+Hood, in his "Ode to Melancholy," uses the same allusion very
+beautifully:
+
+    "Forgive, if somewhile I forget,
+       In woe to come the present bliss;
+     As frighted Proserpine let fall
+       Her flowers at the sight of Dis."
+
+The River Alpheus does in fact disappear underground, in part of
+its course, finding its way through subterranean channels till it
+again appears on the surface. It was said that the Sicilian
+fountain Arethusa was the same stream, which, after passing under
+the sea, came up again in Sicily. Hence the story ran that a cup
+thrown into the Alpheus appeared again in Arethusa. It is this
+fable of the underground course of Alpheus that Coleridge alludes
+to in his poem of "Kubla Khan":
+
+    "In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
+       A stately pleasure-dome decree,
+     Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
+     Through caverns measureless to man,
+       Down to a sunless sea."
+
+In one of Moore's juvenile poems he thus alludes to the same
+story, and to the practice of throwing garlands or other light
+objects on his stream to be carried downward by it, and afterwards
+reproduced at its emerging:
+
+    "O my beloved, how divinely sweet
+     Is the pure joy when kindred spirits meet!
+     Like him the river god, whose waters flow,
+     With love their only light, through caves below,
+     Wafting in triumph all the flowery braids
+     And festal rings, with which Olympic maids
+     Have decked his current, as an offering meet
+     To lay at Arethusa's shining feet.
+     Think, when he meets at last his fountain bride,
+     What perfect love must thrill the blended tide!
+     Each lost in each, till mingling into one,
+     Their lot the same for shadow or for sun,
+     A type of true love, to the deep they run."
+
+The following extract from Moore's "Rhymes on the Road" gives an
+account of a celebrated picture by Albano, at Milan, called a
+Dance of Loves:
+
+    "'Tis for the theft ef Enna's flower from earth
+     These urchins celebrate their dance of mirth,
+       Round the green tree, like fays upon a heath;--
+         Those that are nearest linked in order bright,
+       Cheek after cheek, like rosebuds in a wreath;
+       And those more distant showing from beneath
+         The others' wings their little eyes of light.
+       While see! among the clouds, their eldest brother,
+         But just flown up, tells with a smile of bliss,
+       This prank of Pluto to his charmed mother,
+         Who turns to greet the tidings with a kiss."
+
+GLAUCUS AND SCYLLA
+
+Glaucus was a fisherman. One day he had drawn his nets to land,
+and had taken a great many fishes of various kinds. So he emptied
+his net, and proceeded to sort the fishes on the grass. The place
+where he stood was a beautiful island in the river, a solitary
+spot, uninhabited, and not used for pasturage of cattle, nor ever
+visited by any but himself. On a sudden, the fishes, which had
+been laid on the grass, began to revive and move their fins as if
+they were in the water; and while he looked on astonished, they
+one and all moved off to the water, plunged in, and swam away. He
+did not know what to make of this, whether some god had done it or
+some secret power in the herbage. "What herb has such a power?" he
+exclaimed; and gathering some of it, he tasted it. Scarce had the
+juices of the plant reached his palate when he found himself
+agitated with a longing desire for the water. He could no longer
+restrain himself, but bidding farewell to earth, he plunged into
+the stream. The gods of the water received him graciously, and
+admitted him to the honor of their society. They obtained the
+consent of Oceanus and Tethys, the sovereigns of the sea, that all
+that was mortal in him should be washed away. A hundred rivers
+poured their waters over him. Then he lost all sense of his former
+nature and all consciousness. When he recovered, he found himself
+changed in form and mind. His hair was sea-green, and trailed
+behind him on the water; his shoulders grew broad, and what had
+been thighs and legs assumed the form of a fish's tail. The sea-
+gods complimented him on the change of his appearance, and he
+fancied himself rather a good-looking personage.
+
+One day Glaucus saw the beautiful maiden Scylla, the favorite of
+the water-nymphs, rambling on the shore, and when she had found a
+sheltered nook, laving her limbs in the clear water. He fell in
+love with her, and showing himself on the surface, spoke to her,
+saying such things as he thought most likely to win her to stay;
+for she turned to run immediately on the sight of him, and ran
+till she had gained a cliff overlooking the sea. Here she stopped
+and turned round to see whether it was a god or a sea animal, and
+observed with wonder his shape and color. Glaucus partly emerging
+from the water, and supporting himself against a rock, said,
+"Maiden, I am no monster, nor a sea animal, but a god; and neither
+Proteus nor Triton ranks higher than I. Once I was a mortal, and
+followed the sea for a living; but now I belong wholly to it."
+Then he told the story of his metamorphosis, and how he had been
+promoted to his present dignity, and added, "But what avails all
+this if it fails to move your heart?" He was going on in this
+strain, but Scylla turned and hastened away.
+
+Glaucus was in despair, but it occurred to him to consult the
+enchantress Circe. Accordingly he repaired to her island--the same
+where afterwards Ulysses landed, as we shall see in one of our
+later stories. After mutual salutations, he said, "Goddess, I
+entreat your pity; you alone can relieve the pain I suffer. The
+power of herbs I know as well as any one, for it is to them I owe
+my change of form. I love Scylla. I am ashamed to tell you how I
+have sued and promised to her, and how scornfully she has treated
+me. I beseech you to use your incantations, or potent herbs, if
+they are more prevailing, not to cure me of my love,--for that I
+do not wish,--but to make her share it and yield me a like
+return." To which Circe replied, for she was not insensible to the
+attractions of the sea-green deity, "You had better pursue a
+willing object; you are worthy to be sought, instead of having to
+seek in vain. Be not diffident, know your own worth. I protest to
+you that even I, goddess though I be, and learned in the virtues
+of plants and spells, should not know how to refuse you. If she
+scorns you scorn her; meet one who is ready to meet you half way,
+and thus make a due return to both at once." To these words
+Glaucus replied, "Sooner shall trees grow at the bottom of the
+ocean, and sea-weed on the top of the mountains, than I will cease
+to love Scylla, and her alone."
+
+The goddess was indignant, but she could not punish him, neither
+did she wish to do so, for she liked him too well; so she turned
+all her wrath against her rival, poor Scylla. She took plants of
+poisonous powers and mixed them together, with incantations and
+charms. Then she passed through the crowd of gambolling beasts,
+the victims of her art, and proceeded to the coast of Sicily,
+where Scylla lived. There was a little bay on the shore to which
+Scylla used to resort, in the heat of the day, to breathe the air
+of the sea, and to bathe in its waters. Here the goddess poured
+her poisonous mixture, and muttered over it incantations of mighty
+power. Scylla came as usual and plunged into the water up to her
+waist. What was her horror to perceive a brood of serpents and
+barking monsters surrounding her! At first she could not imagine
+they were a part of herself, and tried to run from them, and to
+drive them away; but as she ran she carried them with her, and
+when she tried to touch her limbs, she found her hands touch only
+the yawning jaws of monsters. Scylla remained rooted to the spot.
+Her temper grew as ugly as her form, and she took pleasure in
+devouring hapless mariners who came within her grasp. Thus she
+destroyed six of the companions of Ulysses, and tried to wreck the
+ships of Aeneas, till at last she was turned into a rock, and as
+such still continues to be a terror to mariners.
+
+Keats, in his "Endymion," has given a new version of the ending of
+"Glaucus and Scylla." Glaucus consents to Circe's blandishments,
+till he by chance is witness to her transactions with her beasts.
+Disgusted with her treachery and cruelty, he tries to escape from
+her, but is taken and brought back, when with reproaches she
+banishes him, sentencing him to pass a thousand years in
+decrepitude and pain. He returns to the sea, and there finds the
+body of Scylla, whom the goddess has not transformed but drowned.
+Glaucus learns that his destiny is that, if he passes his thousand
+years in collecting all the bodies of drowned lovers, a youth
+beloved of the gods will appear and help him. Endymion fulfils
+this prophecy, and aids in restoring Glaucus to youth, and Scylla
+and all the drowned lovers to life.
+
+The following is Glaucus's account of his feelings after his "sea-
+change":
+
+    "I plunged for life or death. To interknit
+     One's senses with so dense a breathing stuff
+     Might seem a work of pain; so not enough
+     Can I admire how crystal-smooth it felt,
+     And buoyant round my limbs. At first I dwelt
+     Whole days and days in sheer astonishment;
+     Forgetful utterly of self-intent,
+     Moving but with the mighty ebb and flow.
+     Then like a new-fledged bird that first doth show
+     His spreaded feathers to the morrow chill,
+     I tried in fear the pinions of my will.
+     'Twas freedom! and at once I visited
+     The ceaseless wonders of this ocean-bed," etc.
+
+    --Keats.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+PYGMALION--DRYOPE-VENUS AND ADONIS--APOLLO AND HYACINTHUS
+
+
+Pygmalion saw so much to blame in women that he came at last to
+abhor the sex, and resolved to live unmarried. He was a sculptor,
+and had made with wonderful skill a statue of ivory, so beautiful
+that no living woman came anywhere near it. It was indeed the
+perfect semblance of a maiden that seemed to be alive, and only
+prevented from moving by modesty. His art was so perfect that it
+concealed itself and its product looked like the workmanship of
+nature. Pygmalion admired his own work, and at last fell in love
+with the counterfeit creation. Oftentimes he laid his hand upon it
+as if to assure himself whether it were living or not, and could
+not even then believe that it was only ivory. He caressed it, and
+gave it presents such as young girls love,--bright shells and
+polished stones, little birds and flowers of various hues, beads
+and amber. He put raiment on its limbs, and jewels on its fingers,
+and a necklace about its neck. To the ears he hung earrings and
+strings of pearls upon the breast. Her dress became her, and she
+looked not less charming than when unattired. He laid her on a
+couch spread with cloths of Tyrian dye, and called her his wife,
+and put her head upon a pillow of the softest feathers, as if she
+could enjoy their softness.
+
+The festival of Venus was at hand--a festival celebrated with
+great pomp at Cyprus. Victims were offered, the altars smoked, and
+the odor of incense filled the air. When Pygmalion had performed
+his part in the solemnities, he stood before the altar and timidly
+said, "Ye gods, who can do all things, give me, I pray you, for my
+wife"--he dared not say "my ivory virgin," but said instead--"one
+like my ivory virgin." Venus, who was present at the festival,
+heard him and knew the thought he would have uttered; and as an
+omen of her favor, caused the flame on the altar to shoot up
+thrice in a fiery point into the air. When he returned home, he
+went to see his statue, and leaning over the couch, gave a kiss to
+the mouth. It seemed to be warm. He pressed its lips again, he
+laid his hand upon the limbs; the ivory felt soft to his touch and
+yielded to his fingers like the wax of Hymettus. While he stands
+astonished and glad, though doubting, and fears he may be
+mistaken, again and again with a lover's ardor he touches the
+object of his hopes. It was indeed alive! The veins when pressed
+yielded to the finger and again resumed their roundness. Then at
+last the votary of Venus found words to thank the goddess, and
+pressed his lips upon lips as real as his own. The virgin felt the
+kisses and blushed, and opening her timid eyes to the light, fixed
+them at the same moment on her lover. Venus blessed the nuptials
+she had formed, and from this union Paphos was born, from whom the
+city, sacred to Venus, received its name.
+
+Schiller, in his poem the "Ideals," applies this tale of Pygmalion
+to the love of nature in a youthful heart. The following
+translation is furnished by a friend:
+
+    "As once with prayers in passion flowing,
+       Pygmalion embraced the stone,
+     Till from the frozen marble glowing,
+       The light of feeling o'er him shone,
+     So did I clasp with young devotion
+       Bright nature to a poet's heart;
+     Till breath and warmth and vital motion
+       Seemed through the statue form to dart.
+
+    "And then, in all my ardor sharing,
+       The silent form expression found;
+     Returned my kiss of youthful daring,
+       And understood my heart's quick sound.
+     Then lived for me the bright creation,
+       The silver rill with song was rife;
+     The trees, the roses shared sensation,
+       An echo of my boundless life."
+
+    --S. G. B.
+
+DRYOPE
+
+Dryope and Iole were sisters. The former was the wife of
+Andraemon, beloved by her husband, and happy in the birth of her
+first child. One day the sisters strolled to the bank of a stream
+that sloped gradually down to the water's edge, while the upland
+was overgrown with myrtles. They were intending to gather flowers
+for forming garlands for the altars of the nymphs, and Dryope
+carried her child at her bosom, precious burden, and nursed him as
+she walked. Near the water grew a lotus plant, full of purple
+flowers. Dryope gathered some and offered them to the baby, and
+Iole was about to do the same, when she perceived blood dropping
+from the places where her sister had broken them off the stem. The
+plant was no other than the nymph Lotis, who, running from a base
+pursuer, had been changed into this form. This they learned from
+the country people when it was too late.
+
+Dryope, horror-struck when she perceived what she had done, would
+gladly have hastened from the spot, but found her feet rooted to
+the ground. She tried to pull them away, but moved nothing but her
+upper limbs. The woodiness crept upward, and by degrees invested
+her body. In anguish she attempted to tear her hair, but found her
+hands filled with leaves. The infant felt his mother's bosom begin
+to harden, and the milk cease to flow. Iole looked on at the sad
+fate of her sister, and could render no assistance. She embraced
+the growing trunk, as if she would hold back the advancing wood,
+and would gladly have been enveloped in the same bark. At this
+moment Andraemon, the husband of Dryope, with her father,
+approached; and when they asked for Dryope, Iole pointed them to
+the new-formed lotus. They embraced the trunk of the yet warm
+tree, and showered their kisses on its leaves.
+
+Now there was nothing left of Dryope but her face. Her tears still
+flowed and fell on her leaves, and while she could she spoke. "I
+am not guilty. I deserve not this fate. I have injured no one. If
+I speak falsely, may my foliage perish with drought and my trunk
+be cut down and burned. Take this infant and give it to a nurse.
+Let it often be brought and nursed under my branches, and play in
+my shade; and when he is old enough to talk, let him be taught to
+call me mother, and to say with sadness, 'My mother lies hid under
+this bark.' But bid him be careful of river banks, and beware how
+he plucks flowers, remembering that every bush he sees may be a
+goddess in disguise. Farewell, dear husband, and sister, and
+father. If you retain any love for me, let not the axe wound me,
+nor the flocks bite and tear my branches. Since I cannot stoop to
+you, climb up hither and kiss me; and while my lips continue to
+feel, lift up my child that I may kiss him. I can speak no more,
+for already the bark advances up my neck, and will soon shoot over
+me. You need not close my eyes, the bark will close them without
+your aid." Then the lips ceased to move, and life was extinct; but
+the branches retained for some time longer the vital heat.
+
+Keats, in "Endymion," alludes to Dryope thus:
+
+    "She took a lute from which there pulsing came
+     A lively prelude, fashioning the way
+     In which her voice should wander. 'T was a lay
+     More subtle-cadenced, more forest-wild
+     Than Dryope's lone lulling of her child;" etc.
+
+VENUS AND ADONIS
+
+Venus, playing one day with her boy Cupid, wounded her bosom with
+one of his arrows. She pushed him away, but the wound was deeper
+than she thought. Before it healed she beheld Adonis, and was
+captivated with him. She no longer took any interest in her
+favorite resorts--Paphos, and Cnidos, and Amathos, rich in metals.
+She absented herself even from heaven, for Adonis was dearer to
+her than heaven. Him she followed and bore him company. She who
+used to love to recline in the shade, with no care but to
+cultivate her charms, now rambles through the woods and over the
+hills, dressed like the huntress Diana; and calls her dogs, and
+chases hares and stags, or other game that it is safe to hunt, but
+keeps clear of the wolves and bears, reeking with the slaughter of
+the herd. She charged Adonis, too, to beware of such dangerous
+animals. "Be brave towards the timid," said she; "courage against
+the courageous is not safe. Beware how you expose yourself to
+danger and put my happiness to risk. Attack not the beasts that
+Nature has armed with weapons. I do not value your glory so high
+as to consent to purchase it by such exposure. Your youth, and the
+beauty that charms Venus, will not touch the hearts of lions and
+bristly boars. Think of their terrible claws and prodigious
+strength! I hate the whole race of them. Do you ask me why?" Then
+she told him the story of Atalanta and Hippomenes, who were
+changed into lions for their ingratitude to her.
+
+Having given him this warning, she mounted her chariot drawn by
+swans, and drove away through the air. But Adonis was too noble to
+heed such counsels. The dogs had roused a wild boar from his lair,
+and the youth threw his spear and wounded the animal with a
+sidelong stroke. The beast drew out the weapon with his jaws, and
+rushed after Adonis, who turned and ran; but the boar overtook
+him, and buried his tusks in his side, and stretched him dying
+upon the plain.
+
+Venus, in her swan-drawn chariot, had not yet reached Cyprus, when
+she heard coming up through mid-air the groans of her beloved,
+and turned her white-winged coursers back to earth. As she drew
+near and saw from on high his lifeless body bathed in blood, she
+alighted and, bending over it, beat her breast and tore her hair.
+Reproaching the Fates, she said, "Yet theirs shall be but a
+partial triumph; memorials of my grief shall endure, and the
+spectacle of your death, my Adonis, and of my lamentations shall
+be annually renewed. Your blood shall be changed into a flower;
+that consolation none can envy me." Thus speaking, she sprinkled
+nectar on the blood; and as they mingled, bubbles rose as in a
+pool on which raindrops fall, and in an hour's time there sprang
+up a flower of bloody hue like that of the pomegranate. But it is
+short-lived. It is said the wind blows the blossoms open, and
+afterwards blows the petals away; so it is called Anemone, or Wind
+Flower, from the cause which assists equally in its production and
+its decay.
+
+Milton alludes to the story of Venus and Adonis in his "Comus":
+
+    "Beds of hyacinth and roses
+     Where young Adonis oft reposes,
+     Waxing well of his deep wound
+     In slumber soft, and on the ground
+     Sadly sits th' Assyrian queen;" etc.
+
+APOLLO AND HYACINTHUS
+
+Apollo was passionately fond of a youth named Hyacinthus. He
+accompanied him in his sports, carried the nets when he went
+fishing, led the dogs when he went to hunt, followed him in his
+excursions in the mountains, and neglected for him his lyre and
+his arrows. One day they played a game of quoits together, and
+Apollo, heaving aloft the discus, with strength mingled with
+skill, sent it high and far. Hyacinthus watched it as it flew, and
+excited with the sport ran forward to seize it, eager to make his
+throw, when the quoit bounded from the earth and struck him in the
+forehead. He fainted and fell. The god, as pale as himself, raised
+him and tried all his art to stanch the wound and retain the
+flitting life, but all in vain; the hurt was past the power of
+medicine. As when one has broken the stem of a lily in the garden
+it hangs its head and turns its flowers to the earth, so the head
+of the dying boy, as if too heavy for his neck, fell over on his
+shoulder. "Thou diest, Hyacinth," so spoke Phoebus, "robbed of thy
+youth by me. Thine is the suffering, mine the crime. Would that I
+could die for thee! But since that may not be, thou shalt live
+with me in memory and in song. My lyre shall celebrate thee, my
+song shall tell thy fate, and thou shalt become a flower inscribed
+with my regrets." While Apollo spoke, behold the blood which had
+flowed on the ground and stained the herbage ceased to be blood;
+but a flower of hue more beautiful than the Tyrian sprang up,
+resembling the lily, if it were not that this is purple and that
+silvery white. [Footnote: It is evidently not our modern hyacinth
+that is here described. It is perhaps some species of iris, or
+perhaps of larkspur or of pansy.] And this was not enough for
+Phoebus; but to confer still greater honor, he marked the petals
+with his sorrow, and inscribed "Ah! ah!" upon them, as we see to
+this day. The flower bears the name of Hyacinthus, and with every
+returning spring revives the memory of his fate.
+
+It was said that Zephyrus (the West wind), who was also fond of
+Hyacinthus and jealous of his preference of Apollo, blew the quoit
+out of its course to make it strike Hyacinthus. Keats alludes to
+this in his "Endymion," where he describes the lookers-on at the
+game of quoits:
+
+    "Or they might watch the quoit-pitchers, intent
+       On either side, pitying the sad death
+       Of Hyacinthus, when the cruel breath
+     Of Zephyr slew him; Zephyr penitent,
+     Who now ere Phoebus mounts the firmament,
+       Fondles the flower amid the sobbing rain."
+
+An allusion to Hyacinthus will also be recognized in Milton's
+"Lycidas":
+
+    "Like to that sanguine flower inscribed with woe."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+CEYX AND HALCYONE: OR, THE HALCYON BIRDS
+
+
+Ceyx was king of Thessaly, where he reigned in peace, without
+violence or wrong. He was son of Hesperus, the Day-star, and the
+glow of his beauty reminded one of his father. Halcyone, the
+daughter of Aeolus, was his wife, and devotedly attached to him.
+Now Ceyx was in deep affliction for the loss of his brother, and
+direful prodigies following his brother's death made him feel as
+if the gods were hostile to him. He thought best, therefore, to
+make a voyage to Carlos in Ionia, to consult the oracle of Apollo.
+But as soon as he disclosed his intention to his wife Halcyone, a
+shudder ran through her frame, and her face grew deadly pale.
+"What fault of mine, dearest husband, has turned your affection
+from me? Where is that love of me that used to be uppermost in
+your thoughts? Have you learned to feel easy in the absence of
+Halcyone? Would you rather have me away?" She also endeavored to
+discourage him, by describing the violence of the winds, which she
+had known familiarly when she lived at home in her father's
+house,--Aeolus being the god of the winds, and having as much as
+he could do to restrain them. "They rush together," said she,
+"with such fury that fire flashes from the conflict. But if you
+must go," she added, "dear husband, let me go with you, otherwise
+I shall suffer not only the real evils which you must encounter,
+but those also which my fears suggest."
+
+These words weighed heavily on the mind of King Ceyx, and it was
+no less his own wish than hers to take her with him, but he could
+not bear to expose her to the dangers of the sea. He answered,
+therefore, consoling her as well as he could, and finished with
+these words: "I promise, by the rays of my father the Day-star,
+that if fate permits I will return before the moon shall have
+twice rounded her orb." When he had thus spoken, he ordered the
+vessel to be drawn out of the shiphouse, and the oars and sails to
+be put aboard. When Halcyone saw these preparations she shuddered,
+as if with a presentiment of evil. With tears and sobs she said
+farewell, and then fell senseless to the ground.
+
+Ceyx would still have lingered, but now the young men grasped
+their oars and pulled vigorously through the waves, with long and
+measured strokes. Halcyone raised her streaming eyes, and saw her
+husband standing on the deck, waving his hand to her. She answered
+his signal till the vessel had receded so far that she could no
+longer distinguish his form from the rest. When the vessel itself
+could no more be seen, she strained her eyes to catch the last
+glimmer of the sail, till that too disappeared. Then, retiring to
+her chamber, she threw herself on her solitary couch.
+
+Meanwhile they glide out of the harbor, and the breeze plays among
+the ropes. The seamen draw in their oars, and hoist their sails.
+When half or less of their course was passed, as night drew on,
+the sea began to whiten with swelling waves, and the east wind to
+blow a gale. The master gave the word to take in sail, but the
+storm forbade obedience, for such is the roar of the winds and
+waves his orders are unheard. The men, of their own accord, busy
+themselves to secure the oars, to strengthen the ship, to reef the
+sail. While they thus do what to each one seems best, the storm
+increases. The shouting of the men, the rattling of the shrouds,
+and the dashing of the waves, mingle with the roar of the thunder.
+The swelling sea seems lifted up to the heavens, to scatter its
+foam among the clouds; then sinking away to the bottom assumes the
+color of the shoal--a Stygian blackness.
+
+The vessel shares all these changes. It seems like a wild beast
+that rushes on the spears of the hunters. Rain falls in torrents,
+as if the skies were coming down to unite with the sea. When the
+lightning ceases for a moment, the night seems to add its own
+darkness to that of the storm; then comes the flash, rending the
+darkness asunder, and lighting up all with a glare. Skill fails,
+courage sinks, and death seems to come on every wave. The men are
+stupefied with terror. The thought of parents, and kindred, and
+pledges left at home, comes over their minds. Ceyx thinks of
+Halcyone. No name but hers is on his lips, and while he yearns for
+her, he yet rejoices in her absence. Presently the mast is
+shattered by a stroke of lightning, the rudder broken, and the
+triumphant surge curling over looks down upon, the wreck, then
+falls, and crushes it to fragments. Some of the seamen, stunned by
+the stroke, sink, and rise no more; others cling to fragments of
+the wreck. Ceyx, with the hand that used to grasp the sceptre,
+holds fast to a plank, calling for help,--alas, in vain,--upon his
+father and his father-in-law. But oftenest on his lips was the
+name of Halcyone. To her his thoughts cling. He prays that the
+waves may bear his body to her sight, and that it may receive
+burial at her hands. At length the waters overwhelm him, and he
+sinks. The Day-star looked dim that night. Since it could not
+leave the heavens, it shrouded its face with clouds.
+
+In the meanwhile Halcyone, ignorant of all these horrors, counted
+the days till her husband's promised return. Now she gets ready
+the garments which he shall put on, and now what she shall wear
+when he arrives. To all the gods she offers frequent incense, but
+more than all to Juno. For her husband, who was no more, she
+prayed incessantly: that he might be safe; that he might come
+home; that he might not, in his absence, see any one that he would
+love better than her. But of all these prayers, the last was the
+only one destined to be granted. The goddess, at length, could not
+bear any longer to be pleaded with for one already dead, and to
+have hands raised to her altars that ought rather to be offering
+funeral rites. So, calling Iris, she said, "Iris, my faithful
+messenger, go to the drowsy dwelling of Somnus, and tell him to
+send a vision to Halcyone in the form of Ceyx, to make known to
+her the event."
+
+Iris puts on her robe of many colors, and tingeing the sky with
+her bow, seeks the palace of the King of Sleep. Near the Cimmerian
+country, a mountain cave is the abode of the dull god Somnus. Here
+Phoebus dares not come, either rising, at midday, or setting.
+Clouds and shadows are exhaled from the ground, and the light
+glimmers faintly. The bird of dawning, with crested head, never
+there calls aloud to Aurora, nor watchful dog, nor more sagacious
+goose disturbs the silence. No wild beast, nor cattle, nor branch
+moved with the wind, nor sound of human conversation, breaks the
+stillness. Silence reigns there; but from the bottom of the rock
+the River Lethe flows, and by its murmur invites to sleep. Poppies
+grow abundantly before the door of the cave, and other herbs, from
+whose juices Night collects slumbers, which she scatters over the
+darkened earth. There is no gate to the mansion, to creak on its
+hinges, nor any watchman; but in the midst a couch of black ebony,
+adorned with black plumes and black curtains. There the god
+reclines, his limbs relaxed with sleep. Around him lie dreams,
+resembling all various forms, as many as the harvest bears stalks,
+or the forest leaves, or the seashore sand grains.
+
+As soon as the goddess entered and brushed away the dreams that
+hovered around her, her brightness lit up all the cave. The god,
+scarce opening his eyes, and ever and anon dropping his beard upon
+his breast, at last shook himself free from himself, and leaning
+on his arm, inquired her errand,--for he knew who she was. She
+answered, "Somnus, gentlest of the gods, tranquillizer of minds
+and soother of care-worn hearts, Juno sends you her commands that
+you despatch a dream to Halcyone, in the city of Trachine,
+representing her lost husband and all the events of the wreck."
+
+Having delivered her message, Iris hasted away, for she could not
+longer endure the stagnant air, and as she felt drowsiness
+creeping over her, she made her escape, and returned by her bow
+the way she came. Then Somnus called one of his numerous sons,--
+Morpheus,--the most expert in counterfeiting forms, and in
+imitating the walk, the countenance, and mode of speaking, even
+the clothes and attitudes most characteristic of each. But he only
+imitates men, leaving it to another to personate birds, beasts,
+and serpents. Him they call Icelos; and Phantasos is a third, who
+turns himself into rocks, waters, woods, and other things without
+life. These wait upon kings and great personages in their sleeping
+hours, while others move among the common people. Somnus chose,
+from all the brothers, Morpheus, to perform the command of Iris;
+then laid his head on his pillow and yielded himself to grateful
+repose.
+
+Morpheus flew, making no noise with his wings, and soon came to
+the Haemonian city, where, laying aside his wings, he assumed the
+form of Ceyx. Under that form, but pale like a dead man, naked, he
+stood before the couch of the wretched wife. His beard seemed
+soaked with water, and water trickled from his drowned locks.
+Leaning over the bed, tears streaming from his eyes, he said, "Do
+you recognize your Ceyx, unhappy wife, or has death too much
+changed my visage? Behold me, know me, your husband's shade,
+instead of himself. Your prayers, Halcyone, availed me nothing. I
+am dead. No more deceive yourself with vain hopes of my return.
+The stormy winds sunk my ship in the Aegean Sea, waves filled my
+mouth while it called aloud on you. No uncertain messenger tells
+you this, no vague rumor brings it to your ears. I come in person,
+a shipwrecked man, to tell you my fate. Arise! give me tears, give
+me lamentations, let me not go down to Tartarus unwept." To these
+words Morpheus added the voice, which seemed to be that of her
+husband; he seemed to pour forth genuine tears; his hands had the
+gestures of Ceyx.
+
+Halcyone, weeping, groaned, and stretched out her arms in her
+sleep, striving to embrace his body, but grasping only the air.
+"Stay!" she cried; "whither do you fly? let us go together." Her
+own voice awakened her. Starting up, she gazed eagerly around, to
+see if he was still present, for the servants, alarmed by her
+cries, had brought a light. When she found him not, she smote her
+breast and rent her garments. She cares not to unbind her hair,
+but tears it wildly. Her nurse asks what is the cause of her
+grief. "Halcyone is no more," she answers, "she perished with her
+Ceyx. Utter not words of comfort, he is shipwrecked and dead. I
+have seen him, I have recognized him. I stretched out my hands to
+seize him and detain him. His shade vanished, but it was the true
+shade of my husband. Not with the accustomed features, not with
+the beauty that was his, but pale, naked, and with his hair wet
+with sea-water, he appeared to wretched me. Here, in this very
+spot, the sad vision stood,"--and she looked to find the mark of
+his footsteps. "This it was, this that my presaging mind
+foreboded, when I implored him not to leave me, to trust himself
+to the waves. Oh, how I wish, since thou wouldst go, thou hadst
+taken me with thee! It would have been far better. Then I should
+have had no remnant of life to spend without thee, nor a separate
+death to die. If I could bear to live and struggle to endure, I
+should be more cruel to myself than the sea has been to me. But I
+will not struggle, I will not be separated from thee, unhappy
+husband. This time, at least, I will keep thee company. In death,
+if one tomb may not include us, one epitaph shall; if I may not
+lay my ashes with thine, my name, at least, shall not be
+separated." Her grief forbade more words, and these were broken
+with tears and sobs.
+
+It was now morning. She went to the seashore, and sought the spot
+where she last saw him, on his departure. "While he lingered here,
+and cast off his tacklings, he gave me his last kiss." While she
+reviews every object, and strives to recall every incident,
+looking out over the sea, she descries an indistinct object
+floating in the water. At first she was in doubt what it was, but
+by degrees the waves bore it nearer, and it was plainly the body
+of a man. Though unknowing of whom, yet, as it was of some
+shipwrecked one, she was deeply moved, and gave it her tears,
+saying, "Alas! unhappy one, and unhappy, if such there be, thy
+wife!" Borne by the waves, it came nearer. As she more and more
+nearly views it, she trembles more and more. Now, now it
+approaches the shore. Now marks that she recognizes appear. It is
+her husband! Stretching out her trembling hands towards it, she
+exclaims, "O dearest husband, is it thus you return to me?"
+
+There was built out from the shore a mole, constructed to break
+the assaults of the sea, and stem its violent ingress. She leaped
+upon this barrier and (it was wonderful she could do so) she flew,
+and striking the air with wings produced on the instant, skimmed
+along the surface of the water, an unhappy bird. As she flew, her
+throat poured forth sounds full of grief, and like the voice of
+one lamenting. When she touched the mute and bloodless body, she
+enfolded its beloved limbs with her new-formed wings, and tried to
+give kisses with her horny beak. Whether Ceyx felt it, or whether
+it was only the action of the waves, those who looked on doubted,
+but the body seemed to raise its head. But indeed he did feel it,
+and by the pitying gods both of them were changed into birds. They
+mate and have their young ones. For seven placid days, in winter
+time, Halcyone broods over her nest, which floats upon the sea.
+Then the way is safe to seamen. Aeolus guards the winds and keeps
+them from disturbing the deep. The sea is given up, for the time,
+to his grandchildren.
+
+The following lines from Byron's "Bride of Abydos" might seem
+borrowed from the concluding part of this description, if it were
+not stated that the author derived the suggestion from observing
+the motion of a floating corpse:
+
+    "As shaken on his restless pillow,
+     His head heaves with the heaving billow,
+     That hand, whose motion is not life,
+     Yet feebly seems to menace strife,
+     Flung by the tossing tide on high,
+     Then levelled with the wave ..."
+
+Milton in his "Hymn on the Nativity," thus alludes to the fable of
+the Halcyon:
+
+    "But peaceful was the night
+     Wherein the Prince of light
+       His reign of peace upon the earth began;
+     The winds with wonder whist
+     Smoothly the waters kist
+       Whispering new joys to the mild ocean,
+     Who now hath quite forgot to rave
+     While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmed wave."
+
+Keats, also, in "Endymion," says:
+
+    "O magic sleep! O comfortable bird
+     That broodest o'er the troubled sea of the mind
+     Till it is hushed and smooth."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+VERTUMNUS AND POMONA
+
+
+The Hamadryads were Wood-nymphs. Pomona was of this class, and no
+one excelled her in love of the garden and the culture of fruit.
+She cared not for orests and rivers, but loved the cultivated
+country, and trees that bear delicious apples. Her right hand bore
+for its weapon not a javelin, but a pruning-knife. Armed with
+this, she busied herself at one time to repress the too luxuriant
+growths, and curtail the branches that straggled out of place; at
+another, to split the twig and insert therein a graft, making the
+branch adopt a nursling not its own. She took care, too, that her
+favorites should not suffer from drought, and led streams of water
+by them, that the thirsty roots might drink. This occupation was
+her pursuit, her passion; and she was free from that which Venus
+inspires. She was not without fear of the country people, and kept
+her orchard locked, and allowed not men to enter. The Fauns and
+Satyrs would have given all they possessed to win her, and so
+would old Sylvanus, who looks young for his years, and Pan, who
+wears a garland of pine leaves around his head. But Vertumnus
+loved her best of all; yet he sped no better than the rest. O how
+often, in the disguise of a reaper, did he bring her corn in a
+basket, and looked the very image of a reaper! With a hay band
+tied round him, one would think he had just come from turning over
+the grass. Sometimes he would have an ox-goad in his hand, and you
+would have said he had just unyoked his weary oxen. Now he bore a
+pruning-hook, and personated a vine-dresser; and again, with a
+ladder on his shoulder, he seemed as if he was going to gather
+apples. Sometimes he trudged along as a discharged soldier, and
+again he bore a fishing-rod, as if going to fish. In this way he
+gained admission to her again and again, and fed his passion with
+the sight of her.
+
+One day he came in the guise of an old woman, her gray hair
+surmounted with a cap, and a staff in her hand. She entered the
+garden and admired the fruit. "It does you credit, my dear," she
+said, and kissed her, not exactly with an old woman's kiss. She
+sat down on a bank, and looked up at the branches laden with fruit
+which hung over her. Opposite was an elm entwined with a vine
+loaded with swelling grapes. She praised the tree and its
+associated vine, equally. "But," said she, "if the tree stood
+alone, and had no vine clinging to it, it would have nothing to
+attract or offer us but its useless leaves. And equally the vine,
+if it were not twined round the elm, would lie prostrate on the
+ground. Why will you not take a lesson from the tree and the vine,
+and consent to unite yourself with some one? I wish you would.
+Helen herself had not more numerous suitors, nor Penelope, the
+wife of shrewd Ulysses. Even while you spurn them, they court
+you,--rural deities and others of every kind that frequent these
+mountains. But if you are prudent and want to make a good
+alliance, and will let an old woman advise you,--who loves you
+better than you have any idea of,--dismiss all the rest and
+accept Vertumnus, on my recommendation. I know him as well as he
+knows himself. He is not a wandering deity, but belongs to these
+mountains. Nor is he like too many of the lovers nowadays, who
+love any one they happen to see; he loves you, and you only. Add
+to this, he is young and handsome, and has the art of assuming any
+shape he pleases, and can make himself just what you command him.
+Moreover, he loves the same things that you do, delights in
+gardening, and handles your apples with admiration. But NOW he
+cares nothing for fruits nor flowers, nor anything else, but only
+yourself. Take pity on him, and fancy him speaking now with my
+mouth. Remember that the gods punish cruelty, and that Venus hates
+a hard heart, and will visit such offences sooner or later. To
+prove this, let me tell you a story, which is well known in Cyprus
+to be a fact; and I hope it will have the effect to make you more
+merciful.
+
+"Iphis was a young man of humble parentage, who saw and loved
+Anaxarete, a noble lady of the ancient family of Teucer. He
+struggled long with his passion, but when he found he could not
+subdue it, he came a suppliant to her mansion. First he told his
+passion to her nurse, and begged her as she loved her foster-child
+to favor his suit. And then he tried to win her domestics to his
+side. Sometimes he committed his vows to written tablets, and
+often hung at her door garlands which he had moistened with his
+tears. He stretched himself on her threshold, and uttered his
+complaints to the cruel bolts and bars. She was deafer than the
+surges which rise in the November gale; harder than steel from the
+German forges, or a rock that still clings to its native cliff.
+She mocked and laughed at him, adding cruel words to her ungentle
+treatment, and gave not the slightest gleam of hope.
+
+"Iphis could not any longer endure the torments of hopeless love,
+and, standing before her doors, he spake these last words:
+'Anaxarete, you have conquered, and shall no longer have to bear
+my importunities. Enjoy your triumph! Sing songs of joy, and bind
+your forehead with laurel,--you have conquered! I die; stony
+heart, rejoice! This at least I can do to gratify you and force
+you to praise me; and thus shall I prove that the love of you left
+me but with life. Nor will I leave it to rumor to tell you of my
+death. I will come myself, and you shall see me die, and feast
+your eyes on the spectacle. Yet, O ye gods, who look down on
+mortal woes, observe my fate! I ask but this: let me be remembered
+in coming ages, and add those years to my fame which you have reft
+from my life. Thus he said, and, turning his pale face and weeping
+eyes towards her mansion, he fastened a rope to the gatepost, on
+which he had often hung garlands, and putting his head into the
+noose, he murmured, 'This garland at least will please you, cruel
+girl!' and falling hung suspended with his neck broken. As he fell
+he struck against the gate, and the sound was as the sound of a
+groan. The servants opened the door and found him dead, and with
+exclamations of pity raised him and carried him home to his
+mother, for his father was not living. She received the dead body
+of her son, and folded the cold form to her bosom, while she
+poured forth the sad words which bereaved mothers utter. The
+mournful funeral passed through the town, and the pale corpse was
+borne on a bier to the place of the funeral pile. By chance the
+home of Anaxarete was on the street where the procession passed,
+and the lamentations of the mourners met the ears of her whom the
+avenging deity had already marked for punishment.
+
+"'Let us see this sad procession,' said she, and mounted to a
+turret, whence through an open window she looked upon the funeral.
+Scarce had her eyes rested upon the form of Iphis stretched on the
+bier, when they began to stiffen, and the warm blood in her body
+to become cold. Endeavoring to step back, she found she could not
+move her feet; trying to turn away her face, she tried in vain;
+and by degrees all her limbs became stony like her heart. That you
+may not doubt the fact, the statue still remains, and stands in
+the temple of Venus at Salamis, in the exact form of the lady. Now
+think of these things, my dear, and lay aside your scorn and your
+delays, and accept a lover. So may neither the vernal frosts
+blight your young fruits, nor furious winds scatter your
+blossoms!"
+
+When Vertumnus had spoken thus, he dropped the disguise of an old
+woman, and stood before her in his proper person, as a comely
+youth. It appeared to her like the sun bursting through a cloud.
+He would have renewed his entreaties, but there was no need; his
+arguments and the sight of his true form prevailed, and the Nymph
+no longer resisted, but owned a mutual flame.
+
+Pomona was the especial patroness of the Apple-orchard, and as
+such she was invoked by Phillips, the author of a poem on Cider,
+in blank verse. Thomson in the "Seasons" alludes to him:
+
+    "Phillips, Pomona's bard, the second thou
+     Who nobly durst, in rhyme-unfettered verse,
+     With British freedom, sing the British song."
+
+But Pomona was also regarded as presiding over other fruits, and
+as such is invoked by Thomson:
+
+    "Bear me, Pomona, to thy citron groves,
+     To where the lemon and the piercing lime,
+     With the deep orange, glowing through the green,
+     Their lighter glories blend. Lay me reclined
+     Beneath the spreading tamarind, that shakes,
+     Fanned by the breeze, its fever-cooling fruit."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+CUPID AND PSYCHE
+
+
+A certain king and queen had three daughters. The charms of the
+two elder were more than common, but the beauty of the youngest
+was so wonderful that the poverty of language is unable to express
+its due praise. The fame of her beauty was so great that strangers
+from neighboring countries came in crowds to enjoy the sight, and
+looked on her with amazement, paying her that homage which is due
+only to Venus herself. In fact Venus found her altars deserted,
+while men turned their devotion to this young virgin. As she
+passed along, the people sang her praises, and strewed her way
+with chaplets and flowers.
+
+This perversion of homage due only to the immortal powers to the
+exaltation of a mortal gave great offence to the real Venus.
+Shaking her ambrosial locks with indignation, she exclaimed, "Am I
+then to be eclipsed in my honors by a mortal girl? In vain then
+did that royal shepherd, whose judgment was approved by Jove
+himself, give me the palm of beauty over my illustrious rivals,
+Pallas and Juno. But she shall not so quietly usurp my honors. I
+will give her cause to repent of so unlawful a beauty."
+
+Thereupon she calls her winged son Cupid, mischievous enough in
+his own nature, and rouses and provokes him yet more by her
+complaints. She points out Psyche to him and says, "My dear son,
+punish that contumacious beauty; give thy mother a revenge as
+sweet as her injuries are great; infuse into the bosom of that
+haughty girl a passion for some low, mean, unworthy being, so that
+she may reap a mortification as great as her present exultation
+and triumph."
+
+Cupid prepared to obey the commands of his mother. There are two
+fountains in Venus's garden, one of sweet waters, the other of
+bitter. Cupid filled two amber vases, one from each fountain, and
+suspending them from the top of his quiver, hastened to the
+chamber of Psyche, whom he found asleep. He shed a few drops from
+the bitter fountain over her lips, though the sight of her almost
+moved him to pity; then touched her side with the point of his
+arrow. At the touch she awoke, and opened eyes upon Cupid (himself
+invisible), which so startled him that in his confusion he wounded
+himself with his own arrow. Heedless of his wound, his whole
+thought now was to repair the mischief he had done, and he poured
+the balmy drops of joy over all her silken ringlets.
+
+Psyche, henceforth frowned upon by Venus, derived no benefit from
+all her charms. True, all eyes were cast eagerly upon her, and
+every mouth spoke her praises; but neither king, royal youth, nor
+plebeian presented himself to demand her in marriage. Her two
+elder sisters of moderate charms had now long been married to two
+royal princes; but Psyche, in her lonely apartment, deplored her
+solitude, sick of that beauty which, while it procured abundance
+of flattery, had failed to awaken love.
+
+Her parents, afraid that they had unwittingly incurred the anger
+of the gods, consulted the oracle of Apollo, and received this
+answer: "The virgin is destined for the bride of no mortal lover.
+Her future husband awaits her on the top of the mountain. He is a
+monster whom neither gods nor men can resist."
+
+This dreadful decree of the oracle filled all the people with
+dismay, and her parents abandoned themselves to grief. But Psyche
+said, "Why, my dear parents, do you now lament me? You should
+rather have grieved when the people showered upon me undeserved
+honors, and with one voice called me a Venus. I now perceive that
+I am a victim to that name. I submit. Lead me to that rock to
+which my unhappy fate has destined me." Accordingly, all things
+being prepared, the royal maid took her place in the procession,
+which more resembled a funeral than a nuptial pomp, and with her
+parents, amid the lamentations of the people, ascended the
+mountain, on the summit of which they left her alone, and with
+sorrowful hearts returned home.
+
+While Psyche stood on the ridge of the mountain, panting with fear
+and with eyes full of tears, the gentle Zephyr raised her from the
+earth and bore her with an easy motion into a flowery dale. By
+degrees her mind became composed, and she laid herself down on the
+grassy bank to sleep. When she awoke refreshed with sleep, she
+looked round and beheld near by a pleasant grove of tall and
+stately trees. She entered it, and in the midst discovered a
+fountain, sending forth clear and crystal waters, and fast by, a
+magnificent palace whose august front impressed the spectator that
+it was not the work of mortal hands, but the happy retreat of some
+god. Drawn by admiration and wonder, she approached the building
+and ventured to enter. Every object she met filled her with
+pleasure and amazement. Golden pillars supported the vaulted roof,
+and the walls were enriched with carvings and paintings
+representing beasts of the chase and rural scenes, adapted to
+delight the eye of the beholder. Proceeding onward, she perceived
+that besides the apartments of state there were others filled with
+all manner of treasures, and beautiful and precious productions of
+nature and art.
+
+While her eyes were thus occupied, a voice addressed her, though
+she saw no one, uttering these words: "Sovereign lady, all that
+you see is yours. We whose voices you hear are your servants and
+shall obey all your commands with our utmost care and diligence.
+Retire, therefore, to your chamber and repose on your bed of down,
+and when you see fit repair to the bath. Supper awaits you in the
+adjoining alcove when it pleases you to take your seat there."
+
+Psyche gave ear to the admonitions of her vocal attendants, and
+after repose and the refreshment of the bath, seated herself in
+the alcove, where a table immediately presented itself, without
+any visible aid from waiters or servants, and covered with the
+greatest delicacies of food and the most nectareous wines. Her
+ears too were feasted with music from invisible performers; of
+whom one sang, another played on the lute, and all closed in the
+wonderful harmony of a full chorus.
+
+She had not yet seen her destined husband. He came only in the
+hours of darkness and fled before the dawn of morning, but his
+accents were full of love, and inspired a like passion in her. She
+often begged him to stay and let her behold him, but he would not
+consent. On the contrary he charged her to make no attempt to see
+him, for it was his pleasure, for the best of reasons, to keep
+concealed. "Why should you wish to behold me?" he said; "have you
+any doubt of my love? have you any wish ungratified? If you saw
+me, perhaps you would fear me, perhaps adore me, but all I ask of
+you is to love me. I would rather you would love me as an equal
+than adore me as a god."
+
+This reasoning somewhat quieted Psyche for a time, and while the
+novelty lasted she felt quite happy. But at length the thought of
+her parents, left in ignorance of her fate, and of her sisters,
+precluded from sharing with her the delights of her situation,
+preyed on her mind and made her begin to feel her palace as but a
+splendid prison. When her husband came one night, she told him her
+distress, and at last drew from him an unwilling consent that her
+sisters should be brought to see her.
+
+So, calling Zephyr, she acquainted him with her husband's
+commands, and he, promptly obedient, soon brought them across the
+mountain down to their sister's valley. They embraced her and she
+returned their caresses. "Come," said Psyche, "enter with me my
+house and refresh yourselves with whatever your sister has to
+offer." Then taking their hands she led them into her golden
+palace, and committed them to the care of her numerous train of
+attendant voices, to refresh them in her baths and at her table,
+and to show them all her treasures. The view of these celestial
+delights caused envy to enter their bosoms, at seeing their young
+sister possessed of such state and splendor, so much exceeding
+their own.
+
+They asked her numberless questions, among others what sort of a
+person her husband was. Psyche replied that he was a beautiful
+youth, who generally spent the daytime in hunting upon the
+mountains. The sisters, not satisfied with this reply, soon made
+her confess that she had never seen him. Then they proceeded to
+fill her bosom with dark suspicions. "Call to mind," they said,
+"the Pythian oracle that declared you destined to marry a direful
+and tremendous monster. The inhabitants of this valley say that
+your husband is a terrible and monstrous serpent, who nourishes
+you for a while with dainties that he may by and by devour you.
+Take our advice. Provide yourself with a lamp and a sharp knife;
+put them in concealment that your husband may not discover them,
+and when he is sound asleep, slip out of bed, bring forth your
+lamp, and see for yourself whether what they say is true or not.
+If it is, hesitate not to cut off the monster's head, and thereby
+recover your liberty."
+
+Psyche resisted these persuasions as well as she could, but they
+did not fail to have their effect on her mind, and when her
+sisters were gone, their words and her own curiosity were too
+strong for her to resist. So she prepared her lamp and a sharp
+knife, and hid them out of sight of her husband. When he had
+fallen into his first sleep, she silently rose and uncovering her
+lamp beheld not a hideous monster, but the most beautiful and
+charming of the gods, with his golden ringlets wandering over his
+snowy neck and crimson cheek, with two dewy wings on his
+shoulders, whiter than snow, and with shining feathers like the
+tender blossoms of spring. As she leaned the lamp over to have a
+nearer view of his face a drop of burning oil fell on the shoulder
+of the god, startled with which he opened his eyes and fixed them
+full upon her; then, without saying one word, he spread his white
+wings and flew out of the window. Psyche, in vain endeavoring to
+follow him, fell from the window to the ground. Cupid, beholding
+her as she lay in the dust, stopped his flight for an instant and
+said, "O foolish Psyche, is it thus you repay my love? After
+having disobeyed my mother's commands and made you my wife, will
+you think me a monster and cut off my head? But go; return to your
+sisters, whose advice you seem to think preferable to mine. I
+inflict no other punishment on you than to leave you forever. Love
+cannot dwell with suspicion." So saying, he fled away, leaving
+poor Psyche prostrate on the ground, filling the place with
+mournful lamentations.
+
+When she had recovered some degree of composure she looked around
+her, but the palace and gardens had vanished, and she found
+herself in the open field not far from the city where her sisters
+dwelt. She repaired thither and told them the whole story of her
+misfortunes, at which, pretending to grieve, those spiteful
+creatures inwardly rejoiced. "For now," said they, "he will
+perhaps choose one of us." With this idea, without saying a word
+of her intentions, each of them rose early the next morning and
+ascended the mountains, and having reached the top, called upon
+Zephyr to receive her and bear her to his lord; then leaping up,
+and not being sustained by Zephyr, fell down the precipice and was
+dashed to pieces.
+
+Psyche meanwhile wandered day and night, without food or repose,
+in search of her husband. Casting her eyes on a lofty mountain
+having on its brow a magnificent temple, she sighed and said to
+herself, "Perhaps my love, my lord, inhabits there," and directed
+her steps thither.
+
+She had no sooner entered than she saw heaps of corn, some in
+loose ears and some in sheaves, with mingled ears of barley.
+Scattered about, lay sickles and rakes, and all the instruments of
+harvest, without order, as if thrown carelessly out of the weary
+reapers' hands in the sultry hours of the day.
+
+This unseemly confusion the pious Psyche put an end to, by
+separating and sorting everything to its proper place and kind,
+believing that she ought to neglect none of the gods, but endeavor
+by her piety to engage them all in her behalf. The holy Ceres,
+whose temple it was, finding her so religiously employed, thus
+spoke to her: "O Psyche, truly worthy of our pity, though I cannot
+shield you from the frowns of Venus, yet I can teach you how best
+to allay her displeasure. Go, then, and voluntarily surrender
+yourself to your lady and sovereign, and try by modesty and
+submission to win her forgiveness, and perhaps her favor will
+restore you the husband you have lost."
+
+Psyche obeyed the commands of Ceres and took her way to the temple
+of Venus, endeavoring to fortify her mind and ruminating on what
+she should say and how best propitiate the angry goddess, feeling
+that the issue was doubtful and perhaps fatal.
+
+Venus received her with angry countenance. "Most undutiful and
+faithless of servants," said she, "do you at last remember that
+you really have a mistress? Or have you rather come to see your
+sick husband, yet laid up of the wound given him by his loving
+wife? You are so ill-favored and disagreeable that the only way
+you can merit your lover must be by dint of industry and
+diligence. I will make trial of your housewifery." Then she
+ordered Psyche to be led to the storehouse of her temple, where
+was laid up a great quantity of wheat, barley, millet, vetches,
+beans, and lentils prepared for food for her pigeons, and said,
+"Take and separate all these grains, putting all of the same kind
+in a parcel by themselves, and see that you get it done before
+evening." Then Venus departed and left her to her task.
+
+But Psyche, in a perfect consternation at the enormous work, sat
+stupid and silent, without moving a finger to the inextricable
+heap.
+
+While she sat despairing, Cupid stirred up the little ant, a
+native of the fields, to take compassion on her. The leader of the
+ant hill, followed by whole hosts of his six-legged subjects,
+approached the heap, and with the utmost diligence, taking grain
+by grain, they separated the pile, sorting each kind to its
+parcel; and when it was all done, they vanished out of sight in a
+moment.
+
+Venus at the approach of twilight returned from the banquet of the
+gods, breathing odors and crowned with roses. Seeing the task
+done, she exclaimed, "This is no work of yours, wicked one, but
+his, whom to your own and his misfortune you have enticed." So
+saying, she threw her a piece of black bread for her supper and
+went away.
+
+Next morning Venus ordered Psyche to be called and said to her,
+"Behold yonder grove which stretches along the margin of the
+water. There you will find sheep feeding without a shepherd, with
+golden-shining fleeces on their backs. Go, fetch me a sample of
+that precious wool gathered from every one of their fleeces."
+
+Psyche obediently went to the riverside, prepared to do her best
+to execute the command. But the river god inspired the reeds with
+harmonious murmurs, which seemed to say, "O maiden, severely
+tried, tempt not the dangerous flood, nor venture among the
+formidable rams on the other side, for as long as they are under
+the influence of the rising sun, they burn with a cruel rage to
+destroy mortals with their sharp horns or rude teeth. But when the
+noontide sun has driven the cattle to the shade, and the serene
+spirit of the flood has lulled them to rest, you may then cross in
+safety, and you will find the woolly gold sticking to the bushes
+and the trunks of the trees."
+
+Thus the compassionate river god gave Psyche instructions how to
+accomplish her task, and by observing his directions she soon
+returned to Venus with her arms full of the golden fleece; but she
+received not the approbation of her implacable mistress, who said,
+"I know very well it is by none of your own doings that you have
+succeeded in this task, and I am not satisfied yet that you have
+any capacity to make yourself useful. But I have another task for
+you. Here, take this box and go your way to the infernal shades,
+and give this box to Proserpine and say, 'My mistress Venus
+desires you to send her a little of your beauty, for in tending
+her sick son she has lost some of her own.' Be not too long on
+your errand, for I must paint myself with it to appear at the
+circle of the gods and goddesses this evening."
+
+Psyche was now satisfied that her destruction was at hand, being
+obliged to go with her own feet directly down to Erebus.
+Wherefore, to make no delay of what was not to be avoided, she
+goes to the top of a high tower to precipitate herself headlong,
+thus to descend the shortest way to the shades below. But a voice
+from the tower said to her, "Why, poor unlucky girl, dost thou
+design to put an end to thy days in so dreadful a manner? And what
+cowardice makes thee sink under this last danger who hast been so
+miraculously supported in all thy former?" Then the voice told her
+how by a certain cave she might reach the realms of Pluto, and how
+to avoid all the dangers of the road, to pass by Cerberus, the
+three-headed dog, and prevail on Charon, the ferryman, to take her
+across the black river and bring her back again. But the voice
+added, "When Proserpine has given you the box filled with her
+beauty, of all things this is chiefly to be observed by you, that
+you never once open or look into the box nor allow your curiosity
+to pry into the treasure of the beauty of the goddesses."
+
+Psyche, encouraged by this advice, obeyed it in all things, and
+taking heed to her ways travelled safely to the kingdom of Pluto.
+She was admitted to the palace of Proserpine, and without
+accepting the delicate seat or delicious banquet that was offered
+her, but contented with coarse bread for her food, she delivered
+her message from Venus. Presently the box was returned to her,
+shut and filled with the precious commodity. Then she returned the
+way she came, and glad was she to come out once more into the
+light of day.
+
+But having got so far successfully through her dangerous task, a
+longing desire seized her to examine the contents of the box.
+"What," said she, "shall I, the carrier of this divine beauty, not
+take the least bit to put on my cheeks to appear to more advantage
+in the eyes of my beloved husband!" So she carefully opened the
+box, but found nothing there of any beauty at all, but an infernal
+and truly Stygian sleep, which being thus set free from its
+prison, took possession of her, and she fell down in the midst of
+the road, a sleepy corpse without sense or motion.
+
+But Cupid, being now recovered from his wound, and not able longer
+to bear the absence of his beloved Psyche, slipping through the
+smallest crack of the window of his chamber which happened to be
+left open, flew to the spot where Psyche lay, and gathering up the
+sleep from her body closed it again in the box, and waked Psyche
+with a light touch of one of his arrows. "Again," said he, "hast
+thou almost perished by the same curiosity. But now perform
+exactly the task imposed on you by my mother, and I will take care
+of the rest."
+
+Then Cupid, as swift as lightning penetrating the heights of
+heaven, presented himself before Jupiter with his supplication.
+Jupiter lent a favoring ear, and pleaded the cause of the lovers
+so earnestly with Venus that he won her consent. On this he sent
+Mercury to bring Psyche up to the heavenly assembly, and when she
+arrived, handing her a cup of ambrosia, he said, "Drink this,
+Psyche, and be immortal; nor shall Cupid ever break away from the
+knot in which he is tied, but these nuptials shall be perpetual."
+
+Thus Psyche became at last united to Cupid, and in due time they
+had a daughter born to them whose name was Pleasure.
+
+The fable of Cupid and Psyche is usually considered allegorical.
+The Greek name for a butterfly is Psyche, and the same word means
+the soul. There is no illustration of the immortality of the soul
+so striking and beautiful as the butterfly, bursting on brilliant
+wings from the tomb in which it has lain, after a dull,
+grovelling, caterpillar existence, to flutter in the blaze of day
+and feed on the most fragrant and delicate productions of the
+spring. Psyche, then, is the human soul, which is purified by
+sufferings and misfortunes, and is thus prepared for the enjoyment
+of true and pure happiness.
+
+In works of art Psyche is represented as a maiden with the wings
+of a butterfly, along with Cupid, in the different situations
+described in the allegory.
+
+Milton alludes to the story of Cupid and Psyche in the conclusion
+of his "Comus":
+
+    "Celestial Cupid, her famed son, advanced,
+     Holds his dear Psyche sweet entranced,
+     After her wandering labors long,
+     Till free consent the gods among
+     Make her his eternal bride;
+     And from her fair unspotted side
+     Two blissful twins are to be born,
+     Youth and Joy; so Jove hath sworn."
+
+The allegory of the story of Cupid and Psyche is well presented in
+the beautiful lines of T. K. Harvey:
+
+    "They wove bright fables in the days of old,
+       When reason borrowed fancy's painted wings;
+     When truth's clear river flowed o'er sands of gold,
+       And told in song its high and mystic things!
+     And such the sweet and solemn tale of her
+       The pilgrim heart, to whom a dream was given,
+     That led her through the world,--Love's worshipper,--
+       To seek on earth for him whose home was heaven!
+
+    "In the full city,--by the haunted fount,--
+       Through the dim grotto's tracery of spars,--
+     'Mid the pine temples, on the moonlit mount,
+       Where silence sits to listen to the stars;
+     In the deep glade where dwells the brooding dove,
+       The painted valley, and the scented air,
+     She heard far echoes of the voice of Love,
+       And found his footsteps' traces everywhere.
+
+    "But nevermore they met since doubts and fears,
+       Those phantom shapes that haunt and blight the earth,
+     Had come 'twixt her, a child of sin and tears,
+       And that bright spirit of immortal birth;
+     Until her pining soul and weeping eyes
+     Had learned to seek him only in the skies;
+     Till wings unto the weary heart were given,
+     And she became Love's angel bride in heaven!"
+
+The story of Cupid and Psyche first appears in the works of
+Apuleius, a writer of the second century of our era. It is
+therefore of much more recent date than most of the legends of the
+Age of Fable. It is this that Keats alludes to in his "Ode to
+Psyche":
+
+    "O latest born and loveliest vision far
+       Of all Olympus' faded hierarchy!
+     Fairer than Phoebe's sapphire-regioned star
+       Or Vesper, amorous glow-worm of the sky;
+     Fairer than these, though temple thou hast none,
+       Nor altar heaped with flowers;
+     Nor virgin choir to make delicious moan
+       Upon the midnight hours;
+     No voice, no lute, no pipe, no incense sweet,
+       From chain-swung censor teeming;
+     No shrine, no grove, no oracle, no heat
+       Of pale-mouthed prophet dreaming."
+
+In Moore's "Summer Fete" a fancy ball is described, in which one
+of the characters personated is Psyche--
+
+
+    "... not in dark disguise to-night
+     Hath our young heroine veiled her light;--
+     For see, she walks the earth, Love's own.
+       His wedded bride, by holiest vow
+     Pledged in Olympus, and made known
+       To mortals by the type which now
+       Hangs glittering on her snowy brow.
+     That butterfly, mysterious trinket,
+     Which means the soul, (though few would think it,)
+     And sparkling thus on brow so white
+     Tells us we've Psyche here to-night."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+CADMUS--THE MYRMIDONS
+
+
+Jupiter, under the disguise of a bull, had carried away Europa,
+the daughter of Agenor, king of Phoenicia. Agenor commanded his
+son Cadmus to go in search of his sister, and not to return
+without her. Cadmus went and sought long and far for his sister,
+but could not find her, and not daring to return unsuccessful,
+consulted the oracle of Apollo to know what country he should
+settle in. The oracle informed him that he should find a cow in
+the field, and should follow her wherever she might wander, and
+where she stopped, should build a city and call it Thebes. Cadmus
+had hardly left the Castalian cave, from which the oracle was
+delivered, when he saw a young cow slowly walking before him. He
+followed her close, offering at the same time his prayers to
+Phoebus. The cow went on till she passed the shallow channel of
+Cephisus and came out into the plain of Panope. There she stood
+still, and raising her broad forehead to the sky, filled the air
+with her lowings. Cadmus gave thanks, and stooping down kissed the
+foreign soil, then lifting his eyes, greeted the surrounding
+mountains. Wishing to offer a sacrifice to Jupiter, he sent his
+servants to seek pure water for a libation. Near by there stood an
+ancient grove which had never been profaned by the axe, in the
+midst of which was a cave, thick covered with the growth of
+bushes, its roof forming a low arch, from beneath which burst
+forth a fountain of purest water. In the cave lurked a horrid
+serpent with a crested head and scales glittering like gold. His
+eyes shone like fire, his body was swollen with venom, he vibrated
+a triple tongue, and showed a triple row of teeth. No sooner had
+the Tyrians dipped their pitchers in the fountain, and the in-
+gushing waters made a sound, than the glittering serpent raised
+his head out of the cave and uttered a fearful hiss. The vessels
+fell from their hands, the blood left their cheeks, they trembled
+in every limb. The serpent, twisting his scaly body in a huge
+coil, raised his head so as to overtop the tallest trees, and
+while the Tyrians from terror could neither fight nor fly, slew
+some with his fangs, others in his folds, and others with his
+poisonous breath.
+
+Cadmus, having waited for the return of his men till midday, went
+in search of them. His covering was a lion's hide, and besides his
+javelin he carried in his hand a lance, and in his breast a bold
+heart, a surer reliance than either. When he entered the wood, and
+saw the lifeless bodies of his men, and the monster with his
+bloody jaws, he exclaimed, "O faithful friends, I will avenge you,
+or share your death." So saying he lifted a huge stone and threw
+it with all his force at the serpent. Such a block would have
+shaken the wall of a fortress, but it made no impression on the
+monster. Cadmus next threw his javelin, which met with better
+success, for it penetrated the serpent's scales, and pierced
+through to his entrails. Fierce with pain, the monster turned back
+his head to view the wound, and attempted to draw out the weapon
+with his mouth, but broke it off, leaving the iron point rankling
+in his flesh. His neck swelled with rage, bloody foam covered his
+jaws, and the breath of his nostrils poisoned the air around. Now
+he twisted himself into a circle, then stretched himself out on
+the ground like the trunk of a fallen tree. As he moved onward,
+Cadmus retreated before him, holding his spear opposite to the
+monster's opened jaws. The serpent snapped at the weapon and
+attempted to bite its iron point. At last Cadmus, watching his
+chance, thrust the spear at a moment when the animal's head thrown
+back came against the trunk of a tree, and so succeeded in pinning
+him to its side. His weight bent the tree as he struggled in the
+agonies of death.
+
+While Cadmus stood over his conquered foe, contemplating its vast
+size, a voice was heard (from whence he knew not, but he heard it
+distinctly) commanding him to take the dragon's teeth and sow them
+in the earth. He obeyed. He made a furrow in the ground, and
+planted the teeth, destined to produce a crop of men. Scarce had
+he done so when the clods began to move, and the points of spears
+to appear above the surface. Next helmets with their nodding
+plumes came up, and next the shoulders and breasts and limbs of
+men with weapons, and in time a harvest of armed warriors. Cadmus,
+alarmed, prepared to encounter a new enemy, but one of them said
+to him, "Meddle not with our civil war." With that he who had
+spoken smote one of his earth-born brothers with a sword, and he
+himself fell pierced with an arrow from another. The latter fell
+victim to a fourth, and in like manner the whole crowd dealt with
+each other till all fell, slain with mutual wounds, except five
+survivors. One of these cast away his weapons and said, "Brothers,
+let us live in peace!" These five joined with Cadmus in building
+his city, to which they gave the name of Thebes.
+
+Cadmus obtained in marriage Harmonia, the daughter of Venus. The
+gods left Olympus to honor the occasion with their presence, and
+Vulcan presented the bride with a necklace of surpassing
+brilliancy, his own workmanship. But a fatality hung over the
+family of Cadmus in consequence of his killing the serpent sacred
+to Mars. Semele and Ino, his daughters, and Actaeon and Pentheus,
+his grandchildren, all perished unhappily, and Cadmus and Harmonia
+quitted Thebes, now grown odious to them, and emigrated to the
+country of the Enchelians, who received them with honor and made
+Cadmus their king. But the misfortunes of their children still
+weighed upon their minds; and one day Cadmus exclaimed, "If a
+serpent's life is so dear to the gods, I would I were myself a
+serpent." No sooner had he uttered the words than he began to
+change his form. Harmonia beheld it and prayed to the gods to let
+her share his fate. Both became serpents. They live in the woods,
+but mindful of their origin, they neither avoid the presence of
+man nor do they ever injure any one.
+
+There is a tradition that Cadmus introduced into Greece the
+letters of the alphabet which were invented by the Phoenicians.
+This is alluded to by Byron, where, addressing the modern Greeks,
+he says:
+
+    "You have the letters Cadmus gave,
+     Think you he meant them for a slave?"
+
+Milton, describing the serpent which tempted Eve, is reminded of
+the serpents of the classical stories and says:
+
+    ... "--pleasing was his shape,
+     And lovely never since of serpent kind
+     Lovelier; not those that in Illyria changed
+     Hermione and Cadmus, nor the god
+     In Epidaurus"
+
+For an explanation of the last allusion, see Oracle of
+Aesculapius, p. 298.
+
+THE MYRMIDONS
+
+The Myrmidons were the soldiers of Achilles, in the Trojan war.
+From them all zealous and unscrupulous followers of a political
+chief are called by that name, down to this day. But the origin of
+the Myrmidons would not give one the idea of a fierce and bloody
+race, but rather of a laborious and peaceful one.
+
+Cephalus, king of Athens, arrived in the island of Aegina to seek
+assistance of his old friend and ally Aeacus, the king, in his war
+with Minos, king of Crete. Cephalus was most kindly received, and
+the desired assistance readily promised. "I have people enough,"
+said Aeacus, "to protect myself and spare you such a force as you
+need." "I rejoice to see it," replied Cephalus, "and my wonder has
+been raised, I confess, to find such a host of youths as I see
+around me, all apparently of about the same age. Yet there are
+many individuals whom I previously knew, that I look for now in
+vain. What has become of them?" Aeacus groaned, and replied with a
+voice of sadness, "I have been intending to tell you, and will now
+do so, without more delay, that you may see how from the saddest
+beginning a happy result sometimes flows. Those whom you formerly
+knew are now dust and ashes! A plague sent by angry Juno
+devastated the land. She hated it because it bore the name of one
+of her husband's female favorites. While the disease appeared to
+spring from natural causes we resisted it, as we best might, by
+natural remedies; but it soon appeared that the pestilence was too
+powerful for our efforts, and we yielded. At the beginning the sky
+seemed to settle down upon the earth, and thick clouds shut in the
+heated air. For four months together a deadly south wind
+prevailed. The disorder affected the wells and springs; thousands
+of snakes crept over the land and shed their poison in the
+fountains. The force of the disease was first spent on the lower
+animals--dogs, cattle, sheep, and birds The luckless ploughman
+wondered to see his oxen fall in the midst of their work, and lie
+helpless in the unfinished furrow. The wool fell from the bleating
+sheep, and their bodies pined away. The horse, once foremost in
+the race, contested the palm no more, but groaned at his stall and
+died an inglorious death. The wild boar forgot his rage, the stag
+his swiftness, the bears no longer attacked the herds. Everything
+languished; dead bodies lay in the roads, the fields, and the
+woods; the air was poisoned by them, I tell you what is hardly
+credible, but neither dogs nor birds would touch them, nor
+starving wolves. Their decay spread the infection. Next the
+disease attacked the country people, and then the dwellers in the
+city. At first the cheek was flushed, and the breath drawn with
+difficulty. The tongue grew rough and swelled, and the dry mouth
+stood open with its veins enlarged and gasped for the air. Men
+could not bear the heat of their clothes or their beds, but
+preferred to lie on the bare ground; and the ground did not cool
+them, but, on the contrary, they heated the spot where they lay.
+Nor could the physicians help, for the disease attacked them also,
+and the contact of the sick gave them infection, so that the most
+faithful were the first victims. At last all hope of relief
+vanished, and men learned to look upon death as the only deliverer
+from disease. Then they gave way to every inclination, and cared
+not to ask what was expedient, for nothing was expedient. All
+restraint laid aside, they crowded around the wells and fountains
+and drank till they died, without quenching thirst. Many had not
+strength to get away from the water, but died in the midst of the
+stream, and others would drink of it notwithstanding. Such was
+their weariness of their sick beds that some would creep forth,
+and if not strong enough to stand, would die on the ground. They
+seemed to hate their friends, and got away from their homes, as
+if, not knowing the cause of their sickness, they charged it on
+the place of their abode. Some were seen tottering along the road,
+as long as they could stand, while others sank on the earth, and
+turned their dying eyes around to take a last look, then closed
+them in death.
+
+"What heart had I left me, during all this, or what ought I to
+have had, except to hate life and wish to be with my dead
+subjects? On all sides lay my people strewn like over-ripened
+apples beneath the tree, or acorns under the storm-shaken oak. You
+see yonder a temple on the height. It is sacred to Jupiter. O how
+many offered prayers there, husbands for wives, fathers for sons,
+and died in the very act of supplication! How often, while the
+priest made ready for sacrifice, the victim fell, struck down by
+disease without waiting for the blow! At length all reverence for
+sacred things was lost. Bodies were thrown out unburied, wood was
+wanting for funeral piles, men fought with one another for the
+possession of them. Finally there were none left to mourn; sons
+and husbands, old men and youths, perished alike unlamented.
+
+"Standing before the altar I raised my eyes to heaven. 'O
+Jupiter,' I said, 'if thou art indeed my father, and art not
+ashamed of thy offspring, give me back my people, or take me also
+away!' At these words a clap of thunder was heard. 'I accept the
+omen,' I cried; 'O may it be a sign of a favorable disposition
+towards me!' By chance there grew by the place where I stood an
+oak with wide-spreading branches, sacred to Jupiter. I observed a
+troop of ants busy with their labor, carrying minute grains in
+their mouths and following one another in a line up the trunk of
+the tree. Observing their numbers with admiration, I said, 'Give
+me, O father, citizens as numerous as these, and replenish my
+empty city.' The tree shook and gave a rustling sound with its
+branches, though no wind agitated them. I trembled in every limb,
+yet I kissed the earth and the tree. I would not confess to myself
+that I hoped, yet I did hope. Night came on and sleep took
+possession of my frame oppressed with cares. The tree stood before
+me in my dreams, with its numerous branches all covered with
+living, moving creatures. It seemed to shake its limbs and throw
+down over the ground a multitude of those industrious grain-
+gathering animals, which appeared to gain in size, and grow larger
+and larger, and by and by to stand erect, lay aside their
+superfluous legs and their black color, and finally to assume the
+human form. Then I awoke, and my first impulse was to chide the
+gods who had robbed me of a sweet vision and given me no reality
+in its place. Being still in the temple, my attention was caught
+by the sound of many voices without; a sound of late unusual to my
+ears. While I began to think I was yet dreaming, Telamon, my son,
+throwing open the temple gates, exclaimed: 'Father, approach, and
+behold things surpassing even your hopes!' I went forth; I saw a
+multitude of men, such as I had seen in my dream, and they were
+passing in procession in the same manner. While I gazed with
+wonder and delight they approached and kneeling hailed me as their
+king. I paid my vows to Jove, and proceeded to allot the vacant
+city to the new-born race, and to parcel out the fields among them
+I called them Myrmidons, from the ant (myrmex) from which they
+sprang. You have seen these persons; their dispositions resemble
+those which they had in their former shape. They are a diligent
+and industrious race, eager to gain, and tenacious of their gains.
+Among them you may recruit your forces. They will follow you to
+the war, young in years and bold in heart." This description of
+the plague is copied by Ovid from the account which Thucydides,
+the Greek historian, gives of the plague of Athens. The historian
+drew from life, and all the poets and writers of fiction since his
+day, when they have had occasion to describe a similar scene, have
+borrowed their details from him.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+NISUS AND SCYLLA--ECHO AND NARCISSUS--CLYTIE--HERO AND LEANDER
+
+NISUS AND SCYLLA
+
+
+Minos, king of Crete, made war upon Megara. Nisus was king of
+Megara, and Scylla was his daughter. The siege had now lasted six
+months and the city still held out, for it was decreed by fate
+that it should not be taken so long as a certain purple lock,
+which glittered among the hair of King Nisus, remained on his
+head. There was a tower on the city walls, which overlooked the
+plain where Minos and his army were encamped. To this tower Scylla
+used to repair, and look abroad over the tents of the hostile
+army. The siege had lasted so long that she had learned to
+distinguish the persons of the leaders. Minos, in particular,
+excited her admiration. Arrayed in his helmet, and bearing his
+shield, she admired his graceful deportment; if he threw his
+javelin skill seemed combined with force in the discharge; if he
+drew his bow Apollo himself could not have done it more
+gracefully. But when he laid aside his helmet, and in his purple
+robes bestrode his white horse with its gay caparisons, and reined
+in its foaming mouth, the daughter of Nisus was hardly mistress of
+herself; she was almost frantic with admiration. She envied the
+weapon that he grasped, the reins that he held. She felt as if she
+could, if it were possible, go to him through the hostile ranks;
+she felt an impulse to cast herself down from the tower into the
+midst of his camp, or to open the gates to him, or to do anything
+else, so only it might gratify Minos. As she sat in the tower, she
+talked thus with herself: "I know not whether to rejoice or grieve
+at this sad war. I grieve that Minos is our enemy; but I rejoice
+at any cause that brings him to my sight. Perhaps he would be
+willing to grant us peace, and receive me as a hostage. I would
+fly down, if I could, and alight in his camp, and tell him that we
+yield ourselves to his mercy. But then, to betray my father! No!
+rather would I never see Minos again. And yet no doubt it is
+sometimes the best thing for a city to be conquered, when the
+conqueror is clement and generous. Minos certainly has right on
+his side. I think we shall be conquered; and if that must be the
+end of it, why should not love unbar the gates to him, instead of
+leaving it to be done by war? Better spare delay and slaughter if
+we can. And O if any one should wound or kill Minos! No one surely
+would have the heart to do it; yet ignorantly, not knowing him,
+one might. I will, I will surrender myself to him, with my country
+as a dowry, and so put an end to the war. But how? The gates are
+guarded, and my father keeps the keys; he only stands in my way. O
+that it might please the gods to take him away! But why ask the
+gods to do it? Another woman, loving as I do, would remove with
+her own hands whatever stood in the way of her love. And can any
+other woman dare more than I? I would encounter fire and sword to
+gain my object; but here there is no need of fire and sword. I
+only need my father's purple lock. More precious than gold to me,
+that will give me all I wish."
+
+While she thus reasoned night came on, and soon the whole palace
+was buried in sleep. She entered her father's bedchamber and cut
+off the fatal lock; then passed out of the city and entered the
+enemy's camp. She demanded to be led to the king, and thus
+addressed him: "I am Scylla, the daughter of Nisus. I surrender to
+you my country and my father's house. I ask no reward but
+yourself; for love of you I have done it. See here the purple
+lock! With this I give you my father and his kingdom." She held
+out her hand with the fatal spoil. Minos shrunk back and refused
+to touch it. "The gods destroy thee, infamous woman," he
+exclaimed; "disgrace of our time! May neither earth nor sea yield
+thee a resting-place! Surely, my Crete, where Jove himself was
+cradled, shall not be polluted with such a monster!" Thus he said,
+and gave orders that equitable terms should be allowed to the
+conquered city, and that the fleet should immediately sail from
+the island.
+
+Scylla was frantic. "Ungrateful man," she exclaimed, "is it thus
+you leave me?--me who have given you victory,--who have sacrificed
+for you parent and country! I am guilty, I confess, and deserve to
+die, but not by your hand." As the ships left the shore, she
+leaped into the water, and seizing the rudder of the one which
+carried Minos, she was borne along an unwelcome companion of their
+course. A sea-eagle ing aloft,--it was her father who had been
+changed into that form,--seeing her, pounced down upon her, and
+struck her with his beak and claws. In terror she let go the ship
+and would have fallen into the water, but some pitying deity
+changed her into a bird. The sea-eagle still cherishes the old
+animosity; and whenever he espies her in his lofty flight you may
+see him dart down upon her, with beak and claws, to take vengeance
+for the ancient crime.
+
+ECHO AND NARCISSUS
+
+Echo was a beautiful nymph, fond of the woods and hills, where she
+devoted herself to woodland sports. She was a favorite of Diana,
+and attended her in the chase. But Echo had one failing; she was
+fond of talking, and whether in chat or argument, would have the
+last word. One day Juno was seeking her husband, who, she had
+reason to fear, was amusing himself among the nymphs. Echo by her
+talk contrived to detain the goddess till the nymphs made their
+escape. When Juno discovered it, she passed sentence upon Echo in
+these words: "You shall forfeit the use of that tongue with which
+you have cheated me, except for that one purpose you are so fond
+of--reply. You shall still have the last word, but no power to
+speak first."
+
+This nymph saw Narcissus, a beautiful youth, as he pursued the
+chase upon the mountains. She loved him, and followed his
+footsteps. O how she longed to address him in the softest accents,
+and win him to converse! but it was not in her power. She waited
+with impatience for him to speak first, and had her answer ready.
+One day the youth, being separated from his companions, shouted
+aloud, "Who's here?" Echo replied, "Here." Narcissus looked
+around, but seeing no one called out, "Come." Echo answered,
+"Come." As no one came, Narcissus called again, "Why do you shun
+me?" Echo asked the same question. "Let us join one another," said
+the youth. The maid answered with all her heart in the same words,
+and hastened to the spot, ready to throw her arms about his neck.
+He started back, exclaiming, "Hands off! I would rather die than
+you should have me!" "Have me," said she; but it was all in vain.
+He left her, and she went to hide her blushes in the recesses of
+the woods. From that time forth she lived in caves and among
+mountain cliffs. Her form faded with grief, till at last all her
+flesh shrank away. Her bones were changed into rocks and there was
+nothing left of her but her voice. With that she is still ready to
+reply to any one who calls her, and keeps up her old habit of
+having the last word.
+
+Narcissus's cruelty in this case was not the only instance. He
+shunned all the rest of the nymphs, as he had done poor Echo. One
+day a maiden who had in vain endeavored to attract him uttered a
+prayer that he might some time or other feel what it was to love
+and meet no return of affection. The avenging goddess heard and
+granted the prayer.
+
+There was a clear fountain, with water like silver, to which the
+shepherds never drove their flocks, nor the mountain goats
+resorted, nor any of the beasts of the forest; neither was it
+defaced with fallen leaves or branches; but the grass grew fresh
+around it, and the rocks sheltered it from the sun. Hither came
+one day the youth, fatigued with hunting, heated and thirsty. He
+stooped down to drink, and saw his own image in the water; he
+thought it was some beautiful water-spirit living in the
+fountain. He stood gazing with admiration at those bright eyes,
+those locks curled like the locks of Bacchus or Apollo, the
+rounded cheeks, the ivory neck, the parted lips, and the glow of
+health and exercise over all. He fell in love with himself. He
+brought his lips near to take a kiss; he plunged his arms in to
+embrace the beloved object. It fled at the touch, but returned
+again after a moment and renewed the fascination. He could not
+tear himself away; he lost all thought of food or rest, while he
+hovered over the brink of the fountain gazing upon his own image.
+He talked with the supposed spirit: "Why, beautiful being, do you
+shun me? Surely my face is not one to repel you. The nymphs love
+me, and you yourself look not indifferent upon me. When I stretch
+forth my arms you do the same; and you smile upon me and answer my
+beckonings with the like." His tears fell into the water and
+disturbed the image. As he saw it depart, he exclaimed, "Stay, I
+entreat you! Let me at least gaze upon you, if I may not touch
+you." With this, and much more of the same kind, he cherished the
+flame that consumed him, so that by degrees he lost his color, his
+vigor, and the beauty which formerly had so charmed the nymph
+Echo. She kept near him, however, and when he exclaimed, "Alas!
+alas!" she answered him with the same words. He pined away and
+died; and when his shade passed the Stygian river, it leaned over
+the boat to catch a look of itself in the waters. The nymphs
+mourned for him, especially the water-nymphs; and when they smote
+their breasts Echo smote hers also. They prepared a funeral pile
+and would have burned the body, but it was nowhere to be found;
+but in its place a flower, purple within, and surrounded with
+white leaves, which bears the name and preserves the memory of
+Narcissus.
+
+Milton alludes to the story of Echo and Narcissus in the Lady's
+song in "Comus." She is seeking her brothers in the forest, and
+sings to attract their attention:
+
+    "Sweet Echo, sweetest nymph, that liv'st unseen
+         Within thy aery shell
+       By slow Meander's margent green,
+     And in the violet-embroidered vale,
+       Where the love-lorn nightingale
+     Nightly to thee her sad song mourneth well;
+     Canst thou not tell me of a gentle pair
+       That likest thy Narcissus are?
+         O, if thou have
+       Hid them in some flowery cave,
+         Tell me but where,
+     Sweet queen of parly, daughter of the sphere,
+     So may'st thou be translated to the skies,
+   And give resounding grace to all heaven's harmonies."
+
+Milton has imitated the story of Narcissus in the account which he
+makes Eve give of the first sight of herself reflected in the
+fountain:
+
+    "That day I oft remember when from sleep
+     I first awaked, and found myself reposed
+     Under a shade on flowers, much wondering where
+     And what I was, whence thither brought, and how.
+     Not distant far from thence a murmuring sound
+     Of waters issued from a cave, and spread
+     Into a liquid plain, then stood unmoved
+     Pure as the expanse of heaven; I thither went
+     With unexperienced thought, and laid me down
+     On the green bank, to look into the clear
+     Smooth lake that to me seemed another sky.
+     As I bent down to look, just opposite
+     A shape within the watery gleam appeared,
+     Bending to look on me. I started back;
+     It started back; but pleased I soon returned,
+     Pleased it returned as soon with answering looks
+     Of sympathy and love. There had I fixed
+     Mine eyes till now, and pined wi vain desire,
+     Had not a voice thus warned me: 'What thou seest,
+     What there thou seest, fair creature, is thyself;'" etc.
+
+    --Paradise Lost, Book IV.
+
+No one of the fables of antiquity has been oftener alluded to by
+the poets than that of Narcissus. Here are two epigrams which
+treat it in different ways. The first is by Goldsmith:
+
+"ON A BEAUTIFUL YOUTH, STRUCK BLIND BY LIGHTNING
+
+    "Sure 'twas by Providence designed,
+       Rather in pity than in hate,
+     That he should be like Cupid blind,
+       To save him from Narcissus' fate."
+
+The other is by Cowper:
+
+"ON AN UGLY FELLOW
+
+    "Beware, my friend, of crystal brook
+     Or fountain, lest that hideous hook,
+       Thy nose, thou chance to see;
+     Narcissus' fate would then be thine,
+     And self-detested thou would'st pine,
+       As self-enamoured he."
+
+CLYTIE
+
+Clytie was a water-nymph and in love with Apollo, who made her no
+return. So she pined away, sitting all day long upon the cold
+ground, with her unbound tresses streaming over her shoulders.
+Nine days she sat and tasted neither food nor drink, her own tears
+and the chilly dew her only food. She gazed on the sun when he
+rose, and as he passed through his daily course to his setting;
+she saw no other object, her face turned constantly on him. At
+last, they say, her limbs rooted in the ground, her face became a
+flower [Footnote: The sunflower.] which turns on its stem so as
+always to face the sun throughout its daily course; for it retains
+to that extent the feeling of the nymph from whom it sprang.
+
+Hood, in his "Flowers," thus alludes to Clytie:
+
+    "I will not have the mad Clytie,
+       Whose head is turned by the sun;
+     The tulip is a courtly quean,
+       Whom therefore I will shun;
+     The cowslip is a country wench,
+       The violet is a nun;--
+     But I will woo the dainty rose,
+       The queen of every one."
+
+The sunflower is a favorite emblem of constancy. Thus Moore uses
+it:
+
+    "The heart that has truly loved never forgets,
+       But as truly loves on to the close;
+     As the sunflower turns on her god when he sets
+       The same look that she turned when he rose."
+
+HERO AND LEANDER
+
+Leander was a youth of Abydos, a town of the Asian side of the
+strait which separates Asia and Europe. On the opposite shore, in
+the town of Sestos, lived the maiden Hero, a priestess of Venus.
+Leander loved her, and used to swim the strait nightly to enjoy
+the company of his mistress, guided by a torch which she reared
+upon the tower for the purpose. But one night a tempest arose and
+the sea was rough; his strength failed, and he was drowned. The
+waves bore his body to the European shore, where Hero became aware
+of his death, and in her despair cast herself down from the tower
+into the sea and perished.
+
+The following sonnet is by Keats:
+
+"ON A PICTURE OF LEANDER
+
+    "Come hither all sweet maidens soberly,
+       Down looking aye, and with a chasten'd light
+       Hid in the fringes of your eyelids white,
+     And meekly let your fair hands joined be
+     As if so gentle that ye could not see,
+       Untouch'd, a victim of your beauty bright,
+       Sinking away to his young spirit's night,
+     Sinking bewilder'd'mid the dreary sea.
+     'Tis young Leander toiling to his death
+       Nigh swooning he doth purse his weary lips
+     For Hero's cheek, and smiles against her smile
+       O horrid dream! see how his body dips
+     Dead-heavy; arms and shoulders gleam awhile;
+     He's gone; up bubbles all his amorous breath!"
+
+The story of Leander's swimming the Hellespont was looked upon as
+fabulous, and the feat considered impossible, till Lord Byron
+proved its possibility by performing it himself. In the "Bride of
+Abydos" he says,
+
+    "These limbs that buoyant wave hath borne."
+
+The distance in the narrowest part is almost a mile, and there is
+a constant current setting out from the Sea of Marmora into the
+Archipelago. Since Byron's time the feat has been achieved by
+others; but it yet remains a test of strength and skill in the art
+of swimming sufficient to give a wide and lasting celebrity to any
+one of our readers who may dare to make the attempt and succeed in
+accomplishing it.
+
+In the beginning of the second canto of the same poem, Byron thus
+alludes to this story:
+
+    "The winds are high on Helle's wave,
+     As on that night of stormiest water,
+    When Love, who sent, forgot to save
+    The young, the beautiful, the brave,
+    The lonely hope of Sestos' daughter.
+
+    O, when alone along the sky
+    The turret-torch was blazing high,
+    Though rising gale and breaking foam,
+    And shrieking sea-birds warned him home;
+    And clouds aloft and tides below,
+    With signs and sounds forbade to go,
+    He could not see, he would not hear
+    Or sound or sight foreboding fear.
+    His eye but saw that light of love,
+    The only star it hailed above;
+    His ear but rang with Hero's song,
+    'Ye waves, divide not lovers long.'
+    That tale is old, but love anew
+    May nerve young hearts to prove as true."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+MINERVA--NIOBE
+
+MINERVA
+
+
+Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, was the daughter of Jupiter. She
+was said to have leaped forth from his brain, mature, and in
+complete armor. She presided over the useful and ornamental arts,
+both those of men--such as agriculture and navigation--and those
+of women,--spinning, weaving, and needlework. She was also a
+warlike divinity; but it was defensive war only that she
+patronized, and she had no sympathy with Mars's savage love of
+violence and bloodshed. Athens was her chosen seat, her own city,
+awarded to her as the prize of a contest with Neptune, who also
+aspired to it. The tale ran that in the reign of Cecrops, the
+first king of Athens, the two deities contended for the possession
+of the city. The gods decreed that it should be awarded to that
+one who produced the gift most useful to mortals. Neptune gave the
+horse; Minerva produced the olive. The gods gave judgment that the
+olive was the more useful of the two, and awarded the city to the
+goddess; and it was named after her, Athens, her name in Greek
+being Athene.
+
+There was another contest, in which a mortal dared to come in
+competition with Minerva. That mortal was Arachne, a maiden who
+had attained such skill in the arts of weaving and embroidery that
+the nymphs themselves would leave their groves and fountains to
+come and gaze upon her work. It was not only beautiful when it was
+done, but beautiful also in the doing. To watch her, as she took
+the wool in its rude state and formed it into rolls, or separated
+it with her fingers and carded it till it looked as light and soft
+as a cloud, or twirled the spindle with skilful touch, or wove the
+web, or, after it was woven, adorned it with her needle, one would
+have said that Minerva herself had taught her. But this she
+denied, and could not bear to be thought a pupil even of a
+goddess. "Let Minerva try her skill with mine," said she; "if
+beaten I will pay the penalty." Minerva heard this and was
+displeased. She assumed the form of an old woman and went and gave
+Arachne some friendly advice "I have had much experience," said
+she, "and I hope you will not despise my counsel. Challenge your
+fellow-mortals as you will, but do not compete with a goddess. On
+the contrary, I advise you to ask her forgiveness for what you
+have said, and as she is merciful perhaps she will pardon you."
+Arachne stopped her spinning and looked at the old dame with anger
+in her countenance. "Keep your counsel," said she, "for your
+daughters or handmaids; for my part I know what I say, and I stand
+to it. I am not afraid of the goddess; let her try her skill, if
+she dare venture." "She comes," said Minerva; and dropping her
+disguise stood confessed. The nymphs bent low in homage, and all
+the bystanders paid reverence. Arachne alone was unterrified. She
+blushed, indeed; a sudden color dyed her cheek, and then she grew
+pale. But she stood to her resolve, and with a foolish conceit of
+her own skill rushed on her fate. Minerva forbore no longer nor
+interposed any further advice. They proceed to the contest. Each
+takes her station and attaches the web to the beam. Then the
+slender shuttle is passed in and out among the threads. The reed
+with its fine teeth strikes up the woof into its place and
+compacts the web. Both work with speed; their skilful hands move
+rapidly, and the excitement of the contest makes the labor light.
+Wool of Tyrian dye is contrasted with that of other colors, shaded
+off into one another so adroitly that the joining deceives the
+eye. Like the bow, whose long arch tinges the heavens, formed by
+sunbeams reflected from the shower, [Footnote: This correct
+description of the rainbow is literally translated from Ovid.] in
+which, where the colors meet they seem as one, but at a little
+distance from the point of contact are wholly different.
+
+Minerva wrought on her web the scene of her contest with Neptune.
+Twelve of the heavenly powers are represented, Jupiter, with
+august gravity, sitting in the midst. Neptune, the ruler of the
+sea, holds his trident, and appears to have just smitten the
+earth, from which a horse has leaped forth. Minerva depicted
+herself with helmed head, her Aegis covering her breast. Such was
+the central circle; and in the four corners were represented
+incidents illustrating the displeasure of the gods at such
+presumptuous mortals as had dared to contend with them. These were
+meant as warnings to her rival to give up the contest before it
+was too late.
+
+Arachne filled her web with subjects designedly chosen to exhibit
+the failings and errors of the gods. One scene represented Leda
+caressing the swan, under which form Jupiter had disguised
+himself; and another, Danae, in the brazen tower in which her
+father had imprisoned her, but where the god effected his entrance
+in the form of a golden shower. Still another depicted Europa
+deceived by Jupiter under the disguise of a bull. Encouraged by
+the tameness of the animal Europa ventured to mount his back,
+whereupon Jupiter advanced into the sea and swam with her to
+Crete. You would have thought it was a real bull, so naturally was
+it wrought, and so natural the water in which it swam. She seemed
+to look with longing eyes back upon the shore she was leaving, and
+to call to her companions for help. She appeared to shudder with
+terror at the sight of the heaving waves, and to draw back her
+feet from the water.
+
+Arachne filled her canvas with similar subjects, wonderfully well
+done, but strongly marking her presumption and impiety. Minerva
+could not forbear to admire, yet felt indignant at the insult. She
+struck the web with her shuttle and rent it in pieces, she then
+touched the forehead of Arachne and made her feel her guilt and
+shame. She could not endure it and went and hanged herself.
+Minerva pitied her as she saw her suspended by a rope. "Live," she
+said, "guilty woman! and that you may preserve the memory of this
+lesson, continue to hang, both you and your descendants, to all
+future times." She sprinkled her with the juices of aconite, and
+immediately her hair came off, and her nose and ears likewise. Her
+form shrank up, and her head grew smaller yet; her fingers cleaved
+to her side and served for legs. All the rest of her is body, out
+of which she spins her thread, often hanging suspended by it, in
+the same attitude as when Minerva touched her and transformed her
+into a spider.
+
+Spenser tells the story of Arachne in his "Muiopotmos," adhering
+very closely to his master Ovid, but improving upon him in the
+conclusion of the story. The two stanzas which follow tell what
+was done after the goddess had depicted her creation of the olive
+tree:
+
+    "Amongst these leaves she made a Butterfly,
+     With excellent device and wondrous slight,
+     Fluttering among the olives wantonly,
+     That seemed to live, so like it was in sight;
+     The velvet nap which on his wings doth lie,
+     The silken down with which his back is dight,
+     His broad outstretched horns, his hairy thighs,
+     His glorious colors, and his glistening eyes."
+
+    "Which when Arachne saw, as overlaid
+     And mastered with workmanship so rare,
+     She stood astonied long, ne aught gainsaid;
+     And with fast-fixed eyes on her did stare,
+     And by her silence, sign of one dismayed,
+     The victory did yield her as her share;
+     Yet did she inly fret and felly burn,
+     And all her blood to poisonous rancor turn."
+
+[Footnote: Sir James Mackintosh says of this, "Do you think that
+even a Chinese could paint the gay colors of a butterfly with more
+mmute exactness than the following lines: 'The velvet nap,'
+etc.?"--Life, Vol. II, 246.]
+
+And so the metamorphosis is caused by Arachne's own mortification
+and vexation, and not by any direct act of the goddess.
+
+The following specimen of old-fashioned gallantry is by Garrick:
+
+         "UPON A LADY'S EMBROIDERY
+
+    "Arachne once, as poets tell,
+       A goddess at her art defied,
+     And soon the daring mortal fell
+       The hapless victim of her pride.
+
+    "O, then beware Arachne's fate;
+       Be prudent, Chloe, and submit,
+     For you'll most surely meet her hate,
+       Who rival both her art and wit."
+
+Tennyson, in his "Palace of Art," describing the works of art with
+which the palace was adorned, thus alludes to Europa:
+
+    "... sweet Europa's mantle blew unclasped
+       From off her shoulder, backward borne,
+     From one hand drooped a crocus, one hand grasped
+       The mild bull's golden horn."
+
+In his "Princess" there is this allusion to Danae:
+
+    "Now lies the earth all Danae to the stars,
+     And all thy heart lies open unto me."
+
+NIOBE
+
+The fate of Arachne was noised abroad through all the country, and
+served as a warning to all presumptuous mortals not to compare
+themselves with the divinities. But one, and she a matron too,
+failed to learn the lesson of humility. It was Niobe, the queen of
+Thebes. She had indeed much to be proud of; but it was not her
+husband's fame, nor her own beauty, nor their great descent, nor
+the power of their kingdom that elated her. It was her children;
+and truly the happiest of mothers would Niobe have been if only
+she had not claimed to be so. It was on occasion of the annual
+celebration in honor of Latona and her offspring, Apollo and
+Diana,--when the people of Thebes were assembled, their brows
+crowned with laurel, bearing frankincense to the altars and paying
+their vows,--that Niobe appeared among the crowd. Her attire was
+splendid with gold and gems, and her aspect beautiful as the face
+of an angry woman can be. She stood and surveyed the people with
+haughty looks. "What folly," said she, "is this!--to prefer beings
+whom you never saw to those who stand before your eyes! Why should
+Latona be honored with worship, and none be paid to me? My father
+was Tantalus, who was received as a guest at the table of the
+gods; my mother was a goddess. My husband built and rules this
+city, Thebes, and Phrygia is my paternal inheritance. Wherever I
+turn my eyes I survey the elements of my power; nor is my form and
+presence unworthy of a goddess. To all this let me add I have
+seven sons and seven daughters, and look for sons-in-law and
+daughters-in-law of pretensions worthy of my alliance. Have I not
+cause for pride? Will you prefer to me this Latona, the Titan's
+daughter, with her two children? I have seven times as many.
+Fortunate indeed am I, and fortunate I shall remain! Will any one
+deny this? My abundance is my security. I feel myself too strong
+for Fortune to subdue. She may take from me much; I shall still
+have much left. Were I to lose some of my children, I should
+hardly be left as poor as Latona with her two only. Away with you
+from these solemnities,--put off the laurel from your brows,--have
+done with this worship!" The people obeyed, and left the sacred
+services uncompleted.
+
+The goddess was indignant. On the Cynthian mountain top where she
+dwelt she thus addressed her son and daughter: "My children, I who
+have been so proud of you both, and have been used to hold myself
+second to none of the goddesses except Juno alone, begin now to
+doubt whether I am indeed a goddess. I shall be deprived of my
+worship altogether unless you protect me." She was proceeding in
+this strain, but Apollo interrupted her. "Say no more," said he;
+"speech only delays punishment." So said Diana also. Darting
+through the air, veiled in clouds, they alighted on the towers of
+the city. Spread out before the gates was a broad plain, where the
+youth of the city pursued their warlike sports. The sons of Niobe
+were there with the rest,--some mounted on spirited horses richly
+caparisoned, some driving gay chariots. Ismenos, the first-born,
+as he guided his foaming steeds, struck with an arrow from above,
+cried out, "Ah me!" dropped the reins, and fell lifeless. Another,
+hearing the sound of the bow,--like a boatman who sees the storm
+gathering and makes all sail for the port,--gave the reins to his
+horses and attempted to escape. The inevitable arrow overtook him
+as he fled. Two others, younger boys, just from their tasks, had
+gone to the playground to have a game of wrestling. As they stood
+breast to breast, one arrow pierced them both. They uttered a cry
+together, together cast a parting look around them, and together
+breathed their last. Alphenor, an elder brother, seeing them fall,
+hastened to the spot to render assistance, and fell stricken in
+the act of brotherly duty. One only was left, Ilioneus. He raised
+his arms to heaven to try whether prayer might not avail. "Spare
+me, ye gods!" he cried, addressing all, in his ignorance that all
+needed not his intercessions; and Apollo would have spared him,
+but the arrow had already left the string, and it was too late.
+
+The terror of the people and grief of the attendants soon made
+Niobe acquainted with what had taken place. She could hardly think
+it possible; she was indignant that the gods had dared and amazed
+that they had been able to do it. Her husband, Amphion,
+overwhelmed with the blow, destroyed himself. Alas! how different
+was this Niobe from her who had so lately driven away the people
+from the sacred rites, and held her stately course through the
+city, the envy of her friends, now the pity even of her foes! She
+knelt over the lifeless bodies, and kissed now one, now another of
+her dead sons. Raising her pallid arms to heaven, "Cruel Latona,"
+said she, "feed full your rage with my anguish! Satiate your hard
+heart, while I follow to the grave my seven sons. Yet where is
+your triumph? Bereaved as I am, I am still richer than you, my
+conqueror." Scarce had she spoken, when the bow sounded and struck
+terror into all hearts except Niobe's alone. She was brave from
+excess of grief. The sisters stood in garments of mourning over
+the biers of their dead brothers. One fell, struck by an arrow,
+and died on the corpse she was bewailing. Another, attempting to
+console her mother, suddenly ceased to speak, and sank lifeless to
+the earth. A third tried to escape by flight, a fourth by
+concealment, another stood trembling, uncertain what course to
+take. Six were now dead, and only one remained, whom the mother
+held clasped in her arms, and covered as it were with her whole
+body. "Spare me one, and that the youngest! O spare me one of so
+many!" she cried; and while she spoke, that one fell dead.
+Desolate she sat, among sons, daughters, husband, all dead, and
+seemed torpid with grief. The breeze moved not her hair, no color
+was on her cheek, her eyes glared fixed and immovable, there was
+no sign of life about her. Her very tongue cleaved to the roof of
+her mouth, and her veins ceased to convey the tide of life. Her
+neck bent not, her arms made no gesture, her foot no step. She was
+changed to stone, within and without. Yet tears continued to flow;
+and borne on a whirlwind to her native mountain, she still
+remains, a mass of rock, from which a trickling stream flows, the
+tribute of her never-ending grief.
+
+The story of Niobe has furnished Byron with a fine illustration of
+the fallen condition of modern Rome:
+
+    "The Niobe of nations! there she stands,
+     Childless and crownless in her voiceless woe;
+     An empty urn within her withered hands,
+     Whose holy dust was scattered long ago;
+     The Scipios' tomb contains no ashes now:
+     The very sepulchres lie tenantless
+     Of their heroic dwellers; dost thou flow,
+     Old Tiber! through a marble wilderness?
+     Rise with thy yellow waves, and mantle her distress."
+
+Childe Harold, IV. 79.
+
+This affecting story has been made the subject of a celebrated
+statue in the imperial gallery of Florence. It is the principal
+figure of a group supposed to have been originally arranged in the
+pediment of a temple. The figure of the mother clasped by the arm
+of her terrified child is one of the most admired of the ancient
+statues. It ranks with the Laocoon and the Apollo among the
+masterpieces of art. The following is a translation of a Greek
+epigram supposed to relate to this statue:
+
+    "To stone the gods have changed her, but in vain;
+     The sculptor's art has made her breathe again."
+
+Tragic as is the story of Niobe, we cannot forbear to smile at the
+use Moore has made of it in "Rhymes on the Road":
+
+    "'Twas in his carriage the sublime
+     Sir Richard Blackmore used to rhyme,
+       And, if the wits don't do him wrong,
+     'Twixt death and epics passed his time,
+       Scribbling and killing all day long;
+         Like Phoebus in his car at ease,
+       Now warbling forth a lofty song,
+         Now murdering the young Niobes."
+
+Sir Richard Blackmore was a physician, and at the same time a very
+prolific and very tasteless poet, whose works are now forgotten,
+unless when recalled to mind by some wit like Moore for the sake
+of a joke.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE GRAEAE OR GRAY-MAIDS--PERSEUS--MEDUSA--ATLAS--ANDROMEDA
+
+THE GRAEAE AND THE GORGONS
+
+
+The Graeae were three sisters who were gray-haired from their
+birth, whence their name. The Gorgons were monstrous females with
+huge teeth like those of swine, brazen claws, and snaky hair. None
+of these beings make much figure in mythology except Medusa, the
+Gorgon, whose story we shall next advert to. We mention them
+chiefly to introduce an ingenious theory of some modern writers,
+namely, that the Gorgons and Graeae were only personifications of
+the terrors of the sea, the former denoting the STRONG billows of
+the wide open main, and the latter the WHITE-crested waves that
+dash against the rocks of the coast. Their names in Greek signify
+the above epithets.
+
+PERSEUS AND MEDUSA
+
+Perseus was the son of Jupiter and Danae. His grandfather
+Acrisius, alarmed by an oracle which had told him that his
+daughter's child would be the instrument of his death, caused the
+mother and child to be shut up in a chest and set adrift on the
+sea. The chest floated towards Seriphus, where it was found by a
+fisherman who conveyed the mother and infant to Polydectes, the
+king of the country, by whom they were treated with kindness. When
+Perseus was grown up Polydectes sent him to attempt the conquest
+of Medusa, a terrible monster who had laid waste the country. She
+was once a beautiful maiden whose hair was her chief glory, but as
+she dared to vie in beauty with Minerva, the goddess deprived her
+of her charms and changed her beautiful ringlets into hissing
+serpents. She became a cruel monster of so frightful an aspect
+that no living thing could behold her without being turned into
+stone. All around the cavern where she dwelt might be seen the
+stony figures of men and animals which had chanced to catch a
+glimpse of her and had been petrified with the sight. Perseus,
+favored by Minerva and Mercury, the former of whom lent him her
+shield and the latter his winged shoes, approached Medusa while
+she slept, and taking care not to look directly at her, but guided
+by her image reflected in the bright shield which he bore, he cut
+off her head and gave it to Minerva, who fixed it in the middle of
+her Aegis.
+
+Milton, in his "Comus," thus alludes to the Aegis:
+
+    "What was that snaky-headed Gorgon-shield
+     That wise Minerva wore, unconquered virgin,
+     Wherewith she freezed her foes to congealed stone,
+     But rigid looks of chaste austerity,
+     And noble grace that dashed brute violence
+     With sudden adoration and blank awe!"
+
+Armstrong, the poet of the "Art of Preserving Health," thus
+describes the effect of frost upon the waters:
+
+    "Now blows the surly North and chills throughout
+    The stiffening regions, while by stronger charms
+    Than Circe e'er or fell Medea brewed,
+    Each brook that wont to prattle to its banks
+    Lies all bestilled and wedged betwixt its banks,
+    Nor moves the withered reeds ...
+    The surges baited by the fierce North-east,
+    Tossing with fretful spleen their angry heads,
+    E'en in the foam of all their madness struck
+    To monumental ice.
+
+    Such execution,
+    So stern, so sudden, wrought the grisly aspect
+    Of terrible Medusa,
+    When wandering through the woods she turned to Stone
+    Their savage tenants; just as the foaming Lion
+    Sprang furious on his prey, her speedier power
+    Outran his haste,
+    And fixed in that fierce attitude he stands
+    Like Rage in marble!"
+
+    --Imitations of Shakspeare.
+
+PERSEUS AND ATLAS
+
+After the slaughter of Medusa, Perseus, bearing with him the head
+of the Gorgon, flew far and wide, over land and sea. As night came
+on, he reached the western limit of the earth, where the sun goes
+down. Here he would gladly have rested till morning. It was the
+realm of King Atlas, whose bulk surpassed that of all other men.
+He was rich in flocks and herds and had no neighbor or rival to
+dispute his state. But his chief pride was in his gardens, whose
+fruit was of gold, hanging from golden branches, half hid with
+golden leaves. Perseus said to him, "I come as a guest. If you
+honor illustrious descent, I claim Jupiter for my father; if
+mighty deeds, I plead the conquest of the Gorgon. I seek rest and
+food." But Atlas remembered that an ancient prophecy had warned
+him that a son of Jove should one day rob him of his golden
+apples. So he answered, "Begone! or neither your false claims of
+glory nor parentage shall protect you;" and he attempted to thrust
+him out. Perseus, finding the giant too strong for him, said,
+"Since you value my friendship so little, deign to accept a
+present;" and turning his face away, he held up the Gorgon's head.
+Atlas, with all his bulk, was changed into stone. His beard and
+hair became forests, his arms and shoulders cliffs, his head a
+summit, and his bones rocks. Each part increased in bulk till he
+became a mountain, and (such was the pleasure of the gods) heaven
+with all its stars rests upon his shoulders.
+
+THE SEA-MONSTER
+
+Perseus, continuing his flight, arrived at the country of the
+Aethiopians, of which Cepheus was king. Cassiopeia his queen,
+proud of her beauty, had dared to compare herself to the Sea-
+Nymphs, which roused their indignation to such a degree that they
+sent a prodigious sea-monster to ravage the coast. To appease the
+deities, Cepheus was directed by the oracle to expose his daughter
+Andromeda to be devoured by the monster. As Perseus looked down
+from his aerial height he beheld the virgin chained to a rock, and
+waiting the approach of the serpent. She was so pale and
+motionless that if it had not been for her flowing tears and her
+hair that moved in the breeze, he would have taken her for a
+marble statue. He was so startled at the sight that he almost
+forgot to wave his wings. As he hovered over her he said, "O
+virgin, undeserving of those chains, but rather of such as bind
+fond lovers together, tell me, I beseech you, your name, and the
+name of your country, and why you are thus bound." At first she
+was silent from modesty, and, if she could, would have hid her
+face with her hands; but when he repeated his questions, for fear
+she might be thought guilty of some fault which she dared not
+tell, she disclosed her name and that of her country, and her
+mother's pride of beauty. Before she had done speaking, a sound
+was heard off upon the water, and the sea-monster appeared, with
+his head raised above the surface, cleaving the waves with his
+broad breast. The virgin shrieked, the father and mother who had
+now arrived at the scene, wretched both, but the mother more
+justly so, stood by, not able to afford protection, but only to
+pour forth lamentations and to embrace the victim. Then spoke
+Perseus: "There will be time enough for tears; this hour is all we
+have for rescue. My rank as the son of Jove and my renown as the
+slayer of the Gorgon might make me acceptable as a suitor; but I
+will try to win her by services rendered, if the gods will only be
+propitious. If she be rescued by my valor, I demand that she be my
+reward." The parents consent (how could they hesitate?) and
+promise a royal dowry with her.
+
+And now the monster was within the range of a stone thrown by a
+skilful slinger, when with a sudden bound the youth soared into
+the air. As an eagle, when from his lofty flight he sees a serpent
+basking in the sun, pounces upon him and seizes him by the neck to
+prevent him from turning his head round and using his fangs, so
+the youth darted down upon the back of the monster and plunged his
+sword into its shoulder. Irritated by the wound, the monster
+raised himself in the air, then plunged into the depth; then, like
+a wild boar surrounded, by a pack of barking dogs, turned swiftly
+from side to side, while the youth eluded its attacks by means of
+his wings. Wherever he can find a passage for his sword between
+the scales he makes a wound, piercing now the side, now the flank,
+as it slopes towards the tail. The brute spouts from his nostrils
+water mixed with blood. The wings of the hero are wet with it, and
+he dares no longer trust to them. Alighting on a rock which rose
+above the waves, and holding on by a projecting fragment, as the
+monster floated near he gave him a death stroke. The people who
+had gathered on the shore shouted so that the hills reechoed the
+sound. The parents, transported with joy, embraced their future
+son-in-law, calling him their deliverer and the savior of their
+house, and the virgin both cause and reward of the contest,
+descended from the rock.
+
+Cassiopeia was an Aethiopian, and consequently, in spite of her
+boasted beauty, black; at least so Milton seems to have thought,
+who alludes to this story in his "Penseroso," where he addresses
+Melancholy as the
+
+    ".... goddess, sage and holy,
+     Whose saintly visage is too bright
+     To hit the sense of human sight,
+     And, therefore, to our weaker view
+     O'erlaid with black, staid Wisdom's hue.
+     Black, but such as in esteem
+     Prince Memnon's sister might beseem,
+     Or that starred Aethiop queen that strove
+     To set her beauty's praise above
+     The sea-nymphs, and their powers offended."
+
+Cassiopeia is called "the starred Aethiop queen" because after her
+death she was placed among the stars, forming the constellation of
+that name. Though she attained this honor, yet the Sea-Nymphs, her
+old enemies, prevailed so far as to cause her to be placed in that
+part of the heaven near the pole, where every night she is half
+the time held with her head downward, to give her a lesson of
+humility.
+
+Memnon was an Aethiopian prince, of whom we shall tell in a future
+chapter.
+
+THE WEDDING FEAST
+
+The joyful parents, with Perseus and Andromeda, repaired to the
+palace, where a banquet was spread for them, and all was joy and
+festivity. But suddenly a noise was heard of warlike clamor, and
+Phineus, the betrothed of the virgin, with a party of his
+adherents, burst in, demanding the maiden as his own. It was in
+vain that Cepheus remonstrated--"You should have claimed her when
+she lay bound to the rock, the monster's victim. The sentence of
+the gods dooming her to such a fate dissolved all engagements, as
+death itself would have done." Phineus made no reply, but hurled
+his javelin at Perseus, but it missed its mark and fell harmless.
+Perseus would have thrown his in turn, but the cowardly assailant
+ran and took shelter behind the altar. But his act was a signal
+for an onset by his band upon the guests of Cepheus. They defended
+themselves and a general conflict ensued, the old king retreating
+from the scene after fruitless expostulations, calling the gods to
+witness that he was guiltless of this outrage on the rights of
+hospitality.
+
+Perseus and his friends maintained for some time the unequal
+contest; but the numbers of the assailants were too great for
+them, and destruction seemed inevitable, when a sudden thought
+struck Perseus,--"I will make my enemy defend me." Then with a
+loud voice he exclaimed, "If I have any friend here let him turn
+away his eyes!" and held aloft the Gorgon's head. "Seek not to
+frighten us with your jugglery," said Thescelus, and raised his
+javelin in act to throw, and became stone in the very attitude.
+Ampyx was about to plunge his sword into the body of a prostrate
+foe, but his arm stiffened and he could neither thrust forward nor
+withdraw it. Another, in the midst of a vociferous challenge,
+stopped, his mouth open, but no sound issuing. One of Perseus's
+friends, Aconteus, caught sight of the Gorgon and stiffened like
+the rest. Astyages struck him with his sword, but instead of
+wounding, it recoiled with a ringing noise.
+
+Phineus beheld this dreadful result of his unjust aggression, and
+felt confounded. He called aloud to his friends, but got no
+answer; he touched them and found them stone. Falling on his knees
+and stretching out his hands to Perseus, but turning his head away
+he begged for mercy. "Take all," said he, "give me but my life."
+"Base coward," said Perseus, "thus much I will grant you; no
+weapon shall touch you; moreover, you shall be preserved in my
+house as a memorial of these events." So saying, he held the
+Gorgon's head to the side where Phineus was looking, and in the
+very form in which he knelt, with his hands outstretched and face
+averted, he became fixed immovably, a mass of stone!
+
+The following allusion to Perseus is from Milman's "Samor":
+
+    "As'mid the fabled Libyan bridal stood
+     Perseus in stern tranquillity of wrath,
+     Half stood, half floated on his ankle-plumes
+     Out-swelling, while the bright face on his shield
+     Looked into stone the raging fray; so rose,
+     But with no magic arms, wearing alone
+     Th' appalling and control of his firm look,
+     The Briton Samor; at his rising awe
+     Went abroad, and the riotous hall was mute."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+MONSTERS
+
+GIANTS, SPHINX, PEGASUS AND CHIMAERA, CENTAURS, GRIFFIN, AND
+PYGMIES
+
+
+Monsters, in the language of mythology, were beings of unnatural
+proportions or parts, usually regarded with terror, as possessing
+immense strength and ferocity, which they employed for the injury
+and annoyance of men. Some of them were supposed to combine the
+members of different animals; such were the Sphinx and Chimaera;
+and to these all the terrible qualities of wild beasts were
+attributed, together with human sagacity and faculties. Others, as
+the giants, differed from men chiefly in their size; and in this
+particular we must recognize a wide distinction among them. The
+human giants, if so they may be called, such as the Cyclopes,
+Antaeus, Orion, and others, must be supposed not to be altogether
+disproportioned to human beings, for they mingled in love and
+strife with them. But the superhuman giants, who warred with the
+gods, were of vastly larger dimensions. Tityus, we are told, when
+stretched on the plain, covered nine acres, and Enceladus required
+the whole of Mount Aetna to be laid upon him to keep him down.
+
+We have already spoken of the war which the giants waged against
+the gods, and of its result. While this war lasted the giants
+proved a formidable enemy. Some of them, like Briareus, had a
+hundred arms; others, like Typhon, breathed out fire. At one time
+they put the gods to such fear that they fled into Egypt and hid
+themselves under various forms. Jupiter took the form of a ram,
+whence he was afterwards worshipped in Egypt as the god Ammon,
+with curved horns. Apollo became a crow, Bacchus a goat, Diana a
+cat, Juno a cow, Venus a fish, Mercury a bird. At another time the
+giants attempted to climb up into heaven, and for that purpose
+took up the mountain Ossa and piled it on Pelion. [Footnote: See
+Proverbial Expressions.] They were at last subdued by
+thunderbolts, which Minerva invented, and taught Vulcan and his
+Cyclopes to make for Jupiter.
+
+THE SPHINX
+
+Laius, king of Thebes, was warned by an oracle that there was
+danger to his throne and life if his new-born son should be
+suffered to grow up. He therefore committed the child to the care
+of a herdsman with orders to destroy him; but the herdsman, moved
+with pity, yet not daring entirely to disobey, tied up the child
+by the feet and left him hanging to the branch of a tree. In this
+condition the infant was found by a peasant, who carried him to
+his master and mistress, by whom he was adopted and called
+OEdipus, or Swollen-foot.
+
+Many years afterwards Laius being on his way to Delphi,
+accompanied only by one attendant, met in a narrow road a young
+man also driving in a chariot. On his refusal to leave the way at
+their command the attendant killed one of his horses, and the
+stranger, filled with rage, slew both Laius and his attendant. The
+young man was OEdipus, who thus unknowingly became the slayer of
+his own father.
+
+Shortly after this event the city of Thebes was afflicted with a
+monster which infested the highroad. It was called the Sphinx. It
+had the body of a lion and the upper part of a woman. It lay
+crouched on the top of a rock, and arrested all travellers who
+came that way proposing to them a riddle, with the condition that
+those who could solve it should pass safe, but those who failed
+should be killed. Not one had yet succeeded in solving it, and all
+had been slain. OEdipus was not daunted by these alarming
+accounts, but boldly advanced to the trial. The Sphinx asked him,
+"What animal is that which in the morning gees on four feet, at
+noon on two, and in the evening upon three?" OEdipus replied,
+"Man, who in childhood creeps on hands and knees, in manhood walks
+erect, and in old age with the aid of a staff." The Sphinx was so
+mortified at the solving of her riddle that she cast herself down
+from the rock and perished.
+
+The gratitude of the people for their deliverance was so great
+that they made OEdipus their king, giving him in marriage their
+queen Jocasta. OEdipus, ignorant of his parentage, had already
+become the slayer of his father; in marrying the queen he became
+the husband of his mother. These horrors remained undiscovered,
+till at length Thebes was afflicted with famine and pestilence,
+and the oracle being consulted, the double crime of OEdipus came
+to light. Jocasta put an end to her own life, and OEdipus, seized
+with madness, tore out his eyes and wandered away from Thebes,
+dreaded and abandoned by all except his daughters, who faithfully
+adhered to him, till after a tedious period of miserable wandering
+he found the termination of his wretched life.
+
+PEGASUS AND THE CHIMAERA
+
+When Perseus cut off Medusa's head, the blood sinking into the
+earth produced the winged horse Pegasus. Minerva caught him and
+tamed him and presented him to the Muses. The fountain Hippocrene,
+on the Muses' mountain Helicon, was opened by a kick from his
+hoof.
+
+The Chimaera was a fearful monster, breathing fire. The fore part
+of its body was a compound of the lion and the goat, and the hind
+part a dragon's. It made great havoc in Lycia, so that the king,
+Iobates, sought for some hero to destroy it. At that time there
+arrived at his court a gallant young warrior, whose name was
+Bellerophon. He brought letters from Proetus, the son-in-law of
+Iobates, recommending Bellerophon in the warmest terms as an
+unconquerable hero, but added at the close a request to his
+father-in-law to put him to death. The reason was that Proetus was
+jealous of him, suspecting that his wife Antea looked with too
+much admiration on the young warrior. From this instance of
+Bellerophon being unconsciously the bearer of his own death
+warrant, the expression "Bellerophontic letters" arose, to
+describe any species of communication which a person is made the
+bearer of, containing matter prejudicial to himself.
+
+Iobates, on perusing the letters, was puzzled what to do, not
+willing to violate the claims of hospitality, yet wishing to
+oblige his son-in-law. A lucky thought occurred to him, to send
+Bellerophon to combat with the Chimaera. Bellerophon accepted the
+proposal, but before proceeding to the combat consulted the
+soothsayer Polyidus, who advised him to procure if possible the
+horse Pegasus for the conflict. For this purpose he directed him
+to pass the night in the temple of Minerva. He did so, and as he
+slept Minerva came to him and gave him a golden bridle. When he
+awoke the bridle remained in his hand. Minerva also showed him
+Pegasus drinking at the well of Pirene, and at sight of the bridle
+the winged steed came willingly and suffered himself to be taken.
+Bellerophon mounted him, rose with him into the air, soon found
+the Chimaera, and gained an easy victory over the monster.
+
+After the conquest of the Chimaera Bellerophon was exposed to
+further trials and labors by his unfriendly host, but by the aid
+of Pegasus he triumphed in them all, till at length Iobates,
+seeing that the hero was a special favorite of the gods, gave him
+his daughter in marriage and made him his successor on the throne.
+At last Bellerophon by his pride and presumption drew upon himself
+the anger of the gods; it is said he even attempted to fly up into
+heaven on his winged steed, but Jupiter sent a gadfly which stung
+Pegasus and made him throw his rider, who became lame and blind in
+consequence. After this Bellerophon wandered lonely through the
+Aleian field, avoiding the paths of men, and died miserably.
+
+Milton alludes to Bellerophon in the beginning of the seventh book
+of "Paradise Lost":
+
+    "Descend from Heaven, Urania, by that name
+     If rightly thou art called, whose voice divine
+     Following above the Olympian hill I soar,
+     Above the flight of Pegasean wing
+                           Upled by thee,
+     Into the Heaven of Heavens I have presumed,
+     An earthly guest, and drawn empyreal air
+     (Thy tempering); with like safety guided down
+     Return me to my native element;
+     Lest from this flying steed unreined (as once
+     Bellerophon, though from a lower sphere),
+     Dismounted on the Aleian field I fall,
+     Erroneous there to wander and forlorn."
+
+Young, in his "Night Thoughts," speaking of the sceptic, says:
+
+    "He whose blind thought futurity denies,
+     Unconscious bears, Bellerophon, like thee
+     His own indictment, he condemns himself.
+     Who reads his bosom reads immortal life,
+     Or nature there, imposing on her sons,
+     Has written fables; man was made a lie."
+
+Vol II, p 12
+
+Pegasus, being the horse of the Muses, has always been at the
+service of the poets. Schiller tells a pretty story of his having
+been sold by a needy poet and put to the cart and the plough. He
+was not fit for such service, and his clownish master could make
+nothing of him But a youth stepped forth and asked leave to try
+him As soon as he was seated on his back the horse, which had
+appeared at first vicious, and afterwards spirit-broken, rose
+kingly, a spirit, a god, unfolded the splendor of his wings, and
+soared towards heaven. Our own poet Longfellow also records an
+adventure of this famous steed in his "Pegasus in Pound."
+
+Shakspeare alludes to Pegasus in "Henry IV.," where Vernon
+describes Prince Henry:
+
+    "I saw young Harry, with his beaver on,
+     His cuishes on his thighs, gallantly armed,
+     Rise from the ground like feathered Mercury,
+     And vaulted with such ease into his seat,
+     As if an angel dropped down from the clouds,
+     To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus,
+     And witch the world with noble horsemanship"
+
+THE CENTAURS
+
+These monsters were represented as men from the head to the loins,
+while the remainder of the body was that of a horse. The ancients
+were too fond of a horse to consider the union of his nature with
+man's as forming a very degraded compound, and accordingly the
+Centaur is the only one of the fancied monsters of antiquity to
+which any good traits are assigned. The Centaurs were admitted to
+the companionship of man, and at the marriage of Pirithous with
+Hippodamia they were among the guests. At the feast Eurytion, one
+of the Centaurs, becoming intoxicated with the wine, attempted to
+offer violence to the bride; the other Centaurs followed his
+example, and a dreadful conflict arose in which several of them
+were slain. This is the celebrated battle of the Lapithae and
+Centaurs, a favorite subject with the sculptors and poets of
+antiquity.
+
+But not all the Centaurs were like the rude guests of Pirithous.
+Chiron was instructed by Apollo and Diana, and was renowned for
+his skill in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
+The most distinguished heroes of Grecian story were his pupils.
+Among the rest the infant--Aesculapius was intrusted to his charge
+by Apollo, his father. When the sage returned to his home bearing
+the infant, his daughter Ocyroe came forth to meet him, and at
+sight of the child burst forth into a prophetic strain (for she
+was a prophetess), foretelling the glory that he was to achieve
+Aesculapius when grown up became a renowned physician, and even in
+one instance succeeded in restoring the dead to life. Pluto
+resented this, and Jupiter, at his request, struck the bold
+physician with lightning, and killed him, but after his death
+received him into the number of the gods.
+
+Chiron was the wisest and justest of all the Centaurs, and at his
+death Jupiter placed him among the stars as the constellation
+Sagittarius.
+
+THE PYGMIES
+
+The Pygmies were a nation of dwarfs, so called from a Greek word
+which means the cubit or measure of about thirteen inches, which
+was said to be the height of these people. They lived near the
+sources of the Nile, or according to others, in India. Homer tells
+us that the cranes used to migrate every winter to the Pygmies'
+country, and their appearance was the signal of bloody warfare to
+the puny inhabitants, who had to take up arms to defend their
+cornfields against the rapacious strangers. The Pygmies and their
+enemies the Cranes form the subject of several works of art.
+
+Later writers tell of an army of Pygmies which finding Hercules
+asleep made preparations to attack him, as if they were about to
+attack a city. But the hero, awaking, laughed at the little
+warriors, wrapped some of them up in his lion's skin, and carried
+them to Eurystheus.
+
+Milton uses the Pygmies for a simile, "Paradise Lost," Book I.:
+
+     "... like that Pygmaean race
+    Beyond the Indian mount, or fairy elves
+    Whose midnight revels by a forest side,
+    Or fountain, some belated peasant sees
+    (Or dreams he sees), while overhead the moon
+    Sits arbitress, and nearer to the earth
+    Wheels her pale course; they on their mirth and dance
+    Intent, with jocund music charm his ear.
+    At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds."
+
+THE GRIFFIN, OR GRYPHON
+
+The Griffin is a monster with the body of a lion, the head and
+wings of an eagle, and back covered with feathers. Like birds it
+builds its nest, and instead of an egg lays an agate therein. It
+has long claws and talons of such a size that the people of that
+country make them into drinking-cups. India was assigned as the
+native country of the Griffins. They found gold in the mountains
+and built their nests of it, for which reason their nests were
+very tempting to the hunters, and they were forced to keep
+vigilant guard over them. Their instinct led them to know where
+buried treasures lay, and they did their best to keep plunderers
+at a distance. The Arimaspians, among whom the Griffins
+flourished, were a one-eyed people of Scythia.
+
+Milton borrows a simile from the Griffins, "Paradise Lost," Book
+II,:
+
+    "As when a Gryphon through the wilderness,
+     With winged course, o'er hill and moory dale,
+     Pursues the Arimaspian who by stealth
+     Hath from his wakeful custody purloined
+     His guarded gold," etc.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE GOLDEN FLEECE--MEDEA
+
+THE GOLDEN FLEECE
+
+
+In very ancient times there lived in Thessaly a king and queen
+named Athamas and Nephele. They had two children, a boy and a
+girl. After a time Athamas grew indifferent to his wife, put her
+away, and took another. Nephele suspected danger to her children
+from the influence of the step-mother, and took measures to send
+them out of her reach. Mercury assisted her, and gave her a ram
+with a GOLDEN FLEECE, on which she set the two children, trusting
+that the ram would convey them to a place of safety. The ram
+vaulted into the air with the children on his back, taking his
+course to the East, till when crossing the strait that divides
+Europe and Asia, the girl, whose name was Helle, fell from his
+back into the sea, which from her was called the Hellespont,--now
+the Dardanelles. The ram continued his career till he reached the
+kingdom of Colchis, on the eastern shore of the Black Sea, where
+he safely landed the boy Phryxus, who was hospitably received by
+Aeetes, king of the country. Phryxus sacrificed the ram to
+Jupiter, and gave the Golden Fleece to Aeetes, who placed it in a
+consecrated grove, under the care of a sleepless dragon.
+
+There was another kingdom in Thessaly near to that of Athamas, and
+ruled over by a relative of his. The king Aeson, being tired of
+the cares of government, surrendered his crown to his brother
+Pelias on condition that he should hold it only during the
+minority of Jason, the son of Aeson. When Jason was grown up and
+came to demand the crown from his uncle, Pelias pretended to be
+willing to yield it, but at the same time suggested to the young
+man the glorious adventure of going in quest of the Golden Fleece,
+which it was well known was in the kingdom of Colchis, and was, as
+Pelias pretended, the rightful property of their family. Jason was
+pleased with the thought, and forthwith made preparations for the
+expedition. At that time the only species of navigation known to
+the Greeks consisted of small boats or canoes hollowed out from
+trunks of trees, so that when Jason employed Argus to build him a
+vessel capable of containing fifty men, it was considered a
+gigantic undertaking. It was accomplished, however, and the vessel
+named "Argo," from the name of the builder. Jason sent his
+invitation to all the adventurous young men of Greece, and soon
+found himself at the head of a band of bold youths, many of whom
+afterwards were renowned among the heroes and demigods of Greece.
+Hercules, Theseus, Orpheus, and Nestor were among them. They are
+called the Argonauts, from the name of their vessel.
+
+The "Argo" with her crew of heroes left the shores of Thessaly and
+having touched at the Island of Lemnos, thence crossed to Mysia
+and thence to Thrace. Here they found the sage Phineus, and from
+him received instruction as to their future course. It seems the
+entrance of the Euxine Sea was impeded by two small rocky islands,
+which floated on the surface, and in their tossings and heavings
+occasionally came together, crushing and grinding to atoms any
+object that might be caught between them. They were called the
+Symplegades, or Clashing Islands. Phineus instructed the Argonauts
+how to pass this dangerous strait. When they reached the islands
+they let go a dove, which took her way between the rocks, and
+passed in safety, only losing some feathers of her tail. Jason and
+his men seized the favorable moment of the rebound, plied their
+oars with vigor, and passed safe through, though the islands
+closed behind them, and actually grazed their stern. They now
+rowed along the shore till they arrived at the eastern end of the
+sea, and landed at the kingdom of Colchis.
+
+Jason made known his message to the Colchian king, Aeetes, who
+consented to give up the golden fleece if Jason would yoke to the
+plough two fire-breathing bulls with brazen feet, and sow the
+teeth of the dragon which Cadmus had slain, and from which it was
+well known that a crop of armed men would spring up, who would
+turn their weapons against their producer. Jason accepted the
+conditions, and a time was set for making the experiment.
+Previously, however, he found means to plead his cause to Medea,
+daughter of the king. He promised her marriage, and as they stood
+before the altar of Hecate, called the goddess to witness his
+oath. Medea yielded, and by her aid, for she was a potent
+sorceress, he was furnished with a charm, by which he could
+encounter safely the breath of the fire-breathing bulls and the
+weapons of the armed men.
+
+At the time appointed, the people assembled at the grove of Mars,
+and the king assumed his royal seat, while the multitude covered
+the hill-sides. The brazen-footed bulls rushed in, breathing fire
+from their nostrils that burned up the herbage as they passed. The
+sound was like the roar of a furnace, and the smoke like that of
+water upon quick-lime. Jason advanced boldly to meet them. His
+friends, the chosen heroes of Greece, trembled to behold him.
+Regardless of the burning breath, he soothed their rage with his
+voice, patted their necks with fearless hand, and adroitly slipped
+over them the yoke, and compelled them to drag the plough. The
+Colchians were amazed; the Greeks shouted for joy. Jason next
+proceeded to sow the dragon's teeth and plough them in. And soon
+the crop of armed men sprang up, and, wonderful to relate! no
+sooner had they reached the surface than they began to brandish
+their weapons and rush upon Jason. The Greeks trembled for their
+hero, and even she who had provided him a way of safety and taught
+him how to use it, Medea herself, grew pale with fear. Jason for a
+time kept his assailants at bay with his sword and shield, till,
+finding their numbers overwhelming, he resorted to the charm which
+Medea had taught him, seized a stone and threw it in the midst of
+his foes. They immediately turned their arms against one another,
+and soon there was not one of the dragon's brood left alive. The
+Greeks embraced their hero, and Medea, if she dared, would have
+embraced him too.
+
+It remained to lull to sleep the dragon that guarded the fleece,
+and this was done by scattering over him a few drops of a
+preparation which Medea had supplied. At the smell he relaxed his
+rage, stood for a moment motionless, then shut those great round
+eyes, that had never been known to shut before, and turned over on
+his side, fast asleep. Jason seized the fleece and with his
+friends and Medea accompanying, hastened to their vessel before
+Aeetes the king could arrest their departure, and made the best of
+their way back to Thessaly, where they arrived safe, and Jason
+delivered the fleece to Pelias, and dedicated the "Argo" to
+Neptune. What became of the fleece afterwards we do not know, but
+perhaps it was found after all, like many other golden prizes, not
+worth the trouble it had cost to procure it.
+
+This is one of those mythological tales, says a late writer, in
+which there is reason to believe that a substratum of truth
+exists, though overlaid by a mass of fiction. It probably was the
+first important maritime expedition, and like the first attempts
+of the kind of all nations, as we know from history, was probably
+of a half-piratical character. If rich spoils were the result it
+was enough to give rise to the idea of the golden fleece.
+
+Another suggestion of a learned mythologist, Bryant, is that it is
+a corrupt tradition of the story of Noah and the ark. The name
+"Argo" seems to countenance this, and the incident of the dove is
+another confirmation.
+
+Pope, in his "Ode on St. Cecilia's Day," thus celebrates the
+launching of the ship "Argo," and the power of the music of
+Orpheus, whom he calls the Thracian:
+
+    "So when the first bold vessel dared the seas,
+       High on the stern the Thracian raised his strain,
+    While Argo saw her kindred trees
+       Descend from Pelion to the main.
+    Transported demigods stood round,
+       And men grew heroes at the sound."
+
+In Dyer's poem of "The Fleece" there is an account of the ship
+"Argo" and her crew, which gives a good picture of this primitive
+maritime adventure:
+
+    "From every region of Aegea's shore
+     The brave assembled; those illustrious twins
+     Castor and Pollux; Orpheus, tuneful bard;
+     Zetes and Calais, as the wind in speed;
+     Strong Hercules and many a chief renowned.
+     On deep Iolcos' sandy shore they thronged,
+     Gleaming in armor, ardent of exploits;
+     And soon, the laurel cord and the huge stone
+     Uplifting to the deck, unmoored the bark;
+     Whose keel of wondrous length the skilful hand
+     Of Argus fashioned for the proud attempt;
+     And in the extended keel a lofty mast
+     Upraised, and sails full swelling; to the chiefs
+     Unwonted objects. Now first, now they learned
+     Their bolder steerage over ocean wave,
+     Led by the golden stars, as Chiron's art
+     Had marked the sphere celestial," etc.
+
+Hercules left the expedition at Mysia, for Hylas, a youth beloved
+by him, having gone for water, was laid hold of and kept by the
+nymphs of the spring, who were fascinated by his beauty. Hercules
+went in quest of the lad, and while he was absent the "Argo" put
+to sea and left him. Moore, in one of his songs, makes a beautiful
+allusion to this incident:
+
+    "When Hylas was sent with his urn to the fount,
+       Through fields full of light and with heart full of play,
+     Light rambled the boy over meadow and mount,
+       And neglected his task for the flowers in the way.
+
+    "Thus many like me, who in youth should have tasted
+       The fountain that runs by Philosophy's shrme,
+     Their time with the flowers on the margin have wasted,
+       And left their light urns all as empty as mine."
+
+MEDEA AND AESON
+
+Amid the rejoicings for the recovery of the Golden Fleece, Jason
+felt that one thing was wanting, the presence of Aeson, his
+father, who was prevented by his age and infirmities from taking
+part in them. Jason said to Medea, "My spouse, would that your
+arts, whose power I have seen so mighty for my aid, could do me
+one further service, take some years from my life and add them to
+my father's." Medea replied, "Not at such a cost shall it be done,
+but if my art avails me, his life shall be lengthened without
+abridging yours." The next full moon she issued forth alone, while
+all creatures slept; not a breath stirred the foliage, and all was
+still. To the stars she addressed her incantations, and to the
+moon; to Hecate, [Footnote: Hecate was a mysterious divinity
+sometimes identified with Diana and sometimes with Proserpine. As
+Diana represents the moonlight splendor of night, so Hecate
+represents its darkness and terrors. She was the goddess of
+sorcery and witchcraft, and was believed to wander by night along
+the earth, seen only by the dogs, whose barking told her
+approach.] the goddess of the underworld, and to Tellus the
+goddess of the earth, by whose power plants potent for enchantment
+are produced. She invoked the gods of the woods and caverns, of
+mountains and valleys, of lakes and rivers, of winds and vapors.
+While she spoke the stars shone brighter, and presently a chariot
+descended through the air, drawn by flying serpents. She ascended
+it, and borne aloft made her way to distant regions, where potent
+plants grew which she knew how to select for her purpose. Nine
+nights she employed in her search, and during that time came not
+within the doors of her palace nor under any roof, and shunned all
+intercourse with mortals.
+
+She next erected two altars, the one to Hecate, the other to Hebe,
+the goddess of youth, and sacrificed a black sheep, pouring
+libations of milk and wine. She implored Pluto and his stolen
+bride that they would not hasten to take the old man's life. Then
+she directed that Aeson should be led forth, and having thrown him
+into a deep sleep by a charm, had him laid on a bed of herbs, like
+one dead. Jason and all others were kept away from the place, that
+no profane eyes might look upon her mysteries. Then, with
+streaming hair, she thrice moved round the altars, dipped flaming
+twigs in the blood, and laid them thereon to burn. Meanwhile the
+caldron with its contents was got ready. In it she put magic
+herbs, with seeds and flowers of acrid juice, stones from the
+distant east, and sand from the shore of all-surrounding ocean;
+hoar frost, gathered by moonlight, a screech owl's head and wings,
+and the entrails of a wolf. She added fragments of the shells of
+tortoises, and the liver of stags,--animals tenacious of life,--
+and the head and beak of a crow, that outlives nine generations of
+men. These with many other things "without a name" she boiled
+together for her purposed work, stirring them up with a dry olive
+branch; and behold! the branch when taken out instantly became
+green, and before long was covered with leaves and a plentiful
+growth of young olives; and as the liquor boiled and bubbled, and
+sometimes ran over, the grass wherever the sprinklings fell shot
+forth with a verdure like that of spring.
+
+Seeing that all was ready, Medea cut the throat of the old man and
+let out all his blood, and poured into his mouth and into his
+wound the juices of her caldron. As soon as he had completely
+imbibed them, his hair and beard laid by their whiteness and
+assumed the blackness of youth; his paleness and emaciation were
+gone; his veins were full of blood, his limbs of vigor and
+robustness. Aeson is amazed at himself, and remembers that such as
+he now is, he was in his youthful days, forty years before.
+
+Medea used her arts here for a good purpose, but not so in another
+instance, where she made them the instruments of revenge. Pelias,
+our readers will recollect, was the usurping uncle of Jason, and
+had kept him out of his kingdom. Yet he must have had some good
+qualities, for his daughters loved him, and when they saw what
+Medea had done for Aeson, they wished her to do the same for their
+father. Medea pretended to consent, and prepared her caldron as
+before. At her request an old sheep was brought and plunged into
+the caldron. Very soon a bleating was heard in the kettle, and
+when the cover was removed, a lamb jumped forth and ran frisking
+away into the meadow. The daughters of Pelias saw the experiment
+with delight, and appointed a time for their father to undergo the
+same operation. But Medea prepared her caldron for him in a very
+different way. She put in only water and a few simple herbs. In
+the night she with the sisters entered the bed chamber of the old
+king, while he and his guards slept soundly under the influence of
+a spell cast upon them by Medea. The daughters stood by the
+bedside with their weapons drawn, but hesitated to strike, till
+Medea chid their irresolution. Then turning away their faces, and
+giving random blows, they smote him with their weapons. He,
+starting from his sleep, cried out, "My daughters, what are you
+doing? Will you kill your father?" Their hearts failed them and
+their weapons fell from their hands, but Medea struck him a fatal
+blow, and prevented his saying more.
+
+Then they placed him in the caldron, and Medea hastened to depart
+in her serpent-drawn chariot before they discovered her treachery,
+or their vengeance would have been terrible. She escaped, however,
+but had little enjoyment of the fruits of her crime. Jason, for
+whom she had done so much, wishing to marry Creusa, princess of
+Corinth, put away Medea. She, enraged at his ingratitude, called
+on the gods for vengeance, sent a poisoned robe as a gift to the
+bride, and then killing her own children, and setting fire to the
+palace, mounted her serpent-drawn chariot and fled to Athens,
+where she married King Aegeus, the father of Theseus, and we shall
+meet her again when we come to the adventures of that hero.
+
+The incantations of Medea will remind the reader of those of the
+witches in "Macbeth." The following lines are those which seem
+most strikingly to recall the ancient model:
+
+    "Round about the caldron go;
+     In the poisoned entrails throw.
+
+     Fillet of a fenny snake
+     In the caldron boil and bake;
+     Eye of newt and toe of frog,
+     Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
+     Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting,
+     Lizard's leg and howlet's wing:
+
+     Maw of ravening salt-sea shark,
+     Root of hemlock digged in the dark," etc
+
+    --Macbeth, Act IV, Scene 1
+
+And again:
+
+    Macbeth.--What is't you do?
+    Witches,--A deed without a name.
+
+There is another story of Medea almost too revolting for record
+even of a sorceress, a class of persons to whom both ancient and
+modern poets have been accustomed to attribute every degree of
+atrocity. In her flight from Colchis she had taken her young
+brother Absyrtus with her. Finding the pursuing vessels of Aeetes
+gaining upon the Argonauts, she caused the lad to be killed and
+his limbs to be strewn over the sea. Aeetes on reaching the place
+found these sorrowful traces of his murdered son; but while he
+tarried to collect the scattered fragments and bestow upon them an
+honorable interment, the Argonauts escaped.
+
+In the poems of Campbell will be found a translation of one of the
+choruses of the tragedy of "Medea," where the poet Euripides has
+taken advantage of the occasion to pay a glowing tribute to
+Athens, his native city. It begins thus:
+
+    "O haggard queen! to Athens dost thou guide
+       Thy glowing chariot, steeped in kindred gore;
+     Or seek to hide thy damned parricide
+       Where peace and justice dwell for evermore?"
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+MELEAGER AND ATALANTA
+
+
+One of the heroes of the Argonautic expedition was Meleager, son
+of OEneus and Althea, king and queen of Calydon. Althea, when her
+son was born, beheld the three destinies, who, as they spun their
+fatal thread, foretold that the life of the child should last no
+longer than a brand then burning upon the hearth. Althea seized
+and quenched the brand, and carefully preserved it for years,
+while Meleager grew to boyhood, youth, and manhood. It chanced,
+then, that OEneus, as he offered sacrifices to the gods, omitted
+to pay due honors to Diana; and she, indignant at the neglect,
+sent a wild boar of enormous size to lay waste the fields of
+Calydon. Its eyes shone with blood and fire, its bristles stood
+like threatening spears, its tusks were like those of Indian
+elephants. The growing corn was trampled, the vines and olive
+trees laid waste, the flocks and herds were driven in wild
+confusion by the slaughtering foe. All common aid seemed vain; but
+Meleager called on the heroes of Greece to join in a bold hunt for
+the ravenous monster. Theseus and his friend Pirithous, Jason,
+Peleus, afterwards the father of Achilles, Telamon the father of
+Ajax, Nestor, then a youth, but who in his age bore arms with
+Achilles and Ajax in the Trojan war,--these and many more joined
+in the enterprise. With them came Atalanta, the daughter of
+Iasius, king of Arcadia. A buckle of polished gold confined her
+vest, an ivory quiver hung on her left shoulder, and her left hand
+bore the bow. Her face blent feminine beauty with the best graces
+of martial youth. Meleager saw and loved.
+
+But now already they were near the monster's lair. They stretched
+strong nets from tree to tree; they uncoupled their dogs, they
+tried to find the footprints of their quarry in the grass. From
+the wood was a descent to marshy ground. Here the boar, as he lay
+among the reeds, heard the shouts of his pursuers, and rushed
+forth against them. One and another is thrown down and slain.
+Jason throws his spear, with a prayer to Diana for success; and
+the favoring goddess allows the weapon to touch, but not to wound,
+removing the steel point of the spear in its flight. Nestor,
+assailed, seeks and finds safety in the branches of a tree.
+Telamon rushes on, but stumbling at a projecting root, falls
+prone. But an arrow from Atalanta at length for the first time
+tastes the monster's blood. It is a slight wound, but Meleager
+sees and joyfully proclaims it. Anceus, excited to envy by the
+praise given to a female, loudly proclaims his own valor, and
+defies alike the boar and the goddess who had sent it; but as he
+rushes on, the infuriated beast lays him low with a mortal wound.
+Theseus throws his lance, but it is turned aside by a projecting
+bough. The dart of Jason misses its object, and kills instead one
+of their own dogs. But Meleager, after one unsuccessful stroke,
+drives his spear into the monster's side, then rushes on and
+despatches him with repeated blows.
+
+Then rose a shout from those around; they congratulated the
+conqueror, crowding to touch his hand. He, placing his foot upon
+the head of the slain boar, turned to Atalanta and bestowed on her
+the head and the rough hide which were the trophies of his
+success. But at this, envy excited the rest to strife. Plexippus
+and Toxeus, the brothers of Meleager's mother, beyond the rest
+opposed the gift, and snatched from the maiden the trophy she had
+received. Meleager, kindling with rage at the wrong done to
+himself, and still more at the insult offered to her whom he
+loved, forgot the claims of kindred, and plunged his sword into
+the offenders' hearts.
+
+As Althea bore gifts of thankfulness to the temples for the
+victory of her son, the bodies of her murdered brothers met her
+sight. She shrieks, and beats her breast, and hastens to change
+the garments of rejoicing for those of mourning. But when the
+author of the deed is known, grief gives way to the stern desire
+of vengeance on her son. The fatal brand, which once she rescued
+from the flames, the brand which the destinies had linked with
+Meleager's life, she brings forth, and commands a fire to be
+prepared. Then four times she essays to place the brand upon the
+pile; four times draws back, shuddering at the thought of bringing
+destruction on her son. The feelings of the mother and the sister
+contend within her. Now she is pale at the thought of the proposed
+deed, now flushed again with anger at the act of her son. As a
+vessel, driven in one direction by the wind, and in the opposite
+by the tide, the mind of Althea hangs suspended in uncertainty.
+But now the sister prevails above the mother, and she begins as
+she holds the fatal wood: "Turn, ye Furies, goddesses of
+punishment! turn to behold the sacrifice I bring! Crime must atone
+for crime. Shall OEneus rejoice in his victor son, while the house
+of Thestius is desolate? But, alas! to what deed am I borne along?
+Brothers forgive a mother's weakness! my hand fails me. He
+deserves death, but not that I should destroy him. But shall he
+then live, and triumph, and reign over Calydon, while you, my
+brothers, wander unavenged among the shades? No! thou hast lived
+by my gift; die, now, for thine own crime. Return the life which
+twice I gave thee, first at thy birth, again when I snatched this
+brand from the flames. O that thou hadst then died! Alas! evil is
+the conquest; but, brothers, ye have conquered." And, turning away
+her face, she threw the fatal wood upon the burning pile.
+
+It gave, or seemed to give, a deadly groan. Meleager, absent and
+unknowing of the cause, felt a sudden pang. He burns, and only by
+courageous pride conquers the pain which destroys him. He mourns
+only that he perishes by a bloodless and unhonored death. With his
+last breath he calls upon his aged father, his brother, and his
+fond sisters, upon his beloved Atalanta, and upon his mother, the
+unknown cause of his fate. The flames increase, and with them the
+pain of the hero. Now both subside; now both are quenched. The
+brand is ashes, and the life of Meleager is breathed forth to the
+wandering winds.
+
+Althea, when the deed was done, laid violent hands upon herself.
+The sisters of Meleager mourned their brother with uncontrollable
+grief; till Diana, pitying the sorrows of the house that once had
+aroused her anger, turned them into birds.
+
+ATALANTA
+
+The innocent cause of so much sorrow was a maiden whose face you
+might truly say was boyish for a girl, yet too girlish for a boy.
+Her fortune had been told, and it was to this effect: "Atalanta,
+do not marry; marriage will be your ruin." Terrified by this
+oracle, she fled the society of men, and devoted herself to the
+sports of the chase. To all suitors (for she had many) she imposed
+a condition which was generally effectual in relieving her of
+their persecutions,--"I will be the prize of him who shall conquer
+me in the race; but death must be the penalty of all who try and
+fail." In spite of this hard condition some would try. Hippomenes
+was to be judge of the race. "Can it be possible that any will be
+so rash as to risk so much for a wife?" said he. But when he saw
+her lay aside her robe for the race, he changed his mind, and
+said, "Pardon me, youths, I knew not the prize you were competing
+for." As he surveyed them he wished them all to be beaten, and
+swelled with envy of any one that seemed at all likely to win.
+While such were his thoughts, the virgin darted forward. As she
+ran she looked more beautiful than ever. The breezes seemed to
+give wings to her feet; her hair flew over her shoulders, and the
+gay fringe of her garment fluttered behind her. A ruddy hue tinged
+the whiteness of her skin, such as a crimson curtain casts on a
+marble wall. All her competitors were distanced, and were put to
+death without mercy. Hippomenes, not daunted by this result,
+fixing his eyes on the virgin, said, "Why boast of beating those
+laggards? I offer myself for the contest." Atalanta looked at him
+with a pitying countenance, and hardly knew whether she would
+rather conquer him or not. "What god can tempt one so young and
+handsome to throw himself away? I pity him, not for his beauty
+(yet he is beautiful), but for his youth. I wish he would give up
+the race, or if he will be so mad, I hope he may outrun me." While
+she hesitates, revolving these thoughts, the spectators grow
+impatient for the race, and her father prompts her to prepare.
+Then Hippomenes addressed a prayer to Venus: "Help me, Venus, for
+you have led me on." Venus heard and was propitious.
+
+In the garden of her temple, in her own island of Cyprus, is a
+tree with yellow leaves and yellow branches and golden fruit.
+Hence she gathered three golden apples, and, unseen by any one
+else, gave them to Hippomenes, and told him how to use them. The
+signal is given; each starts from the goal and skims over the
+sand. So light their tread, you would almost have thought they
+might run over the river surface or over the waving grain without
+sinking. The cries of the spectators cheered Hippomenes,--"Now,
+now, do your best! haste, haste! you gain on her! relax not! one
+more effort!" It was doubtful whether the youth or the maiden
+heard these cries with the greater pleasure. But his breath began
+to fail him, his throat was dry, the goal yet far off. At that
+moment he threw down one of the golden apples. The virgin was all
+amazement. She stopped to pick it up. Hippomenes shot ahead.
+Shouts burst forth from all sides. She redoubled her efforts, and
+soon overtook him. Again he threw an apple. She stopped again, but
+again came up with him. The goal was near; one chance only
+remained. "Now, goddess," said he, "prosper your gift!" and threw
+the last apple off at one side. She looked at it, and hesitated;
+Venus impelled her to turn aside for it. She did so, and was
+vanquished. The youth carried off his prize.
+
+But the lovers were so full of their own happiness that they
+forgot to pay due honor to Venus; and the goddess was provoked at
+their ingratitude. She caused them to give offence to Cybele. That
+powerful goddess was not to be insulted with impunity. She took
+from them their human form and turned them into animals of
+characters resembling their own: of the huntress-heroine,
+triumphing in the blood of her lovers, she made a lioness, and of
+her lord and master a lion, and yoked them to her car, where they
+are still to be seen in all representations, in statuary or
+painting, of the goddess Cybele.
+
+Cybele is the Latin name of the goddess called by the Greeks Rhea
+and Ops. She was the wife of Cronos and mother of Zeus. In works
+of art she exhibits the matronly air which distinguishes Juno and
+Ceres. Sometimes she is veiled, and seated on a throne with lions
+at her side, at other times riding in a chariot drawn by lions.
+She wears a mural crown, that is, a crown whose rim is carved in
+the form of towers and battlements. Her priests were called
+Corybantes.
+
+Byron, in describing the city of Venice, which is built on a low
+island in the Adriatic Sea, borrows an illustration from Cybele:
+
+    "She looks a sea-Cybele fresh from ocean,
+     Rising with her tiara of proud towers
+     At airy distance, with majestic motion,
+     A ruler of the waters and their powers."
+
+    --Childe Harold, IV.
+
+In Moore's "Rhymes on the Road," the poet, speaking of Alpine
+scenery, alludes to the story of Atalanta and Hippomenes thus:
+
+    "Even here, in this region of wonders, I find
+     That light-footed Fancy leaves Truth far behind,
+     Or at least, like Hippomenes, turns her astray
+     By the golden illusions he flings in her way."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+HERCULES--HEBE AND GANYMEDE
+
+HERCULES
+
+
+Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmena. As Juno was always
+hostile to the offspring of her husband by mortal mothers, she
+declared war against Hercules from his birth. She sent two
+serpents to destroy him as he lay in his cradle, but the
+precocious infant strangled them with his own hands. He was,
+however, by the arts of Juno rendered subject to Eurystheus and
+compelled to perform all his commands. Eurystheus enjoined upon
+him a succession of desperate adventures, which are called the
+"Twelve Labors of Hercules." The first was the fight with the
+Nemean lion. The valley of Nemea was infested by a terrible lion.
+Eurystheus ordered Hercules to bring him the skin of this monster.
+After using in vain his club and arrows against the lion, Hercules
+strangled the animal with his hands. He returned carrying the dead
+lion on his shoulders; but Eurystheus was so frightened at the
+sight of it and at this proof of the prodigious strength of the
+hero, that he ordered him to deliver the account of his exploits
+in future outside the town.
+
+His next labor was the slaughter of the Hydra. This monster
+ravaged the country of Argos, and dwelt in a swamp near the well
+of Amymone. This well had been discovered by Amymone when the
+country was suffering from drought, and the story was that
+Neptune, who loved her, had permitted her to touch the rock with
+his trident, and a spring of three outlets burst forth. Here the
+Hydra took up his position, and Hercules was sent to destroy him.
+The Hydra had nine heads, of which the middle one was immortal.
+Hercules struck off its heads with his club, but in the place of
+the head knocked off, two new ones grew forth each time. At length
+with the assistance of his faithful servant Iolaus, he burned away
+the heads of the Hydra, and buried the ninth or immortal one under
+a huge rock.
+
+Another labor was the cleaning of the Augean stables. Augeas, king
+of Elis, had a herd of three thousand oxen, whose stalls had not
+been cleansed for thirty years. Hercules brought the rivers
+Alpheus and Peneus through them, and cleansed them thoroughly in
+one day.
+
+His next labor was of a more delicate kind. Admeta, the daughter
+of Eurystheus, longed to obtain the girdle of the queen of the
+Amazons, and Eurystheus ordered Hercules to go and get it. The
+Amazons were a nation of women. They were very warlike and held
+several flourishing cities. It was their custom to bring up only
+the female children; the boys were either sent away to the
+neighboring nations or put to death. Hercules was accompanied by a
+number of volunteers, and after various adventures at last reached
+the country of the Amazons. Hippolyta, the queen, received him
+kindly, and consented to yield him her girdle, but Juno, taking
+the form of an Amazon, went and persuaded the rest that the
+strangers were carrying off their queen. They instantly armed and
+came in great numbers down to the ship. Hercules, thinking that
+Hippolyta had acted treacherously, slew her, and taking her girdle
+made sail homewards.
+
+Another task enjoined him was to bring to Eurystheus the oxen of
+Geryon, a monster with three bodies, who dwelt in the island
+Erytheia (the red), so called because it lay at the west, under
+the rays of the setting sun. This description is thought to apply
+to Spain, of which Geryon was king. After traversing various
+countries, Hercules reached at length the frontiers of Libya and
+Europe, where he raised the two mountains of Calpe and Abyla, as
+monuments of his progress, or, according to another account, rent
+one mountain into two and left half on each side, forming the
+straits of Gibraltar, the two mountains being called the Pillars
+of Hercules. The oxen were guarded by the giant Eurytion and his
+two-headed dog, but Hercules killed the giant and his dog and
+brought away the oxen in safety to Eurystheus.
+
+The most difficult labor of all was getting the golden apples of
+the Hesperides, for Hercules did not know where to find them.
+These were the apples which Juno had received at her wedding from
+the goddess of the Earth, and which she had intrusted to the
+keeping of the daughters of Hesperus, assisted by a watchful
+dragon. After various adventures Hercules arrived at Mount Atlas
+in Africa. Atlas was one of the Titans who had warred against the
+gods, and after they were subdued, Atlas was condemned to bear on
+his shoulders the weight of the heavens. He was the father of the
+Hesperides, and Hercules thought might, if any one could, find the
+apples and bring them to him. But how to send Atlas away from his
+post, or bear up the heavens while he was gone? Hercules took the
+burden on his own shoulders, and sent Atlas to seek the apples. He
+returned with them, and though somewhat reluctantly, took his
+burden upon his shoulders again, and let Hercules return with the
+apples to Eurystheus.
+
+Milton, in his "Comus," makes the Hesperides the daughters of
+Hesperus and nieces of Atlas:
+
+   "... amidst the gardens fair
+    Of Hesperus and his daughters three,
+    That sing about the golden tree."
+
+The poets, led by the analogy of the lovely appearance of the
+western sky at sunset, viewed the west as a region of brightness
+and glory. Hence they placed in it the Isles of the Blest, the
+ruddy Isle Erythea, on which the bright oxen of Geryon were
+pastured, and the Isle of the Hesperides. The apples are supposed
+by some to be the oranges of Spain, of which the Greeks had heard
+some obscure accounts.
+
+A celebrated exploit of Hercules was his victory over Antaeus.
+Antaeus, the son of Terra, the Earth, was a mighty giant and
+wrestler, whose strength was invincible so long as he remained in
+contact with his mother Earth. He compelled all strangers who came
+to his country to wrestle with him, on condition that if conquered
+(as they all were) they should be put to death. Hercules
+encountered him, and finding that it was of no avail to throw him,
+for he always rose with renewed strength from every fall, he
+lifted him up from the earth and strangled him in the air.
+
+Cacus was a huge giant, who inhabited a cave on Mount Aventine,
+and plundered the surrounding country. When Hercules was driving
+home the oxen of Geryon, Cacus stole part of the cattle, while the
+hero slept. That their footprints might not serve to show where
+they had been driven, he dragged them backward by their tails to
+his cave; so their tracks all seemed to show that they had gone in
+the opposite direction. Hercules was deceived by this stratagem,
+and would have failed to find his oxen, if it had not happened
+that in driving the remainder of the herd past the cave where the
+stolen ones were concealed, those within began to low, and were
+thus discovered. Cacus was slain by Hercules.
+
+The last exploit we shall record was bringing Cerberus from the
+lower world. Hercules descended into Hades, accompanied by Mercury
+and Minerva. He obtained permission from Pluto to carry Cerberus
+to the upper air, provided he could do it without the use of
+weapons; and in spite of the monster's struggling, he seized him,
+held him fast, and carried him to Eurystheus, and afterwards
+brought him back again. When he was in Hades he obtained the
+liberty of Theseus, his admirer and imitator, who had been
+detained a prisoner there for an unsuccessful attempt to carry off
+Proserpine.
+
+Hercules in a fit of madness killed his friend Iphitus, and was
+condemned for this offence to become the slave of Queen Omphale
+for three years. While in this service the hero's nature seemed
+changed. He lived effeminately, wearing at times the dress of a
+woman, and spinning wool with the hand-maidens of Omphale, while
+the queen wore his lion's skin. When this service was ended he
+married Dejanira and lived in peace with her three years. On one
+occasion as he was travelling with his wife, they came to a river,
+across which the Centaur Nessus carried travellers for a stated
+fee. Hercules himself forded the river, but gave Dejanira to
+Nessus to be carried across. Nessus attempted to run away with
+her, but Hercules heard her cries and shot an arrow into the heart
+of Nessus. The dying Centaur told Dejanira to take a portion of
+his blood and keep it, as it might be used as a charm to preserve
+the love of her husband.
+
+Dejanira did so and before long fancied she had occasion to use
+it. Hercules in one of his conquests had taken prisoner a fair
+maiden, named Iole, of whom he seemed more fond than Dejanira
+approved. When Hercules was about to offer sacrifices to the gods
+in honor of his victory, he sent to his wife for a white robe to
+use on the occasion. Dejanira, thinking it a good opportunity to
+try her love-spell, steeped the garment in the blood of Nessus. We
+are to suppose she took care to wash out all traces of it, but the
+magic power remained, and as soon as the garment became warm on
+the body of Hercules the poison penetrated into all his limbs and
+caused him the most intense agony. In his frenzy he seized Lichas,
+who had brought him the fatal robe, and hurled him into the sea.
+He wrenched off the garment, but it stuck to his flesh, and with
+it he tore away whole pieces of his body. In this state he
+embarked on board a ship and was conveyed home. Dejanira, on
+seeing what she had unwittingly done, hung herself. Hercules,
+prepared to die, ascended Mount Oeta, where he built a funeral
+pile of trees, gave his bow and arrows to Philoctetes, and laid
+himself down on the pile, his head resting on his club, and his
+lion's skin spread over him. With a countenance as serene as if he
+were taking his place at a festal board he commanded Philoctetes
+to apply the torch. The flames spread apace and soon invested the
+whole mass.
+
+Milton thus alludes to the frenzy of Hercules:
+
+   "As when Alcides, from Oechalia crowned
+    With conquest, felt the envenomed robe, and tore,
+    Through pain, up by the roots Thessalian pines
+    And Lichas from the top of Oeta threw
+    Into the Euboic Sea."
+
+[Footnote: Alcides, a name of Hercules.]
+
+The gods themselves felt troubled at seeing the champion of the
+earth so brought to his end. But Jupiter with cheerful countenance
+thus addressed them: "I am pleased to see your concern, my
+princes, and am gratified to perceive that I am the ruler of a
+loyal people, and that my son enjoys your favor. For although your
+interest in him arises from his noble deeds, yet it is not the
+less gratifying to me. But now I say to you, Fear not. He who
+conquered all else is not to be conquered by those flames which
+you see blazing on Mount Oeta. Only his mother's share in him can
+perish; what he derived from me is immortal. I shall take him,
+dead to earth, to the heavenly shores, and I require of you all to
+receive him kindly. If any of you feel grieved at his attaining
+this honor, yet no one can deny that he has deserved it." The gods
+all gave their assent; Juno only heard the closing words with some
+displeasure that she should be so particularly pointed at, yet not
+enough to make her regret the determination of her husband. So
+when the flames had consumed the mother's share of Hercules, the
+diviner part, instead of being injured thereby, seemed to start
+forth with new vigor, to assume a more lofty port and a more awful
+dignity. Jupiter enveloped him in a cloud, and took him up in a
+four-horse chariot to dwell among the stars. As he took his place
+in heaven, Atlas felt the added weight.
+
+Juno, now reconciled to him, gave him her daughter Hebe in
+marriage.
+
+The poet Schiller, in one of his pieces called the "Ideal and
+Life," illustrates the contrast between the practical and the
+imaginative in some beautiful stanzas, of which the last two may
+be thus translated:
+
+   "Deep degraded to a coward's slave,
+    Endless contests bore Alcides brave,
+    Through the thorny path of suffering led;
+    Slew the Hydra, crushed the lion's might,
+    Threw himself, to bring his friend to light,
+    Living, in the skiff that bears the dead.
+    All the torments, every toil of earth
+    Juno's hatred on him could impose,
+    Well he bore them, from his fated birth
+    To life's grandly mournful close.
+
+   "Till the god, the earthly part forsaken,
+    From the man in flames asunder taken,
+    Drank the heavenly ether's purer breath.
+    Joyous in the new unwonted lightness,
+    Soared he upwards to celestial brightness,
+    Earth's dark heavy burden lost in death.
+    High Olympus gives harmonious greeting
+    To the hall where reigns his sire adored;
+    Youth's bright goddess, with a blush at meeting,
+    Gives the nectar to her lord."
+
+    --S. G. B.
+
+HEBE AND GANYMEDE
+
+Hebe, the daughter of Juno, and goddess of youth, was cup-bearer
+to the gods. The usual story is that she resigned her office on
+becoming the wife of Hercules. But there is another statement
+which our countryman Crawford, the sculptor, has adopted in his
+group of Hebe and Ganymede, now in the Athenaeum gallery.
+According to this, Hebe was dismissed from her office in
+consequence of a fall which she met with one day when in
+attendance on the gods. Her successor was Ganymede, a Trojan boy,
+whom Jupiter, in the disguise of an eagle, seized and carried off
+from the midst of his playfellows on Mount Ida, bore up to heaven,
+and installed in the vacant place.
+
+Tennyson, in his "Palace of Art," describes among the decorations
+on the walls a picture representing this legend:
+
+   "There, too, flushed Ganymede, his rosy thigh
+      Half buried in the eagle's down,
+    Sole as a flying star shot through the sky
+      Above the pillared town."
+
+And in Shelley's "Prometheus" Jupiter calls to his cup-bearer
+thus:
+
+   "Pour forth heaven's wine, Idaean Ganymede,
+      And let it fill the Daedal cups like fire."
+
+The beautiful legend of the "Choice of Hercules" may be found in
+the "Tatler," No. 97.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THESEUS--DAEDALUS--CASTOR AND POLLUX
+
+THESEUS
+
+
+Theseus was the son of Aegeus, king of Athens, and of Aethra,
+daughter of the king of Troezen. He was brought up at Troezen, and
+when arrived at manhood was to proceed to Athens and present
+himself to his father. Aegeus on parting from Aethra, before the
+birth of his son, placed his sword and shoes under a large stone
+and directed her to send his son to him when he became strong
+enough to roll away the stone and take them from under it. When
+she thought the time had come, his mother led Theseus to the
+stone, and he removed it with ease and took the sword and shoes.
+As the roads were infested with robbers, his grandfather pressed
+him earnestly to take the shorter and safer way to his father's
+country--by sea; but the youth, feeling in himself the spirit and
+the soul of a hero, and eager to signalize himself like Hercules,
+with whose fame all Greece then rang, by destroying the evil-doers
+and monsters that oppressed the country, determined on the more
+perilous and adventurous journey by land.
+
+His first day's journey brought him to Epidaurus, where dwelt a
+man named Periphetes, a son of Vulcan. This ferocious savage
+always went armed with a club of iron, and all travellers stood in
+terror of his violence. When he saw Theseus approach he assailed
+him, but speedily fell beneath the blows of the young hero, who
+took possession of his club and bore it ever afterwards as a
+memorial of his first victory.
+
+Several similar contests with the petty tyrants and marauders of
+the country followed, in all of which Theseus was victorious. One
+of these evil-doers was called Procrustes, or the Stretcher. He
+had an iron bedstead, on which he used to tie all travellers who
+fell into his hands. If they were shorter than the bed, he
+stretched their limbs to make them fit it; if they were longer
+than the bed, he lopped off a portion. Theseus served him as he
+had served others.
+
+Having overcome all the perils of the road, Theseus at length
+reached Athens, where new dangers awaited him. Medea, the
+sorceress, who had fled from Corinth after her separation from
+Jason, had become the wife of Aegeus, the father of Theseus.
+Knowing by her arts who he was, and fearing the loss of her
+influence with her husband if Theseus should be acknowledged as
+his son, she filled the mind of Aegeus with suspicions of the
+young stranger, and induced him to present him a cup of poison;
+but at the moment when Theseus stepped forward to take it, the
+sight of the sword which he wore discovered to his father who he
+was, and prevented the fatal draught. Medea, detected in her arts,
+fled once more from deserved punishment, and arrived in Asia,
+where the country afterwards called Media received its name from
+her, Theseus was acknowledged by his father, and declared his
+successor.
+
+The Athenians were at that time in deep affliction, on account of
+the tribute which they were forced to pay to Minos, king of Crete.
+This tribute consisted of seven youths and seven maidens, who were
+sent every year to be devoured by the Minotaur, a monster with a
+bull's body and a human head. It was exceedingly strong and
+fierce, and was kept in a labyrinth constructed by Daedalus, so
+artfully contrived that whoever was enclosed in it could by no
+means, find his way out unassisted. Here the Minotaur roamed, and
+was fed with human victims.
+
+Theseus resolved to deliver his countrymen from this calamity, or
+to die in the attempt. Accordingly, when the time of sending off
+the tribute came, and the youths and maidens were, according to
+custom, drawn by lot to be sent, he offered himself as one of the
+victims, in spite of the entreaties of his father. The ship
+departed under black sails, as usual, which Theseus promised his
+father to change for white, in case of his returning victorious.
+When they arrived in Crete, the youths and maidens were exhibited
+before Minos; and Ariadne, the daughter of the king, being
+present, became deeply enamored of Theseus, by whom her love was
+readily returned. She furnished him with a sword, with which to
+encounter the Minotaur, and with a clew of thread by which he
+might find his way out of the labyrinth. He was successful, slew
+the Minotaur, escaped from the labyrinth, and taking Ariadne as
+the companion of his way, with his rescued companions sailed for
+Athens. On their way they stopped at the island of Naxos, where
+Theseus abandoned Ariadne, leaving her asleep. [Footnote: One of
+the finest pieces of sculpture in Italy, the recumbent Ariadne of
+the Vatican, represents this incident. A copy is owned by the
+Athenaeum, Boston, and deposited, in the Museum of Fine Arts.] His
+excuse for this ungrateful treatment of his benefactress was that
+Minerva appeared to him in a dream and commanded him to do so.
+
+On approaching the coast of Attica, Theseus forgot the signal
+appointed by his father, and neglected to raise the white sails,
+and the old king, thinking his son had perished, put an end to his
+own life. Theseus thus became king of Athens.
+
+One of the most celebrated of the adventures of Theseus is his
+expedition against the Amazons. He assailed them before they had
+recovered from the attack of Hercules, and carried off their queen
+Antiope. The Amazons in their turn invaded the country of Athens
+and penetrated into the city itself; and the final battle in which
+Theseus overcame them was fought in the very midst of the city.
+This battle was one of the favorite subjects of the ancient
+sculptors, and is commemorated in several works of art that are
+still extant.
+
+The friendship between Theseus and Pirithous was of a most
+intimate nature, yet it originated in the midst of arms. Pirithous
+had made an irruption into the plain of Marathon, and carried off
+the herds of the king of Athens. Theseus went to repel the
+plunderers. The moment Pirithous beheld him, he was seized with
+admiration; he stretched out his hand as a token of peace, and
+cried, "Be judge thyself--what satisfaction dost thou require?"
+"Thy friendship," replied the Athenian, and they swore inviolable
+fidelity. Their deeds corresponded to their professions, and they
+ever continued true brothers in arms. Each of them aspired to
+espouse a daughter of Jupiter. Theseus fixed his choice on Helen,
+then but a child, afterwards so celebrated as the cause of the
+Trojan war, and with the aid of his friend he carried her off.
+Pirithous aspired to the wife of the monarch of Erebus; and
+Theseus, though aware of the danger, accompanied the ambitious
+lover in his descent to the under-world. But Pluto seized and set
+them on an enchanted rock at his palace gate, where they remained
+till Hercules arrived and liberated Theseus, leaving Pirithous to
+his fate.
+
+After the death of Antiope, Theseus married Phaedra, daughter of
+Minos, king of Crete. Phaedra saw in Hippolytus, the son of
+Theseus, a youth endowed with all the graces and virtues of his
+father, and of an age corresponding to her own. She loved him, but
+he repulsed her advances, and her love was changed to hate. She
+used her influence over her infatuated husband to cause him to be
+jealous of his son, and he imprecated the vengeance of Neptune
+upon him. As Hippolytus was one day driving his chariot along the
+shore, a sea-monster raised himself above the waters, and
+frightened the horses so that they ran away and dashed the chariot
+to pieces. Hippolytus was killed, but by Diana's assistance
+Aesculapius restored him to life. Diana removed Hippolytus from
+the power of his deluded father and false stepmother, and placed
+him in Italy under the protection of the nymph Egeria.
+
+Theseus at length lost the favor of his people, and retired to the
+court of Lycomedes, king of Scyros, who at first received him
+kindly, but afterwards treacherously slew him. In a later age the
+Athenian general Cimon discovered the place where his remains were
+laid, and caused them to be removed to Athens, where they were
+deposited in a temple called the Theseum, erected in honor of the
+hero.
+
+The queen of the Amazons whom Theseus espoused is by some called
+Hippolyta. That is the name she bears in Shakspeare's "Midsummer
+Night's Dream,"--the subject of which is the festivities attending
+the nuptials of Theseus and Hippolyta.
+
+Mrs. Hemans has a poem on the ancient Greek tradition that the
+"Shade of Theseus" appeared strengthening his countrymen at the
+battle of Marathon.
+
+Theseus is a semi-historical personage. It is recorded of him that
+he united the several tribes by whom the territory of Attica was
+then possessed into one state, of which Athens was the capital. In
+commemoration of this important event, he instituted the festival
+of Panathenaea, in honor of Minerva, the patron deity of Athens.
+This festival differed from the other Grecian games chiefly in two
+particulars. It was peculiar to the Athenians, and its chief
+feature was a solemn procession in which the Peplus, or sacred
+robe of Minerva, was carried to the Parthenon, and suspended
+before the statue of the goddess. The Peplus was covered with
+embroidery, worked by select virgins of the noblest families in
+Athens. The procession consisted of persons of all ages and both
+sexes. The old men carried olive branches in their hands, and the
+young men bore arms. The young women carried baskets on their
+heads, containing the sacred utensils, cakes, and all things
+necessary for the sacrifices. The procession formed the subject of
+the bas-reliefs which embellished the outside of the temple of the
+Parthenon. A considerable portion of these sculptures is now in
+the British Museum among those known as the "Elgin marbles."
+
+OLYMPIC AND OTHER GAMES
+
+It seems not inappropriate to mention here the other celebrated
+national games of the Greeks. The first and most distinguished
+were the Olympic, founded, it was said, by Jupiter himself. They
+were celebrated at Olympia in Elis. Vast numbers of spectators
+flocked to them from every part of Greece, and from Asia, Africa,
+and Sicily. They were repeated every fifth year in mid-summer,
+and continued five days. They gave rise to the custom of reckoning
+time and dating events by Olympiads. The first Olympiad is
+generally considered as corresponding with the year 776 B.C. The
+Pythian games were celebrated in the vicinity of Delphi, the
+Isthmian on the Corinthian isthmus, the Nemean at Nemea, a city of
+Argolis.
+
+The exercises in these games were of five sorts: running, leaping,
+wrestling, throwing the quoit, and hurling the javelin, or boxing.
+Besides these exercises of bodily strength and agility, there were
+contests in music, poetry, and eloquence. Thus these games
+furnished poets, musicians, and authors the best opportunities to
+present their productions to the public, and the fame of the
+victors was diffused far and wide.
+
+DAEDALUS
+
+The labyrinth from which Theseus escaped by means of the clew of
+Ariadne was built by Daedalus, a most skilful artificer. It was an
+edifice with numberless winding passages and turnings opening into
+one another, and seeming to have neither beginning nor end, like
+the river Maeander, which returns on itself, and flows now onward,
+now backward, in its course to the sea. Daedalus built the
+labyrinth for King Minos, but afterwards lost the favor of the
+king, and was shut up in a tower. He contrived to make his escape
+from his prison, but could not leave the island by sea, as the
+king kept strict watch on all the vessels, and permitted none to
+sail without being carefully searched. "Minos may control the land
+and sea," said Daedalus, "but not the regions of the air. I will
+try that way." So he set to work to fabricate wings for himself
+and his young son Icarus. He wrought feathers together, beginning
+with the smallest and adding larger, so as to form an increasing
+surface. The larger ones he secured with thread and the smaller
+with wax, and gave the whole a gentle curvature like the wings of
+a bird. Icarus, the boy, stood and looked on, sometimes running to
+gather up the feathers which the wind had blown away, and then
+handling the wax and working it over with his fingers, by his play
+impeding his father in his labors. When at last the work was done,
+the artist, waving his wings, found himself buoyed upward, and
+hung suspended, poising himself on the beaten air. He next
+equipped his son in the same manner, and taught him how to fly, as
+a bird tempts her young ones from the lofty nest into the air.
+When all was prepared for flight he said, "Icarus, my son, I
+charge you to keep at a moderate height, for if you fly too low
+the damp will clog your wings, and if too high the heat will melt
+them. Keep near me and you will be safe." While he gave him these
+instructions and fitted the wings to his shoulders, the face of
+the father was wet with tears, and his hands trembled. He kissed
+the boy, not knowing that it was for the last time. Then rising on
+his wings, he flew off, encouraging him to follow, and looked back
+from his own flight to see how his son managed his wings. As they
+flew the ploughman stopped his work to gaze, and the shepherd
+leaned on his staff and watched them, astonished at the sight, and
+thinking they were gods who could thus cleave the air.
+
+They passed Samos and Delos on the left and Lebynthos on the
+right, when the boy, exulting in his career, began to leave the
+guidance of his companion and soar upward as if to reach heaven.
+The nearness of the blazing sun softened the wax which held the
+feathers together, and they came off. He fluttered with his arms,
+but no feathers remained to hold the air. While his mouth uttered
+cries to his father it was submerged in the blue waters of the
+sea, which thenceforth was called by his name. His father cried,
+"Icarus, Icarus, where are you?" At last he saw the feathers
+floating on the water, and bitterly lamenting his own arts, he
+buried the body and called the land Icaria in memory of his child.
+Daedalus arrived safe in Sicily, where he built a temple to
+Apollo, and hung up his wings, an offering to the god.
+
+Daedalus was so proud of his achievements that he could not bear
+the idea of a rival. His sister had placed her son Perdix under
+his charge to be taught the mechanical arts. He was an apt scholar
+and gave striking evidences of ingenuity. Walking on the seashore
+he picked up the spine of a fish. Imitating it, he took a piece of
+iron and notched it on the edge, and thus invented the SAW. He put
+two pieces of iron together, connecting them at one end with a
+rivet, and sharpening the other ends, and made a PAIR OF
+COMPASSES. Daedalus was so envious of his nepnew's performances
+that he took an opportunity, when they were together one day on
+the top of a high tower, to push him off. But Minerva, who favors
+ingenuity, saw him falling, and arrested his fate by changing him
+into a bird called after his name, the Partridge. This bird does
+not build his nest in the trees, nor take lofty flights, but
+nestles in the hedges, and mindful of his fall, avoids high
+places.
+
+The death of Icarus is told in the following lines by Darwin:
+
+    "... with melting wax and loosened strings
+     Sunk hapless Icarus on unfaithful wings;
+     Headlong he rushed through the affrighted air,
+     With limbs distorted and dishevelled hair;
+     His scattered plumage danced upon the wave,
+     And sorrowing Nereids decked his watery grave;
+     O'er his pale corse their pearly sea-flowers shed,
+     And strewed with crimson moss his marble bed;
+     Struck in their coral towers the passing bell,
+     And wide in ocean tolled his echoing knell."
+
+CASTOR AND POLLUX
+
+Castor and Pollux were the offspring of Leda and the Swan, under
+which disguise Jupiter had concealed himself. Leda gave birth to
+an egg from which sprang the twins. Helen, so famous afterwards as
+the cause of the Trojan war, was their sister.
+
+When Theseus and his friend Pirithous had carried off Helen from
+Sparta, the youthful heroes Castor and Pollux, with their
+followers, hastened to her rescue. Theseus was absent from Attica
+and the brothers were successful in recovering their sister.
+
+Castor was famous for taming and managing horses, and Pollux for
+skill in boxing. They were united by the warmest affection and
+inseparable in all their enterprises. They accompanied the
+Argonautic expedition. During the voyage a storm arose, and
+Orpheus prayed to the Samothracian gods, and played on his harp,
+whereupon the storm ceased and stars appeared on the heads of the
+brothers. From this incident, Castor and Pollux came afterwards to
+be considered the patron deities of seamen and voyagers, and the
+lambent flames, which in certain states of the atmosphere play
+round the sails and masts of vessels, were called by their names.
+
+After the Argonautic expedition, we find Castor and Pollux engaged
+in a war with Idas and Lynceus. Castor was slain, and Pollux,
+inconsolable for the loss of his brother, besought Jupiter to be
+permitted to give his own life as a ransom for him. Jupiter so far
+consented as to allow the two brothers to enjoy the boon of life
+alternately, passing one day under the earth and the next in the
+heavenly abodes. According to another form of the story, Jupiter
+rewarded the attachment of the brothers by placing them among the
+stars as Gemini the Twins.
+
+They received divine honors under the name of Dioscuri (sons of
+Jove). They were believed to have appeared occasionally in later
+times, taking part with one side or the other, in hard-fought
+fields, and were said on such occasions to be mounted on
+magnificent white steeds. Thus in the early history of Rome they
+are said to have assisted the Romans at the battle of Lake
+Regillus, and after the victory a temple was erected in their
+honor on the spot where they appeared.
+
+Macaulay, in his "Lays of Ancient Rome," thus alludes to the
+legend:
+
+    "So like they were, no mortal
+       Might one from other know;
+     White as snow their armor was,
+       Their steeds were white as snow.
+     Never on earthly anvil
+       Did such rare armor gleam,
+     And never did such gallant steeds
+       Drink of an earthly stream.
+
+    "Back comes the chief in triumph
+       Who in the hour of fight
+     Hath seen the great Twin Brethren
+       In harness on his right.
+     Safe comes the ship to haven,
+       Through billows and through gales.
+     If once the great Twin Brethren
+       Sit shining on the sails."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+BACCHUS--ARIADNE
+
+BACCHUS
+
+
+Bacchus was the son of Jupiter and Semele. Juno, to gratify her
+resentment against Semele, contrived a plan for her destruction.
+Assuming the form of Beroe, her aged nurse, she insinuated doubts
+whether it was indeed Jove himself who came as a lover. Heaving a
+sigh, she said, "I hope it will turn out so, but I can't help
+being afraid. People are not always what they pretend to be. If he
+is indeed Jove, make him give some proof of it. Ask him to come
+arrayed in all his splendors, such as he wears in heaven. That
+will put the matter beyond a doubt." Semele was persuaded to try
+the experiment. She asks a favor, without naming what it is. Jove
+gives his promise, and confirms it with the irrevocable oath,
+attesting the river Styx, terrible to the gods themselves. Then
+she made known her request. The god would have stopped her as she
+spake, but she was too quick for him. The words escaped, and he
+could neither unsay his promise nor her request. In deep distress
+he left her and returned to the upper regions. There he clothed
+himself in his splendors, not putting on all his terrors, as when
+he overthrew the giants, but what is known among the gods as his
+lesser panoply. Arrayed in this, he entered the chamber of Semele.
+Her mortal frame could not endure the splendors of the immortal
+radiance. She was consumed to ashes.
+
+Jove took the infant Bacchus and gave him in charge to the Nysaean
+nymphs, who nourished his infancy and childhood, and for their
+care were rewarded by Jupiter by being placed, as the Hyades,
+among the stars. When Bacchus grew up he discovered the culture of
+the vine and the mode of extracting its precious juice; but Juno
+struck him with madness, and drove him forth a wanderer through
+various parts of the earth. In Phrygia the goddess Rhea cured him
+and taught him her religious rites, and he set out on a progress
+through Asia, teaching the people the cultivation of the vine. The
+most famous part of his wanderings is his expedition to India,
+which is said to have lasted several years. Returning in triumph,
+he undertook to introduce his worship into Greece, but was opposed
+by some princes, who dreaded its introduction on account of the
+disorders and madness it brought with it.
+
+As he approached his native city Thebes, Pentheus the king, who
+had no respect for the new worship, forbade its rites to be
+performed. But when it was known that Bacchus was advancing, men
+and women, but chiefly the latter, young and old, poured forth to
+meet him and to join his triumphal march.
+
+Mr. Longfellow in his "Drinking Song" thus describes the march of
+Bacchus:
+
+    "Fauns with youthful Bacchus follow;
+       Ivy crowns that brow, supernal
+     As the forehead of Apollo,
+       And possessing youth eternal.
+
+    "Round about him fair Bacchantes,
+       Bearing cymbals, flutes and thyrses,
+     Wild from Naxian groves of Zante's
+       Vineyards, sing delirious verses,"
+
+It was in vain Pentheus remonstrated, commanded, and threatened.
+"Go," said he to his attendants, "seize this vagabond leader of
+the rout and bring him to me. I will soon make him confess his
+false claim of heavenly parentage and renounce his counterfeit
+worship." It was in vain his nearest friends and wisest
+counsellors remonstrated and begged him not to oppose the god.
+Their remonstrances only made him more violent.
+
+But now the attendants returned whom he had despatched to seize
+Bacchus. They had been driven away by the Bacchanals, but had
+succeeded in taking one of them prisoner, whom, with his hands
+tied behind him, they brought before the king. Pentheus, beholding
+him with wrathful countenance, said, "Fellow! you shall speedily
+be put to death, that your fate may be a warning to others; but
+though I grudge the delay of your punishment, speak, tell us who
+you are, and what are these new rites you presume to celebrate."
+
+The prisoner, unterrified, responded, "My name is Acetes; my
+country is Maeonia; my parents were poor people, who had no fields
+or flocks to leave me, but they left me their fishing rods and
+nets and their fisherman's trade. This I followed for some time,
+till growing weary of remaining in one place, I learned the
+pilot's art and how to guide my course by the stars. It happened
+as I was sailing for Delos we touched at the island of Dia and
+went ashore. Next morning I sent the men for fresh water, and
+myself mounted the hill to observe the wind; when my men returned
+bringing with them a prize, as they thought, a boy of delicate
+appearance, whom they had found asleep. They judged he was a noble
+youth, perhaps a king's son, and they might get a liberal ransom
+for him. I observed his dress, his walk, his face. There was
+something in them which I felt sure was more than mortal. I said
+to my men, 'What god there is concealed in that form I know not,
+but some one there certainly is. Pardon us, gentle deity, for the
+violence we have done you, and give success to our undertakings.'
+Dictys, one of my best hands for climbing the mast and coming down
+by the ropes, and Melanthus, my steersman, and Epopeus, the leader
+of the sailor's cry, one and all exclaimed, 'Spare your prayers
+for us.' So blind is the lust of gain! When they proceeded to put
+him on board I resisted them. 'This ship shall not be profaned by
+such impiety,' said I. 'I have a greater share in her than any of
+you.' But Lycabas, a turbulent fellow, seized me by the throat and
+attempted to throw me overboard, and I scarcely saved myself by
+clinging to the ropes. The rest approved the deed.
+
+"Then Bacchus (for it was indeed he), as if shaking off his
+drowsiness, exclaimed, 'What are you doing with me? What is this
+fighting about? Who brought me here? Where are you going to carry
+me?' One of them replied, 'Fear nothing; tell us where you wish to
+go and we will take you there.' 'Naxos is my home,' said Bacchus;
+'take me there and you shall be well rewarded.' They promised so
+to do, and told me to pilot the ship to Naxos. Naxos lay to the
+right, and I was trimming the sails to carry us there, when some
+by signs and others by whispers signified to me their will that I
+should sail in the opposite direction, and take the boy to Egypt
+to sell him for a slave. I was confounded and said, 'Let some one
+else pilot the ship;' withdrawing myself from any further agency
+in their wickedness. They cursed me, and one of them, exclaiming,
+'Don't flatter yourself that we depend on you for our safety;'
+took any place as pilot, and bore away from Naxos.
+
+"Then the god, pretending that he had just become aware of their
+treachery, looked out over the sea and said in a voice of weeping,
+'Sailors, these are not the shores you promised to take me to;
+yonder island is not my home. What have I done that you should
+treat me so? It is small glory you will gain by cheating a poor
+boy.' I wept to hear him, but the crew laughed at both of us, and
+sped the vessel fast over the sea. All at once--strange as it may
+seem, it is true,--the vessel stopped, in the mid sea, as fast as
+if it was fixed on the ground. The men, astonished, pulled at
+their oars, and spread more sail, trying to make progress by the
+aid of both, but all in vain. Ivy twined round the oars and
+hindered their motion, and clung to the sails, with heavy clusters
+of berries. A vine, laden with grapes, ran up the mast, and along
+the sides of the vessel. The sound of flutes was heard and the
+odor of fragrant wine spread all around. The god himself had a
+chaplet of vine leaves, and bore in his hand a spear wreathed with
+ivy. Tigers crouched at his feet, and forms of lynxes and spotted
+panthers played around him. The men were seized with terror or
+madness; some leaped overboard; others preparing to do the same
+beheld their companions in the water undergoing a change, their
+bodies becoming flattened and ending in a crooked tail. One
+exclaimed, 'What miracle is this!' and as he spoke his mouth
+widened, his nostrils expanded, and scales covered all his body.
+Another, endeavoring to pull the oar, felt his hands shrink up and
+presently to be no longer hands but fins; another, trying to raise
+his arms to a rope, found he had no arms, and curving his
+mutilated body, jumped into the sea. What had been his legs became
+the two ends of a crescent-shaped tail. The whole crew became
+dolphins and swam about the ship, now upon the surface, now under
+it, scattering the spray, and spouting the water from their broad
+nostrils. Of twenty men I alone was left. Trembling with fear, the
+god cheered me. 'Fear not,' said he; 'steer towards Naxos.' I
+obeyed, and when we arrived there, I kindled the altars and
+celebrated the sacred rites of Bacchus."
+
+Pentheus here exclaimed, "We have wasted time enough on this silly
+story. Take him away and have him executed without delay." Acetes
+was led away by the attendants and shut up fast in prison; but
+while they were getting ready the instruments of execution the
+prison doors came open of their own accord and the chains fell
+from his limbs, and when they looked for him he was nowhere to be
+found.
+
+Pentheus would take no warning, but instead of sending others,
+determined to go himself to the scene of the solemnities. The
+mountain Citheron was all alive with worshippers, and the cries of
+the Bacchanals resounded on every side. The noise roused the anger
+of Pentheus as the sound of a trumpet does the fire of a war-
+horse. He penetrated through the wood and reached an open space
+where the chief scene of the orgies met his eyes. At the same
+moment the women saw him; and first among them his own mother,
+Agave, blinded by the god, cried out, "See there the wild boar,
+the hugest monster that prowls in these woods! Come on, sisters! I
+will be the first to strike the wild boar." The whole band rushed
+upon him, and while he now talks less arrogantly, now excuses
+himself, and now confesses his crime and implores pardon, they
+press upon him and wound him. In vain he cries to his aunts to
+protect him from his mother. Autonoe seized one arm, Ino the
+other, and between them he was torn to pieces, while his mother
+shouted, "Victory! Victory! we have done it; the glory is ours!"
+
+So the worship of Bacchus was established in Greece.
+
+There is an allusion to the story of Bacchus and the mariners in
+Milton's "Comus," at line 46, The story of Circe will be found in
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+    "Bacchus that first from out the purple grapes
+     Crushed the sweet poison of misused wine,
+     After the Tuscan manners transformed,
+     Coasting the Tyrrhene shore as the winds listed
+     On Circe's island fell (who knows not Circe,
+     The daughter of the Sun? whose charmed cup
+     Whoever tasted lost his upright shape,
+     And downward fell into a grovelling swine)."
+
+ARIADNE
+
+
+We have seen in the story of Theseus how Ariadne, the daughter of
+King Minos, after helping Theseus to escape from the labyrinth,
+was carried by him to the island of Naxos and was left there
+asleep, while the ungrateful Theseus pursued his way home without
+her. Ariadne, on waking and finding herself deserted, abandoned
+herself to grief. But Venus took pity on her, and consoled her
+with the promise that she should have an immortal lover, instead
+of the mortal one she had lost.
+
+The island where Ariadne was left was the favorite island of
+Bacchus, the same that he wished the Tyrrhenian mariners to carry
+him to, when they so treacherously attempted to make prize of him.
+As Ariadne sat lamenting her fate, Bacchus found her, consoled
+her, and made her his wife. As a marriage present he gave her a
+golden crown, enriched with gems, and when she died, he took her
+crown and threw it up into the sky. As it mounted the gems grew
+brighter and were turned into stars, and preserving its form
+Ariadne's crown remains fixed in the heavens as a constellation,
+between the kneeling Hercules and the man who holds the serpent.
+
+Spenser alludes to Ariadne's crown, though he has made some
+mistakes in his mythology. It was at the wedding of Pirithous, and
+not Theseus, that the Centaurs and Lapithae quarrelled.
+
+    "Look how the crown which Ariadne wore
+    Upon her ivory forehead that same day
+    That Theseus her unto his bridal bore,
+    Then the bold Centaurs made that bloody fray
+    With the fierce Lapiths which did them dismay;
+    Being now placed in the firmament,
+    Through the bright heaven doth her beams display,
+    And is unto the stars an ornament,
+    Which round about her move in order excellent."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE RURAL DEITIES--ERISICHTHON--RHOECUS--THE WATER DEITIES--
+CAMENAE--WINDS
+
+THE RURAL DEITIES
+
+
+Pan, the god of woods and fields, of flocks and shepherds, dwelt
+in grottos, wandered on the mountains and in valleys, and amused
+himself with the chase or in leading the dances of the nymphs. He
+was fond of music, and as we have seen, the inventor of the
+syrinx, or shepherd's pipe, which he himself played in a masterly
+manner. Pan, like other gods who dwelt in forests, was dreaded by
+those whose occupations caused them to pass through the woods by
+night, for the gloom and loneliness of such scenes dispose the
+mind to superstitious fears. Hence sudden fright without any
+visible cause was ascribed to Pan, and called a Panic terror.
+
+As the name of the god signifies ALL, Pan came to be considered a
+symbol of the universe and personification of Nature; and later
+still to be regarded as a representative of all the gods and of
+heathenism itself.
+
+Sylvanus and Faunus were Latin divinities, whose characteristics
+are so nearly the same as those of Pan that we may safely consider
+them as the same personage under different names.
+
+The wood-nymphs, Pan's partners in the dance, were but one class
+of nymphs. There were beside them the Naiads, who presided over
+brooks and fountains, the Oreads, nymphs of mountains and grottos,
+and the Nereids, sea-nymphs. The three last named were immortal,
+but the wood-nymphs, called Dryads or Hamadryads, were believed to
+perish with the trees which had been their abode and with which
+they had come into existence. It was therefore an impious act
+wantonly to destroy a tree, and in some aggravated cases were
+severely punished, as in the instance of Erisichthon, which we are
+about to record.
+
+Milton in his glowing description of the early creation, thus
+alludes to Pan as the personification of Nature:
+
+    "... Universal Pan,
+     Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance,
+     Led on the eternal spring."
+
+And describing Eve's abode:
+
+    "... In shadier bower,
+     More sacred or sequestered, though but feigned,
+     Pan or Sylvanus never slept, nor nymph
+     Nor Faunus haunted."
+
+    --Paradise Lost, B. IV.
+
+It was a pleasing trait in the old Paganism that it loved to trace
+in every operation of nature the agency of deity. The imagination
+of the Greeks peopled all the regions of earth and sea with
+divinities, to whose agency it attributed those phenomena which
+our philosophy ascribes to the operation of the laws of nature.
+Sometimes in our poetical moods we feel disposed to regret the
+change, and to think that the heart has lost as much as the head
+has gained by the substitution. The poet Wordsworth thus strongly
+expresses this sentiment:
+
+    "... Great God, I'd rather be
+    A Pagan, suckled in a creed outworn,
+    So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
+     Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
+     Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea,
+     And hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn."
+
+Schiller, in his poem "Die Gotter Griechenlands," expresses his
+regret for the overthrow of the beautiful mythology of ancient
+times in a way which has called forth an answer from a Christian
+poet, Mrs. E. Barrett Browning, in her poem called "The Dead Pan."
+The two following verses are a specimen:
+
+    "By your beauty which confesses
+     Some chief Beauty conquering you,
+     By our grand heroic guesses
+     Through your falsehood at the True,
+     We will weep NOT! earth shall roll
+     Heir to each god's aureole,
+                   And Pan is dead.
+
+    "Earth outgrows the mythic fancies
+     Sung beside her in her youth;
+     And those debonaire romances
+     Sound but dull beside the truth.
+     Phoebus' chariot course is run!
+     Look up, poets, to the sun!
+                      Pan, Pan is dead."
+
+These lines are founded on an early Christian tradition that when
+the heavenly host told the shepherds at Bethlehem of the birth of
+Christ, a deep groan, heard through all the isles of Greece, told
+that the great Pan was dead, and that all the royalty of Olympus
+was dethroned and the several deities were sent wandering in cold
+and darkness. So Milton in his "Hymn on the Nativity":
+
+    "The lonely mountains o'er,
+     And the resounding shore,
+       A voice of weeping heard and loud lament;
+     From haunted spring and dale,
+     Edged with poplar pale,
+       The parting Genius is with sighing sent;
+     With flower-enwoven tresses torn,
+     The nymphs in twilight shade of tangled thickets mourn."
+
+ERISICHTHON
+
+Erisichthon was a profane person and a despiser of the gods. On
+one occasion he presumed to violate with the axe a grove sacred to
+Ceres. There stood in this grove a venerable oak so large that it
+seemed a wood in itself, its ancient trunk towering aloft, whereon
+votive garlands were often hung and inscriptions carved expressing
+the gratitude of suppliants to the nymph of the tree. Often had
+the Dryads danced round it hand in hand. Its trunk measured
+fifteen cubits round, and it overtopped the other trees as they
+overtopped the shrubbery. But for all that, Erisichthon saw no
+reason why he should spare it and he ordered his servants to cut
+it down. When he saw them hesitate he snatched an axe from one,
+and thus impiously exclaimed: "I care not whether it be a tree
+beloved of the goddess or not; were it the goddess herself it
+should come down if it stood in my way." So saying, he lifted the
+axe and the oak seemed to shudder and utter a groan. When the
+first blow fell upon the trunk blood flowed from the wound. All
+the bystanders were horror-struck, and one of them ventured to
+remonstrate and hold back the fatal axe. Erisichthon, with a
+scornful look, said to him, "Receive the reward of your piety;"
+and turned against him the weapon which he had held aside from the
+tree, gashed his body with many wounds, and cut off his head. Then
+from the midst of the oak came a voice, "I who dwell in this tree
+am a nymph beloved of Ceres, and dying by your hands forewarn you
+that punishment awaits you." He desisted not from his crime, and
+at last the tree, sundered by repeated blows and drawn by ropes,
+fell with a crash and prostrated a great part of the grove in its
+fall.
+
+The Dryads in dismay at the loss of their companion and at seeing
+the pride of the forest laid low, went in a body to Ceres, all
+clad in garments of mourning, and invoked punishment upon
+Erisichthon. She nodded her assent, and as she bowed her head the
+grain ripe for harvest in the laden fields bowed also. She planned
+a punishment so dire that one would pity him, if such a culprit as
+he could be pitied,--to deliver him over to Famine. As Ceres
+herself could not approach Famine, for the Fates have ordained
+that these two goddesses shall never come together, she called an
+Oread from her mountain and spoke to her in these words: "There is
+a place in the farthest part of ice-clad Scythia, a sad and
+sterile region without trees and without crops. Cold dwells there,
+and Fear and Shuddering, and Famine. Go and tell the last to take
+possession of the bowels of Erisichthon. Let not abundance subdue
+her, nor the power of my gifts drive her away. Be not alarmed at
+the distance" (for Famine dwells very far from Ceres), "but take
+my chariot. The dragons are fleet and obey the rein, and will take
+you through the air in a short time." So she gave her the reins,
+and she drove away and soon reached Scythia. On arriving at Mount
+Caucasus she stopped the dragons and found Famine in a stony
+field, pulling up with teeth and claws the scanty herbage. Her
+hair was rough, her eyes sunk, her face pale, her lips blanched,
+her jaws covered with dust, and her skin drawn tight, so as to
+show all her bones. As the Oread saw her afar off (for she did not
+dare to come near), she delivered the commands of Ceres; and,
+though she stopped as short a time as possible, and kept her
+distance as well as she could, yet she began to feel hungry, and
+turned the dragons' heads and drove back to Thessaly.
+
+Famine obeyed the commands of Ceres and sped through the air to
+the dwelling of Erisichthon, entered the bedchamber of the guilty
+man, and found him asleep. She enfolded him with her wings and
+breathed herself into him, infusing her poison into his veins.
+Having discharged her task, she hastened to leave the land of
+plenty and returned to her accustomed haunts. Erisichthon still
+slept, and in his dreams craved food, and moved his jaws as if
+eating. When he awoke, his hunger was raging. Without a moment's
+delay he would have food set before him, of whatever kind earth
+sea, or air produces; and complained of hunger even while he ate.
+What would have sufficed for a city or a nation, was not enough
+for him. The more he ate the more he craved. His hunger was like
+the sea, which receives all the rivers, yet is never filled; or
+like fire, that burns all the fuel that is heaped upon it, yet is
+still voracious for more.
+
+His property rapidly diminished under the unceasing demands of his
+appetite, but his hunger continued unabated. At length he had
+spent all and had only his daughter left, a daughter worthy of a
+better parent. Her too he sold. She scorned to be the slave of a
+purchaser and as she stood by the seaside raised her hands in
+prayer to Neptune. He heard her prayer, and though her new master
+was not far off and had his eye upon her a moment before, Neptune
+changed her form and made her assume that of a fisherman busy at
+his occupation. Her master, looking for her and seeing her in her
+altered form, addressed her and said, "Good fisherman, whither
+went the maiden whom I saw just now, with hair dishevelled and in
+humble garb, standing about where you stand? Tell me truly; so may
+your luck be good and not a fish nibble at your hook and get
+away." She perceived that her prayer was answered and rejoiced
+inwardly at hearing herself inquired of about herself. She
+replied, "Pardon me, stranger, but I have been so intent upon my
+line that I have seen nothing else; but I wish I may never catch
+another fish if I believe any woman or other person except myself
+to have been hereabouts for some time." He was deceived and went
+his way, thinking his slave had escaped. Then she resumed her own
+form. Her father was well pleased to find her still with him, and
+the money too that he got by the sale of her; so he sold her
+again. But she was changed by the favor of Neptune as often as she
+was sold, now into a horse, now a bird, now an ox, and now a
+stag,--got away from her purchasers and came home. By this base
+method the starving father procured food; but not enough for his
+wants, and at last hunger compelled him to devour his limbs, and
+he strove to nourish his body by eating his body, till death
+relieved him from the vengeance of Ceres.
+
+RHOECUS
+
+The Hamadryads could appreciate services as well as punish
+injuries. The story of Rhoecus proves this. Rhoecus, happening to
+see an oak just ready to fall, ordered his servants to prop it up.
+The nymph, who had been on the point of perishing with the tree,
+came and expressed her gratitude to him for having saved her life
+and bade him ask what reward he would. Rhoecus boldly asked her
+love and the nymph yielded to his desire. She at the same time
+charged him to be constant and told him that a bee should be her
+messenger and let him know when she would admit his society. One
+time the bee came to Rhoecus when he was playing at draughts and
+he carelessly brushed it away. This so incensed the nymph that she
+deprived him of sight.
+
+Our countryman, J. R. Lowell, has taken this story for the subject
+of one of his shorter poems. He introduces it thus:
+
+    "Hear now this fairy legend of old Greece,
+     As full of freedom, youth and beauty still,
+     As the immortal freshness of that grace
+     Carved for all ages on some Attic frieze."
+
+THE WATER DEITIES
+
+Oceanus and Tethys were the Titans who ruled over the watery
+element. When Jove and his brothers overthrew the Titans and
+assumed their power, Neptune and Amphitrite succeeded to the
+dominion of the waters in place of Oceanus and Tethys.
+
+NEPTUNE
+
+Neptune was the chief of the water deities. The symbol of his
+power was the trident, or spear with three points, with which he
+used to shatter rocks, to call forth or subdue storms, to shake
+the shores and the like. He created the horse and was the patron
+of horse races. His own horses had brazen hoofs and golden manes.
+They drew his chariot over the sea, which became smooth before
+him, while the monsters of the deep gambolled about his path.
+
+AMPHITRITE
+
+Amphitrite was the wife of Neptune. She was the daughter of Nereus
+and Doris, and the mother of Triton. Neptune, to pay his court to
+Amphitrite, came riding on a dolphin. Having won her he rewarded
+the dolphin by placing him among the stars.
+
+NEREUS AND DORIS
+
+Nereus and Doris were the parents of the Nereids, the most
+celebrated of whom were Amphitrite, Thetis, the mother of
+Achilles, and Galatea, who was loved by the Cyclops Polyphemus.
+Nereus was distinguished for his knowledge and his love of truth
+and justice, whence he was termed an elder; the gift of prophecy
+was also assigned to him.
+
+TRITON AND PROTEUS
+
+Triton was the son of Neptune and Amphitrite, and the poets make
+him his father's trumpeter. Proteus was also a son of Neptune. He,
+like Nereus, is styled a sea-elder for his wisdom and knowledge of
+future events. His peculiar power was that of changing his shape
+at will.
+
+THETIS
+
+Thetis, the daughter of Nereus and Doris, was so beautiful that
+Jupiter himself sought her in marriage; but having learned from
+Prometheus the Titan that Thetis should bear a son who should grow
+greater than his father, Jupiter desisted from his suit and
+decreed that Thetis should be the wife of a mortal. By the aid of
+Chiron the Centaur, Peleus succeeded in winning the goddess for
+his bride and their son was the renowned Achilles. In our chapter
+on the Trojan war it will appear that Thetis was a faithful mother
+to him, aiding him in all difficulties, and watching over his
+interests from the first to the last.
+
+LEUCOTHEA AND PALAEMON
+
+Ino, the daughter of Cadmus and wife of Athamas, flying from her
+frantic husband with her little son Melicertes in her arms, sprang
+from a cliff into the sea. The gods, out of compassion, made her a
+goddess of the sea, under the name of Leucothea, and him a god,
+under that of Palaemon. Both were held powerful to save from
+shipwreck and were invoked by sailors. Palaemon was usually
+represented riding on a dolphin. The Isthmian games were
+celebrated in his honor. He was called Portunus by the Romans, and
+believed to have jurisdiction of the ports and shores.
+
+Milton alludes to all these deities in the song at the conclusion
+of "Comus":
+
+    "... Sabrina fair,
+     Listen and appear to us,
+     In name of great Oceanus;
+     By the earth-shaking Neptune's mace,
+     And Tethys' grave, majestic pace,
+     By hoary Nereus' wrinkled look,
+     And the Carpathian wizard's hook, [Footnote: Proteus]
+     By scaly Triton's winding shell,
+     And old soothsaying Glaucus' spell,
+     By Leucothea's lovely hands,
+     And her son who rules the strands.
+     By Thetis' tinsel-slippered feet,
+     And the songs of Sirens sweet;" etc.
+
+Armstrong, the poet of the "Art of preserving Health," under the
+inspiration of Hygeia, the goddess of health, thus celebrates the
+Naiads. Paeon is a name both of Apollo and Aesculapius.
+
+    "Come, ye Naiads! to the fountains lead!
+     Propitious maids! the task remains to sing
+     Your gifts (so Paeon, so the powers of Health
+     Command), to praise your crystal element.
+     O comfortable streams! with eager lips
+     And trembling hands the languid thirsty quaff
+     New life in you; fresh vigor fills their veins.
+     No warmer cups the rural ages knew,
+     None warmer sought the sires of humankind;
+     Happy in temperate peace their equal days
+     Felt not the alternate fits of feverish mirth
+     And sick dejection; still serene and pleased,
+     Blessed with divine immunity from ills,
+     Long centuries they lived; their only fate
+     Was ripe old age, and rather sleep than death."
+
+THE CAMENAE
+
+By this name the Latins designated the Muses, but included under
+it also some other deities, principally nymphs of fountains.
+Egeria was one of them, whose fountain and grotto are still shown.
+It was said that Numa, the second king of Rome, was favored by
+this nymph with secret interviews, in which she taught him those
+lessons of wisdom and of law which he imbodied in the institutions
+of his rising nation. After the death of Numa the nymph pined away
+and was changed into a fountain.
+
+Byron, in "Childe Harold," Canto IV., thus alludes to Egeria and
+her grotto:
+
+    "Here didst thou dwell, in this enchanted cover,
+     Egeria! all thy heavenly bosom beating
+     For the far footsteps of thy mortal lover;
+     The purple midnight veiled that mystic meeting
+     With her most starry canopy;" etc.
+
+Tennyson, also, in his "Palace of Art," gives us a glimpse of the
+royal lover expecting the interview:
+
+    "Holding one hand against his ear,
+        To list a footfall ere he saw
+     The wood-nymph, stayed the Tuscan king to hear
+        Of wisdom and of law."
+
+THE WINDS
+
+When so many less active agencies were personified, it is not to
+be supposed that the winds failed to be so. They were Boreas or
+Aquilo, the north wind; Zephyrus or Favonius, the west; Notus or
+Auster, the south; and Eurus, the east. The first two have been
+chiefly celebrated by the poets, the former as the type of
+rudeness, the latter of gentleness. Boreas loved the nymph
+Orithyia, and tried to play the lover's part, but met with poor
+success. It was hard for him to breathe gently, and sighing was
+out of the question. Weary at last of fruitless endeavors, he
+acted out his true character, seized the maiden and carried her
+off. Their children were Zetes and Calais, winged warriors, who
+accompanied the Argonautic expedition, and did good service in an
+encounter with those monstrous birds the Harpies.
+
+Zephyrus was the lover of Flora. Milton alludes to them in
+"Paradise Lost," where he describes Adam waking and contemplating
+Eve still asleep.
+
+    "... He on his side
+     Leaning half raised, with looks of cordial love,
+     Hung over her enamored, and beheld
+     Beauty which, whether waking or asleep,
+     Shot forth peculiar graces; then with voice,
+     Mild as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes,
+     Her hand soft touching, whispered thus: 'Awake!
+     My fairest, my espoused, my latest found,
+     Heaven's last, best gift, my ever-new delight.'"
+
+Dr. Young, the poet of the "Night Thoughts," addressing the idle
+and luxurious, says:
+
+    "Ye delicate! who nothing can support
+     (Yourselves most insupportable) for whom
+     The winter rose must blow, ...
+     ... and silky soft
+     Favonius breathe still softer or be chid!"
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+ACHELOUS AND HERCULES--ADMETUS AND ALCESTIS--ANTIGONE--PENELOPE
+
+ACHELOUS AND HERCULES
+
+
+The river-god Achelous told the story of Erisichthon to Theseus
+and his companions, whom he was entertaining at his hospitable
+board, while they were delayed on their journey by the overflow of
+his waters. Having finished his story, he added, "But why should I
+tell of other persons' transformations when I myself am an
+instance of the possession of this power? Sometimes I become a
+serpent, and sometimes a bull, with horns on my head. Or I should
+say I once could do so; but now I have but one horn, having lost
+one." And here he groaned and was silent.
+
+Theseus asked him the cause of his grief, and how he lost his
+horn. To which question the river-god replied as follows: "Who
+likes to tell of his defeats? Yet I will not hesitate to relate
+mine, comforting myself with the thought of the greatness of my
+conqueror, for it was Hercules. Perhaps you have heard of the fame
+of Dejanira, the fairest of maidens, whom a host of suitors strove
+to win. Hercules and myself were of the number, and the rest
+yielded to us two. He urged in his behalf his descent from Jove
+and his labors by which he had exceeded the exactions of Juno, his
+stepmother. I, on the other hand, said to the father of the
+maiden, 'Behold me, the king of the waters that flow through your
+land. I am no stranger from a foreign shore, but belong to the
+country, a part of your realm. Let it not stand in my way that
+royal Juno owes me no enmity nor punishes me with heavy tasks. As
+for this man, who boasts himself the son of Jove, it is either a
+false pretence, or disgraceful to him if true, for it cannot be
+true except by his mother's shame.' As I said this Hercules
+scowled upon me, and with difficulty restrained his rage. 'My hand
+will answer better than my tongue,' said he. 'I yield to you the
+victory in words, but trust my cause to the strife of deeds.' With
+that he advanced towards me, and I was ashamed, after what I had
+said, to yield. I threw off my green vesture and presented myself
+for the struggle. He tried to throw me, now attacking my head, now
+my body. My bulk was my protection, and he assailed me in vain.
+For a time we stopped, then returned to the conflict. We each kept
+our position, determined not to yield, foot to foot, I bending
+over him, clenching his hand in mine, with my forehead almost
+touching his. Thrice Hercules tried to throw me off, and the
+fourth time he succeeded, brought me to the ground, and himself
+upon my back. I tell you the truth, it was as if a mountain had
+fallen on me. I struggled to get my arms at liberty, panting and
+reeking with perspiration. He gave me no chance to recover, but
+seized my throat. My knees were on the earth and my mouth in the
+dust.
+
+"Finding that I was no match for him in the warrior's art, I
+resorted to others and glided away in the form of a serpent. I
+curled my body in a coil and hissed at him with my forked tongue.
+He smiled scornfully at this, and said, 'It was the labor of my
+infancy to conquer snakes.' So saying he clasped my neck with his
+hands. I was almost choked, and struggled to get my neck out of
+his grasp. Vanquished in this form, I tried what alone remained to
+me and assumed the form of a bull. He grasped my neck with his
+arm, and dragging my head down to the ground, overthrew me on the
+sand. Nor was this enough. His ruthless hand rent my horn from my
+head. The Naiades took it, consecrated it, and filled it with
+fragrant flowers. Plenty adopted my horn and made it her own, and
+called it 'Cornucopia.'"
+
+The ancients were fond of finding a hidden meaning in their
+mythological tales. They explain this fight of Achelous with
+Hercules by saying Achelous was a river that in seasons of rain
+overflowed its banks. When the fable says that Achelous loved
+Dejanira, and sought a union with her, the meaning is that the
+river in its windings flowed through part of Dejanira's kingdom.
+It was said to take the form of a snake because of its winding,
+and of a bull because it made a brawling or roaring in its course.
+When the river swelled, it made itself another channel. Thus its
+head was horned. Hercules prevented the return of these periodical
+overflows by embankments and canals; and therefore he was said to
+have vanquished the river-god and cut off his horn. Finally, the
+lands formerly subject to overflow, but now redeemed, became very
+fertile, and this is meant by the horn of plenty.
+
+There is another account of the origin of the Cornucopia. Jupiter
+at his birth was committed by his mother Rhea to the care of the
+daughters of Melisseus, a Cretan king. They fed the infant deity
+with the milk of the goat Amalthea. Jupiter broke off one of the
+horns of the goat and gave it to his nurses, and endowed it with
+the wonderful power of becoming filled with whatever the possessor
+might wish.
+
+The name of Amalthea is also given by some writers to the mother
+of Bacchus. It is thus used by Milton, "Paradise Lost," Book IV.:
+
+    "... That Nyseian isle,
+     Girt with the river Triton, where old Cham,
+     Whom Gentiles Ammon call, and Libyan Jove,
+     Hid Amalthea and her florid son,
+     Young Bacchus, from his stepdame Rhea's eye."
+
+ADMETUS AND ALCESTIS
+
+Aesculapius, the son of Apollo, was endowed by his father with
+such skill in the healing art that he even restored the dead to
+life. At this Pluto took alarm, and prevailed on Jupiter to launch
+a thunderbolt at Aesculapius. Apollo was indignant at the
+destruction of his son, and wreaked his vengeance on the innocent
+workmen who had made the thunderbolt. These were the Cyclopes, who
+have their workshop under Mount Aetna, from which the smoke and
+flames of their furnaces are constantly issuing. Apollo shot his
+arrows at the Cyclopes, which so incensed Jupiter that he
+condemned him as a punishment to become the servant of a mortal
+for the space of one year. Accordingly Apollo went into the
+service of Admetus, king of Thessaly, and pastured his flocks for
+him on the verdant banks of the river Amphrysos.
+
+Admetus was a suitor, with others, for the hand of Alcestis, the
+daughter of Pelias, who promised her to him who should come for
+her in a chariot drawn by lions and boars. This task Admetus
+performed by the assistance of his divine herdsman, and was made
+happy in the possession of Alcestis. But Admetus fell ill, and
+being near to death, Apollo prevailed on the Fates to spare him on
+condition that some one would consent to die in his stead.
+Admetus, in his joy at this reprieve, thought little of the
+ransom, and perhaps remembering the declarations of attachment
+which he had often heard from his courtiers and dependents fancied
+that it would be easy to find a substitute. But it was not so.
+Brave warriors, who would willingly have perilled their lives for
+their prince, shrunk from the thought of dying for him on the bed
+of sickness; and old servants who had experienced his bounty and
+that of his house from their childhood up, were not willing to lay
+down the scanty remnant of their days to show their gratitude. Men
+asked, "Why does not one of his parents do it? They cannot in the
+course of nature live much longer, and who can feel like them the
+call to rescue the life they gave from an untimely end?" But the
+parents, distressed though they were at the thought of losing him,
+shrunk from the call. Then Alcestis, with a generous self-
+devotion, proffered herself as the substitute. Admetus, fond as he
+was of life, would not have submitted to receive it at such a
+cost; but there was no remedy. The condition imposed by the Fates
+had been met, and the decree was irrevocable. Alcestis sickened as
+Admetus revived, and she was rapidly sinking to the grave.
+
+Just at this time Hercules arrived at the palace of Admetus, and
+found all the inmates in great distress for the impending loss of
+the devoted wife and beloved mistress. Hercules, to whom no labor
+was too arduous, resolved to attempt her rescue. He went and lay
+in wait at the door of the chamber of the dying queen, and when
+Death came for his prey, he seized him and forced him to resign
+his victim. Alcestis recovered, and was restored to her husband.
+
+Milton alludes to the story of Alcestis in his Sonnet "on his
+deceased wife:"
+
+    "Methought I saw my late espoused saint
+       Brought to me like Alcestis from the grave,
+       Whom Jove's great son to her glad husband gave,
+     Rescued from death by force, though pale and faint."
+
+J. R. Lowell has chosen the "Shepherd of King Admetus" for the
+subject of a short poem. He makes that event the first
+introduction of poetry to men.
+
+    "Men called him but a shiftless youth,
+       In whom no good they saw,
+     And yet unwittingly, in truth,
+       They made his careless words their law.
+
+    "And day by day more holy grew
+       Each spot where he had trod,
+     Till after-poets only knew
+       Their first-born brother was a god."
+
+ANTIGONE
+
+A large proportion both of the interesting persons and of the
+exalted acts of legendary Greece belongs to the female sex.
+Antigone was as bright an example of filial and sisterly fidelity
+as was Alcestis of connubial devotion. She was the daughter of
+Oedipus and Jocasta, who with all their descendants were the
+victims of an unrelenting fate, dooming them to destruction.
+OEdipus in his madness had torn out his eyes, and was driven forth
+from his kingdom Thebes, dreaded and abandoned by all men, as an
+object of divine vengeance. Antigone, his daughter, alone shared
+his wanderings and remained with him till he died, and then
+returned to Thebes.
+
+Her brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, had agreed to share the
+kingdom between them, and reign alternately year by year. The
+first year fell to the lot of Eteocles, who, when his time
+expired, refused to surrender the kingdom to his brother.
+Polynices fled to Adrastus, king of Argos, who gave him his
+daughter in marriage, and aided him with an army to enforce his
+claim to the kingdom. This led to the celebrated expedition of the
+"Seven against Thebes," which furnished ample materials for the
+epic and tragic poets of Greece.
+
+Amphiaraus, the brother-in-law of Adrastus, opposed the
+enterprise, for he was a soothsayer, and knew by his art that no
+one of the leaders except Adrastus would live to return. But
+Amphiaraus, on his marriage to Eriphyle, the king's sister, had
+agreed that whenever he and Adrastus should differ in opinion, the
+decision should be left to Eriphyle. Polynices, knowing this, gave
+Eriphyle the collar of Harmonia, and thereby gained her to his
+interest. This collar or necklace was a present which Vulcan had
+given to Harmonia on her marriage with Cadmus, and Polynices had
+taken it with him on his flight from Thebes. Eriphyle could not
+resist so tempting a bribe, and by her decision the war was
+resolved on, and Amphiaraus went to his certain fate. He bore his
+part bravely in the contest, but could not avert his destiny.
+Pursued by the enemy, he fled along the river, when a thunderbolt
+launched by Jupiter opened the ground, and he, his chariot, and
+his charioteer were swallowed up.
+
+It would not be in place here to detail all the acts of heroism or
+atrocity which marked the contest; but we must not omit to record
+the fidelity of Evadne as an offset to the weakness of Eriphyle.
+Capaneus, the husband of Evadne, in the ardor of the fight
+declared that he would force his way into the city in spite of
+Jove himself. Placing a ladder against the wall he mounted, but
+Jupiter, offended at his impious language, struck him with a
+thunderbolt. When his obsequies were celebrated, Evadne cast
+herself on his funeral pile and perished.
+
+Early in the contest Eteocles consulted the soothsayer Tiresias as
+to the issue. Tiresias in his youth had by chance seen Minerva
+bathing. The goddess in her wrath deprived him of his sight, but
+afterwards relenting gave him in compensation the knowledge of
+future events. When consulted by Eteocles, he declared that
+victory should fall to Thebes if Menoeceus, the son of Creon, gave
+himself a voluntary victim. The heroic youth, learning the
+response, threw away his life in the first encounter.
+
+The siege continued long, with various success. At length both
+hosts agreed that the brothers should decide their quarrel by
+single combat. They fought and fell by each other's hands. The
+armies then renewed the fight, and at last the invaders were
+forced to yield, and fled, leaving their dead unburied. Creon, the
+uncle of the fallen princes, now become king, caused Eteocles to
+be buried with distinguished honor, but suffered the body of
+Polynices to lie where it fell, forbidding every one on pain of
+death to give it burial.
+
+Antigone, the sister of Polynices, heard with indignation the
+revolting edict which consigned her brother's body to the dogs and
+vultures, depriving it of those rites which were considered
+essential to the repose of the dead. Unmoved by the dissuading
+counsel of an affectionate but timid sister, and unable to procure
+assistance, she determined to brave the hazard, and to bury the
+body with her own hands. She was detected in the act, and Creon
+gave orders that she should be buried alive, as having
+deliberately set at naught the solemn edict of the city. Her
+lover, Haemon, the son of Creon, unable to avert her fate, would
+not survive her, and fell by his own hand.
+
+Antigone forms the subject of two fine tragedies of the Grecian
+poet Sophocles. Mrs. Jameson, in her "Characteristics of Women,"
+has compared her character with that of Cordelia, in Shakspeare's
+"King Lear." The perusal of her remarks cannot fail to gratify our
+readers.
+
+The following is the lamentation of Antigone over OEdipus, when
+death has at last relieved him from his sufferings:
+
+    "Alas! I only wished I might have died
+     With my poor father; wherefore should I ask
+     For longer life?
+     O, I was fond of misery with him;
+     E'en what was most unlovely grew beloved
+     When he was with me. O my dearest father,
+     Beneath the earth now in deep darkness hid,
+     Worn as thou wert with age, to me thou still
+     Wast dear, and shalt be ever."
+
+    --Francklin's Sophocles.
+
+PENELOPE
+
+Penelope is another of those mythic heroines whose beauties were
+rather those of character and conduct than of person. She was the
+daughter of Icarius, a Spartan prince. Ulysses, king of Ithaca,
+sought her in marriage, and won her, over all competitors. When
+the moment came for the bride to leave her father's house,
+Icarius, unable to bear the thoughts of parting with his daughter,
+tried to persuade her to remain with him, and not accompany her
+husband to Ithaca. Ulysses gave Penelope her choice, to stay or go
+with him. Penelope made no reply, but dropped her veil over her
+face. Icarius urged her no further, but when she was gone erected
+a statue to Modesty on the spot where they parted.
+
+Ulysses and Penelope had not enjoyed their union more than a year
+when it was interrupted by the events which called Ulysses to the
+Trojan war. During his long absence, and when it was doubtful
+whether he still lived, and highly improbable that he would ever
+return, Penelope was importuned by numerous suitors, from whom
+there seemed no refuge but in choosing one of them for her
+husband. Penelope, however, employed every art to gain time, still
+hoping for Ulysses' return. One of her arts of delay was engaging
+in the preparation of a robe for the funeral canopy of Laertes,
+her husband's father. She pledged herself to make her choice among
+the suitors when the robe was finished. During the day she worked
+at the robe, but in the night she undid the work of the day. This
+is the famous Penelope's web, which is used as a proverbial
+expression for anything which is perpetually doing but never done.
+The rest of Penelope's history will be told when we give an
+account of her husband's adventures.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE--ARISTAEUS--AMPHION--LINUS--THAMYRIS--
+MARSYAS--MELAMPUS--MUSAEUS
+
+ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE
+
+
+Orpheus was the son of Apollo and the Muse Calliope. He was
+presented by his father with a Lyre and taught to play upon it,
+which he did to such perfection that nothing could withstand the
+charm of his music. Not only his fellow-mortals but wild beasts
+were softened by his strains, and gathering round him laid by
+their fierceness, and stood entranced with his lay. Nay, the very
+trees and rocks were sensible to the charm. The former crowded
+round him and the latter relaxed somewhat of their hardness,
+softened by his notes.
+
+Hymen had been called to bless with his presence the nuptials of
+Orpheus with Eurydice; but though he attended, he brought no happy
+omens with him. His very torch smoked and brought tears into their
+eyes. In coincidence with such prognostics, Eurydice, shortly
+after her marriage, while wandering with the nymphs, her
+companions, was seen by the shepherd Aristaeus, who was struck
+with her beauty and made advances to her. She fled, and in flying
+trod upon a snake in the grass, was bitten in the foot, and died.
+Orpheus sang his grief to all who breathed the upper air, both
+gods and men, and finding it all unavailing resolved to seek his
+wife in the regions of the dead. He descended by a cave situated
+on the side of the promontory of Taenarus and arrived at the
+Stygian realm. He passed through crowds of ghosts and presented
+himself before the throne of Pluto and Proserpine. Accompanying
+the words with the lyre, he sung, "O deities of the underworld, to
+whom all we who live must come, hear my words, for they are true.
+I come not to spy out the secrets of Tartarus, nor to try my
+strength against the three-headed dog with snaky hair who guards
+the entrance. I come to seek my wife, whose opening years the
+poisonous viper's fang has brought to an untimely end. Love has
+led me here, Love, a god all powerful with us who dwell on the
+earth, and, if old traditions say true, not less so here. I
+implore you by these abodes full of terror, these realms of
+silence and uncreated things, unite again the thread of Eurydice's
+life. We all are destined to you and sooner or later must pass to
+your domain. She too, when she shall have filled her term of life,
+will rightly be yours. But till then grant her to me, I beseech
+you. If you deny me I cannot return alone; you shall triumph in
+the death of us both."
+
+As he sang these tender strains, the very ghosts shed tears.
+Tantalus, in spite of his thirst, stopped for a moment his efforts
+for water, Ixion's wheel stood still, the vulture ceased to tear
+the giant's liver, the daughters of Danaus rested from their task
+of drawing water in a sieve, and Sisyphus sat on his rock to
+listen. Then for the first time, it is said, the cheeks of the
+Furies were wet with tears. Proserpine could not resist, and Pluto
+himself gave way. Eurydice was called. She came from among the
+new-arrived ghosts, limping with her wounded foot. Orpheus was
+permitted to take her away with him on one condition, that he
+should not turn around to look at her till they should have
+reached the upper air. Under this condition they proceeded on
+their way, he leading, she following, through passages dark and
+steep, in total silence, till they had nearly reached the outlet
+into the cheerful upper world, when Orpheus, in a moment of
+forgetfulness, to assure himself that she was still following,
+cast a glance behind him, when instantly she was borne away.
+Stretching out their arms to embrace each other, they grasped only
+the air! Dying now a second time, she yet cannot reproach her
+husband, for how can she blame his impatience to behold her?
+"Farewell," she said, "a last farewell,"--and was hurried away, so
+fast that the sound hardly reached his ears.
+
+Orpheus endeavored to follow her, and besought permission to
+return and try once more for her release; but the stern ferryman
+repulsed him and refused passage. Seven days he lingered about the
+brink, without food or sleep; then bitterly accusing of cruelty
+the powers of Erebus, he sang his complaints to the rocks and
+mountains, melting the hearts of tigers and moving the oaks from
+their stations. He held himself aloof from womankind, dwelling
+constantly on the recollection of his sad mischance. The Thracian
+maidens tried their best to captivate him, but he repulsed their
+advances. They bore with him as long as they could; but finding
+him insensible one day, excited by the rites of Bacchus, one of
+them exclaimed, "See yonder our despiser!" and threw at him her
+javelin. The weapon, as soon as it came within the sound of his
+lyre, fell harmless at his feet. So did also the stones that they
+threw at him. But the women raised a scream and drowned the voice
+of the music, and then the missiles reached him and soon were
+stained with his blood. The maniacs tore him limb from limb, and
+threw his head and his lyre into the river Hebrus, down which they
+floated, murmuring sad music, to which the shores responded a
+plaintive symphony. The Muses gathered up the fragments of his
+body and buried them at Libethra, where the nightingale is said to
+sing over his grave more sweetly than in any other part of Greece.
+His lyre was placed by Jupiter among the stars. His shade passed a
+second time to Tartarus, where he sought out his Eurydice and
+embraced her with eager arms. They roam the happy fields together
+now, sometimes he leading, sometimes she; and Orpheus gazes as
+much as he will upon her, no longer incurring a penalty for a
+thoughtless glance.
+
+The story of Orpheus has furnished Pope with an illustration of
+the power of music, for his "Ode for St. Cecilia's Day" The
+following stanza relates the conclusion of the story:
+
+    "But soon, too soon the lover turns his eyes;
+     Again she falls, again she dies, she dies!
+     How wilt thou now the fatal sisters move?
+     No crime was thine, if't is no crime to love.
+         Now under hanging mountains,
+         Beside the falls of fountains,
+         Or where Hebrus wanders,
+         Rolling in meanders,
+             All alone,
+             He makes his moan,
+             And calls her ghost,
+           Forever, ever, ever lost!
+         Now with furies surrounded,
+         Despairing, confounded,
+         He trembles, he glows,
+         Amidst Rhodope's snows
+     See, wild as the winds o'er the desert he flies;
+     Hark! Haemus resounds with the Bacchanals' cries;
+         Ah, see, he dies!
+     Yet even in death Eurydice he sung,
+     Eurydice still trembled on his tongue:
+     Eurydice the woods
+     Eurydice the floods
+     Eurydice the rocks and hollow mountains rung"
+
+The superior melody of the nightingale's song over the grave of
+Orpheus is alluded to by Southey in his "Thalaba":
+
+        "Then on his ear what sounds
+           Of harmony arose'
+     Far music and the distance-mellowed song
+         From bowers of merriment,
+           The waterfall remote,
+       The murmuring of the leafy groves;
+           The single nightingale
+     Perched in the rosier by, so richly toned,
+     That never from that most melodious bird
+     Singing a love song to his brooding mate,
+       Did Thracian shepherd by the grave
+       Of Orpheus hear a sweeter melody,
+     Though there the spirit of the sepulchre
+       All his own power infuse, to swell
+       The incense that he loves"
+
+ARISTAEUS, THE BEE-KEEPER
+
+Man avails himself of the instincts of the inferior animals for
+his own advantage. Hence sprang the art of keeping bees. Honey
+must first have been known as a wild product, the bees building
+their structures in hollow trees or holes in the rocks, or any
+similar cavity that chance offered. Thus occasionally the carcass
+of a dead animal would be occupied by the bees for that purpose.
+It was no doubt from some such incident that the superstition
+arose that the bees were engendered by the decaying flesh of the
+animal; and Virgil, in the following story, shows how this
+supposed fact may be turned to account for renewing the swarm when
+it has been lost by disease or accident:
+
+Aristaeus, who first taught the management of bees, was the son of
+the water-nymph Cyrene. His bees had perished, and he resorted for
+aid to his mother. He stood at the river side and thus addressed
+her: "O mother, the pride of my life is taken from me! I have lost
+my precious bees. My care and skill have availed me nothing, and
+you my mother have not warded off from me the blow of misfortune."
+His mother heard these complaints as she sat in her palace at the
+bottom of the river, with her attendant nymphs around her. They
+were engaged in female occupations, spinning and weaving, while
+one told stories to amuse the rest. The sad voice of Aristaeus
+interrupting their occupation, one of them put her head above the
+water and seeing him, returned and gave information to his mother,
+who ordered that he should be brought into her presence. The river
+at her command opened itself and let him pass in, while it stood
+curled like a mountain on either side. He descended to the region
+where the fountains of the great rivers lie; he saw the enormous
+receptacles of waters and was almost deafened with the roar, while
+he surveyed them hurrying off in various directions to water the
+face of the earth. Arriving at his mother's apartment, he was
+hospitably received by Cyrene and her nymphs, who spread their
+table with the richest dainties. They first poured out libations
+to Neptune, then regaled themselves with the feast, and after that
+Cyrene thus addressed him: "There is an old prophet named Proteus,
+who dwells in the sea and is a favorite of Neptune, whose herd of
+sea-calves he pastures. We nymphs hold him in great respect, for
+he is a learned sage and knows all things, past, present, and to
+come. He can tell you, my son, the cause of the mortality among
+your bees, and how you may remedy it. But he will not do it
+voluntarily, however you may entreat him. You must compel him by
+force. If you seize him and chain him, he will answer your
+questions in order to get released, for he cannot by all his arts
+get away if you hold fast the chains. I will carry you to his
+cave, where he comes at noon to take his midday repose. Then you
+may easily secure him. But when he finds himself captured, his
+resort is to a power he possesses of changing himself into various
+forms. He will become a wild boar or a fierce tiger, a scaly
+dragon or lion with yellow mane. Or he will make a noise like the
+crackling of flames or the rush of water, so as to tempt you to
+let go the chain, when he will make his escape. But you have only
+to keep him fast bound, and at last when he finds all his arts
+unavailing, he will return to his own figure and obey your
+commands." So saying she sprinkled her son with fragrant nectar,
+the beverage of the gods, and immediately an unusual vigor filled
+his frame, and courage his heart, while perfume breathed all
+around him.
+
+The nymph led her son to the prophet's cave and concealed him
+among the recesses of the rocks, while she herself took her place
+behind the clouds. When noon came and the hour when men and herds
+retreat from the glaring sun to indulge in quiet slumber, Proteus
+issued from the water, followed by his herd of sea-calves which
+spread themselves along the shore. He sat on the rock and counted
+his herd; then stretched himself on the floor of the cave and went
+to sleep. Aristaeus hardly allowed him to get fairly asleep before
+he fixed the fetters on him and shouted aloud. Proteus, waking and
+finding himself captured, immediately resorted to his arts,
+becoming first a fire, then a flood, then a horrible wild beast,
+in rapid succession. But finding all would not do, he at last
+resumed his own form and addressed the youth in angry accents:
+"Who are you, bold youth, who thus invade my abode, and what do
+yot want of me?" Aristaeus replied, "Proteus, you know already,
+for it is needless for any one to attempt to deceive you. And do
+you also cease your efforts to elude me. I am led hither by divine
+assistance, to know from you the cause of my misfortune and how to
+remedy it." At these words the prophet, fixing on him his gray
+eyes with a piercing look, thus spoke: "You receive the merited
+reward of your deeds, by which Eurydice met her death, for in
+flying from you she trod upon a serpent, of whose bite she died.
+To avenge her death, the nymphs, her companions, have sent this
+destruction to your bees. You have to appease their anger, and
+thus it must be done: Select four bulls, of perfect form and size,
+and four cows of equal beauty, build four altars to the nymphs,
+and sacrifice the animals, leaving their carcasses in the leafy
+grove. To Orpheus and Eurydice you shall pay such funeral honors
+as may allay their resentment. Returning after nine days, you will
+examine the bodies of the cattle slain and see what will befall."
+Aristaeus faithfully obeyed these directions. He sacrificed the
+cattle, he left their bodies in the grove, he offered funeral
+honors to the shades of Orpheus and Eurydice; then returning on
+the ninth day he examined the bodies of the animals, and,
+wonderful to relate! a swarm of bees had taken possession of one
+of the carcasses and were pursuing their labors there as in a
+hive.
+
+In "The Task," Cowper alludes to the story of Aristaeus, when
+speaking of the ice-palace built by the Empress Anne of Russia. He
+has been describing the fantastic forms which ice assumes in
+connection with waterfalls, etc.:
+
+    "Less worthy of applause though more admired
+     Because a novelty, the work of man,
+     Imperial mistress of the fur-clad Russ,
+     Thy most magnificent and mighty freak,
+     The wonder of the north. No forest fell
+     When thou wouldst build, no quarry sent its stores
+     T' enrich thy walls; but thou didst hew the floods
+     And make thy marble of the glassy wave.
+     In such a palace Aristaeus found
+     Cyrene, when he bore the plaintive tale
+     Of his lost bees to her maternal ear."
+
+Milton also appears to have had Cyrene and her domestic scene in
+his mind when he describes to us Sabrina, the nymph of the river
+Severn, in the Guardian-spirit's Song in "Comus":
+
+          "Sabrina fair!
+       Listen where thou art sitting
+     Under the glassy, cool, translucent wave
+       In twisted braids of lilies knitting
+     The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair;
+       Listen for dear honor's sake,
+       Goddess of the silver lake!
+            Listen and save."
+
+The following are other celebrated mythical poets and musicians,
+some of whom were hardly inferior to Orpheus himself:
+
+AMPHION
+
+Amphion was the son of Jupiter and Antiope, queen of Thebes. With
+his twin brother Zethus he was exposed at birth on Mount
+Cithaeron, where they grew up among the shepherds, not knowing
+their parentage. Mercury gave Amphion a lyre and taught him to
+play upon it, and his brother occupied himself in hunting and
+tending the flocks. Meanwhile Antiope, their mother, who had been
+treated with great cruelty by Lycus, the usurping king of Thebes,
+and by Dirce, his wife, found means to inform her children of
+their rights and to summon them to her assistance. With a band of
+their fellow-herdsmen they attacked and slew Lycus, and tying
+Dirce by the hair of her head to a bull, let him drag her till she
+was dead. Amphion, having become king of Thebes, fortified the
+city with a wall. It is said that when he played on his lyre the
+stones moved of their own accord and took their places in the
+wall.
+
+See Tennyson's poem of "Amphion" for an amusing use made of this
+story.
+
+LINUS
+
+Linus was the instructor of Hercules in music, but having one day
+reproved his pupil rather harshly, he roused the anger of
+Hercules, who struck him with his lyre and killed him.
+
+THAMYRIS
+
+An ancient Thracian bard, who in his presumption challenged the
+Muses to a trial of skill, and being overcome in the contest, was
+deprived by them of his sight. Milton alludes to him with other
+blind bards, when speaking of his own blindness, "Paradise Lost,"
+Book III., 35.
+
+MARSYAS
+
+Minerva invented the flute, and played upon it to the delight of
+all the celestial auditors; but the mischievous urchin Cupid
+having dared to laugh at the queer face which the goddess made
+while playing, Minerva threw the instrument indignantly away, and
+it fell down to earth, and was found by Marsyas. He blew upon it,
+and drew from it such ravishing sounds that he was tempted to
+challenge Apollo himself to a musical contest. The god of course
+triumphed, and punished Marsyas by flaying him alive.
+
+MELAMPUS
+
+Melampus was the first mortal endowed with prophetic powers.
+Before his house there stood an oak tree containing a serpent's
+nest. The old serpents were killed by the servants, but Melampus
+took care of the young ones and fed them carefully. One day when
+he was asleep under the oak the serpents licked his ears with
+their tongues. On awaking he was astonished to find that he now
+understood the language of birds and creeping things. This
+knowledge enabled him to foretell future events, and he became a
+renowned soothsayer. At one time his enemies took him captive and
+kept him strictly imprisoned. Melampus in the silence of the night
+heard the woodworms in the timbers talking together, and found out
+by what they said that the timbers were nearly eaten through and
+the roof would soon fall in. He told his captors and demanded to
+be let out, warning them also. They took his warning, and thus
+escaped destruction, and rewarded Melampus and held him in high
+honor.
+
+MUSAEUS A semi-mythological personage who was represented by one
+tradition to be the son of Orpheus. He is said to have written
+sacred poems and oracles. Milton couples his name with that of
+Orpheus in his "Il Penseroso":
+
+    "But O, sad virgin, that thy power
+     Might raise Musaeus from his bower,
+     Or bid the soul of Orpheus sing
+     Such notes as warbled to the string,
+     Drew iron tears down Pluto's cheek,
+     And made Hell grant what love did seek."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+ARION--IBYCUS--SIMONIDES--SAPPHO
+
+
+The poets whose adventures compose this chapter were real persons
+some of whose works yet remain, and their influence on poets who
+succeeded them is yet more important than their poetical remains.
+The adventures recorded of them in the following stories rest on
+the same authority as other narratives of the "Age of Fable," that
+is, of the poets who have told them. In their present form, the
+first two are translated from the German, Arion from Schlegel, and
+Ibycus from Schiller.
+
+ARION
+
+Arion was a famous musician, and dwelt in the court of Periander,
+king of Corinth, with whom he was a great favorite. There was to
+be a musical contest in Sicily, and Arion longed to compete for
+the prize. He told his wish to Periander, who besought him like a
+brother to give up the thought. "Pray stay with me," he said, "and
+be contented. He who strives to win may lose." Arion answered, "A
+wandering life best suits the free heart of a poet. The talent
+which a god bestowed on me, I would fain make a source of pleasure
+to others. And if I win the prize, how will the enjoyment of it be
+increased by the consciousness of my widespread fame!" He went,
+won the prize, and embarked with his wealth in a Corinthian ship
+for home. On the second morning after setting sail, the wind
+breathed mild and fair. "O Periander," he exclaimed, "dismiss your
+fears! Soon shall you forget them in my embrace. With what lavish
+offerings will we display our gratitude to the gods, and how merry
+will we be at the festal board!" The wind and sea continued
+propitious. Not a cloud dimmed the firmament. He had not trusted
+too much to the ocean--but he had to man. He overheard the seamen
+exchanging hints with one another, and found they were plotting to
+possess themselves of his treasure. Presently they surrounded him
+loud and mutinous, and said, "Arion, you must die! If you would
+have a grave on shore, yield yourself to die on this spot; but if
+otherwise, cast yourself into the sea." "Will nothing satisfy you
+but my life?" said he. "Take my gold, and welcome. I willingly buy
+my life at that price." "No, no; we cannot spare you. Your life
+would be too dangerous to us. Where could we go to escape from
+Periander, if he should know that you had been robbed by us? Your
+gold would be of little use to us, if on returning home, we could
+never more be free from fear." "Grant me, then," said he, "a last
+request, since nought will avail to save my life, that I may die,
+as I have lived, as becomes a bard. When I shall have sung my
+death song, and my harp-strings shall have ceased to vibrate, then
+I will bid farewell to life, and yield uncomplaining to my fate."
+This prayer, like the others, would have been unheeded,--they
+thought only of their booty,--but to hear so famous a musician,
+that moved their rude hearts. "Suffer me," he added, "to arrange
+my dress. Apollo will not favor me unless I be clad in my minstrel
+garb."
+
+He clothed his well-proportioned limbs in gold and purple fair to
+see, his tunic fell around him in graceful folds, jewels adorned
+his arms, his brow was crowned with a golden wreath, and over his
+neck and shoulders flowed his hair perfumed with odors. His left
+hand held the lyre, his right the ivory wand with which he struck
+its chords. Like one inspired, he seemed to drink the morning air
+and glitter in the morning ray. The seamen gazed with admiration.
+He strode forward to the vessel's side and looked down into the
+deep blue sea. Addressing his lyre, he sang, "Companion of my
+voice, come with me to the realm of shades. Though Cerberus may
+growl, we know the power of song can tame his rage. Ye heroes of
+Elysium, who have passed the darkling flood,--ye happy souls, soon
+shall I join your band. Yet can ye relieve my grief? Alas, I leave
+my friend behind me. Thou, who didst find thy Eurydice, and lose
+her again as soon as found; when she had vanished like a dream,
+how didst thou hate the cheerful light! I must away, but I will
+not fear. The gods look down upon us. Ye who slay me unoffending,
+when I am no more, your time of trembling shall come. Ye Nereids,
+receive your guest, who throws himself upon your mercy!" So
+saying, he sprang into the deep sea. The waves covered him, and
+the seamen held on their way, fancying themselves safe from all
+danger of detection.
+
+But the strains of his music had drawn round him the inhabitants
+of the deep to listen, and Dolphins followed the ship as if
+chained by a spell. While he struggled in the waves, a Dolphin
+offered him his back, and carried him mounted thereon safe to
+shore. At the spot where he landed, a monument of brass was
+afterwards erected upon the rocky shore, to preserve the memory of
+the event.
+
+When Arion and the dolphin parted, each to his own element, Arion
+thus poured forth his thanks: "Farewell, thou faithful, friendly
+fish! Would that I could reward thee; but thou canst not wend with
+me, nor I with thee. Companionship we may not have. May Galatea,
+queen of the deep, accord thee her favor, and thou, proud of the
+burden, draw her chariot over the smooth mirror of the deep."
+
+Arion hastened from the shore, and soon saw before him the towers
+of Corinth. He journeyed on, harp in hand, singing as he went,
+full of love and happiness, forgetting his losses, and mindful
+only of what remained, his friend and his lyre. He entered the
+hospitable halls, and was soon clasped in the embrace of
+Periander. "I come back to thee, my friend," he said. "The talent
+which a god bestowed has been the delight of thousands, but false
+knaves have stripped me of my well-earned treasure; yet I retain
+the consciousness of wide spread fame." Then he told Periander all
+the wonderful events that had befallen him, who heard him with
+amazement. "Shall such wickedness triumph?" said he. "Then in vain
+is power lodged in my hands. That we may discover the criminals,
+you must remain here in concealment, and so they will approach
+without suspicion." When the ship arrived in the harbor, he
+summoned the mariners before him. "Have you heard anything of
+Arion?" he inquired. "I anxiously look for his return." They
+replied, "We left him well and prosperous in Tarentum." As they
+said these words, Arion stepped forth and faced them. His well-
+proportioned limbs were arrayed in gold and purple fair to see,
+his tunic fell around him in graceful folds, jewels adorned his
+arms, his brow was crowned with a golden wreath, and over his neck
+and shoulders flowed his hair perfumed with odors; his left hand
+held the lyre, his right the ivory wand with which he struck its
+chords. They fell prostrate at his feet, as if a lightning bolt
+had struck them. "We meant to murder him, and he has become a god.
+O Earth, open and receive us!" Then Periander spoke. "He lives,
+the master of the lay! Kind Heaven protects the poet's life. As
+for you, I invoke not the spirit of vengeance; Arion wishes not
+your blood. Ye slaves of avarice, begone! Seek some barbarous
+land, and never may aught beautiful delight your souls!"
+
+Spenser represents Arion, mounted on his dolphin, accompanying the
+train of Neptune and Amphitrite:
+
+    "Then was there heard a most celestial sound
+     Of dainty music which did next ensue,
+     And, on the floating waters as enthroned,
+     Arion with his harp unto him drew
+     The ears and hearts of all that goodly crew;
+     Even when as yet the dolphin which him bore
+     Through the Aegean Seas from pirates' view,
+     Stood still, by him astonished at his lore,
+     And all the raging seas for joy forgot to roar."
+
+Byron, in his "Childe Harold," Canto II., alludes to the story of
+Arion, when, describing his voyage, he represents one of the
+seamen making music to entertain the rest:
+
+    "The moon is up; by Heaven a lovely eve!
+     Long streams of light o'er dancing waves expand;
+     Now lads on shore may sigh and maids believe;
+     Such be our fate when we return to land!
+     Meantime some rude Arion's restless hand
+     Wakes the brisk harmony that sailors love;
+     A circle there of merry listeners stand,
+     Or to some well-known measure featly move
+   Thoughtless as if on shore they still were free to rove."
+
+IBYCUS
+
+In order to understand the story of Ibycus which follows it is
+necessary to remember, first, that the theatres of the ancients
+were immense fabrics capable of containing from ten to thirty
+thousand spectators, and as they were used only on festival
+occasions, and admission was free to all, they were usually
+filled. They were without roofs and open to the sky, and the
+performances were in the daytime. Secondly, the appalling
+representation of the Furies is not exaggerated in the story. It
+is recorded that Aeschylus, the tragic poet, having on one
+occasion represented the Furies in a chorus of fifty performers,
+the terror of the spectators was such that many fainted and were
+thrown into convulsions, and the magistrates forbade a like
+representation for the future.
+
+Ibycus, the pious poet, was on his way to the chariot races and
+musical competitions held at the Isthmus of Corinth, which
+attracted all of Grecian lineage. Apollo had bestowed on him the
+gift of song, the honeyed lips of the poet, and he pursued his way
+with lightsome step, full of the god. Already the towers of
+Corinth crowning the height appeared in view, and he had entered
+with pious awe the sacred grove of Neptune. No living object was
+in sight, only a flock of cranes flew overhead taking the same
+course as himself in their migration to a southern clime. "Good
+luck to you, ye friendly squadrons," he exclaimed, "my companions
+from across the sea. I take your company for a good omen. We come
+from far and fly in search of hospitality. May both of us meet
+that kind reception which shields the stranger guest from harm!"
+
+He paced briskly on, and soon was in the middle of the wood. There
+suddenly, at a narrow pass, two robbers stepped forth and barred
+his way. He must yield or fight. But his hand, accustomed to the
+lyre, and not to the strife of arms, sank powerless. He called for
+help on men and gods, but his cry reached no defender's ear. "Then
+here must I die," said he, "in a strange land, unlamented, cut off
+by the hand of outlaws, and see none to avenge my cause." Sore
+wounded, he sank to the earth, when hoarse screamed the cranes
+overhead. "Take up my cause, ye cranes," he said, "since no voice
+but yours answers to my cry." So saying he closed his eyes in
+death.
+
+The body, despoiled and mangled, was found, and though disfigured
+with wounds, was recognized by the friend in Corinth who had
+expected him as a guest. "Is it thus I find you restored to me?"
+he exclaimed. "I who hoped to entwine your temples with the wreath
+of triumph in the strife of song!"
+
+The guests assembled at the festival heard the tidings with
+dismay. All Greece felt the wound, every heart owned its loss.
+They crowded round the tribunal of the magistrates, and demanded
+vengeance on the murderers and expiation with their blood.
+
+But what trace or mark shall point out the perpetrator from amidst
+the vast multitude attracted by the splendor of the feast? Did he
+fall by the hands of robbers or did some private enemy slay him?
+The all-discerning sun alone can tell, for no other eye beheld
+it. Yet not improbably the murderer even now walks in the midst of
+the throng, and enjoys the fruits of his crime, while vengeance
+seeks for him in vain. Perhaps in their own temple's enclosure he
+defies the gods mingling freely in this throng of men that now
+presses into the amphitheatre.
+
+For now crowded together, row on row, the multitude fill the seats
+till it seems as if the very fabric would give way. The murmur of
+voices sounds like the roar of the sea, while the circles widening
+in their ascent rise tier on tier, as if they would reach the sky.
+
+And now the vast assemblage listens to the awful voice of the
+chorus personating the Furies, which in solemn guise advances with
+measured step, and moves around the circuit of the theatre. Can
+they be mortal women who compose that awful group, and can that
+vast concourse of silent forms be living beings?
+
+The choristers, clad in black, bore in their fleshless hands
+torches blazing with a pitchy flame. Their cheeks were bloodless,
+and in place of hair writhing and swelling serpents curled around
+their brows. Forming a circle, these awful beings sang their
+hymns, rending the hearts of the guilty, and enchaining all their
+faculties. It rose and swelled, overpowering the sound of the
+instruments, stealing the judgment, palsying the heart, curdling
+the blood.
+
+"Happy the man who keeps his heart pure from guilt and crime! Him
+we avengers touch not; he treads the path of life secure from us.
+But woe! woe! to him who has done the deed of secret murder. We
+the fearful family of Night fasten ourselves upon his whole being.
+Thinks he by flight to escape us? We fly still faster in pursuit,
+twine our snakes around his feet, and bring him to the ground.
+Unwearied we pursue; no pity checks our course; still on and on,
+to the end of life, we give him no peace nor rest." Thus the
+Eumenides sang, and moved in solemn cadence, while stillness like
+the stillness of death sat over the whole assembly as if in the
+presence of superhuman beings; and then in solemn march completing
+the circuit of the theatre, they passed out at the back of the
+stage.
+
+Every heart fluttered between illusion and reality, and every
+breast panted with undefined terror, quailing before the awful
+power that watches secret crimes and winds unseen the skein of
+destiny. At that moment a cry burst forth from one of the
+uppermost benches--"Look! look! comrade, yonder are the cranes of
+Ibycus!" And suddenly there appeared sailing across the sky a dark
+object which a moment's inspection showed to be a flock of cranes
+flying directly over the theatre. "Of Ibycus! did he say?" The
+beloved name revived the sorrow in every breast. As wave follows
+wave over the face of the sea, so ran from mouth to mouth the
+words, "Of Ibycus! him whom we all lament, whom some murderer's
+hand laid low! What have the cranes to do with him?" And louder
+grew the swell of voices, while like a lightning's flash the
+thought sped through every heart, "Observe the power of the
+Eumenides! The pious poet shall be avenged! the murderer has
+informed against himself. Seize the man who uttered that cry and
+the other to whom he spoke!"
+
+The culprit would gladly have recalled his words, but it was too
+late. The faces of the murderers, pale with terror, betrayed their
+guilt. The people took them before the judge, they confessed their
+crime, and suffered the punishment they deserved.
+
+SIMONIDES
+
+Simonides was one of the most prolific of the early poets of
+Greece, but only a few fragments of his compositions have
+descended to us. He wrote hymns, triumphal odes, and elegies. In
+the last species of composition he particularly excelled. His
+genius was inclined to the pathetic, and none could touch with
+truer effect the chords of human sympathy. The "Lamentation of
+Danae," the most important of the fragments which remain of his
+poetry, is based upon the tradition that Danae and her infant son
+were confined by order of her father, Acrisius, in a chest and set
+adrift on the sea. The chest floated towards the island of
+Seriphus, where both were rescued by Dictys, a fisherman, and
+carried to Polydectes, king of the country, who received and
+protected them. The child, Perseus, when grown up became a famous
+hero, whose adventures have been recorded in a previous chapter.
+
+Simonides passed much of his life at the courts of princes, and
+often employed his talents in panegyric and festal odes, receiving
+his reward from the munificence of those whose exploits he
+celebrated. This employment was not derogatory, but closely
+resembles that of the earliest bards, such as Demodocus, described
+by Homer, or of Homer himself, as recorded by tradition.
+
+On one occasion, when residing at the court of Scopas, king of
+Thessaly, the prince desired him to prepare a poem in celebration
+of his exploits, to be recited at a banquet. In order to diversify
+his theme, Simonides, who was celebrated for his piety, introduced
+into his poem the exploits of Castor and Pollux. Such digressions
+were not unusual with the poets on similar occasions, and one
+might suppose an ordinary mortal might have been content to share
+the praises of the sons of Leda. But vanity is exacting; and as
+Scopas sat at his festal board among his courtiers and sycophants,
+he grudged every verse that did not rehearse his own praises. When
+Simonides approached to receive the promised reward Scopas
+bestowed but half the expected sum, saying, "Here is payment for
+my portion of thy performance; Castor and Pollux will doubtless
+compensate thee for so much as relates to them." The disconcerted
+poet returned to his seat amidst the laughter which followed the
+great man's jest. In a little time he received a message that two
+young men on horseback were waiting without and anxious to see
+him. Simonides hastened to the door, but looked in vain for the
+visitors. Scarcely, however, had he left the banqueting hall when
+the roof fell in with a loud crash, burying Scopas and all his
+guests beneath the ruins. On inquiring as to the appearance of the
+young men who had sent for him, Simonides was satisfied that they
+were no other than Castor and Pollux themselves.
+
+SAPPHO
+
+Sappho was a poetess who flourished in a very early age of Greek
+literature. Of her works few fragments remain, but they are enough
+to establish her claim to eminent poetical genius. The story of
+Sappho commonly alluded to is that she was passionately in love
+with a beautiful youth named Phaon, and failing to obtain a return
+of affection she threw herself from the promontory of Leucadia
+into the sea, under a superstition that those who should take that
+"Lover's-leap" would, if not destroyed, be cured of their love.
+
+Byron alludes to the story of Sappho in "Childe Harold," Canto
+II.:
+
+   "Childe Harold sailed and passed the barren spot
+    Where sad Penelope o'erlooked the wave,
+    And onward viewed the mount, not yet forgot,
+    The lover's refuge and the Lesbian's grave.
+    Dark Sappho! could not verse immortal save
+    That breast imbued with such immortal fire?
+
+   "'Twas on a Grecian autumn's gentle eve
+    Childe Harold hailed Leucadia's cape afar;" etc.
+
+Those who wish to know more of Sappho and her "leap" are referred
+to the "Spectator," Nos. 223 and 229. See also Moore's "Evenings
+in Greece."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+ENDYMION--ORION--AURORA AND TITHONUS--ACIS AND GALATEA
+
+DIANA AND ENDYMION
+
+
+Endymion was a beautiful youth who fed his flock on Mount Latmos.
+One calm, clear night Diana, the moon, looked down and saw him
+sleeping. The cold heart of the virgin goddess was warmed by his
+surpassing beauty, and she came down to him, kissed him, and
+watched over him while he slept.
+
+Another story was that Jupiter bestowed on him the gift of
+perpetual youth united with perpetual sleep. Of one so gifted we
+can have but few adventures to record. Diana, it was said, took
+care that his fortunes should not suffer by his inactive life, for
+she made his flock increase, and guarded his sheep and lambs from
+the wild beasts.
+
+The story of Endymion has a peculiar charm from the human meaning
+which it so thinly veils. We see in Endymion the young poet, his
+fancy and his heart seeking in vain for that which can satisfy
+them, finding his favorite hour in the quiet moonlight, and
+nursing there beneath the beams of the bright and silent witness
+the melancholy and the ardor which consumes him. The story
+suggests aspiring and poetic love, a life spent more in dreams
+than in reality, and an early and welcome death.--S. G. B.
+
+The "Endymion" of Keats is a wild and fanciful poem, containing
+some exquisite poetry, as this, to the moon:
+
+   "... The sleeping kine
+    Couched in thy brightness dream of fields divine.
+    Innumerable mountains rise, and rise,
+    Ambitious for the hallowing of thine eyes,
+    And yet thy benediction passeth not
+    One obscure hiding-place, one little spot
+    Where pleasure may be sent; the nested wren
+    Has thy fair face within its tranquil ken;" etc., etc.
+
+Dr. Young, in the "Night Thoughts," alludes to Endymion thus:
+
+   "... These thoughts, O night, are thine;
+    From thee they came like lovers' secret sighs,
+    While others slept. So Cynthia, poets feign,
+    In shadows veiled, soft, sliding from her sphere,
+    Her shepherd cheered, of her enamoured less
+    Than I of thee."
+
+Fletcher, in the "Faithful Shepherdess," tells:
+
+   "How the pale Phoebe, hunting in a grove,
+    First saw the boy Endymion, from whose eyes
+    She took eternal fire that never dies;
+    How she conveyed him softly in a sleep,
+    His temples bound with poppy, to the steep
+    Head of old Latmos, where she stoops each night,
+    Gilding the mountain with her brother's light,
+    To kiss her sweetest."
+
+ORION
+
+Orion was the son of Neptune. He was a handsome giant and a mighty
+hunter. His father gave him the power of wading through the depths
+of the sea, or, as others say, of walking on its surface.
+
+Orion loved Merope, the daughter of Oenopion, king of Chios, and
+sought her in marriage. He cleared the island of wild beasts, and
+brought the spoils of the chase as presents to his beloved; but as
+Oenopion constantly deferred his consent, Orion attempted to gain
+possession of the maiden by violence. Her father, incensed at this
+conduct, having made Orion drunk, deprived him of his sight and
+cast him out on the seashore. The blinded hero followed the sound
+of a Cyclops' hammer till he reached Lemnos, and came to the forge
+of Vulcan, who, taking pity on him, gave him Kedalion, one of his
+men, to be his guide to the abode of the sun. Placing Kedalion on
+his shoulders, Orion proceeded to the east, and there meeting the
+sun-god, was restored to sight by his beam.
+
+After this he dwelt as a hunter with Diana, with whom he was a
+favorite, and it is even said she was about to marry him. Her
+brother was highly displeased and often chid her, but to no
+purpose. One day, observing Orion wading through the sea with his
+head just above the water, Apollo pointed it out to his sister and
+maintained that she could not hit that black thing on the sea. The
+archer-goddess discharged a shaft with fatal aim. The waves rolled
+the dead body of Orion to the land, and bewailing her fatal error
+with many tears, Diana placed him among the stars, where he
+appears as a giant, with a girdle, sword, lion's skin, and club.
+Sirius, his dog, follows him, and the Pleiads fly before him.
+
+The Pleiads were daughters of Atlas, and nymphs of Diana's train.
+One day Orion saw them and became enamoured and pursued them. In
+their distress they prayed to the gods to change their form, and
+Jupiter in pity turned them into pigeons, and then made them a
+constellation in the sky. Though their number was seven, only six
+stars are visible, for Electra, one of them, it is said left her
+place that she might not behold the ruin of Troy, for that city
+was founded by her son Dardanus. The sight had such an effect on
+her sisters that they have looked pale ever since.
+
+Mr. Longfellow has a poem on the "Occultation of Orion." The
+following lines are those in which he alludes to the mythic story.
+We must premise that on the celestial globe Orion is represented
+as robed in a lion's skin and wielding a club. At the moment the
+stars of the constellation, one by one, were quenched in the light
+of the moon, the poet tells us
+
+   "Down fell the red skin of the lion
+    Into the river at his feet.
+    His mighty club no longer beat
+    The forehead of the bull; but he
+    Reeled as of yore beside the sea,
+    When blinded by Oenopion
+      He sought the blacksmith at his forge,
+      And climbing up the narrow gorge,
+    Fixed his blank eyes upon the sun."
+
+Tennyson has a different theory of the Pleiads:
+
+   "Many a night I saw the Pleiads, rising through the mellow
+      shade,
+    Glitter like a swarm of fire-flies tangled in a silver braid."
+
+    --Locksley Hall.
+
+Byron alludes to the lost Pleiad:
+
+"Like the lost Pleiad seen no more below."
+
+See also Mrs. Hemans's verses on the same subject.
+
+AURORA AND TITHONUS
+
+The goddess of the Dawn, like her sister the Moon, was at times
+inspired with the love of mortals. Her greatest favorite was
+Tithonus, son of Laomedon, king of Troy. She stole him away, and
+prevailed on Jupiter to grant him immortality; but, forgetting to
+have youth joined in the gift, after some time she began to
+discern, to her great mortification, that he was growing old. When
+his hair was quite white she left his society; but he still had
+the range of her palace, lived on ambrosial food, and was clad in
+celestial raiment. At length he lost the power of using his limbs,
+and then she shut him up in his chamber, whence his feeble voice
+might at times be heard. Finally she turned him into a
+grasshopper.
+
+Memnon was the son of Aurora and Tithonus. He was king of the
+Aethiopians, and dwelt in the extreme east, on the shore of Ocean.
+He came with his warriors to assist the kindred of his father in
+the war of Troy. King Priam received him with great honors, and
+listened with admiration to his narrative of the wonders of the
+ocean shore.
+
+The very day after his arrival, Memnon, impatient of repose, led
+his troops to the field. Antilochus, the brave son of Nestor, fell
+by his hand, and the Greeks were put to flight, when Achilles
+appeared and restored the battle. A long and doubtful contest
+ensued between him and the son of Aurora; at length victory
+declared for Achilles, Memnon fell, and the Trojans fled in
+dismay.
+
+Aurora, who from her station in the sky had viewed with
+apprehension the danger of her son, when she saw him fall,
+directed his brothers, the Winds, to convey his body to the banks
+of the river Esepus in Paphlagonia. In the evening Aurora came,
+accompanied by the Hours and the Pleiads, and wept and lamented
+over her son. Night, in sympathy with her grief, spread the heaven
+with clouds; all nature mourned for the offspring of the Dawn. The
+Aethiopians raised his tomb on the banks of the stream in the
+grove of the Nymphs, and Jupiter caused the sparks and cinders of
+his funeral pile to be turned into birds, which, dividing into two
+flocks, fought over the pile till they fell into the flame. Every
+year at the anniversary of his death they return and celebrate his
+obsequies in like manner. Aurora remains inconsolable for the loss
+of her son. Her tears still flow, and may be seen at early morning
+in the form of dew-drops on the grass.
+
+Unlike most of the marvels of ancient mythology, there still exist
+some memorials of this. On the banks of the river Nile, in Egypt,
+are two colossal statues, one of which is said to be the statue of
+Memnon. Ancient writers record that when the first rays of the
+rising sun fall upon this statue a sound is heard to issue from
+it, which they compare to the snapping of a harp-string. There is
+some doubt about the identification of the existing statue with
+the one described by the ancients, and the mysterious sounds are
+still more doubtful. Yet there are not wanting some modern
+testimonies to their being still audible. It has been suggested
+that sounds produced by confined air making its escape from
+crevices or caverns in the rocks may have given some ground for
+the story. Sir Gardner Wilkinson, a late traveller, of the highest
+authority, examined the statue itself, and discovered that it was
+hollow, and that "in the lap of the statue is a stone, which on
+being struck emits a metallic sound, that might still be made use
+of to deceive a visitor who was predisposed to believe its
+powers."
+
+The vocal statue of Memnon is a favorite subject of allusion with
+the poets. Darwin, in his "Botanic Garden," says:
+
+   "So to the sacred Sun in Memnon's fane
+    Spontaneous concords choired the matin strain;
+    Touched by his orient beam responsive rings
+    The living lyre and vibrates all its strings;
+    Accordant aisles the tender tones prolong,
+    And holy echoes swell the adoring song."
+
+Book I., 1., 182.
+
+ACIS AND GALATEA
+
+Scylla was a fair virgin of Sicily, a favorite of the Sea-Nymphs.
+She had many suitors, but repelled them all, and would go to the
+grotto of Galatea, and tell her how she was persecuted. One day
+the goddess, while Scylla dressed her hair, listened to the story,
+and then replied, "Yet, maiden, your persecutors are of the not
+ungentle race of men, whom, if you will, you can repel; but I, the
+daughter of Nereus, and protected by such a band of sisters, found
+no escape from the passion of the Cyclops but in the depths of the
+sea;" and tears stopped her utterance, which when the pitying
+maiden had wiped away with her delicate finger, and soothed the
+goddess, "Tell me, dearest," said she, "the cause of your grief."
+Galatea then said, "Acis was the son of Faunus and a Naiad. His
+father and mother loved him dearly, but their love was not equal
+to mine. For the beautiful youth attached himself to me alone, and
+he was just sixteen years old, the down just beginning to darken
+his cheeks. As much as I sought his society, so much did the
+Cyclops seek mine; and if you ask me whether my love for Acis or
+my hatred of Polyphemus was the stronger, I cannot tell you; they
+were in equal measure. O Venus, how great is thy power! this
+fierce giant, the terror of the woods, whom no hapless stranger
+escaped unharmed, who defied even Jove himself, learned to feel
+what love was, and, touched with a passion for me, forgot his
+flocks and his well-stored caverns. Then for the first time he
+began to take some care of his appearance, and to try to make
+himself agreeable; he harrowed those coarse locks of his with a
+comb, and mowed his beard with a sickle, looked at his harsh
+features in the water, and composed his countenance. His love of
+slaughter, his fierceness and thirst of blood prevailed no more,
+and ships that touched at his island went away in safety. He paced
+up and down the sea-shore, imprinting huge tracks with his heavy
+tread, and, when weary, lay tranquilly in his cave.
+
+"There is a cliff which projects into the sea, which washes it on
+either side. Thither one day the huge Cyclops ascended, and sat
+down while his flocks spread themselves around. Laying down his
+staff, which would have served for a mast to hold a vessel's sail,
+and taking his instrument compacted of numerous pipes, he made the
+hills and the waters echo the music of his song. I lay hid under a
+rock by the side of my beloved Acis, and listened to the distant
+strain. It was full of extravagant praises of my beauty, mingled
+with passionate reproaches of my coldness and cruelty.
+
+"When he had finished he rose up, and, like a raging bull that
+cannot stand still, wandered off into the woods. Acis and I
+thought no more of him, till on a sudden he came to a spot which
+gave him a view of us as we sat. 'I see you,' he exclaimed, 'and I
+will make this the last of your love-meetings.' His voice was a
+roar such as an angry Cyclops alone could utter. Aetna trembled at
+the sound. I, overcome with terror, plunged into the water. Acis
+turned and fled, crying, 'Save me, Galatea, save me, my parents!'
+The Cyclops pursued him, and tearing a rock from the side of the
+mountain hurled it at him. Though only a corner of it touched him,
+it overwhelmed him.
+
+"All that fate left in my power I did for Acis. I endowed him with
+the honors of his grandfather, the river-god. The purple blood
+flowed out from under the rock, but by degrees grew paler and
+looked like the stream of a river rendered turbid by rains, and in
+time it became clear. The rock cleaved open, and the water, as it
+gushed from the chasm, uttered a pleasing murmur."
+
+Thus Acis was changed into a river, and the river retains the name
+of Acis.
+
+Dryden, in his "Cymon and Iphigenia," has told the story of a
+clown converted into a gentleman by the power of love, in a way
+that shows traces of kindred to the old story of Galatea and the
+Cyclops.
+
+   "What not his father's care nor tutor's art
+    Could plant with pains in his unpolished heart,
+    The best instructor, Love, at once inspired,
+    As barren grounds to fruitfulness are fired.
+    Love taught him shame, and shame with love at strife
+    Soon taught the sweet civilities of life."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+THE TROJAN WAR
+
+
+Minerva was the goddess of wisdom, but on one occasion she did a
+very foolish thing; she entered into competition with Juno and
+Venus for the prize of beauty. It happened thus: At the nuptials
+of Peleus and Thetis all the gods were invited with the exception
+of Eris, or Discord. Enraged at her exclusion, the goddess threw a
+golden apple among the guests, with the inscription, "For the
+fairest." Thereupon Juno, Venus, and Minerva each claimed the
+apple. Jupiter, not willing to decide in so delicate a matter,
+sent the goddesses to Mount Ida, where the beautiful shepherd
+Paris was tending his flocks, and to him was committed the
+decision. The goddesses accordingly appeared before him. Juno
+promised him power and riches, Minerva glory and renown in war,
+and Venus the fairest of women for his wife, each attempting to
+bias his decision in her own favor. Paris decided in favor of
+Venus and gave her the golden apple, thus making the two other
+goddesses his enemies. Under the protection of Venus, Paris sailed
+to Greece, and was hospitably received by Menelaus, king of
+Sparta. Now Helen, the wife of Menelaus, was the very woman whom
+Venus had destined for Paris, the fairest of her sex. She had been
+sought as a bride by numerous suitors, and before her decision was
+made known, they all, at the suggestion of Ulysses, one of their
+number, took an oath that they would defend her from all injury
+and avenge her cause if necessary. She chose Menelaus, and was
+living with him happily when Paris became their guest. Paris,
+aided by Venus, persuaded her to elope with him, and carried her
+to Troy, whence arose the famous Trojan war, the theme of the
+greatest poems of antiquity, those of Homer and Virgil.
+
+Menelaus called upon his brother chieftains of Greece to fulfil
+their pledge, and join him in his efforts to recover his wife.
+They generally came forward, but Ulysses, who had married
+Penelope, and was very happy in his wife and child, had no
+disposition to embark in such a troublesome affair. He therefore
+hung back and Palamedes was sent to urge him. When Palamedes
+arrived at Ithaca Ulysses pretended to be mad. He yoked an ass and
+an ox together to the plough and began to sow salt. Palamedes, to
+try him, placed the infant Telemachus before the plough, whereupon
+the father turned the plough aside, showing plainly that he was no
+madman, and after that could no longer refuse to fulfil his
+promise. Being now himself gained for the undertaking, he lent his
+aid to bring in other reluctant chiefs, especially Achilles. This
+hero was the son of that Thetis at whose marriage the apple of
+Discord had been thrown among the goddesses. Thetis was herself
+one of the immortals, a sea-nymph, and knowing that her son was
+fated to perish before Troy if he went on the expedition, she
+endeavored to prevent his going. She sent him away to the court of
+King Lycomedes, and induced him to conceal himself in the disguise
+of a maiden among the daughters of the king. Ulysses, hearing he
+was there, went disguised as a merchant to the palace and offered
+for sale female ornaments, among which he had placed some arms.
+While the king's daughters were engrossed with the other contents
+of the merchant's pack, Achilles handled the weapons and thereby
+betrayed himself to the keen eye of Ulysses, who found no great
+difficulty in persuading him to disregard his mother's prudent
+counsels and join his countrymen in the war.
+
+Priam was king of Troy, and Paris, the shepherd and seducer of
+Helen, was his son. Paris had been brought up in obscurity,
+because there were certain ominous forebodings connected with him
+from his infancy that he would be the ruin of the state. These
+forebodings seemed at length likely to be realized, for the
+Grecian armament now in preparation was the greatest that had ever
+been fitted out. Agamemnon, king of Mycenae, and brother of the
+injured Menelaus, was chosen commander-in-chief. Achilles was
+their most illustrious warrior. After him ranked Ajax, gigantic in
+size and of great courage, but dull of intellect; Diomede, second
+only to Achilles in all the qualities of a hero; Ulysses, famous
+for his sagacity; and Nestor, the oldest of the Grecian chiefs,
+and one to whom they all looked up for counsel. But Troy was no
+feeble enemy. Priam, the king, was now old, but he had been a wise
+prince and had strengthened his state by good government at home
+and numerous alliances with his neighbors. But the principal stay
+and support of his throne was his son Hector, one of the noblest
+characters painted by heathen antiquity. He felt, from the first,
+a presentiment of the fall of his country, but still persevered in
+his heroic resistance, yet by no means justified the wrong which
+brought this danger upon her. He was united in marriage with
+Andromache, and as a husband and father his character was not less
+admirable than as a warrior. The principal leaders on the side of
+the Trojans, besides Hector, were Aeneas and Deiphobus, Glaucus
+and Sarpedon.
+
+After two years of preparation the Greek fleet and army assembled
+in the port of Aulis in Boeotia. Here Agamemnon in hunting killed
+a stag which was sacred to Diana, and the goddess in return
+visited the army with pestilence, and produced a calm which
+prevented the ships from leaving the port. Calchas, the
+soothsayer, thereupon announced that the wrath of the virgin
+goddess could only be appeased by the sacrifice of a virgin on her
+altar, and that none other but the daughter of the offender would
+be acceptable. Agamemnon, however reluctant, yielded his consent,
+and the maiden Iphigenia was sent for under the pretence that she
+was to be married to Achilles. When she was about to be sacrificed
+the goddess relented and snatched her away, leaving a hind in her
+place, and Iphigenia, enveloped in a cloud, was carried to Tauris,
+where Diana made her priestess of her temple.
+
+Tennyson, in his "Dream of Fair Women," makes Iphigenia thus
+describe her feelings at the moment of sacrifice:
+
+   "I was cut off from hope in that sad place,
+      Which yet to name my spirit loathes and fears;
+    My father held his hand upon his face;
+      I, blinded by my tears,
+
+   "Still strove to speak; my voice was thick with sighs,
+      As in a dream. Dimly I could descry
+    The stern black-bearded kings, with wolfish eyes,
+      Waiting to see me die.
+
+   "The tall masts quivered as they lay afloat,
+      The temples and the people and the shore;
+    One drew a sharp knife through my tender throat
+      Slowly,--and--nothing more."
+
+The wind now proving fair the fleet made sail and brought the
+forces to the coast of Troy. The Trojans came to oppose their
+landing, and at the first onset Protesilaus fell by the hand of
+Hector. Protesilaus had left at home his wife, Laodamia, who was
+most tenderly attached to him. When the news of his death reached
+her she implored the gods to be allowed to converse with him only
+three hours. The request was granted. Mercury led Protesilaus back
+to the upper world, and when he died a second time Laodamia died
+with him. There was a story that the nymphs planted elm trees
+round his grave which grew very well till they were high enough to
+command a view of Troy, and then withered away, while fresh
+branches sprang from the roots.
+
+Wordsworth has taken the story of Protesilaus and Laodamia for the
+subject of a poem. It seems the oracle had declared that victory
+should be the lot of that party from which should fall the first
+victim to the war. The poet represents Protesilaus, on his brief
+return to earth, as relating to Laodamia the story of his fate:
+
+   "'The wished-for wind was given; I then revolved
+      The oracle, upon the silent sea;
+    And if no worthier led the way, resolved
+      That of a thousand vessels mine should be
+    The foremost prow impressing to the strand,--
+    Mine the first blood that tinged the Trojan sand.
+
+   "'Yet bitter, ofttimes bitter was the pang
+      When of thy loss I thought, beloved wife!
+    On thee too fondly did my memory hang,
+      And on the joys we shared in mortal life,
+    The paths which we had trod,--these fountains, flowers;
+    My new planned cities and unfinished towers.
+
+   "'But should suspense permit the foe to cry,
+      "Behold they tremble! haughty their array,
+    Yet of their number no one dares to die?"
+      In soul I swept the indignity away:
+    Old frailties then recurred: but lofty thought
+    In act embodied my deliverance wrought.'
+
+   "... upon the side
+      Of Hellespont (such faith was entertained)
+    A knot of spiry trees for ages grew
+      From out the tomb of him for whom she died;
+      And ever when such stature they had gained
+    That Ilium's walls were subject to their view,
+    The trees' tall summits withered at the sight,
+    A constant interchange of growth and blight!"
+
+"THE ILIAD"
+
+The war continued without decisive results for nine years. Then an
+event occurred which seemed likely to be fatal to the cause of the
+Greeks, and that was a quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon. It
+is at this point that the great poem of Homer, "The Iliad,"
+begins. The Greeks, though unsuccessful against Troy, had taken
+the neighboring and allied cities, and in the division of the
+spoil a female captive, by name Chryseis, daughter of Chryses,
+priest of Apollo, had fallen to the share of Agamemnon. Chryses
+came bearing the sacred emblems of his office, and begged the
+release of his daughter. Agamemnon refused. Thereupon Chryses
+implored Apollo to afflict the Greeks till they should be forced
+to yield their prey. Apollo granted the prayer of his priest, and
+sent pestilence into the Grecian camp. Then a council was called
+to deliberate how to allay the wrath of the gods and avert the
+plague. Achilles boldly charged their misfortunes upon Agamemnon
+as caused by his withholding Chryseis. Agamemnon, enraged,
+consented to relinquish his captive, but demanded that Achilles
+should yield to him in her stead Briseis, a maiden who had fallen
+to Achilles' share in the division of the spoil. Achilles
+submitted, but forthwith declared that he would take no further
+part in the war. He withdrew his forces from the general camp and
+openly avowed his intention of returning home to Greece.
+
+The gods and goddesses interested themselves as much in this
+famous war as the parties themselves. It was well known to them
+that fate had decreed that Troy should fall, at last, if her
+enemies should persevere and not voluntarily abandon the
+enterprise. Yet there was room enough left for chance to excite by
+turns the hopes and fears of the powers above who took part with
+either side. Juno and Minerva, in consequence of the slight put
+upon their charms by Paris, were hostile to the Trojans; Venus for
+the opposite cause favored them. Venus enlisted her admirer Mars
+on the same side, but Neptune favored the Greeks. Apollo was
+neutral, sometimes taking one side, sometimes the other, and Jove
+himself, though he loved the good King Priam, yet exercised a
+degree of impartiality; not, however, without exceptions.
+
+Thetis, the mother of Achilles, warmly resented the injury done to
+her son. She repaired immediately to Jove's palace and besought
+him to make the Greeks repent of their injustice to Achilles by
+granting success to the Trojan arms. Jupiter consented, and in the
+battle which ensued the Trojans were completely successful. The
+Greeks were driven from the field and took refuge in their ships.
+
+Then Agamemnon called a council of his wisest and bravest chiefs.
+Nestor advised that an embassy should be sent to Achilles to
+persuade him to return to the field; that Agamemnon should yield
+the maiden, the cause of the dispute, with ample gifts to atone
+for the wrong he had done. Agamemnon consented, and Ulysses, Ajax,
+and Phoenix were sent to carry to Achilles the penitent message.
+They performed that duty, but Achilles was deaf to their
+entreaties. He positively refused to return to the field, and
+persisted in his resolution to embark for Greece without delay.
+
+The Greeks had constructed a rampart around their ships, and now
+instead of besieging Troy they were in a manner besieged
+themselves, within their rampart. The next day after the
+unsuccessful embassy to Achilles, a battle was fought, and the
+Trojans, favored by Jove, were successful, and succeeded in
+forcing a passage through the Grecian rampart, and were about to
+set fire to the ships. Neptune, seeing the Greeks so pressed, came
+to their rescue. He appeared in the form of Calchas the prophet,
+encouraged the warriors with his shouts, and appealed to each
+individually till he raised their ardor to such a pitch that they
+forced the Trojans to give way. Ajax performed prodigies of valor,
+and at length encountered Hector. Ajax shouted defiance, to which
+Hector replied, and hurled his lance at the huge warrior. It was
+well aimed and struck Ajax, where the belts that bore his sword
+and shield crossed each other on the breast. The double guard
+prevented its penetrating and it fell harmless. Then Ajax, seizing
+a huge stone, one of those that served to prop the ships, hurled
+it at Hector. It struck him in the neck and stretched him on the
+plain. His followers instantly seized him and bore him off,
+stunned and wounded.
+
+While Neptune was thus aiding the Greeks and driving back the
+Trojans, Jupiter saw nothing of what was going on, for his
+attention had been drawn from the field by the wiles of Juno. That
+goddess had arrayed herself in all her charms, and to crown all
+had borrowed of Venus her girdle, called "Cestus," which had the
+effect to heighten the wearer's charms to such a degree that they
+were quite irresistible. So prepared, Juno went to join her
+husband, who sat on Olympus watching the battle. When he beheld
+her she looked so charming that the fondness of his early love
+revived, and, forgetting the contending armies and all other
+affairs of state, he thought only of her and let the battle go as
+it would.
+
+But this absorption did not continue long, and when, upon turning
+his eyes downward, he beheld Hector stretched on the plain almost
+lifeless from pain and bruises, he dismissed Juno in a rage,
+commanding her to send Iris and Apollo to him. When Iris came he
+sent her with a stern message to Neptune, ordering him instantly
+to quit the field. Apollo was despatched to heal Hector's bruises
+and to inspirit his heart. These orders were obeyed with such
+speed that, while the battle still raged, Hector returned to the
+field and Neptune betook himself to his own dominions.
+
+An arrow from Paris's bow wounded Machaon, son of Aesculapius, who
+inherited his father's art of healing, and was therefore of great
+value to the Greeks as their surgeon, besides being one of their
+bravest warriors. Nestor took Machaon in his chariot and conveyed
+him from the field. As they passed the ships of Achilles, that
+hero, looking out over the field, saw the chariot of Nestor and
+recognized the old chief, but could not discern who the wounded
+chief was. So calling Patroclus, his companion and dearest friend,
+he sent him to Nestor's tent to inquire.
+
+Patroclus, arriving at Nestor's tent, saw Machaon wounded, and
+having told the cause of his coming would have hastened away, but
+Nestor detained him, to tell him the extent of the Grecian
+calamities. He reminded him also how, at the time of departing for
+Troy, Achilles and himself had been charged by their respective
+fathers with different advice: Achilles to aspire to the highest
+pitch of glory, Patroclus, as the elder, to keep watch over his
+friend, and to guide his inexperience. "Now," said Nestor, "is the
+time for such influence. If the gods so please, thou mayest win
+him back to the common cause; but if not let him at least send his
+soldiers to the field, and come thou, Patroclus, clad in his
+armor, and perhaps the very sight of it may drive back the
+Trojans."
+
+Patroclus was strongly moved with this address, and hastened back
+to Achilles, revolving in his mind all he had seen and heard. He
+told the prince the sad condition of affairs at the camp of their
+late associates: Diomede, Ulysses, Agamemnon, Machaon, all
+wounded, the rampart broken down, the enemy among the ships
+preparing to burn them, and thus to cut off all means of return to
+Greece. While they spoke the flames burst forth from one of the
+ships. Achilles, at the sight, relented so far as to grant
+Patroclus his request to lead the Myrmidons (for so were Achilles'
+soldiers called) to the field, and to lend him his armor, that he
+might thereby strike more terror into the minds of the Trojans.
+Without delay the soldiers were marshalled, Patroclus put on the
+radiant armor and mounted the chariot of Achilles, and led forth
+the men ardent for battle. But before he went, Achilles strictly
+charged him that he should be content with repelling the foe "Seek
+not," said he, "to press the Trojans without me, lest thou add
+still more to the disgrace already mine." Then exhorting the
+troops to do their best he dismissed them full of ardor to the
+fight.
+
+Patroclus and his Myrmidons at once plunged into the contest where
+it raged hottest; at the sight of which the joyful Grecians
+shouted and the ships reechoed the acclaim. The Trojans, at the
+sight of the well-known armor, struck with terror, looked
+everywhere for refuge. First those who had got possession of the
+ship and set it on fire left and allowed the Grecians to retake it
+and extinguish the flames. Then the rest of the Trojans fled in
+dismay. Ajax, Menelaus, and the two sons of Nestor performed
+prodigies of valor. Hector was forced to turn his horses' heads
+and retire from the enclosure, leaving his men entangled in the
+fosse to escape as they could. Patroclus drove them before him,
+slaying many, none daring to make a stand against him.
+
+At last Sarpedon, son of Jove, ventured to oppose himself in fight
+to Patroclus. Jupiter looked down upon him and would have snatched
+him from the fate which awaited him, but Juno hinted that if he
+did so it would induce all others of the inhabitants of heaven to
+interpose in like manner whenever any of their offspring were
+endangered; to which reason Jove yielded. Sarpedon threw his
+spear, but missed Patroclus, but Patroclus threw his with better
+success. It pierced Sarpedon's breast and he fell, and, calling to
+his friends to save his body from the foe, expired. Then a furious
+contest arose for the possession of the corpse. The Greeks
+succeeded and stripped Sarpedon of his armor; but Jove would not
+allow the remains of his son to be dishonored, and by his command
+Apollo snatched from the midst of the combatants the body of
+Sarpedon and committed it to the care of the twin brothers Death
+and Sleep, by whom it was transported to Lycia, the native land of
+Sarpedon, where it received due funeral rites.
+
+Thus far Patroclus had succeeded to his utmost wish in repelling
+the Trojans and relieving his countrymen, but now came a change of
+fortune. Hector, borne in his chariot, confronted him. Patroclus
+threw a vast stone at Hector, which missed its aim, but smote
+Cebriones, the charioteer, and knocked him from the car. Hector
+leaped from the chariot to rescue his friend, and Patroclus also
+descended to complete his victory. Thus the two heroes met face to
+face. At this decisive moment the poet, as if reluctant to give
+Hector the glory, records that Phoebus took part against
+Patroclus. He struck the helmet from his head and the lance from
+his hand. At the same moment an obscure Trojan wounded him in the
+back, and Hector, pressing forward, pierced him with his spear. He
+fell mortally wounded.
+
+Then arose a tremendous conflict for the body of Patroclus, but
+his armor was at once taken possession of by Hector, who retiring
+a short distance divested himself of his own armor and put on that
+of Achilles, then returned to the fight. Ajax and Menelaus
+defended the body, and Hector and his bravest warriors struggled
+to capture it. The battle raged with equal fortunes, when Jove
+enveloped the whole face of heaven with a dark cloud. The
+lightning flashed, the thunder roared, and Ajax, looking round for
+some one whom he might despatch to Achilles to tell him of the
+death of his friend, and of the imminent danger that his remains
+would fall into the hands of the enemy, could see no suitable
+messenger. It was then that he exclaimed in those famous lines so
+often quoted,
+
+    "Father of heaven and earth! deliver thou
+    Achaia's host from darkness; clear the skies;
+    Give day; and, since thy sovereign will is such,
+    Destruction with it; but, O, give us day."
+
+    --Cowper.
+
+Or, as rendered by Pope,
+
+    "... Lord of earth and air!
+    O king! O father! hear my humble prayer!
+    Dispel this cloud, the light of heaven restore;
+    Give me to see and Ajax asks no more;
+    If Greece must perish we thy will obey,
+    But let us perish in the face of day."
+
+Jupiter heard the prayer and dispersed the clouds. Then Ajax sent
+Antilochus to Achilles with the intelligence of Patroclus's death,
+and of the conflict raging for his remains. The Greeks at last
+succeeded in bearing off the body to the ships, closely pursued by
+Hector and Aeneas and the rest of the Trojans.
+
+Achilles heard the fate of his friend with such distress that
+Antilochus feared for a while that he would destroy himself. His
+groans reached the ears of his mother, Thetis, far down in the
+deeps of ocean where she abode, and she hastened to him to inquire
+the cause. She found him overwhelmed with self-reproach that he
+had indulged his resentment so far, and suffered his friend to
+fall a victim to it. But his only consolation was the hope of
+revenge. He would fly instantly in search of Hector. But his
+mother reminded him that he was now without armor, and promised
+him, if he would but wait till the morrow, she would procure for
+him a suit of armor from Vulcan more than equal to that he had
+lost. He consented, and Thetis immediately repaired to Vulcan's
+palace. She found him busy at his forge making tripods for his own
+use, so artfully constructed that they moved forward of their own
+accord when wanted, and retired again when dismissed. On hearing
+the request of Thetis, Vulcan immediately laid aside his work and
+hastened to comply with her wishes. He fabricated a splendid suit
+of armor for Achilles, first a shield adorned with elaborate
+devices, then a helmet crested with gold, then a corselet and
+greaves of impenetrable temper, all perfectly adapted to his form,
+and of consummate workmanship. It was all done in one night, and
+Thetis, receiving it, descended with it to earth, and laid it down
+at Achilles' feet at the dawn of day.
+
+The first glow of pleasure that Achilles had felt since the death
+of Patroclus was at the sight of this splendid armor. And now,
+arrayed in it, he went forth into the camp, calling all the chiefs
+to council. When they were all assembled he addressed them.
+Renouncing his displeasure against Agamemnon and bitterly
+lamenting the miseries that had resulted from it, he called on
+them to proceed at once to the field. Agamemnon made a suitable
+reply, laying all the blame on Ate, the goddess of discord; and
+thereupon complete reconcilement took place between the heroes.
+
+Then Achilles went forth to battle inspired with a rage and thirst
+for vengeance that made him irresistible. The bravest warriors
+fled before him or fell by his lance. Hector, cautioned by Apollo,
+kept aloof; but the god, assuming the form of one of Priam's sons,
+Lycaon, urged Aeneas to encounter the terrible warrior. Aeneas,
+though he felt himself unequal, did not decline the combat. He
+hurled his spear with all his force against the shield the work of
+Vulcan. It was formed of five metal plates; two were of brass, two
+of tin, and one of gold. The spear pierced two thicknesses, but
+was stopped in the third. Achilles threw his with better success.
+It pierced through the shield of Aeneas, but glanced near his
+shoulder and made no wound. Then Aeneas seized a stone, such as
+two men of modern times could hardly lift, and was about to throw
+it, and Achilles, with sword drawn, was about to rush upon him,
+when Neptune, who looked out upon the contest, moved with pity for
+Aeneas, who he saw would surely fall a victim if not speedily
+rescued, spread a cloud between the combatants, and lifting Aeneas
+from the ground, bore him over the heads of warriors and steeds to
+the rear of the battle. Achilles, when the mist cleared away,
+looked round in vain for his adversary, and acknowledging the
+prodigy, turned his arms against other champions. But none dared
+stand before him, and Priam looking down from the city walls
+beheld his whole army in full flight towards the city. He gave
+command to open wide the gates to receive the fugitives, and to
+shut them as soon as the Trojans should have passed, lest the
+enemy should enter likewise. But Achilles was so close in pursuit
+that that would have been impossible if Apollo had not, in the
+form of Agenor, Priam's son, encountered Achilles for a while,
+then turned to fly, and taken the way apart from the city.
+Achilles pursued and had chased his supposed victim far from the
+walls, when Apollo disclosed himself, and Achilles, perceiving how
+he had been deluded, gave up the chase.
+
+But when the rest had escaped into the town Hector stood without
+determined to await the combat. His old father called to him from
+the walls and begged him to retire nor tempt the encounter. His
+mother, Hecuba, also besought him to the same effect, but all in
+vain. "How can I," said he to himself, "by whose command the
+people went to this day's contest, where so many have fallen, seek
+safety for myself against a single foe? But what if I offer him to
+yield up Helen and all her treasures and ample of our own beside?
+Ah, no! it is too late. He would not even hear me through, but
+slay me while I spoke." While he thus ruminated. Achilles
+approached, terrible as Mars, his armor flashing lightning as he
+moved. At that sight Hector's heart failed him and he fled.
+Achilles swiftly pursued. They ran, still keeping near the walls,
+till they had thrice encircled the city. As often as Hector
+approached the walls Achilles intercepted him and forced him to
+keep out in a wider circle. But Apollo sustained Hector's strength
+and would not let him sink in weariness. Then Pallas, assuming the
+form of Deiphobus, Hector's bravest brother, appeared suddenly at
+his side. Hector saw him with delight, and thus strengthened
+stopped his flight and turned to meet Achilles. Hector threw his
+spear, which struck the shield of Achilles and bounded back. He
+turned to receive another from the hand of Deiphobus, but
+Deiphobus was gone. Then Hector understood his doom and said,
+"Alas! it is plain this is my hour to die! I thought Deiphobus at
+hand, but Pallas deceived me, and he is still in Troy. But I will
+not fall inglorious," So saying he drew his falchion from his side
+and rushed at once to combat. Achilles, secured behind his shield,
+waited the approach of Hector. When he came within reach of his
+spear, Achilles choosing with his eye a vulnerable part where the
+armor leaves the neck uncovered, aimed his spear at that part and
+Hector fell, death-wounded, and feebly said, "Spare my body! Let
+my parents ransom it, and let me receive funeral rites from the
+sons and daughters of Troy." To which Achilles replied, "Dog, name
+not ransom nor pity to me, on whom you have brought such dire
+distress. No! trust me, naught shall save thy carcass from the
+dogs. Though twenty ransoms and thy weight in gold were offered, I
+would refuse it all."
+
+So saying he stripped the body of its armor, and fastening cords
+to the feet tied them behind his chariot, leaving the body to
+trail along the ground. Then mounting the chariot he lashed the
+steeds and so dragged the body to and fro before the city. What
+words can tell the grief of King Priam and Queen Hecuba at this
+sight! His people could scarce restrain the old king from rushing
+forth. He threw himself in the dust and besought them each by name
+to give him way. Hecuba's distress was not less violent. The
+citizens stood round them weeping. The sound of the mourning
+reached the ears of Andromache, the wife of Hector, as she sat
+among her maidens at work, and anticipating evil she went forth to
+the wall. When she saw the sight there presented, she would have
+thrown herself headlong from the wall, but fainted and fell into
+the arms of her maidens. Recovering, she bewailed her fate,
+picturing to herself her country ruined, herself a captive, and
+her son dependent for his bread on the charity of strangers.
+
+When Achilles and the Greeks had taken their revenge on the killer
+of Patroclus they busied themselves in paying due funeral rites to
+their friend. A pile was erected, and the body burned with due
+solemnity; and then ensued games of strength and skill, chariot
+races, wrestling, boxing, and archery. Then the chiefs sat down to
+the funeral banquet and after that retired to rest. But Achilles
+neither partook of the feast nor of sleep. The recollection of his
+lost friend kept him awake, remembering their companionship in
+toil and dangers, in battle or on the perilous deep. Before the
+earliest dawn he left his tent, and joining to his chariot his
+swift steeds, he fastened Hector's body to be dragged behind.
+Twice he dragged him around the tomb of Patroclus, leaving him at
+length stretched in the dust. But Apollo would not permit the body
+to be torn or disfigured with all this abuse, but preserved it
+free from all taint or defilement.
+
+While Achilles indulged his wrath in thus disgracing brave Hector,
+Jupiter in pity summoned Thetis to his presence. He told her to go
+to her son and prevail on him to restore the body of Hector to his
+friends. Then Jupiter sent Iris to King Priam to encourage him to
+go to Achilles and beg the body of his son. Iris delivered her
+message, and Priam immediately prepared to obey. He opened his
+treasuries and took out rich garments and cloths, with ten talents
+in gold and two splendid tripods and a golden cup of matchless
+workmanship. Then he called to his sons and bade them draw forth
+his litter and place in it the various articles designed for a
+ransom to Achilles. When all was ready, the old king with a single
+companion as aged as himself, the herald Idaeus, drove forth from
+the gates, parting there with Hecuba, his queen, and all his
+friends, who lamented him as going to certain death.
+
+But Jupiter, beholding with compassion the venerable king, sent
+Mercury to be his guide and protector. Mercury, assuming the form
+of a young warrior, presented himself to the aged couple, and
+while at the sight of him they hesitated whether to fly or yield,
+the god approached, and grasping Priam's hand offered to be their
+guide to Achilles' tent. Priam gladly accepted his offered
+service, and he, mounting the carriage, assumed the reins and soon
+conveyed them to the tent of Achilles. Mercury's wand put to sleep
+all the guards, and without hinderance he introduced Priam into
+the tent where Achilles sat, attended by two of his warriors. The
+old king threw himself at the feet of Achilles, and kissed those
+terrible hands which had destroyed so many of his sons. "Think, O
+Achilles," he said, "of thy own father, full of days like me, and
+trembling on the gloomy verge of life. Perhaps even now some
+neighbor chief oppresses him and there is none at hand to succor
+him in his distress. Yet doubtless knowing that Achilles lives he
+still rejoices, hoping that one day he shall see thy face again.
+But no comfort cheers me, whose bravest sons, so late the flower
+of Ilium, all have fallen. Yet one I had, one more than all the
+rest the strength of my age, whom, fighting for his country, thou
+hast slain. I come to redeem his body, bringing inestimable ransom
+with me. Achilles! reverence the gods! recollect thy father! for
+his sake show compassion to me!" These words moved Achilles, and
+he wept; remembering by turns his absent father and his lost
+friend. Moved with pity of Priam's silver locks and beard, he
+raised him from the earth, and thus spake: "Priam, I know that
+thou hast reached this place conducted by some god, for without
+aid divine no mortal even in his prime of youth had dared the
+attempt. I grant thy request, moved thereto by the evident will of
+Jove." So saying he arose, and went forth with his two friends,
+and unloaded of its charge the litter, leaving two mantles and a
+robe for the covering of the body, which they placed on the
+litter, and spread the garments over it, that not unveiled it
+should be borne back to Troy. Then Achilles dismissed the old king
+with his attendants, having first pledged himself to allow a truce
+of twelve days for the funeral solemnities.
+
+As the litter approached the city and was descried from the walls,
+the people poured forth to gaze once more on the face of their
+hero. Foremost of all, the mother and the wife of Hector came, and
+at the sight of the lifeless body renewed their lamentations. The
+people all wept with them, and to the going down of the sun there
+was no pause or abatement of their grief.
+
+The next day preparations were made for the funeral solemnities.
+For nine days the people brought wood and built the pile, and on
+the tenth they placed the body on the summit and applied the
+torch; while all Troy thronging forth encompassed the pile. When
+it had completely burned, they quenched the cinders with wine,
+collected the bones and placed them in a golden urn, which they
+buried in the earth, and reared a pile of stones over the spot.
+
+    "Such honors Ilium to her hero paid,
+    And peaceful slept the mighty Hector's shade."
+
+    --Pope.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+THE FALL OF TROY--RETURN OF THE GREEKS--ORESTES AND ELECTRA
+
+THE FALL OF TROY
+
+
+The story of the Iliad ends with the death of Hector, and it is
+from the Odyssey and later poems that we learn the fate of the
+other heroes. After the death of Hector, Troy did not immediately
+fall, but receiving aid from new allies still continued its
+resistance. One of these allies was Memnon, the Aethiopian prince,
+whose story we have already told. Another was Penthesilea, queen
+of the Amazons, who came with a band of female warriors. All the
+authorities attest their valor and the fearful effect of their war
+cry. Penthesilea slew many of the bravest warriors, but was at
+last slain by Achilles. But when the hero bent over his fallen
+foe, and contemplated her beauty, youth, and valor, he bitterly
+regretted his victory. Thersites, an insolent brawler and
+demagogue, ridiculed his grief, and was in consequence slain by
+the hero.
+
+Achilles by chance had seen Polyxena, daughter of King Priam,
+perhaps on the occasion of the truce which was allowed the Trojans
+for the burial of Hector. He was captivated with her charms, and
+to win her in marriage agreed to use his influence with the Greeks
+to grant peace to Troy. While in the temple of Apollo, negotiating
+the marriage, Paris discharged at him a poisoned arrow, which,
+guided by Apollo, wounded Achilles in the heel, the only
+vulnerable part about him. For Thetis his mother had dipped him
+when an infant in the river Styx, which made every part of him
+invulnerable except the heel by which she held him. [Footnote 1:
+The story of the invulnerability of Achilles is not found in
+Homer, and is inconsistent with his account. For how could
+Achilles require the aid of celestial armor if be were
+invulnerable?]
+
+The body of Achilles so treacherously slain was rescued by Ajax
+and Ulysses. Thetis directed the Greeks to bestow her son's armor
+on the hero who of all the survivors should be judged most
+deserving of it. Ajax and Ulysses were the only claimants; a
+select number of the other chiefs were appointed to award the
+prize. It was awarded to Ulysses, thus placing wisdom before
+valor; whereupon Ajax slew himself. On the spot where his blood
+sank into the earth a flower sprang up, called the hyacinth,
+bearing on its leaves the first two letters of the name of Ajax,
+Ai, the Greek for "woe." Thus Ajax is a claimant with the boy
+Hyacinthus for the honor of giving birth to this flower. There is
+a species of Larkspur which represents the hyacinth of the poets
+in preserving the memory of this event, the Delphinium Ajacis--
+Ajax's Larkspur.
+
+It was now discovered that Troy could not be taken but by the aid
+of the arrows of Hercules. They were in possession of Philoctetes,
+the friend who had been with Hercules at the last and lighted his
+funeral pyre. Philoctetes had joined the Grecian expedition
+against Troy, but had accidentally wounded his foot with one of
+the poisoned arrows, and the smell from his wound proved so
+offensive that his companions carried him to the isle of Lemnos
+and left him there. Diomed was now sent to induce him to rejoin
+the army. He sukcceeded. Philoctetes was cured of his wound by
+Machaon, and Paris was the first victim of the fatal arrows. In
+his distress Paris bethought him of one whom in his prosperity he
+had forgotten. This was the nymph OEnone, whom he had married when
+a youth, and had abandoned for the fatal beauty Helen. OEnone,
+remembering the wrongs she had suffered, refused to heal the
+wound, and Paris went back to Troy and died. OEnone quickly
+repented, and hastened after him with remedies, but came too late,
+and in her grief hung herself. [Footnote 1: Tennyson has chosen
+OEnone as the subject of a short poem; but he has omitted the most
+poetical part of the story, the return of Paris wounded, her
+cruelty and subsequent repentance.]
+
+There was in Troy a celebrated statue of Minerva called the
+Palladium. It was said to have fallen from heaven, and the belief
+was that the city could not be taken so long as this statue
+remained within it. Ulysses and Diomed entered the city in
+disguise and succeeded in obtaining the Palladium, which they
+carried off to the Grecian camp.
+
+But Troy still held out, and the Greeks began to despair of ever
+subduing it by force, and by advice of Ulysses resolved to resort
+to stratagem. They pretended to be making preparations to abandon
+the siege, and a portion of the ships were withdrawn and lay hid
+behind a neighboring island. The Greeks then constructed an
+immense WOODEN HORSE, which they gave out was intended as a
+propitiatory offering to Minerva, but in fact was filled with
+armed men. The remaining Greeks then betook themselves to their
+ships and sailed away, as if for a final departure. The Trojans,
+seeing the encampment broken up and the fleet gone, concluded the
+enemy to have abandoned the siege. The gates were thrown open, and
+the whole population issued forth rejoicing at the long-prohibited
+liberty of passing freely over the scene of the late encampment.
+The great HORSE was the chief object of curiosity. All wondered
+what it could be for. Some recommended to take it into the city as
+a trophy; others felt afraid of it.
+
+While they hesitate, Laocoon, the priest of Neptune exclaims,
+"What madness, citizens, is this? Have you not learned enough of
+Grecian fraud to be on your guard against it? For my part, I fear
+the Greeks even when they offer gifts." [Footnote: See Proverbial
+Expressions.] So saying he threw his lance at the horse's side. It
+struck, and a hollow sound reverberated like a groan. Then perhaps
+the people might have taken his advice and destroyed the fatal
+horse and all its contents; but just at that moment a group of
+people appeared, dragging forward one who seemed a prisoner and a
+Greek. Stupefied with terror, he was brought before the chiefs,
+who reassured him, promising that his life should be spared on
+condition of his returning true answers to the questions asked
+him. He informed them that he was a Greek, Sinon by name, and that
+in consequence of the malice of Ulysses he had been left behind by
+his countrymen at their departure. With regard to the wooden
+horse, he told them that it was a propitiatory offering to
+Minerva, and made so huge for the express purpose of preventing
+its being carried within the city; for Calchas the prophet had
+told them that if the Trojans took possession of it they would
+assuredly triumph over the Greeks. This language turned the tide
+of the people's feelings and they began to think how they might
+best secure the monstrous horse and the favorable auguries
+connected with it, when suddenly a prodigy occurred which left no
+room to doubt. There appeared, advancing over the sea, two immense
+serpents. They came upon the land, and the crowd fled in all
+directions. The serpents advanced directly to the spot where
+Laocoon stood with his two sons. They first attacked the children,
+winding round their bodies and breathing their pestilential breath
+in their faces. The father, attempting to rescue them, is next
+seized and involved in the serpents' coils. He struggles to tear
+them away, but they overpower all his efforts and strangle him and
+the children in their poisonous folds. This event was regarded as
+a clear indication of the displeasure of the gods at Laocoon's
+irreverent treatment of the wooden horse, which they no longer
+hesitated to regard as a sacred object, and prepared to introduce
+with due solemnity into the city. This was done with songs and
+triumphal acclamations, and the day closed with festivity. In the
+night the armed men who were enclosed in the body of the horse,
+being let out by the traitor Sinon, opened the gates of the city
+to their friends, who had returned under cover of the night. The
+city was set on fire; the people, overcome with feasting and
+sleep, put to the sword, and Troy completely subdued.
+
+One of the most celebrated groups of statuary in existence is that
+of Laocoon and his children in the embrace of the serpents. A cast
+of it is owned by the Boston Athenaeum; the original is in the
+Vatican at Rome. The following lines are from the "Childe Harold"
+of Byron:
+
+    "Now turning to the Vatican go see
+    Laocoon's torture dignifying pain;
+    A father's love and mortal's agony
+    With an immortal's patience blending;--vain
+    The struggle! vain against the coiling strain
+    And gripe and deepening of the dragon's grasp
+    The old man's clinch; the long envenomed chain
+    Rivets the living links; the enormous asp
+    Enforces pang on pang and stifles gasp on gasp."
+
+The comic poets will also occasionally borrow a classical
+allusion. The following is from Swift's "Description of a City
+Shower":
+
+    "Boxed in a chair the beau impatient sits,
+    While spouts run clattering o'er the roof by fits,
+    And ever and anon with frightful din
+    The leather sounds; he trembles from within.
+    So when Troy chairmen bore the wooden steed
+    Pregnant with Greeks impatient to be freed,
+    (Those bully Greeks, who, as the moderns do,
+    Instead of paying chairmen, run them through);
+    Laocoon struck the outside with a spear,
+    And each imprisoned champion quaked with fear."
+
+King Priam lived to see the downfall of his kingdom and was slain
+at last on the fatal night when the Greeks took the city. He had
+armed himself and was about to mingle with the combatants, but was
+prevailed on by Hecuba, his aged queen, to take refuge with
+herself and his daughters as a suppliant at the altar of Jupiter.
+While there, his youngest son Polites, pursued by Pyrrhus, the son
+of Achilles, rushed in wounded, and expired at the feet of his
+father; whereupon Priam, overcome with indignation, hurled his
+spear with feeble hand against Pyrrhus, [Footnote 1: Pyrrhus's
+exclamation, "Not such aid nor such defenders does the time
+require," has become proverbial. See Proverbial Expressions.] and
+was forthwith slain by him.
+
+Queen Hecuba and her daughter Cassandra were carried captives to
+Greece. Cassandra had been loved by Apollo, and he gave her the
+gift of prophecy; but afterwards offended with her, he rendered
+the gift unavailing by ordaining that her predictions should never
+be believed. Polyxena, another daughter, who had been loved by
+Achilles, was demanded by the ghost of that warrior, and was
+sacrificed by the Greeks upon his tomb.
+
+MENELAUS AND HELEN
+
+Our readers will be anxious to know the fate of Helen, the fair
+but guilty occasion of so much slaughter. On the fall of Troy
+Menelaus recovered possession of his wife, who had not ceased to
+love him, though she had yielded to the might of Venus and
+deserted him for another. After the death of Paris she aided the
+Greeks secretly on several occasions, and in particular when
+Ulysses and Diomed entered the city in disguise to carry off the
+Palladium. She saw and recognized Ulysses, but kept the secret and
+even assisted them in obtaining the image. Thus she became
+reconciled to her husband, and they were among the first to leave
+the shores of Troy for their native land. But having incurred the
+displeasure of the gods they were driven by storms from shore to
+shore of the Mediterranean, visiting Cyprus, Phoenicia, and Egypt.
+In Egypt they were kindly treated and presented with rich gifts,
+of which Helen's share was a golden spindle and a basket on
+wheels. The basket was to hold the wool and spools for the queen's
+work.
+
+Dyer, in his poem of the "Fleece," thus alludes to this incident:
+
+    "... many yet adhere
+    To the ancient distaff, at the bosom fixed,
+    Casting the whirling spindle as they walk.
+
+    This was of old, in no inglorious days,
+    The mode of spinning, when the Egyptian prince
+    A golden distaff gave that beauteous nymph,
+    Too beauteous Helen; no uncourtly gift."
+
+Milton also alludes to a famous recipe for an invigorating
+draught, called Nepenthe, which the Egyptian queen gave to Helen:
+
+    "Not that Nepenthes which the wife of Thone
+    In Egypt gave to Jove-born Helena,
+    Is of such power to stir up joy as this,
+    To life so friendly or so cool to thirst."
+
+    --Comus.
+
+Menelaus and Helen at length arrived in safety at Sparta, resumed
+their royal dignity, and lived and reigned in splendor; and when
+Telemachus, the son of Ulysses, in search of his father, arrived
+at Sparta, he found Menelaus and Helen celebrating the marriage of
+their daughter Hermione to Neoptolemus, son of Achilles.
+
+AGAMEMNON, ORESTES, AND ELECTRA
+
+Agamemnon, the general-in-chief of the Greeks, the brother of
+Menelaus, and who had been drawn into the quarrel to avenge his
+brother's wrongs, not his own, was not so fortunate in the issue.
+During his absence his wife Clytemnestra had been false to him,
+and when his return was expected, she with her paramour,
+Aegisthus, laid a plan for his destruction, and at the banquet
+given to celebrate his return, murdered him.
+
+It was intended by the conspirators to slay his son Orestes also,
+a lad not yet old enough to be an object of apprehension, but from
+whom, if he should be suffered to grow up, there might be danger.
+Electra, the sister of Orestes, saved her brother's life by
+sending him secretly away to his uncle Strophius, King of Phocis.
+In the palace of Strophius Orestes grew up with the king's son
+Pylades, and formed with him that ardent friendship which has
+become proverbial. Electra frequently reminded her brother by
+messengers of the duty of avenging his father's death, and when
+grown up he consulted the oracle of Delphi, which confirmed him in
+his design. He therefore repaired in disguise to Argos, pretending
+to be a messenger from Strophius, who had come to announce the
+death of Orestes, and brought the ashes of the deceased in a
+funeral urn. After visiting his father's tomb and sacrificing upon
+it, according to the rites of the ancients, he made himself known
+to his sister Electra, and soon after slew both Aegisthus and
+Clytemnestra.
+
+This revolting act, the slaughter of a mother by her son, though
+alleviated by the guilt of the victim and the express command of
+the gods, did not fail to awaken in the breasts of the ancients
+the same abhorrence that it does in ours. The Eumenides, avenging
+deities, seized upon Orestes, and drove him frantic from land to
+land. Pylades accompanied him in his wanderings and watched over
+him. At length, in answer to a second appeal to the oracle, he was
+directed to go to Tauris in Scythia, and to bring thence a statue
+of Diana which was believed to have fallen from heaven.
+Accordingly Orestes and Pylades went to Tauris, where the
+barbarous people were accustomed to sacrifice to the goddess all
+strangers who fell into their hands. The two friends were seized
+and carried bound to the temple to be made victims. But the
+priestess of Diana was no other than Iphigenia, the sister of
+Orestes, who, our readers will remember, was snatched away by
+Diana at the moment when she was about to be sacrificed.
+Ascertaining from the prisoners who they were, Iphigenia disclosed
+herself to them, and the three made their escape with the statue
+of the goddess, and returned to Mycenae.
+
+But Orestes was not yet relieved from the vengeance of the
+Erinyes. At length he took refuge with Minerva at Athens. The
+goddess afforded him protection, and appointed the court of
+Areopagus to decide his fate. The Erinyes brought forward their
+accusation, and Orestes made the command of the Delphic oracle his
+excuse. When the court voted and the voices were equally divided,
+Orestes was acquitted by the command of Minerva.
+
+Byron, in "Childe Harold," Canto IV., alludes to the story of
+Orestes:
+
+    "O thou who never yet of human wrong
+    Left the unbalanced scale, great Nemesis!
+    Thou who didst call the Furies from the abyss,
+    And round Orestes bade them howl and hiss,
+    For that unnatural retribution,--just,
+    Had it but been from hands less near,--in this,
+    Thy former realm, I call thee from the dust!"
+
+One of the most pathetic scenes in the ancient drama is that in
+which Sophocles represents the meeting of Orestes and Electra, on
+his return from Phocis. Orestes, mistaking Electra for one of the
+domestics, and desirous of keeping his arrival a secret till the
+hour of vengeance should arrive, produces the urn in which his
+ashes are supposed to rest. Electra, believing him to be really
+dead, takes the urn and, embracing it, pours forth her grief in
+language full of tenderness and despair.
+
+Milton, in one of his sonnets, says:
+
+    "... The repeated air
+    Of sad Electra's poet had the power
+    To save the Athenian walls from ruin bare."
+
+This alludes to the story that when, on one occasion, the city of
+Athens was at the mercy of her Spartan foes, and it was proposed
+to destroy it, the thought was rejected upon the accidental
+quotation, by some one, of a chorus of Euripides.
+
+TROY
+
+The facts relating to the city of Troy are still unknown to
+history. Antiquarians have long sought for the actual city and
+some record of its rulers. The most interesting explorations were
+those conducted about 1890 by the German scholar, Henry
+Schliemann, who believed that at the mound of Hissarlik, the
+traditional site of Troy, he had uncovered the ancient capital.
+Schliemann excavated down below the ruins of three or four
+settlements, each revealing an earlier civilization, and finally
+came upon some royal jewels and other relics said to be "Priam's
+Treasure." Scholars are by no means agreed as to the historic
+value of these discoveries.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+ADVENTURES OF ULYSSES--THE LOTUS-EATERS--CYCLOPES--CIRCE--SIRENS
+--SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS--CALYPSO
+
+RETURN OF ULYSSES
+
+
+The romantic poem of the Odyssey is now to engage our attention.
+It narrates the wanderings of Ulysses (Odysseus in the Greek
+language) in his return from Troy to his own kingdom Ithaca.
+
+From Troy the vessels first made land at Ismarus, city of the
+Ciconians, where, in a skirmish with the inhabitants, Ulysses lost
+six men from each ship. Sailing thence, they were overtaken by a
+storm which drove them for nine days along the sea till they
+reached the country of the Lotus-eaters. Here, after watering,
+Ulysses sent three of his men to discover who the inhabitants
+were. These men on coming among the Lotus-eaters were kindly
+entertained by them, and were given some of their own food, the
+lotus-plant, to eat. The effect of this food was such that those
+who partook of it lost all thoughts of home and wished to remain
+in that country. It was by main force that Ulysses dragged these
+men away, and he was even obliged to tie them under the benches of
+the ships.
+
+[Footnote: Tennyson in the "Lotus-eaters" has charmingly expressed
+the dreamy, languid feeling which the lotus food is said to have
+produced.
+
+   "How sweet it were, hearing the downward stream
+    With half-shut eyes ever to seem
+    Falling asleep in a half dream!
+    To dream and dream, like yonder amber light
+    Which will not leave the myrrh-bush on the height;
+    To hear each others' whispered speech;
+    Eating the Lotos, day by day,
+    To watch the crisping ripples on the beach,
+    And tender curving lines of creamy spray:
+    To lend our hearts and spirits wholly
+    To the influence of mild-minded melancholy;
+    To muse and brood and live again in memory,
+    With those old faces of our infancy
+    Heaped over with a mound of grass,
+    Two handfuls of white dust, shut in an urn of brass."]
+
+They next arrived at the country of the Cyclopes. The Cyclopes
+were giants, who inhabited an island of which they were the only
+possessors. The name means "round eye," and these giants were so
+called because they had but one eye, and that placed in the middle
+of the forehead. They dwelt in caves and fed on the wild
+productions of the island and on what their flocks yielded, for
+they were shepherds. Ulysses left the main body of his ships at
+anchor, and with one vessel went to the Cyclopes' island to
+explore for supplies. He landed with his companions, carrying with
+them a jar of wine for a present, and coming to a large cave they
+entered it, and finding no one within examined its contents. They
+found it stored with the richest of the flock, quantities of
+cheese, pails and bowls of milk, lambs and kids in their pens, all
+in nice order. Presently arrived the master of the cave,
+Polyphemus, bearing an immense bundle of firewood, which he threw
+down before the cavern's mouth. He then drove into the cave the
+sheep and goats to be milked, and, entering, rolled to the cave's
+mouth an enormous rock, that twenty oxen could not draw. Next he
+sat down and milked his ewes, preparing a part for cheese, and
+setting the rest aside for his customary drink. Then, turning
+round his great eye, he discerned the strangers, and growled out
+to them, demanding who they were, and where from. Ulysses replied
+most humbly, stating that they were Greeks, from the great
+expedition that had lately won so much glory in the conquest of
+Troy; that they were now on their way home, and finished by
+imploring his hospitality in the name of the gods. Polyphemus
+deigned no answer, but reaching out his hand seized two of the
+Greeks, whom he hurled against the side of the cave, and dashed
+out their brains. He proceeded to devour them with great relish,
+and having made a hearty meal, stretched himself out on the floor
+to sleep. Ulysses was tempted to seize the opportunity and plunge
+his sword into him as he slept, but recollected that it would only
+expose them all to certain destruction, as the rock with which the
+giant had closed up the door was far beyond their power to remove,
+and they would therefore be in hopeless imprisonment. Next morning
+the giant seized two more of the Greeks, and despatched them in
+the same manner as their companions, feasting on their flesh till
+no fragment was left. He then moved away the rock from the door,
+drove out his flocks, and went out, carefully replacing the
+barrier after him. When he was gone Ulysses planned how he might
+take vengeance for his murdered friends, and effect his escape
+with his surviving companions. He made his men prepare a massive
+bar of wood cut by the Cyclops for a staff, which they found in
+the cave. They sharpened the end of it, and seasoned it in the
+fire, and hid it under the straw on the cavern floor. Then four of
+the boldest were selected, with whom Ulysses joined himself as a
+fifth. The Cyclops came home at evening, rolled away the stone and
+drove in his flock as usual. After milking them and making his
+arrangements as before, he seized two more of Ulysses' companions
+and dashed their brains out, and made his evening meal upon them
+as he had on the others. After he had supped, Ulysses approaching
+him handed him a bowl of wine, saying, "Cyclops, this is wine;
+taste and drink after thy meal of men's flesh." He took and drank
+it, and was hugely delighted with it, and called for more. Ulysses
+supplied him once again, which pleased the giant so much that he
+promised him as a favor that he should be the last of the party
+devoured. He asked his name, to which Ulysses replied, "My name is
+Noman."
+
+After his supper the giant lay down to repose, and was soon sound
+asleep. Then Ulysses with his four select friends thrust the end
+of the stake into the fire till it was all one burning coal, then
+poising it exactly above the giant's only eye, they buried it
+deeply into the socket, twirling it round as a carpenter does his
+auger. The howling monster with his outcry filled the cavern, and
+Ulysses with his aids nimbly got out of his way and concealed
+themselves in the cave. He, bellowing, called aloud on all the
+Cyclopes dwelling in the caves around him, far and near. They on
+his cry flocked round the den, and inquired what grievous hurt had
+caused him to sound such an alarm and break their slumbers. He
+replied, "O friends, I die, and Noman gives the blow." They
+answered, "If no man hurts thee it is the stroke of Jove, and thou
+must bear it." So saying, they left him groaning.
+
+Next morning the Cyclops rolled away the stone to let his flock
+out to pasture, but planted himself in the door of the cave to
+feel of all as they went out, that Ulysses and his men should not
+escape with them. But Ulysses had made his men harness the rams of
+the flock three abreast, with osiers which they found on the floor
+of the cave. To the middle ram of the three one of the Greeks
+suspended himself, so protected by the exterior rams on either
+side. As they passed, the giant felt of the animals' backs and
+sides, but never thought of their bellies; so the men all passed
+safe, Ulysses himself being on the last one that passed. When they
+had got a few paces from the cavern, Ulysses and his friends
+released themselves from their rams, and drove a good part of the
+flock down to the shore to their boat. They put them aboard with
+all haste, then pushed off from the shore, and when at a safe
+distance Ulysses shouted out, "Cyclops, the gods have well
+requited thee for thy atrocious deeds. Know it is Ulysses to whom
+thou owest thy shameful loss of sight." The Cyclops, hearing this,
+seized a rock that projected from the side of the mountain, and
+rending it from its bed, he lifted it high in the air, then
+exerting all his force, hurled it in the direction of the voice.
+Down came the mass, just clearing the vessel's stern. The ocean,
+at the plunge of the huge rock, heaved the ship towards the land,
+so that it barely escaped being swamped by the waves. When they
+had with the utmost difficulty pulled off shore, Ulysses was about
+to hail the giant again, but his friends besought him not to do
+so. He could not forbear, however, letting the giant know that
+they had escaped his missile, but waited till they had reached a
+safer distance than before. The giant answered them with curses,
+but Ulysses and his friends plied their oars vigorously, and soon
+regained their companions.
+
+Ulysses next arrived at the island of Aeolus. To this monarch
+Jupiter had intrusted the government of the winds, to send them
+forth or retain them at his will. He treated Ulysses hospitably,
+and at his departure gave him, tied up in a leathern bag, with a
+silver string, such winds as might be hurtful and dangerous,
+commanding fair winds to blow the barks towards their country.
+Nine days they sped before the wind, and all that time Ulysses had
+stood at the helm, without sleep. At last quite exhausted he lay
+down to sleep. While he slept, the crew conferred together about
+the mysterious bag, and concluded it must contain treasures given
+by the hospitable king Aeolus to their commander. Tempted to
+secure some portion for themselves, they loosed the string, when
+immediately the winds rushed forth. The ships were driven far from
+their course, and back again to the island they had just left.
+Aeolus was so indignant at their folly that he refused to assist
+them further, and they were obliged to labor over their course
+once more by means of their oars.
+
+THE LAESTRYGONIANS
+
+Their next adventure was with the barbarous tribe of
+Laestrygonians. The vessels all pushed into the harbor, tempted by
+the secure appearance of the cove, completely land-locked; only
+Ulysses moored his vessel without. As soon as the Laestrygonians
+found the ships completely in their power they attacked them,
+heaving huge stones which broke and overturned them, and with
+their spears despatched the seamen as they struggled in the water.
+All the vessels with their crews were destroyed, except Ulysses'
+own ship, which had remained outside, and finding no safety but in
+flight, he exhorted his men to ply their oars vigorously, and they
+escaped.
+
+With grief for their slain companions mixed with joy at their own
+escape, they pursued their way till they arrived at the Aeaean
+isle, where Circe dwelt, the daughter of the sun. Landing here,
+Ulysses climbed a hill, and gazing round saw no signs of
+habitation except in one spot at the centre of the island, where
+he perceived a palace embowered with trees. He sent forward one-
+half of his crew, under the command of Eurylochus, to see what
+prospect of hospitality they might find. As they approached the
+palace, they found themselves surrounded by lions, tigers, and
+wolves, not fierce, but tamed by Circe's art, for she was a
+powerful magician. All these animals had once been men, but had
+been changed by Circe's enchantments into the forms of beasts. The
+sounds of soft music were heard from within, and a sweet female
+voice singing. Eurylochus called aloud and the goddess came forth
+and invited them in; they all gladly entered except Eurylochus,
+who suspected danger. The goddess conducted her guests to a seat,
+and had them served with wine and other delicacies. When they had
+feasted heartily, she touched them one by one with her wand, and
+they became immediately changed into SWINE, in "head, body, voice,
+and bristles," yet with their intellects as before. She shut them
+in her sties and supplied them with acorns and such other things
+as swine love.
+
+Eurylochus hurried back to the ship and told the tale. Ulysses
+thereupon determined to go himself, and try if by any means he
+might deliver his companions. As he strode onward alone, he met a
+youth who addressed him familiarly, appearing to be acquainted
+with his adventures. He announced himself as Mercury, and informed
+Ulysses of the arts of Circe, and of the danger of approaching
+her. As Ulysses was not to be dissuaded from his attempt, Mercury
+provided him with a sprig of the plant Moly, of wonderful power to
+resist sorceries, and instructed him how to act. Ulysses
+proceeded, and reaching the palace was courteously received by
+Circe, who entertained him as she had done his companions, and
+after he had eaten and drank, touched him with her wand, saying,
+"Hence, seek the sty and wallow with thy friends." But he, instead
+of obeying, drew his sword and rushed upon her with fury in his
+countenance. She fell on her knees and begged for mercy. He
+dictated a solemn oath that she would release his companions and
+practise no further harm against him or them; and she repeated it,
+at the same time promising to dismiss them all in safety after
+hospitably entertaining them. She was as good as her word. The men
+were restored to their shapes, the rest of the crew summoned from
+the shore, and the whole magnificently entertained day after day,
+till Ulysses seemed to have forgotten his native land, and to have
+reconciled himself to an inglorious life of ease and pleasure.
+
+At length his companions recalled him to nobler sentiments, and he
+received their admonition gratefully. Circe aided their departure,
+and instructed them how to pass safely by the coast of the Sirens.
+The Sirens were sea-nymphs who had the power of charming by their
+song all who heard them, so that the unhappy mariners were
+irresistibly impelled to cast themselves into the sea to their
+destruction. Circe directed Ulysses to fill the ears of his seamen
+with wax, so that they should not hear the strain; and to cause
+himself to be bound to the mast, and his people to be strictly
+enjoined, whatever he might say or do, by no means to release him
+till they should have passed the Sirens' island. Ulysses obeyed
+these directions. He filled the ears of his people with wax, and
+suffered them to bind him with cords firmly to the mast. As they
+approached the Sirens' island, the sea was calm, and over the
+waters came the notes of music so ravishing and attractive that
+Ulysses struggled to get loose, and by cries and signs to his
+people begged to be released; but they, obedient to his previous
+orders, sprang forward and bound him still faster. They held on
+their course, and the music grew fainter till it ceased to be
+heard, when with joy Ulysses gave his companions the signal to
+unseal their ears, and they relieved him from his bonds.
+
+The imagination of a modern poet, Keats, has discovered for us the
+thoughts that passed through the brains of the victims of Circe,
+after their transformation. In his "Endymion" he represents one of
+them, a monarch in the guise of an elephant, addressing the
+sorceress in human language, thus:
+
+    "I sue not for my happy crown again;
+    I sue not for my phalanx on the plain;
+    I sue not for my lone, my widowed wife;
+    I sue not for my ruddy drops of life,
+    My children fair, my lovely girls and boys;
+    I will forget them; I will pass these joys,
+    Ask nought so heavenward; so too--too high;
+    Only I pray, as fairest boon, to die;
+    To be delivered from this cumbrous flesh,
+    From this gross, detestable, filthy mesh,
+    And merely given to the cold, bleak air.
+    Have mercy, goddess! Circe, feel my prayer!"
+
+SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS
+
+Ulysses had been warned by Circe of the two monsters Scylla and
+Charybdis. We have already met with Scylla in the story of
+Glaucus, and remember that she was once a beautiful maiden and was
+changed into a snaky monster by Circe. She dwelt in a cave high up
+on the cliff, from whence she was accustomed to thrust forth her
+long necks (for she had six heads), and in each of her mouths to
+seize one of the crew of every vessel passing within reach. The
+other terror, Charybdis, was a gulf, nearly on a level with the
+water. Thrice each day the water rushed into a frightful chasm,
+and thrice was disgorged. Any vessel coming near the whirlpool
+when the tide was rushing in must inevitably be ingulfed; not
+Neptune himself could save it.
+
+On approaching the haunt of the dread monsters, Ulysses kept
+strict watch to discover them. The roar of the waters as Charybdis
+ingulfed them, gave warning at a distance, but Scylla could
+nowhere be discerned. While Ulysses and his men watched with
+anxious eyes the dreadful whirlpool, they were not equally on
+their guard from the attack of Scylla, and the monster, darting
+forth her snaky heads, caught six of his men, and bore them away,
+shrieking, to her den. It was the saddest sight Ulysses had yet
+seen; to behold his friends thus sacrificed and hear their cries,
+unable to afford them any assistance.
+
+Circe had warned him of another danger. After passing Scylla and
+Charybdis the next land he would make was Thrinakia, an island
+whereon were pastured the cattle of Hyperion, the Sun, tended by
+his daughters Lampetia and Phaethusa. These flocks must not be
+violated, whatever the wants of the voyagers might be. If this
+injunction were transgressed destruction was sure to fall on the
+offenders.
+
+Ulysses would willingly have passed the island of the Sun without
+stopping, but his companions so urgently pleaded for the rest and
+refreshment that would be derived from anchoring and passing the
+night on shore, that Ulysses yielded. He bound them, however, with
+an oath that they would not touch one of the animals of the sacred
+flocks and herds, but content themselves with what provision they
+yet had left of the supply which Circe had put on board. So long
+as this supply lasted the people kept their oath, but contrary
+winds detained them at the island for a month, and after consuming
+all their stock of provisions, they were forced to rely upon the
+birds and fishes they could catch. Famine pressed them, and at
+length one day, in the absence of Ulysses, they slew some of the
+cattle, vainly attempting to make amends for the deed by offering
+from them a portion to the offended powers. Ulysses, on his return
+to the shore, was horror-struck at perceiving what they had done,
+and the more so on account of the portentous signs which followed.
+The skins crept on the ground, and the joints of meat lowed on the
+spits while roasting.
+
+The wind becoming fair they sailed from the island. They had not
+gone far when the weather changed, and a storm of thunder and
+lightning ensued. A stroke of lightning shattered their mast,
+which in its fall killed the pilot. At last the vessel itself came
+to pieces. The keel and mast floating side by side, Ulysses formed
+of them a raft, to which he clung, and, the wind changing, the
+waves bore him to Calypso's island. All the rest of the crew
+perished.
+
+The following allusion to the topics we have just been considering
+is from Milton's "Comus," line 252:
+
+    "... I have often heard
+    My mother Circe and the Sirens three,
+    Amidst the flowery-kirtled Naiades,
+    Culling their potent herbs and baneful drugs,
+    Who as they sung would take the prisoned soul
+    And lap it in Elysium. Scylla wept,
+    And chid her barking waves into attention,
+    And fell Charybdis murmured soft applause."
+
+Scylla and Charybdis have become proverbial, to denote opposite
+dangers which beset one's course. See Proverbial Expressions.
+
+ CALYPSO
+
+Calypso was a sea-nymph, which name denotes a numerous class of
+female divinities of lower rank, yet sharing many of the
+attributes of the gods. Calypso received Ulysses hospitably,
+entertained him magnificently, became enamoured of him, and wished
+to retain him forever, conferring on him immortality. But he
+persisted in his resolution to return to his country and his wife
+and son. Calypso at last received the command of Jove to dismiss
+him. Mercury brought the message to her, and found her in her
+grotto, which is thus described by Homer:
+
+    "A garden vine, luxuriant on all sides,
+    Mantled the spacious cavern, cluster-hung
+    Profuse; four fountains of serenest lymph,
+    Their sinuous course pursuing side by side,
+    Strayed all around, and everywhere appeared
+    Meadows of softest verdure, purpled o'er
+    With violets; it was a scene to fill
+    A god from heaven with wonder and delight."
+
+Calypso with much reluctance proceeded to obey the commands of
+Jupiter. She supplied Ulysses with the means of constructing a
+raft, provisioned it well for him, and gave him a favoring gale.
+He sped on his course prosperously for many days, till at length,
+when in sight of land, a storm arose that broke his mast, and
+threatened to rend the raft asunder. In this crisis he was seen by
+a compassionate sea-nymph, who in the form of a cormorant alighted
+on the raft, and presented him a girdle, directing him to bind it
+beneath his breast, and if he should be compelled to trust himself
+to the waves, it would buoy him up and enable him by swimming to
+reach the land.
+
+Fenelon, in his romance of "Telemachus," has given us the
+adventures of the son of Ulysses in search of his father. Among
+other places at which he arrived, following on his father's
+footsteps, was Calypso's isle, and, as in the former case, the
+goddess tried every art to keep him with her, and offered to share
+her immortality with him. But Minerva, who in the shape of Mentor
+accompanied him and governed all his movements, made him repel her
+allurements, and when no other means of escape could be found, the
+two friends leaped from a cliff into the sea, and swam to a vessel
+which lay becalmed off shore. Byron alludes to this leap of
+Telemachus and Mentor in the following stanza:
+
+    "But not in silence pass Calypso's isles,
+    The sister tenants of the middle deep;
+    There for the weary still a haven smiles,
+    Though the fair goddess long has ceased to weep,
+    And o'er her cliffs a fruitless watch to keep
+    For him who dared prefer a mortal bride.
+    Here too his boy essayed the dreadful leap,
+    Stern Mentor urged from high to yonder tide;
+    While thus of both bereft the nymph-queen doubly sighed."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+THE PHAEACIANS--FATE OF THE SUITORS
+
+THE PHAEACIANS
+
+
+Ulysses clung to the raft while any of its timbers kept together,
+and when it no longer yielded him support, binding the girdle
+around him, he swam. Minerva smoothed the billows before him and
+sent him a wind that rolled the waves towards the shore. The surf
+beat high on the rocks and seemed to forbid approach; but at
+length finding calm water at the mouth of a gentle stream, he
+landed, spent with toil, breathless and speechless and almost
+dead. After some time, reviving, he kissed the soil, rejoicing,
+yet at a loss what course to take. At a short distance he
+perceived a wood, to which he turned his steps. There, finding a
+covert sheltered by intermingling branches alike from the sun and
+the rain, he collected a pile of leaves and formed a bed, on which
+he stretched himself, and heaping the leaves over him, fell
+asleep.
+
+The land where he was thrown was Scheria, the country of the
+Phaeacians. These people dwelt originally near the Cyclopes; but
+being oppressed by that savage race, they migrated to the isle of
+Scheria, under the conduct of Nausithous, their king. They were,
+the poet tells us, a people akin to the gods, who appeared
+manifestly and feasted among them when they offered sacrifices,
+and did not conceal themselves from solitary wayfarers when they
+met them. They had abundance of wealth and lived in the enjoyment
+of it undisturbed by the alarms of war, for as they dwelt remote
+from gain-seeking man, no enemy ever approached their shores, and
+they did not even require to make use of bows and quivers. Their
+chief employment was navigation. Their ships, which went with the
+velocity of birds, were endued with intelligence; they knew every
+port and needed no pilot. Alcinous, the son of Nausithous, was now
+their king, a wise and just sovereign, beloved by his people.
+
+Now it happened that the very night on which Ulysses was cast
+ashore on the Phaeacian island, and while he lay sleeping on his
+bed of leaves, Nausicaa, the daughter of the king, had a dream
+sent by Minerva, reminding her that her wedding-day was not far
+distant, and that it would be but a prudent preparation for that
+event to have a general washing of the clothes of the family. This
+was no slight affair, for the fountains were at some distance, and
+the garments must be carried thither. On awaking, the princess
+hastened to her parents to tell them what was on her mind; not
+alluding to her wedding-day, but finding other reasons equally
+good. Her father readily assented and ordered the grooms to
+furnish forth a wagon for the purpose. The clothes were put
+therein, and the queen mother placed in the wagon, likewise, an
+abundant supply of food and wine. The princess took her seat and
+plied the lash, her attendant virgins following her on foot.
+Arrived at the river side, they turned out the mules to graze, and
+unlading the carriage, bore the garments down to the water, and
+working with cheerfulness and alacrity soon despatched their
+labor. Then having spread the garments on the shore to dry, and
+having themselves bathed, they sat down to enjoy their meal; after
+which they rose and amused themselves with a game of ball, the
+princess singing to them while they played. But when they had
+refolded the apparel and were about to resume their way to the
+town, Minerva caused the ball thrown by the princess to fall into
+the water, whereat they all screamed and Ulysses awaked at the
+sound.
+
+Now we must picture to ourselves Ulysses, a ship-wrecked mariner,
+but a few hours escaped from the waves, and utterly destitute of
+clothing, awaking and discovering that only a few bushes were
+interposed tween him and a group of young maidens whom, by their
+deportment and attire, he discovered to be not mere peasant girls,
+but of a higher class. Sadly needing help, how could he yet
+venture, naked as he was, to discover himself and make his wants
+known? It certainly was a case worthy of the interposition of his
+patron goddess Minerva, who never failed him at a crisis. Breaking
+off a leafy branch from a tree, he held it before him and stepped
+out from the thicket. The virgins at sight of him fled in all
+directions, Nausicaa alone excepted, for HER Minerva aided and
+endowed with courage and discernment. Ulysses, standing
+respectfully aloof, told his sad case, and besought the fair
+object (whether queen or goddess he professed he knew not) for
+food and clothing. The princess replied courteously, promising
+present relief and her father's hospitality when he should become
+acquainted with the facts. She called back her scattered maidens,
+chiding their alarm, and reminding them that the Phaeacians had no
+enemies to fear. This man, she told them, was an unhappy wanderer,
+whom it was a duty to cherish, for the poor and stranger are from
+Jove. She bade them bring food and clothing, for some of her
+brother's garments were among the contents of the wagon. When this
+was done, and Ulysses, retiring to a sheltered place, had washed
+his body free from the sea-foam, clothed and refreshed himself
+with food, Pallas dilated his form and diffused grace over his
+ample chest and manly brows.
+
+The princess, seeing him, was filled with admiration, and scrupled
+not to say to her damsels that she wished the gods would send her
+such a husband. To Ulysses she recommended that he should repair
+to the city, following herself and train so far as the way lay
+through the fields; but when they should approach the city she
+desired that he would no longer be seen in her company, for she
+feared the remarks which rude and vulgar people might make on
+seeing her return accompanied by such a gallant stranger. To avoid
+which she directed him to stop at a grove adjoining the city, in
+which were a farm and garden belonging to the king. After allowing
+time for the princess and her companions to reach the city, he was
+then to pursue his way thither, and would be easily guided by any
+he might meet to the royal abode.
+
+Ulysses obeyed the directions and in due time proceeded to the
+city, on approaching which he met a young woman bearing a pitcher
+forth for water. It was Minerva, who had assumed that form.
+Ulysses accosted her and desired to be directed to the palace of
+Alcinous the king. The maiden replied respectfully, offering to be
+his guide; for the palace, she informed him, stood near her
+father's dwelling. Under the guidance of the goddess, and by her
+power enveloped in a cloud which shielded him from observation,
+Ulysses passed among the busy crowd, and with wonder observed
+their harbor, their ships, their forum (the resort of heroes), and
+their battlements, till they came to the palace, where the
+goddess, having first given him some information of the country,
+king, and people he was about to meet, left him. Ulysses, before
+entering the courtyard of the palace, stood and surveyed the
+scene. Its splendor astonished him. Brazen walls stretched from
+the entrance to the interior house, of which the doors were gold,
+the doorposts silver, the lintels silver ornamented with gold. On
+either side were figures of mastiffs wrought in gold and silver,
+standing in rows as if to guard the approach. Along the walls were
+seats spread through all their length with mantles of finest
+texture, the work of Phaeacian maidens. On these seats the princes
+sat and feasted, while golden statues of graceful youths held in
+their hands lighted torches which shed radiance over the scene.
+Full fifty female menials served in household offices, some
+employed to grind the corn, others to wind off the purple wool or
+ply the loom. For the Phaeacian women as far exceeded all other
+women in household arts as the mariners of that country did the
+rest of mankind in the management of ships. Without the court a
+spacious garden lay, four acres in extent. In it grew many a lofty
+tree, pomegranate, pear, apple, fig, and olive. Neither winter's
+cold nor summer's drought arrested their growth, but they
+flourished in constant succession, some budding while others were
+maturing. The vineyard was equally prolific. In one quarter you
+might see the vines, some in blossom, some loaded with ripe
+grapes, and in another observe the vintagers treading the wine
+press. On the garden's borders flowers of all hues bloomed all the
+year round, arranged with neatest art. In the midst two fountains
+poured forth their waters, one flowing by artificial channels over
+all the garden, the other conducted through the courtyard of the
+palace, whence every citizen might draw his supplies.
+
+Ulysses stood gazing in admiration, unobserved himself, for the
+cloud which Minerva spread around him still shielded him. At
+length, having sufficiently observed the scene, he advanced with
+rapid step into the hall where the chiefs and senators were
+assembled, pouring libation to Mercury, whose worship followed the
+evening meal. Just then Minerva dissolved the cloud and disclosed
+him to the assembled chiefs. Advancing to the place where the
+queen sat, he knelt at her feet and implored her favor and
+assistance to enable him to return to his native country. Then
+withdrawing, he seated himself in the manner of suppliants, at the
+hearth side.
+
+For a time none spoke. At last an aged statesman, addressing the
+king, said, "It is not fit that a stranger who asks our
+hospitality should be kept waiting in suppliant guise, none
+welcoming him. Let him therefore be led to a seat among us and
+supplied with food and wine." At these words the king rising gave
+his hand to Ulysses and led him to a seat, displacing thence his
+own son to make room for the stranger. Food and wine were set
+before him and he ate and refreshed himself.
+
+The king then dismissed his guests, notifying them that the next
+day he would call them to council to consider what had best be
+done for the stranger.
+
+When the guests had departed and Ulysses was left alone with the
+king and queen, the queen asked him who he was and whence he came,
+and (recognizing the clothes which he wore as those which her
+maidens and herself had made) from whom he received those
+garments. He told them of his residence in Calypso's isle and his
+departure thence; of the wreck of his raft, his escape by
+swimming, and of the relief afforded by the princess. The parents
+heard approvingly, and the king promised to furnish a ship in
+which his guest might return to his own land.
+
+The next day the assembled chiefs confirmed the promise of the
+king. A bark was prepared and a crew of stout rowers selected, and
+all betook themselves to the palace, where a bounteous repast was
+provided. After the feast the king proposed that the young men
+should show their guest their proficiency in manly sports, and all
+went forth to the arena for games of running, wrestling, and other
+exercises. After all had done their best, Ulysses being challenged
+to show what he could do, at first declined, but being taunted by
+one of the youths, seized a quoit of weight far heavier than any
+of the Phaeacians had thrown, and sent it farther than the utmost
+throw of theirs. All were astonished, and viewed their guest with
+greatly increased respect.
+
+After the games they returned to the hall, and the herald led in
+Demodocus, the blind bard,--
+
+    "... Dear to the Muse,
+    Who yet appointed him both good and ill,
+    Took from him sight, but gave him strains divine."
+
+He took for his theme the "Wooden Horse," by means of which the
+Greeks found entrance into Troy. Apollo inspired him, and he sang
+so feelingly the terrors and the exploits of that eventful time
+that all were delighted, but Ulysses was moved to tears. Observing
+which, Alcinous, when the song was done, demanded of him why at
+the mention of Troy his sorrows awaked. Had he lost there a
+father, or brother, or any dear friend? Ulysses replied by
+announcing himself by his true name, and at their request,
+recounted the adventures which had befallen him since his
+departure from Troy. This narrative raised the sympathy and
+admiration of the Phaeacians for their guest to the highest pitch.
+The king proposed that all the chiefs should present him with a
+gift, himself setting the example. They obeyed, and vied with one
+another in loading the illustrious stranger with costly gifts.
+
+The next day Ulysses set sail in the Phaeacian vessel, and in a
+short time arrived safe at Ithaca, his own island. When the vessel
+touched the strand he was asleep. The mariners, without waking
+him, carried him on shore, and landed with him the chest
+containing his presents, and then sailed away.
+
+Neptune was so displeased at the conduct of the Phaeacians in thus
+rescuing Ulysses from his hands that on the return of the vessel
+to port he transformed it into a rock, right opposite the mouth of
+the harbor.
+
+Homer's description of the ships of the Phaeacians has been
+thought to look like an anticipation of the wonders of modern
+steam navigation. Alcinous says to Ulysses:
+
+    "Say from what city, from what regions tossed,
+    And what inhabitants those regions boast?
+    So shalt thou quickly reach the realm assigned,
+    In wondrous ships, self-moved, instinct with mind;
+    No helm secures their course, no pilot guides;
+    Like man intelligent they plough the tides,
+    Conscious of every coast and every bay
+    That lies beneath the sun's all-seeing ray."
+
+    --Odyssey, Book VIII.
+
+Lord Carlisle, in his "Diary in the Turkish and Greek Waters,"
+thus speaks of Corfu, which he considers to be the ancient
+Phaeacian island:
+
+"The sites explain the 'Odyssey.' The temple of the sea-god could
+not have been more fitly placed, upon a grassy platform of the
+most elastic turf, on the brow of a crag commanding harbor, and
+channel, and ocean. Just at the entrance of the inner harbor there
+is a picturesque rock with a small convent perched upon it, which
+by one legend is the transformed pinnace of Ulysses.
+
+"Almost the only river in the island is just at the proper
+distance from the probable site of the city and palace of the
+king, to justify the princess Nausicaa having had resort to her
+chariot and to luncheon when she went with the maidens of the
+court to wash their garments."
+
+FATE OF THE SUITORS
+
+Ulysses had now been away from Ithaca for twenty years, and when
+he awoke he did not recognize his native land. Minerva appeared to
+him in the form of a young shepherd, informed him where he was,
+and told him the state of things at his palace. More than a
+hundred nobles of Ithaca and of the neighboring islands had been
+for years suing for the hand of Penelope, his wife, imagining him
+dead, and lording it over his palace and people, as if they were
+owners of both. That he might be able to take vengeance upon them,
+it was important that he should not be recognized. Minerva
+accordingly metamorphosed him into an unsightly beggar, and as
+such he was kindly received by Eumaeus, the swine-herd, a faithful
+servant of his house.
+
+Telemachus, his son, was absent in quest of his father. He had
+gone to the courts of the other kings, who had returned from the
+Trojan expedition. While on the search, he received counsel from
+Minerva to return home. He arrived and sought Eumaeus to learn
+something of the state of affairs at the palace before presenting
+himself among the suitors. Finding a stranger with Eumaeus, he
+treated him courteously, though in the garb of a beggar, and
+promised him assistance. Eumaeus was sent to the palace to inform
+Penelope privately of her son's arrival, for caution was necessary
+with regard to the suitors, who, as Telemachus had learned, were
+plotting to intercept and kill him. When Eumaeus was gone, Minerva
+presented herself to Ulysses, and directed him to make himself
+known to his son. At the same time she touched him, removed at
+once from him the appearance of age and penury, and gave him the
+aspect of vigorous manhood that belonged to him. Telemachus viewed
+him with astonishment, and at first thought he must be more than
+mortal. But Ulysses announced himself as his father, and accounted
+for the change of appearance by explaining that it was Minerva's
+doing.
+
+    "... Then threw Telemachus
+    His arms around his father's neck and wept.
+    Desire intense of lamentation seized
+    On both; soft murmurs uttering, each indulged
+    His grief."
+
+The father and son took counsel together how they should get the
+better of the suitors and punish them for their outrages. It was
+arranged that Telemachus should proceed to the palace and mingle
+with the suitors as formerly; that Ulysses should also go as a
+beggar, a character which in the rude old times had different
+privileges from what we concede to it now. As traveller and
+storyteller, the beggar was admitted in the halls of chieftains,
+and often treated like a guest; though sometimes, also, no doubt,
+with contumely. Ulysses charged his son not to betray, by any
+display of unusual interest in him, that he knew him to be other
+than he seemed, and even if he saw him insulted, or beaten, not to
+interpose otherwise than he might do for any stranger. At the
+palace they found the usual scene of feasting and riot going on.
+The suitors pretended to receive Telemachus with joy at his
+return, though secretly mortified at the failure of their plots to
+take his life. The old beggar was permitted to enter, and provided
+with a portion from the table. A touching incident occurred as
+Ulysses entered the courtyard of the palace. An old dog lay in the
+yard almost dead with age, and seeing a stranger enter, raised his
+head, with ears erect. It was Argus, Ulysses' own dog, that he had
+in other days often led to the chase.
+
+    "... Soon as he perceived
+    Long-lost Ulysses nigh, down fell his ears
+    Clapped close, and with his tail glad sign he gave
+    Of gratulation, impotent to rise,
+    And to approach his master as of old.
+    Ulysses, noting him, wiped off a tear
+    Unmarked.
+    ... Then his destiny released
+    Old Argus, soon as he had lived to see
+    Ulysses in the twentieth year restored."
+
+As Ulysses sat eating his portion in the hall, the suitors began
+to exhibit their insolence to him. When he mildly remonstrated,
+one of them, raised a stool and with it gave him a blow.
+Telemachus had hard work to restrain his indignation at seeing his
+father so treated in his own hall, but remembering his father's
+injunctions, said no more than what became him as master of the
+house, though young, and protector of his guests.
+
+Penelope had protracted her decision in favor of either of her
+suitors so long that there seemed to be no further pretence for
+delay. The continued absence of her husband seemed to prove that
+his return was no longer to be expected. Meanwhile, her son had
+grown up, and was able to manage his own affairs. She therefore
+consented to submit the question of her choice to a trial of skill
+among the suitors. The test selected was shooting with the bow.
+Twelve rings were arranged in a line, and he whose arrow was sent
+through the whole twelve was to have the queen for his prize. A
+bow that one of his brother heroes had given to Ulysses in former
+times was brought from the armory, and with its quiver full of
+arrows was laid in the hall. Telemachus had taken care that all
+other weapons should be removed, under pretence that in the heat
+of competition there was danger, in some rash moment, of putting
+them to an improper use.
+
+All things being prepared for the trial, the first thing to be
+done was to bend the bow in order to attach the string. Telemachus
+endeavored to do it, but found all his efforts fruitless; and
+modestly confessing that he had attempted a task beyond his
+strength, he yielded the bow to another. He tried it with no
+better success, and, amidst the laughter and jeers of his
+companions, gave it up. Another tried it and another; they rubbed
+the bow with tallow, but all to no purpose; it would not bend.
+Then spoke Ulysses, humbly suggesting that he should be permitted
+to try; for, said he, "beggar as I am, I was once a soldier, and
+there is still some strength in these old limbs of mine." The
+suitors hooted with derision, and commanded to turn him out of the
+hall for his insolence. But Telemachus spoke up for him, and,
+merely to gratify the old man, bade him try. Ulysses took the bow,
+and handled it with the hand of a master. With ease he adjusted
+the cord to its notch, then fitting an arrow to the bow he drew
+the string and sped the arrow unerring through the rings.
+
+Without allowing them time to express their astonishment, he said,
+"Now for another mark!" and aimed direct at the most insolent one
+of the suitors. The arrow pierced through his throat and he fell
+dead. Telemachus, Eumaeus, and another faithful follower, well
+armed, now sprang to the side of Ulysses. The suitors, in
+amazement, looked round for arms, but found none, neither was
+there any way of escape, for Eumaeus had secured the door. Ulysses
+left them not long in uncertainty; he announced himself as the
+long-lost chief, whose house they had invaded, whose substance
+they had squandered, whose wife and son they had persecuted for
+ten long years; and told them he meant to have ample vengeance.
+All were slain, and Ulysses was left master of his palace and
+possessor of his kingdom and his wife.
+
+Tennyson's poem of "Ulysses" represents the old hero, after his
+dangers past and nothing left but to stay at home and be happy,
+growing tired of inaction and resolving to set forth again in
+quest of new adventures.
+
+    "... Come, my friends,
+    'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
+    Push off, and sitting well in order smite
+    The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
+    To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
+    Of all the western stars, until I die.
+    It may be that the gulfs will wash us down;
+    It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
+    And see the great Achilles whom we knew;" etc.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+ADVENTURES OF AENEAS--THE HARPIES--DIDO--PALINURUS
+
+ADVENTURES OF AENEAS
+
+
+We have followed one of the Grecian heroes, Ulysses, in his
+wanderings on his return home from Troy, and now we propose to
+share the fortunes of the remnant of the conquered people, under
+their chief Aeneas, in their search for a new home, after the ruin
+of their native city. On that fatal night when the wooden horse
+disgorged its contents of armed men, and the capture and
+conflagration of the city were the result, Aeneas made his escape
+from the scene of destruction, with his father, and his wife, and
+young son. The father, Anchises, was too old to walk with the
+speed required, and Aeneas took him upon his shoulders. Thus
+burdened, leading his son and followed by his wife, he made the
+best of his way out of the burning city; but, in the confusion,
+his wife was swept away and lost.
+
+On arriving at the place of rendezvous, numerous fugitives, of
+both sexes, were found, who put themselves under the guidance of
+Aeneas. Some months were spent in preparation, and at length they
+embarked. They first landed on the neighboring shores of Thrace,
+and were preparing to build a city, but Aeneas was deterred by a
+prodigy. Preparing to offer sacrifice, he tore some twigs from one
+of the bushes. To his dismay the wounded part dropped blood. When
+he repeated the act a voice from the ground cried out to him,
+"Spare me, Aeneas; I am your kinsman, Polydore, here murdered with
+many arrows, from which a bush has grown, nourished with my
+blood." These words recalled to the recollection of Aeneas that
+Polydore was a young prince of Troy, whom his father had sent with
+ample treasures to the neighboring land of Thrace, to be there
+brought up, at a distance from the horrors of war. The king to
+whom he was sent had murdered him and seized his treasures. Aeneas
+and his companions, considering the land accursed by the stain of
+such a crime, hastened away.
+
+They next landed on the island of Delos, which was once a floating
+island, till Jupiter fastened it by adamantine chains to the
+bottom of the sea. Apollo and Diana were born there, and the
+island was sacred to Apollo. Here Aeneas consulted the oracle of
+Apollo, and received an answer, ambiguous as usual,--"Seek your
+ancient mother; there the race of Aeneas shall dwell, and reduce
+all other nations to their sway." The Trojans heard with joy and
+immediately began to ask one another, "Where is the spot intended
+by the oracle?" Anchises remembered that there was a tradition
+that their forefathers came from Crete and thither they resolved
+to steer. They arrived at Crete and began to build their city, but
+sickness broke out among them, and the fields that they had
+planted failed to yield a crop. In this gloomy aspect of affairs
+Aeneas was warned in a dream to leave the country and seek a
+western land, called Hesperia, whence Dardanus, the true founder
+of the Trojan race, had originally migrated. To Hesperia, now
+called Italy, therefore, they directed their future course, and
+not till after many adventures and the lapse of time sufficient to
+carry a modern navigator several times round the world, did they
+arrive there.
+
+Their first landing was at the island of the Harpies. These were
+disgusting birds with the heads of maidens, with long claws and
+faces pale with hunger. They were sent by the gods to torment a
+certain Phineus, whom Jupiter had deprived of his sight, in
+punishment of his cruelty; and whenever a meal was placed before
+him the Harpies darted down from the air and carried it off. They
+were driven away from Phineus by the heroes of the Argonautic
+expedition, and took refuge in the island where Aeneas now found
+them.
+
+When they entered the port the Trojans saw herds of cattle roaming
+over the plain. They slew as many as they wished and prepared for
+a feast. But no sooner had they seated themselves at the table
+than a horrible clamor was heard in the air, and a flock of these
+odious harpies came rushing down upon them, seizing in their
+talons the meat from the dishes and flying away with it. Aeneas
+and his companions drew their swords and dealt vigorous blows
+among the monsters, but to no purpose, for they were so nimble it
+was almost impossible to hit them, and their feathers were like
+armor impenetrable to steel. One of them, perched on a neighboring
+cliff, screamed out, "Is it thus, Trojans, you treat us innocent
+birds, first slaughter our cattle and then make war on ourselves?"
+She then predicted dire sufferings to them in their future course,
+and having vented her wrath flew away. The Trojans made haste to
+leave the country, and next found themselves coasting along the
+shore of Epirus. Here they landed, and to their astonishment
+learned that certain Trojan exiles, who had been carried there as
+prisoners, had become rulers of the country. Andromache, the widow
+of Hector, became the wife of one of the victorious Grecian
+chiefs, to whom she bore a son. Her husband dying, she was left
+regent of the country, as guardian of her son, and had married a
+fellow-captive, Helenus, of the royal race of Troy. Helenus and
+Andromache treated the exiles with the utmost hospitality, and
+dismissed them loaded with gifts.
+
+From hence Aeneas coasted along the shore of Sicily and passed the
+country of the Cyclopes. Here they were hailed from the shore by a
+miserable object, whom by his garments, tattered as they were,
+they perceived to be a Greek. He told them he was one of Ulysses's
+companions, left behind by that chief in his hurried departure. He
+related the story of Ulysses's adventure with Polyphemus, and
+besought them to take him off with them as he had no means of
+sustaining his existence where he was but wild berries and roots,
+and lived in constant fear of the Cyclopes. While he spoke
+Polyphemus made his appearance; a terrible monster, shapeless,
+vast, whose only eye had been put out. [Footnote: See Proverbial
+Expressions.] He walked with cautious steps, feeling his way with
+a staff, down to the sea-side, to wash his eye-socket in the
+waves. When he reached the water, he waded out towards them, and
+his immense height enabled him to advance far into the sea, so
+that the Trojans, in terror, took to their oars to get out of his
+way. Hearing the oars, Polyphemus shouted after them, so that the
+shores resounded, and at the noise the other Cyclopes came forth
+from their caves and woods and lined the shore, like a row of
+lofty pine trees. The Trojans plied their oars and soon left them
+out of sight.
+
+Aeneas had been cautioned by Helenus to avoid the strait guarded
+by the monsters Scylla and Charybdis. There Ulysses, the reader
+will remember, had lost six of his men, seized by Scylla while the
+navigators were wholly intent upon avoiding Charybdis. Aeneas,
+following the advice of Helenus, shunned the dangerous pass and
+coasted along the island of Sicily.
+
+Juno, seeing the Trojans speeding their way prosperously towards
+their destined shore, felt her old grudge against them revive, for
+she could not forget the slight that Paris had put upon her, in
+awarding the prize of beauty to another. In heavenly minds can
+such resentments dwell. [Footnote: See Proverbial Expressions.]
+Accordingly she hastened to Aeolus, the ruler of the winds,--the
+same who supplied Ulysses with favoring gales, giving him the
+contrary ones tied up in a bag. Aeolus obeyed the goddess and sent
+forth his sons, Boreas, Typhon, and the other winds, to toss the
+ocean. A terrible storm ensued and the Trojan ships were driven
+out of their course towards the coast of Africa. They were in
+imminent danger of being wrecked, and were separated, so that
+Aeneas thought that all were lost except his own.
+
+At this crisis, Neptune, hearing the storm raging, and knowing
+that he had given no orders for one, raised his head above the
+waves, and saw the fleet of Aeneas driving before the gale.
+Knowing the hostility of Juno, he was at no loss to account for
+it, but his anger was not the less at this interference in his
+province. He called the winds and dismissed them with a severe
+reprimand. He then soothed the waves, and brushed away the clouds
+from before the face of the sun. Some of the ships which had got
+on the rocks he pried off with his own trident, while Triton and a
+sea-nymph, putting their shoulders under others, set them afloat
+again. The Trojans, when the sea became calm, sought the nearest
+shore, which was the coast of Carthage, where Aeneas was so happy
+as to find that one by one the ships all arrived safe, though
+badly shaken.
+
+Waller, in his "Panegyric to the Lord Protector" (Cromwell),
+alludes to this stilling of the storm by Neptune:
+
+    "Above the waves, as Neptune showed his face,
+    To chide the winds and save the Trojan race,
+    So has your Highness, raised above the rest,
+    Storms of ambition tossing us repressed."
+
+DIDO
+
+Carthage, where the exiles had now arrived, was a spot on the
+coast of Africa opposite Sicily, where at that time a Tyrian
+colony under Dido, their queen, were laying the foundations of a
+state destined in later ages to be the rival of Rome itself. Dido
+was the daughter of Belus, king of Tyre, and sister of Pygmalion,
+who succeeded his father on the throne. Her husband was Sichaeus,
+a man of immense wealth, but Pygmalion, who coveted his treasures,
+caused him to be put to death. Dido, with a numerous body of
+friends and followers, both men and women, succeeded in effecting
+their escape from Tyre, in several vessels, carrying with them the
+treasures of Sichaeus. On arriving at the spot which they selected
+as the seat of their future home, they asked of the natives only
+so much land as they could enclose with a bull's hide. When this
+was readily granted, she caused the hide to be cut into strips,
+and with them enclosed a spot on which she built a citadel, and
+called it Byrsa (a hide). Around this fort the city of Carthage
+rose, and soon became a powerful and flourishing place.
+
+Such was the state of affairs when Aeneas with his Trojans arrived
+there. Dido received the illustrious exiles with friendliness and
+hospitality. "Not unacquainted with distress," she said, "I have
+learned to succor the unfortunate." [Footnote: See Proverbial
+Expressions.] The queen's hospitality displayed itself in
+festivities at which games of strength and skill were exhibited.
+The strangers contended for the palm with her own subjects, on
+equal terms, the queen declaring that whether the victor were
+"Trojan or Tyrian should make no difference to her." [Footnote 1:
+See Proverbial Expressions.] At the feast which followed the
+games, Aeneas gave at her request a recital of the closing events
+of the Trojan history and his own adventures after the fall of the
+city. Dido was charmed with his discourse and filled with
+admiration of his exploits. She conceived an ardent passion for
+him, and he for his part seemed well content to accept the
+fortunate chance which appeared to offer him at once a happy
+termination of his wanderings, a home, a kingdom, and a bride.
+Months rolled away in the enjoyment of pleasant intercourse, and
+it seemed as if Italy and the empire destined to be founded on its
+shores were alike forgotten. Seeing which, Jupiter despatched
+Mercury with a message to Aeneas recalling him to a sense of his
+high destiny, and commanding him to resume his voyage.
+
+Aeneas parted from Dido, though she tried every allurement and
+persuasion to detain him. The blow to her affection and her pride
+was too much for her to endure, and when she found that he was
+gone, she mounted a funeral pile which she had caused to be
+erected, and having stabbed herself was consumed with the pile.
+The flames rising over the city were seen by the departing
+Trojans, and, though the cause was unknown, gave to Aeneas some
+intimation of the fatal event.
+
+The following epigram we find in "Elegant Extracts":
+
+FROM THE LATIN
+
+   "Unhappy, Dido, was thy fate
+    In first and second married state!
+    One husband caused thy flight by dying,
+    Thy death the other caused by flying"
+
+PALINURUS
+
+After touching at the island of Sicily, where Acestes, a prince of
+Trojan lineage, bore sway, who gave them a hospitable reception,
+the Trojans re-embarked, and held on their course for Italy. Venus
+now interceded with Neptune to allow her son at last to attain the
+wished-for goal and find an end of his perils on the deep. Neptune
+consented, stipulating only for one life as a ransom for the rest.
+The victim was Palinurus, the pilot. As he sat watching the stars,
+with his hand on the helm, Somnus sent by Neptune approached in
+the guise of Phorbas and said: "Palinurus, the breeze is fair, the
+water smooth, and the ship sails steadily on her course. Lie down
+awhile and take needful rest. I will stand at the helm in your
+place." Palinurus replied, "Tell me not of smooth seas or favoring
+winds,--me who have seen so much of their treachery. Shall I
+trust Aeneas to the chances of the weather and the winds?" And he
+continued to grasp the helm and to keep his eyes fixed on the
+stars. But Somnus waved over him a branch moistened with Lethaean
+dew, and his eyes closed in spite of all his efforts. Then Somnus
+pushed him overboard and he fell; but keeping his hold upon the
+helm, it came away with him. Neptune was mindful of his promise
+and kept the ship on her track without helm or pilot, till Aeneas
+discovered his loss, and, sorrowing deeply for his faithful
+steersman, took charge of the ship himself.
+
+There is a beautiful allusion to the story of Palinurus in Scott's
+"Marmion," Introduction to Canto I., where the poet, speaking of
+the recent death of William Pitt, says:
+
+    "O, think how, to his latest day,
+    When death just hovering claimed his prey,
+    With Palinure's unaltered mood,
+    Firm at his dangerous post he stood;
+    Each call for needful rest repelled,
+    With dying hand the rudder held,
+    Till in his fall, with fateful sway,
+    The steerage of the realm gave way."
+
+The ships at last reached the shores of Italy, and joyfully did
+the adventurers leap to land. While his people were employed in
+making their encampment Aeneas sought the abode of the Sibyl. It
+was a cave connected with a temple and grove, sacred to Apollo and
+Diana. While Aeneas contemplated the scene, the Sibyl accosted
+him. She seemed to know his errand, and under the influence of the
+deity of the place, burst forth in a prophetic strain, giving dark
+intimations of labors and perils through which he was destined to
+make his way to final success. She closed with the encouraging
+words which have become proverbial: "Yield not to disasters, but
+press onward the more bravely." [Footnote: See Proverbial
+Expressions.] Aeneas replied that he had prepared himself for
+whatever might await him. He had but one request to make. Having
+been directed in a dream to seek the abode of the dead in order to
+confer with his father, Anchises, to receive from him a revelation
+of his future fortunes and those of his race, he asked her
+assistance to enable him to accomplish the task. The Sibyl
+replied, "The descent to Avernus is easy: the gate of Pluto stands
+open night and day; but to retrace one's steps and return to the
+upper air, that is the toil, that the difficulty."[Footnote: See
+Proverbial Expressions.] She instructed him to seek in the forest
+a tree on which grew a golden branch. This branch was to be
+plucked off and borne as a gift to Proserpine, and if fate was
+propitious it would yield to the hand and quit its parent trunk,
+but otherwise no force could rend it away. If torn away, another
+would succeed.[Footnote: See Proverbial Expressions.]
+
+Aeneas followed the directions of the Sibyl. His mother, Venus,
+sent two of her doves to fly before him and show him the way, and
+by their assistance he found the tree, plucked the branch, and
+hastened back with it to the Sibyl.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+
+THE INFERNAL REGIONS--THE SIBYL
+
+THE INFERNAL REGIONS
+
+
+As at the commencement of our series we have given the pagan
+account of the creation of the world, so as we approach its
+conclusion we present a view of the regions of the dead, depicted
+by one of their most enlightened poets, who drew his doctrines
+from their most esteemed philosophers. The region where Virgil
+locates the entrance to this abode is perhaps the most strikingly
+adapted to excite ideas of the terrific and preternatural of any
+on the face of the earth. It is the volcanic region near Vesuvius,
+where the whole country is cleft with chasms, from which
+sulphurous flames arise, while the ground is shaken with pent-up
+vapors, and mysterious sounds issue from the bowels of the earth.
+The lake Avernus is supposed to fill the crater of an extinct
+volcano. It is circular, half a mile wide, and very deep,
+surrounded by high banks, which in Virgil's time were covered with
+a gloomy forest. Mephitic vapors rise from its waters, so that no
+life is found on its banks, and no birds fly over it. Here,
+according to the poet, was the cave which afforded access to the
+infernal regions, and here Aeneas offered sacrifices to the
+infernal deities, Proserpine, Hecate, and the Furies. Then a
+roaring was heard in the earth, the woods on the hill-tops were
+shaken, and the howling of dogs announced the approach of the
+deities. "Now," said the Sibyl, "summon up your courage, for you
+will need it." She descended into the cave, and Aeneas followed.
+Before the threshold of hell they passed through a group of beings
+who are enumerated as Griefs and avenging Cares, pale Diseases and
+melancholy Age, Fear and Hunger that tempt to crime, Toil,
+Poverty, and Death,--forms horrible to view. The Furies spread
+their couches there, and Discord, whose hair was of vipers tied up
+with a bloody fillet. Here also were the monsters, Briareus, with
+his hundred arms, Hydras hissing, and Chimaeras breathing fire.
+Aeneas shuddered at the sight, drew his sword and would have
+struck, but the Sibyl restrained him. They then came to the black
+river Cocytus, where they found the ferryman, Charon, old and
+squalid, but strong and vigorous, who was receiving passengers of
+all kinds into his boat, magnanimous heroes, boys and unmarried
+girls, as numerous as the leaves that fall at autumn, or the
+flocks that fly southward at the approach of winter. They stood
+pressing for a passage and longing to touch the opposite shore.
+But the stern ferryman took in only such as he chose, driving the
+rest back. Aeneas, wondering at the sight, asked the Sibyl, "Why
+this discrimination?" She answered, "Those who are taken on board
+the bark are the souls of those who have received due burial
+rites; the host of others who have remained unburied are not
+permitted to pass the flood, but wander a hundred years, and flit
+to and fro about the shore, till at last they are taken over."
+Aeneas grieved at recollecting some of his own companions who had
+perished in the storm. At that moment he beheld Palinurus, his
+pilot, who fell overboard and was drowned. He addressed him and
+asked him the cause of his misfortune. Palinurus replied that the
+rudder was carried away, and he, clinging to it, was swept away
+with it. He besought Aeneas most urgently to extend to him his
+hand and take him in company to the opposite shore. But the Sibyl
+rebuked him for the wish thus to transgress the laws of Pluto; but
+consoled him by informing him that the people of the shore where
+his body had been wafted by the waves should be stirred up by
+prodigies to give it due burial, and that the promontory should
+bear the name of Cape Palinurus, which it does to this day.
+Leaving Palinurus consoled by these words, they approached the
+boat. Charon, fixing his eyes sternly upon the advancing warrior,
+demanded by what right he, living and armed, approached that
+shore. To which the Sibyl replied that they would commit no
+violence, that Aeneas's only object was to see his father, and
+finally exhibited the golden branch, at sight of which Charon's
+wrath relaxed, and he made haste to turn his bark to the shore,
+and receive them on board. The boat, adapted only to the light
+freight of bodiless spirits, groaned under the weight of the hero.
+They were soon conveyed to the opposite shore. There they were
+encountered by the three-headed dog, Cerberus, with his necks
+bristling with snakes. He barked with all his three throats till
+the Sibyl threw him a medicated cake which he eagerly devoured,
+and then stretched himself out in his den and fell asleep. Aeneas
+and the Sibyl sprang to land. The first sound that struck their
+ears was the wailing of young children, who had died on the
+threshold of life, and near to these were they who had perished
+under false charges. Minos presides over them as judge, and
+examines the deeds of each. The next class was of those who had
+died by their own hand, hating life and seeking refuge in death. O
+how willingly would they now endure poverty, labor, and any other
+infliction, if they might but return to life! Next were situated
+the regions of sadness, divided off into retired paths, leading
+through groves of myrtle. Here roamed those who had fallen victims
+to unrequited love, not freed from pain even by death itself.
+Among these, Aeneas thought he descried the form of Dido, with a
+wound still recent. In the dim light he was for a moment
+uncertain, but approaching, perceived it was indeed herself. Tears
+fell from his eyes, and he addressed her in the accents of love.
+"Unhappy Dido! was then the rumor true that you had perished? and
+was I, alas! the cause? I call the gods to witness that my
+departure from you was reluctant, and in obedience to the commands
+of Jove; nor could I believe that my absence would cost you so
+dear. Stop, I beseech you, and refuse me not a last farewell." She
+stood for a moment with averted countenance, and eyes fixed on the
+ground, and then silently passed on, as insensible to his
+pleadings as a rock. Aeneas followed for some distance; then, with
+a heavy heart, rejoined his companion and resumed his route.
+
+They next entered the fields where roam the heroes who have fallen
+in battle. Here they saw many shades of Grecian and Trojan
+warriors. The Trojans thronged around him, and could not be
+satisfied with the sight. They asked the cause of his coming, and
+plied him with innumerable questions. But the Greeks, at the sight
+of his armor glittering through the murky atmosphere, recognized
+the hero, and filled with terror turned their backs and fled, as
+they used to do on the plains of Troy.
+
+Aeneas would have lingered long with his Trojan friends, but the
+Sibyl hurried him away. They next came to a place where the road
+divided, the one leading to Elysium, the other to the regions of
+the condemned. Aeneas beheld on one side the walls of a mighty
+city, around which Phlegethon rolled its fiery waters. Before him
+was the gate of adamant that neither gods nor men can break
+through. An iron tower stood by the gate, on which Tisiphone, the
+avenging Fury, kept guard. From the city were heard groans, and
+the sound of the scourge, the creaking of iron, and the clanking
+of chains. Aeneas, horror-struck, inquired of his guide what
+crimes were those whose punishments produced the sounds he heard?
+The Sibyl answered, "Here is the judgment hall of Rhadamanthus,
+who brings to light crimes done in life, which the perpetrator
+vainly thought impenetrably hid. Tisiphone applies her whip of
+scorpions, and delivers the offender over to her sister Furies."
+At this moment with horrid clang the brazen gates unfolded, and
+Aeneas saw within a Hydra with fifty heads guarding the entrance.
+The Sibyl told him that the gulf of Tartarus descended deep, so
+that its recesses were as far beneath their feet as heaven was
+high above their heads. In the bottom of this pit, the Titan race,
+who warred against the gods, lie prostrate; Salmoneus, also, who
+presumed to vie with Jupiter, and built a bridge of brass over
+which he drove his chariot that the sound might resemble thunder,
+launching flaming brands at his people in imitation of lightning,
+till Jupiter struck him with a real thunderbolt, and taught him
+the difference between mortal weapons and divine. Here, also, is
+Tityus, the giant, whose form is so immense that as he lies he
+stretches over nine acres, while a vulture preys upon his liver,
+which as fast as it is devoured grows again, so that his
+punishment will have no end.
+
+Aeneas saw groups seated at tables loaded with dainties, while
+near by stood a Fury who snatched away the viands from their lips
+as fast as they prepared to taste them. Others beheld suspended
+over their heads huge rocks, threatening to fall, keeping them in
+a state of constant alarm. These were they who had hated their
+brothers, or struck their parents, or defrauded the friends who
+trusted them, or who, having grown rich, kept their money to
+themselves, and gave no share to others; the last being the most
+numerous class. Here also were those who had violated the marriage
+vow, or fought in a bad cause, or failed in fidelity to their
+employers. Here was one who had sold his country for gold, another
+who perverted the laws, making them say one thing to-day and
+another to-morrow.
+
+Ixion was there, fastened to the circumference of a wheel
+ceaselessly revolving; and Sisyphus, whose task was to roll a huge
+stone up to a hill-top, but when the steep was well-nigh gained,
+the rock, repulsed by some sudden force, rushed again headlong
+down to the plain. Again he toiled at it, while the sweat bathed
+all his weary limbs, but all to no effect. There was Tantalus, who
+stood in a pool, his chin level with the water, yet he was parched
+with thirst, and found nothing to assuage it; for when he bowed
+his hoary head, eager to quaff, the water fled away, leaving the
+ground at his feet all dry. Tall trees laden with fruit stooped
+their heads to him, pears, pomegranates, apples, and luscious
+figs; but when with a sudden grasp he tried to seize them winds
+whirled them high above his reach.
+
+The Sibyl now warned Aeneas that it was time to turn from these
+melancholy regions and seek the city of the blessed. They passed
+through a middle tract of darkness, and came upon the Elysian
+fields, the groves where the happy reside. They breathed a freer
+air, and saw all objects clothed in a purple light. The region has
+a sun and stars of its own. The inhabitants were enjoying
+themselves in various ways, some in sports on the grassy turf, in
+games of strength or skill. others dancing or singing. Orpheus
+struck the chords of his lyre, and called forth ravishing sounds.
+Here Aeneas saw the founders of the Trojan state, magnanimous
+heroes who lived in happier times. He gazed with admiration on the
+war chariots and glittering arms now reposing in disuse. Spears
+stood fixed in the ground, and the horses, unharnessed, roamed
+over the plain. The same pride in splendid armor and generous
+steeds which the old heroes felt in life, accompanied them here.
+He saw another group feasting and listening to the strains of
+music. They were in a laurel grove, whence the great river Po has
+its origin, and flows out among men. Here dwelt those who fell by
+wounds received in their country's cause, holy priests also, and
+poets who have uttered thoughts worthy of Apollo, and others who
+have contributed to cheer and adorn life by their discoveries in
+the useful arts, and have made their memory blessed by rendering
+service to mankind. They wore snow-white fillets about their
+brows. The Sibyl addressed a group of these, and inquired where
+Anchises was to be found. They were directed where to seek him,
+and soon found him in a verdant valley, where he was contemplating
+the ranks of his posterity, their destinies and worthy deeds to be
+achieved in coming times. When he recognized Aeneas approaching,
+he stretched out both hands to him, while tears flowed freely.
+"Have you come at last," said he, "long expected, and do I behold
+you after such perils past? O my son, how have I trembled for you
+as I have watched your career!" To which Aeneas replied, "O
+father! your image was always before me to guide and guard me."
+Then he endeavored to enfold his father in his embrace, but his
+arms enclosed only an unsubstantial image.
+
+Aeneas perceived before him a spacious valley, with trees gently
+waving to the wind, a tranquil landscape, through which the river
+Lethe flowed. Along the banks of the stream wandered a countless
+multitude, numerous as insects in the summer air. Aeneas, with
+surprise, inquired who were these. Anchises answered, "They are
+souls to which bodies are to be given in due time. Meanwhile they
+dwell on Lethe's bank, and drink oblivion of their former lives."
+"O father!" said Aeneas, "is it possible that any can be so in
+love with life as to wish to leave these tranquil seats for the
+upper world?" Anchises replied by explaining the plan of creation.
+The Creator, he told him, originally made the material of which
+souls are composed of the four elements, fire, air, earth, and
+water, all which when united took the form of the most excellent
+part, fire, and became FLAME. This material was scattered like
+seed among the heavenly bodies, the sun, moon, and stars. Of this
+seed the inferior gods created man and all other animals, mingling
+it with various proportions of earth, by which its purity was
+alloyed and reduced. Thus, the more earth predominates in the
+composition the less pure is the individual; and we see men and
+women with their full-grown bodies have not the purity of
+childhood. So in proportion to the time which the union of body
+and soul has lasted is the impurity contracted by the spiritual
+part. This impurity must be purged away after death, which is done
+by ventilating the souls in the current of winds, or merging them
+in water, or burning out their impurities by fire. Some few, of
+whom Anchises intimates that he is one, are admitted at once to
+Elysium, there to remain. But the rest, after the impurities of
+earth are purged away, are sent back to life endowed with new
+bodies, having had the remembrance of their former lives
+effectually washed away by the waters of Lethe. Some, however,
+there still are, so thoroughly corrupted, that they are not fit to
+be intrusted with human bodies, and these are made into brute
+animals, lions, tigers, cats, dogs, monkeys, etc. This is what the
+ancients called Metempsychosis, or the transmigration of souls; a
+doctrine which is still held by the natives of India, who scruple
+to destroy the life even of the most insignificant animal, not
+knowing but it may be one of their relations in an altered form.
+
+Anchises, having explained so much, proceeded to point out to
+Aeneas individuals of his race, who were hereafter to be born, and
+to relate to him the exploits they should perform in the world.
+After this he reverted to the present, and told his son of the
+events that remained to him to be accomplished before the complete
+establishment of himself and his followers in Italy. Wars were to
+be waged, battles fought, a bride to be won, and in the result a
+Trojan state founded, from which should rise the Roman power, to
+be in time the sovereign of the world.
+
+Aeneas and the Sibyl then took leave of Anchises, and returned by
+some short cut, which the poet does not explain, to the upper
+world.
+
+ELYSIUM
+
+Virgil, we have seen, places his Elysium under the earth, and
+assigns it for a residence to the spirits of the blessed. But in
+Homer Elysium forms no part of the realms of the dead. He places
+it on the west of the earth, near Ocean, and describes it as a
+happy land, where there is neither snow, nor cold, nor rain, and
+always fanned by the delightful breezes of Zephyrus. Hither
+favored heroes pass without dying and live happy under the rule of
+Rhadamanthus. The Elysium of Hesiod and Pindar is in the Isles of
+the Blessed, or Fortunate Islands, in the Western Ocean. From
+these sprang the legend of the happy island Atlantis. This
+blissful region may have been wholly imaginary, but possibly may
+have sprung from the reports of some storm-driven mariners who had
+caught a glimpse of the coast of America.
+
+J. R. Lowell, in one of his shorter poems, claims for the present
+age some of the privileges of that happy realm. Addressing the
+Past, he says:
+
+     "Whatever of true life there was in thee,
+        Leaps in our age's veins.
+
+     Here, 'mid the bleak waves of our strife and care,
+       Float the green 'Fortunate Isles,'
+     Where all thy hero-spirits dwell and share
+       Our martyrdoms and toils.
+         The present moves attended
+     With all of brave and excellent and fair
+         That made the old time splendid."
+
+Milton also alludes to the same fable in "Paradise Lost," Book
+III, 1. 568:
+
+    "Like those Hesperian gardens famed of old,
+    Fortunate fields and groves and flowery vales,
+    Thrice happy isles."
+
+And in Book II. he characterizes the rivers of Erebus according to
+the meaning of their names in the Greek language:
+
+    "Abhorred Styx, the flood of deadly hate,
+    Sad Acheron of sorrow black and deep;
+    Cocytus named of lamentation loud
+    Heard on the rueful stream; fierce Phlegethon
+    Whose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage.
+    Far off from these a slow and silent stream,
+    Lethe, the river of oblivion, rolls
+    Her watery labyrinth, whereof who drinks
+    Forthwith his former state and being forgets,
+    Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain."
+
+THE SIBYL
+
+As Aeneas and the Sibyl pursued their way back to earth, he said
+to her, "Whether thou be a goddess or a mortal beloved of the
+gods, by me thou shalt always be held in reverence. When I reach
+the upper air I will cause a temple to be built to thy honor, and
+will myself bring offerings." "I am no goddess," said the Sibyl;
+"I have no claim to sacrifice or offering. I am mortal; yet if I
+could have accepted the love of Apollo I might have been immortal.
+He promised me the fulfilment of my wish, if I would consent to be
+his. I took a handful of sand, and holding it forth, said, 'Grant
+me to see as many birthdays as there are sand grains in my hand.'
+Unluckily I forgot to ask for enduring youth. This also he would
+have granted, could I have accepted his love, but offended at my
+refusal, he allowed me to grow old. My youth and youthful strength
+fled long ago. I have lived seven hundred years, and to equal the
+number of the sand grains I have still to see three hundred
+springs and three hundred harvests. My body shrinks up as years
+increase, and in time, I shall be lost to sight, but my voice will
+remain, and future ages will respect my sayings."
+
+These concluding words of the Sibyl alluded to her prophetic
+power. In her cave she was accustomed to inscribe on leaves
+gathered from the trees the names and fates of individuals. The
+leaves thus inscribed were arranged in order within the cave, and
+might be consulted by her votaries. But if perchance at the
+opening of the door the wind rushed in and dispersed the leaves
+the Sibyl gave no aid to restoring them again, and the oracle was
+irreparably lost.
+
+The following legend of the Sibyl is fixed at a later date. In the
+reign of one of the Tarquins there appeared before the king a
+woman who offered him nine books for sale. The king refused to
+purchase them, whereupon the woman went away and burned three of
+the books, and returning offered the remaining books for the same
+price she had asked for the nine. The king again rejected them;
+but when the woman, after burning three books more, returned and
+asked for the three remaining the same price which she had before
+asked for the nine, his curiosity was excited, and he purchased
+the books. They were found to contain the destinies of the Roman
+state. They were kept in the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus,
+preserved in a stone chest, and allowed to be inspected only by
+especial officers appointed for that duty, who, on great
+occasions, consulted them and interpreted their oracles to the
+people.
+
+There were various Sibyls; but the Cumaean Sibyl, of whom Ovid and
+Virgil write, is the most celebrated of them. Ovid's story of her
+life protracted to one thousand years may be intended to represent
+the various Sibyls as being only reappearances of one and the same
+individual.
+
+Young, in the "Night Thoughts," alludes to the Sibyl. Speaking of
+Worldly Wisdom, he says:
+
+   "If future fate she plans 'tis all in leaves,
+    Like Sibyl, unsubstantial, fleeting bliss;
+    At the first blast it vanishes in air.
+
+    As worldly schemes resemble Sibyl's leaves,
+    The good man's days to Sibyl's books compare,
+    The price still rising as in number less."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII
+
+CAMILLA--EVANDER--NISUS AND EURYALUS--MEZENTIUS--TURNUS
+
+
+Aeneas, having parted from the Sibyl and rejoined his fleet,
+coasted along the shores of Italy and cast anchor in the mouth of
+the Tiber. The poet, having brought his hero to this spot, the
+destined termination of his wanderings, invokes his Muse to tell
+him the situation of things at that eventful moment. Latinus,
+third in descent from Saturn, ruled the country. He was now old
+and had no male descendant, but had one charming daughter,
+Lavinia, who was sought in marriage by many neighboring chiefs,
+one of whom, Turnus, king of the Rutulians, was favored by the
+wishes of her parents. But Latinus had been warned in a dream by
+his father Faunus, that the destined husband of Lavinia should
+come from a foreign land. From that union should spring a race
+destined to subdue the world.
+
+Our readers will remember that in the conflict with the Harpies
+one of those half-human birds had threatened the Trojans with dire
+sufferings. In particular she predicted that before their
+wanderings ceased they should be pressed by hunger to devour their
+tables. This portent now came true; for as they took their scanty
+meal, seated on the grass, the men placed their hard biscuit on
+their laps, and put thereon whatever their gleanings in the woods
+supplied. Having despatched the latter they finished by eating the
+crusts. Seeing which, the boy Iulus said playfully, "See, we are
+eating our tables." Aeneas caught the words and accepted the omen.
+"All hail, promised land!" he exclaimed, "this is our home, this
+our country." He then took measures to find out who were the
+present inhabitants of the land, and who their rulers. A hundred
+chosen men were sent to the village of Latinus, bearing presents
+and a request for friendship and alliance. They went and were
+favorably received. Latinus immediately concluded that the Trojan
+hero was no other than the promised son-in-law announced by the
+oracle. He cheerfully granted his alliance and sent back the
+messengers mounted on steeds from his stables, and loaded with
+gifts and friendly messages.
+
+Juno, seeing things go thus prosperously for the Trojans, felt her
+old animosity revive, summoned Alecto from Erebus, and sent her to
+stir up discord. The Fury first took possession of the queen,
+Amata, and roused her to oppose in every way the new alliance.
+Alecto then speeded to the city of Turnus, and assuming the form
+of an old priestess, informed him of the arrival of the foreigners
+and of the attempts of their prince to rob him of his bride. Next
+she turned her attention to the camp of the Trojans. There she saw
+the boy Iulus and his companions amusing themselves with hunting.
+She sharpened the scent of the dogs, and led them to rouse up from
+the thicket a tame stag, the favorite of Silvia, the daughter of
+Tyrrheus, the king's herdsman. A javelin from the hand of Iulus
+wounded the animal, and he had only strength left to run
+homewards, and died at his mistress's feet. Her cries and tears
+roused her brothers and the herdsmen, and they, seizing whatever
+weapons came to hand, furiously assaulted the hunting party. These
+were protected by their friends, and the herdsmen were finally
+driven back with the loss of two of their number.
+
+These things were enough to rouse the storm of war, and the queen,
+Turnus, and the peasants all urged the old king to drive the
+strangers from the country. He resisted as long as he could, but,
+finding his opposition unavailing, finally gave way and retreated
+to his retirement.
+
+OPENING THE GATES OF JANUS
+
+It was the custom of the country, when war was to be undertaken,
+for the chief magistrate, clad in his robes of office, with solemn
+pomp to open the gates of the temple of Janus, which were kept
+shut as long as peace endured. His people now urged the old king
+to perform that solemn office, but he refused to do so. While they
+contested, Juno herself, descending from the skies, smote the
+doors with irresistible force, and burst them open. Immediately
+the whole country was in a flame. The people rushed from every
+side breathing nothing but war.
+
+Turnus was recognized by all as leader; others joined as allies,
+chief of whom was Mezentius, a brave and able soldier, but of
+detestable cruelty. He had been the chief of one of the
+neighboring cities, but his people drove him out. With him was
+joined his son Lausus, a generous youth, worthy of a better sire.
+
+CAMILLA
+
+Camilla, the favorite of Diana, a huntress and warrior, after the
+fashion of the Amazons, came with her band of mounted followers,
+including a select number of her own sex, and ranged herself on
+the side of Turnus. This maiden had never accustomed her fingers
+to the distaff or the loom, but had learned to endure the toils of
+war, and in speed to outstrip the wind. It seemed as if she might
+run over the standing corn without crushing it, or over the
+surface of the water without dipping her feet. Camilla's history
+had been singular from the beginning. Her father, Metabus, driven
+from his city by civil discord, carried with him in his flight his
+infant daughter. As he fled through the woods, his enemies in hot
+pursuit, he reached the bank of the river Amazenus, which, swelled
+by rains, seemed to debar a passage. He paused for a moment, then
+decided what to do. He tied the infant to his lance with wrappers
+of bark, and poising the weapon in his upraised hand thus
+addressed Diana: "Goddess of the woods! I consecrate this maid to
+you;" then hurled the weapon with its burden to the opposite bank.
+The spear flew across the roaring water. His pursuers were already
+upon him, but he plunged into the river and swam across, and found
+the spear, with the infant safe on the other side. Thenceforth he
+lived among the shepherds and brought up his daughter in woodland
+arts. While a child she was taught to use the bow and throw the
+javelin. With her sling she could bring down the crane or the wild
+swan. Her dress was a tiger's skin. Many mothers sought her for a
+daughter-in-law, but she continued faithful to Diana and repelled
+the thought of marriage.
+
+EVANDER
+
+Such were the formidable allies that ranged themselves against
+Aeneas. It was night and he lay stretched in sleep on the bank of
+the river under the open heavens. The god of the stream, Father
+Tiber, seemed to raise his head above the willows and to say, "O
+goddess-born, destined possessor of the Latin realms, this is the
+promised land, here is to be your home, here shall terminate the
+hostility of the heavenly powers, if only you faithfully
+persevere. There are friends not far distant. Prepare your boats
+and row up my stream; I will lead you to Evander, the Arcadian
+chief, he has long been at strife with Turnus and the Rutulians,
+and is prepared to become an ally of yours. Rise! offer your vows
+to Juno, and deprecate her anger. When you have achieved your
+victory then think of me." Aeneas woke and paid immediate
+obedience to the friendly vision. He sacrificed to Juno, and
+invoked the god of the river and all his tributary fountains to
+lend their aid. Then for the first time a vessel filled with armed
+warriors floated on the stream of the Tiber. The river smoothed
+its waves, and bade its current flow gently, while, impelled by
+the vigorous strokes of the rowers, the vessels shot rapidly up
+the stream.
+
+About the middle of the day they came in sight of the scattered
+buildings of the infant town, where in after times the proud city
+of Rome grew, whose glory reached the skies. By chance the old
+king, Evander, was that day celebrating annual solemnities in
+honor of Hercules and all the gods. Pallas, his son, and all the
+chiefs of the little commonwealth stood by. When they saw the tall
+ship gliding onward near the wood, they were alarmed at the sight,
+and rose from the tables. But Pallas forbade the solemnities to be
+interrupted, and seizing a weapon, stepped forward to the river's
+bank. He called aloud, demanding who they were, and what their
+object. Aeneas, holding forth an olive-branch, replied, "We are
+Trojans, friends to you, and enemies to the Rutulians. We seek
+Evander, and offer to join our arms with yours." Pallas, in amaze
+at the sound of so great a name, invited them to land, and when
+Aeneas touched the shore he seized his hand, and held it long in
+friendly grasp. Proceeding through the wood, they joined the king
+and his party and were most favorably received. Seats were
+provided for them at the tables, and the repast proceeded.
+
+INFANT ROME
+
+When the solemnities were ended all moved towards the city. The
+king, bending with age, walked between his son and Aeneas, taking
+the arm of one or the other of them, and with much variety of
+pleasing talk shortening the way. Aeneas with delight looked and
+listened, observing all the beauties of the scene, and learning
+much of heroes renowned in ancient times. Evander said, "These
+extensive groves were once inhabited by fauns and nymphs, and a
+rude race of men who sprang from the trees themselves, and had
+neither laws nor social culture. They knew not how to yoke the
+cattle nor raise a harvest, nor provide from present abundance for
+future want; but browsed like beasts upon the leafy boughs, or fed
+voraciously on their hunted prey. Such were they when Saturn,
+expelled from Olympus by his sons, came among them and drew
+together the fierce savages, formed them into society, and gave
+them laws. Such peace and plenty ensued that men ever since have
+called his reign the golden age; but by degrees far other times
+succeeded, and the thirst of gold and the thirst of blood
+prevailed. The land was a prey to successive tyrants, till fortune
+and resistless destiny brought me hither, an exile from my native
+land, Arcadia."
+
+Having thus said, he showed him the Tarpeian rock, and the rude
+spot then overgrown with bushes where in after times the Capitol
+rose in all its magnificence. He next pointed to some dismantled
+walls, and said, "Here stood Janiculum, built by Janus, and there
+Saturnia, the town of Saturn." Such discourse brought them to the
+cottage of poor Evander, whence they saw the lowing herds roaming
+over the plain where now the proud and stately Forum stands. They
+entered, and a couch was spread for Aeneas, well stuffed with
+leaves, and covered with the skin of a Libyan bear.
+
+Next morning, awakened by the dawn and the shrill song of birds
+beneath the eaves of his low mansion, old Evander rose. Clad in a
+tunic, and a panther's skin thrown over his shoulders, with
+sandals on his feet and his good sword girded to his side, he went
+forth to seek his guest. Two mastiffs followed him, his whole
+retinue and body guard. He found the hero attended by his faithful
+Achates, and, Pallas soon joining them, the old king spoke thus:
+
+"Illustrious Trojan, it is but little we can do in so great a
+cause. Our state is feeble, hemmed in on one side by the river, on
+the other by the Rutulians. But I propose to ally you with a
+people numerous and rich, to whom fate has brought you at the
+propitious moment. The Etruscans hold the country beyond the
+river. Mezentius was their king, a monster of cruelty, who
+invented unheard-of torments to gratify his vengeance. He would
+fasten the dead to the living, hand to hand and face to face, and
+leave the wretched victims to die in that dreadful embrace. At
+length the people cast him out, him and his house. They burned his
+palace and slew his friends. He escaped and took refuge with
+Turnus, who protects him with arms. The Etruscans demand that he
+shall be given up to deserved punishment, and would ere now have
+attempted to enforce their demand; but their priests restrain
+them, telling them that it is the will of heaven that no native of
+the land shall guide them to victory, and that thsir destined
+leader must come from across the sea. They have offered the crown
+to me, but I am too old to undertake such great affairs, and my
+son is native-born, which precludes him from the choice. You,
+equally by birth and time of life, and fame in arms, pointed out
+by the gods, have but to appear to be hailed at once as their
+leader. With you I will join Pallas, my son, my only hope and
+comfort. Under you he shall learn the art of war, and strive to
+emulate your great exploits."
+
+Then the king ordered horses to be furnished for the Trojan
+chiefs, and Aeneas, with a chosen band of followers and Pallas
+accompanying, mounted and took the way to the Etruscan city,
+[Footnote: The poet here inserts a famous line which is thought to
+imitate in its sound the galloping of horses. It may be thus
+translated--"Then struck the hoofs of the steeds on the ground
+with a four-footed trampling."--See Proverbial Expressions.]
+having sent back the rest of his party in the ships. Aeneas and
+his band safely arrived at the Etruscan camp and were received
+with open arms by Tarchon and his countrymen.
+
+NISUS AND EURYALUS
+
+In the meanwhile Turnus had collected his bands and made all
+necessary preparations for the war. Juno sent Iris to him with a
+message inciting him to take advantage of the absence of Aeneas
+and surprise the Trojan camp. Accordingly the attempt was made,
+but the Trojans were found on their guard, and having received
+strict orders from Aeneas not to fight in his absence, they lay
+still in their intrenchments, and resisted all the efforts of the
+Rutulians to draw them into the field. Night coming on, the army
+of Turnus, in high spirits at their fancied superiority, feasted
+and enjoyed themselves, and finally stretched themselves on the
+field and slept secure.
+
+In the camp of the Trojans things were far otherwise. There all
+was watchfulness and anxiety and impatience for Aeneas's return.
+Nisus stood guard at the entrance of the camp, and Euryalus, a
+youth distinguished above all in the army for graces of person and
+fine qualities, was with him. These two were friends and brothers
+in arms. Nisus said to his friend, "Do you perceive what
+confidence and carelessness the enemy display? Their lights are
+few and dim, and the men seem all oppressed with wine or sleep.
+You know how anxiously our chiefs wish to send to Aeneas, and to
+get intelligence from him. Now, I am strongly moved to make my way
+through the enemy's camp and to go in search of our chief. If I
+succeed, the glory of the deed will be reward enough for me, and
+if they judge the service deserves anything more, let them pay it
+to you."
+
+Euryalus, all on fire with the love of adventure, replied, "Would
+you, then, Nisus, refuse to share your enterprise with me? And
+shall I let you go into such danger alone? Not so my brave father
+brought me up, nor so have I planned for myself when I joined the
+standard of Aeneas, and resolved to hold my life cheap in
+comparison with honor." Nisus replied, "I doubt it not, my friend;
+but you know the uncertain event of such an undertaking, and
+whatever may happen to me, I wish you to be safe. You are younger
+than I and have more of life in prospect. Nor can I be the cause
+of such grief to your mother, who has chosen to be here in the
+camp with you rather than stay and live in peace with the other
+matrons in Acestes' city." Euryalus replied, "Say no more. In vain
+you seek arguments to dissuade me. I am fixed in the resolution to
+go with you. Let us lose no time." They called the guard, and
+committing the watch to them, sought the general's tent. They
+found the chief officers in consultation, deliberating how they
+should send notice to Aeneas of their situation. The offer of the
+two friends was gladly accepted, themselves loaded with praises
+and promised the most liberal rewards in case of success. Iulus
+especially addressed Euryalus, assuring him of his lasting
+friendship. Euryalus replied, "I have but one boon to ask. My aged
+mother is with me in the camp. For me she left the Trojan soil,
+and would not stay behind with the other matrons at the city of
+Acestes. I go now without taking leave of her. I could not bear
+her tears nor set at nought her entreaties. But do thou, I beseech
+you, comfort her in her distress. Promise me that and I shall go
+more boldly into whatever dangers may present themselves." Iulus
+and the other chiefs were moved to tears, and promised to do all
+his request. "Your mother shall be mine," said Iulus, "and all
+that I have promised to you shall be made good to her, if you do
+not return to receive it."
+
+The two friends left the camp and plunged at once into the midst
+of the enemy. They found no watch, no sentinels posted, but, all
+about, the sleeping soldiers strewn on the grass and among the
+wagons. The laws of war at that early day did not forbid a brave
+man to slay a sleeping foe, and the two Trojans slew, as they
+passed, such of the enemy as they could without exciting alarm. In
+one tent Euryalus made prize of a helmet brilliant with gold and
+plumes. They had passed through the enemy's ranks without being
+discovered, but now suddenly appeared a troop directly in front of
+them, which, under Volscens, their leader, were approaching the
+camp. The glittering helmet of Euryalus caught their attention,
+and Volscens hailed the two, and demanded who and whence they
+were. They made no answer, but plunged into the wood. The horsemen
+scattered in all directions to intercept their flight. Nisus had
+eluded pursuit and was out of danger, but Euryalus being missing
+he turned back to seek him. He again entered the wood and soon
+came within sound of voices. Looking through the thicket he saw
+the whole band surrounding Euryalus with noisy questions. What
+should he do? how extricate the youth, or would it be better to
+die with him.
+
+Raising his eyes to the moon, which now shone clear, he said,
+"Goddess! favor my effort!" and aiming his javelin at one of the
+leaders of the troop, struck him in the back and stretched him on
+the plain with a death-blow. In the midst of their amazement
+another weapon flew and another of the party fell dead. Volscens,
+the leader, ignorant whence the darts came, rushed sword in hand
+upon Euryalus. "You shall pay the penalty of both," he said, and
+would have plunged the sword into his bosom, when Nisus, who from
+his concealment saw the peril of his friend, rushed forward
+exclaiming, "'Twas I, 'twas I; turn your swords against me,
+Rutulians, I did it; he only followed me as a friend." While he
+spoke the sword fell, and pierced the comely bosom of Euryalus.
+His head fell over on his shoulder, like a flower cut down by the
+plough. Nisus rushed upon Volscens and plunged his sword into his
+body, and was himself slain on the instant by numberless blows.
+
+MEZENTIUS
+
+Aeneas, with his Etrurian allies, arrived on the scene of action
+in time to rescue his beleaguered camp; and now the two armies
+being nearly equal in strength, the war began in good earnest. We
+cannot find space for all the details, but must simply record the
+fate of the principal characters whom we have introduced to our
+readers. The tyrant Mezentius, finding himself engaged against his
+revolting subjects, raged like a wild beast. He slew all who dared
+to withstand him, and put the multitude to flight wherever he
+appeared. At last he encountered Aeneas, and the armies stood
+still to see the issue. Mezentius threw his spear, which striking
+Aeneas's shield glanced off and hit Anthor. He was a Grecian by
+birth, who had left Argos, his native city, and followed Evander
+into Italy. The poet says of him with simple pathos which has made
+the words proverbial, "He fell, unhappy, by a wound intended for
+another, looked up at the skies, and dying remembered sweet
+Argos." [Footnote: See Proverbial Expressions.] Aeneas now in turn
+hurled his lance. It pierced the shield of Mezentius, and wounded
+him in the thigh. Lausus, his son, could not bear the sight, but
+rushed forward and interposed himself, while the followers pressed
+round Mezentius and bore him away. Aeneas held his sword suspended
+over Lausus and delayed to strike, but the furious youth pressed
+on and he was compelled to deal the fatal blow. Lausus fell, and
+Aeneas bent over him in pity. "Hapless youth," he said, "what can
+I do for you worthy of your praise? Keep those arms in which you
+glory, and fear not but that your body shall be restored to your
+friends, and have due funeral honors." So saying, he called the
+timid followers and delivered the body into their hands.
+
+Mezentius meanwhile had been borne to the riverside, and washed
+his wound. Soon the news reached him of Lausus's death, and rage
+and despair supplied the place of strength. He mounted his horse
+and dashed into the thickest of the fight, seeking Aeneas. Having
+found him, [Footnote: See Proverbial Expressions.] he rode round
+him in a circle, throwing one javelin after another, while Aeneas
+stood fenced with his shield, turning every way to meet them. At
+last, after Mezentius had three times made the circuit, Aeneas
+threw his lance directly at the horse's head. It pierced his
+temples and he fell, while a shout from both armies rent the
+skies. Mezentius asked no mercy, but only that his body might be
+spared the insults of his revolted subjects, and be buried in the
+same grave with his son. He received the fatal stroke not
+unprepared, and poured out his life and his blood together.
+
+PALLAS, CAMILLA, TURNUS
+
+While these things were doing in one part of the field, in another
+Turnus encountered the youthful Pallas. The contest between
+champions so unequally matched could not be doubtful. Pallas bore
+himself bravely, but fell by the lance of Turnus. The victor
+almost relented when he saw the brave youth lying dead at his
+feet, and spared to use the privilege of a conqueror in despoiling
+him of his arms. The belt only, adorned with studs and carvings of
+gold, he took and clasped round his own body. The rest he remitted
+to the friends of the slain.
+
+After the battle there was a cessation of arms for some days to
+allow both armies to bury their dead. In this interval Aeneas
+challenged Turnus to decide the contest by single combat, but
+Turnus evaded the challenge. Another battle ensued, in which
+Camilla, the virgin warrior, was chiefly conspicuous. Her deeds of
+valor surpassed those of the bravest warriors, and many Trojans
+and Etruscans fell pierced with her darts or struck down by her
+battle-axe. At last an Etruscan named Aruns, who had watched her
+long, seeking for some advantage, observed her pursuing a flying
+enemy whose splendid armor offered a tempting prize. Intent on the
+chase she observed not her danger, and the javelin of Aruns struck
+her and inflicted a fatal wound. She fell and breathed her last in
+the arms of her attendant maidens. But Diana, who beheld her fate,
+suffered not her slaughter to be unavenged. Aruns, as he stole
+away, glad, but frightened, was struck by a secret arrow, launched
+by one of the nymphs of Diana's train, and died ignobly and
+unknown.
+
+At length the final conflict took place between Aeneas and Turnus.
+Turnus had avoided the contest as long as he could, but at last,
+impelled by the ill success of his arms and by the murmurs of his
+followers, he braced himself to the conflict. It could not be
+doubtful. On the side of Aeneas were the expressed decree of
+destiny, the aid of his goddess-mother at every emergency, and
+impenetrable armor fabricated by Vulcan, at her request, for her
+son. Turnus, on the other hand, was deserted by his celestial
+allies, Juno having been expressly forbidden by Jupiter to assist
+him any longer. Turnus threw his lance, but it recoiled harmless
+from the shield of Aeneas. The Trojan hero then threw his, which
+penetrated the shield of Turnus, and pierced his thigh. Then
+Turnus's fortitude forsook him and he begged for mercy; and Aeneas
+would have given him his life, but at the instant his eye fell on
+the belt of Pallas, which Turnus had taken from the slaughtered
+youth. Instantly his rage revived, and exclaiming, "Pallas
+immolates thee with this blow," he thrust him through with his
+sword.
+
+Here the poem of the "Aeneid" closes, and we are left to infer
+that Aeneas, having triumphed over his foes, obtained Lavinia for
+his bride. Tradition adds that he founded his city, and called it
+after her name, Lavinium. His son Iulus founded Alba Longa, which
+was the birthplace of Romulus and Remus and the cradle of Rome
+itself.
+
+There is an allusion to Camilla in those well-known lines of Pope,
+in which, illustrating the rule that "the sound should be an echo
+to the sense," he says:
+
+   "When Ajax strives some rock's vast weight to throw,
+    The line too labors and the words move slow.
+    Not so when swift Camilla scours the plain,
+    Flies o'er th' unbending corn or skims along the main."
+
+    --Essay on Criticism.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV
+
+PYTHAGORAS--EGYPTIAN DEITIES--ORACLES
+
+PYTHAGORAS
+
+
+The teachings of Anchises to Aeneas, respecting the nature of the
+human soul, were in conformity with the doctrines of the
+Pythagoreans. Pythagoras (born five hundred and forty years B.C.)
+was a native of the island of Samos, but passed the chief portion
+of his life at Crotona in Italy. He is therefore sometimes called
+"the Samian," and sometimes "the philosopher of Crotona." When
+young he travelled extensively, and it is said visited Egypt,
+where he was instructed by the priests in all their learning, and
+afterwards journeyed to the East, and visited the Persian and
+Chaldean Magi, and the Brahmins of India.
+
+At Crotona, where he finally established himself, his
+extraordinary qualities collected round him a great number of
+disciples. The inhabitants were notorious for luxury and
+licentiousness, but the good effects of his influence were soon
+visible. Sobriety and temperance succeeded. Six hundred of the
+inhabitants became his disciples and enrolled themselves in a
+society to aid each other in the pursuit of wisdom, uniting their
+property in one common stock for the benefit of the whole. They
+were required to practise the greatest purity and simplicity of
+manners. The first lesson they learned was SILENCE; for a time
+they were required to be only hearers. "He [Pythagoras] said so"
+(Ipse dixit), was to be held by them as sufficient, without any
+proof. It was only the advanced pupils, after years of patient
+submission, who were allowed to ask questions and to state
+objections.
+
+Pythagoras considered NUMBERS as the essence and principle of all
+things, and attributed to them a real and distinct existence; so
+that, in his view, they were the elements out of which the
+universe was constructed. How he conceived this process has never
+been satisfactorily explained. He traced the various forms and
+phenomena of the world to numbers as their basis and essence. The
+"Monad" or unit he regarded as the source of all numbers. The
+number Two was imperfect, and the cause of increase and division.
+Three was called the number of the whole because it had a
+beginning, middle, and end. Four, representing the square, is in
+the highest degree perfect; and Ten, as it contains the sum of the
+four prime numbers, comprehends all musical and arithmetical
+proportions, and denotes the system of the world.
+
+As the numbers proceed from the monad, so he regarded the pure and
+simple essence of the Deity as the source of all the forms of
+nature. Gods, demons, and heroes are emanations of the Supreme,
+and there is a fourth emanation, the human soul. This is immortal,
+and when freed from the fetters of the body passes to the
+habitation of the dead, where it remains till it returns to the
+world, to dwell in some other human or animal body, and at last,
+when sufficiently purified, it returns to the source from which it
+proceeded. This doctrine of the transmigration of souls
+(metempsychosis), which was originally Egyptian and connected with
+the doctrine of reward and punishment of human actions, was the
+chief cause why the Pythagoreans killed no animals. Ovid
+represents Pythagoras addressing his disciples in these words:
+"Souls never die, but always on quitting one abode pass to
+another. I myself can remember that in the time of the Trojan war
+I was Euphorbus, the son of Panthus, and fell by the spear of
+Menelaus. Lately being in the temple of Juno, at Argos, I
+recognized my shield hung up there among the trophies. All things
+change, nothing perishes. The soul passes hither and thither,
+occupying now this body, now that, passing from the body of a
+beast into that of a man, and thence to a beast's again. As wax is
+stamped with certain figures, then melted, then stamped anew with
+others, yet is always the same wax, so the soul, being always the
+same, yet wears, at different times, different forms. Therefore,
+if the love of kindred is not extinct in your bosoms, forbear, I
+entreat you, to violate the life of those who may haply be your
+own relatives."
+
+Shakspeare, in the "Merchant of Venice," makes Gratiano allude to
+the metempsychosis, where he says to Shylock:
+
+   "Thou almost mak'st me waver in my faith,
+    To hold opinion with Pythagoras,
+    That souls of animals infuse themselves
+    Into the trunks of men; thy currish spirit
+    Governed a wolf; who hanged for human slaughter
+    Infused his soul in thee; for thy desires
+    Are wolfish, bloody, starved and ravenous."
+
+The relation of the notes of the musical scale to numbers, whereby
+harmony results from vibrations in equal times, and discord from
+the reverse, led Pythagoras to apply the word "harmony" to the
+visible creation, meaning by it the just adaptation of parts to
+each other. This is the idea which Dryden expresses in the
+beginning of his "Song for St. Cecilia's Day":
+
+   "From harmony, from heavenly harmony
+    This everlasting frame began;
+    From harmony to harmony
+    Through all the compass of the notes it ran,
+    The Diapason closing full in Man."
+
+In the centre of the universe (he taught) there was a central
+fire, the principle of life. The central fire was surrounded by
+the earth, the moon, the sun, and the five planets. The distances
+of the various heavenly bodies from one another were conceived to
+correspond to the proportions of the musical scale. The heavenly
+bodies, with the gods who inhabited them, were supposed to perform
+a choral dance round the central fire, "not without song." It is
+this doctrine which Shakspeare alludes to when he makes Lorenzo
+teach astronomy to Jessica in this fashion:
+
+   "Look, Jessica, see how the floor of heaven
+    Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold!
+    There's not the smallest orb that thou behold'st
+    But in his motion like an angel sings,
+    Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubim;
+    Such harmony is in immortal souls!
+    But whilst this muddy vesture of decay
+    Doth grossly close it in we cannot hear it."
+
+    --Merchant of Venice.
+
+The spheres were conceived to be crystalline or glassy fabrics
+arranged over one another like a nest of bowls reversed. In the
+substance of each sphere one or more of the heavenly bodies was
+supposed to be fixed, so as to move with it. As the spheres are
+transparent we look through them and see the heavenly bodies which
+they contain and carry round with them. But as these spheres
+cannot move on one another without friction, a sound is thereby
+produced which is of exquisite harmony, too fine for mortal ears
+to recognize. Milton, in his "Hymn on the Nativity," thus alludes
+to the music of the spheres:
+
+   "Ring out, ye crystal spheres!
+    Once bless our human ears
+      (If ye have power to charm our senses so);
+    And let your silver chime
+    Move in melodious time,
+      And let the base of Heaven's deep organ blow;
+    And with your ninefold harmony
+    Make up full concert with the angelic symphony."
+
+Pythagoras is said to have invented the lyre. Our own poet
+Longfellow, in "Verses to a Child," thus relates the story:
+
+   "As great Pythagoras of yore,
+    Standing beside the blacksmith's door,
+    And hearing the hammers as they smote
+    The anvils with a different note,
+    Stole from the varying tones that hung
+    Vibrant on every iron tongue,
+    The secret of the sounding wire,
+    And formed the seven-chorded lyre."
+
+See also the same poet's "Occupation of Orion"--
+
+   "The Samian's great Aeolian lyre."
+
+SYBARIS AND CROTONA
+
+Sybaris, a neighboring city to Crotona, was as celebrated for
+luxury and effeminacy as Crotona for the reverse. The name has
+become proverbial. J. R. Lowell uses it in this sense in his
+charming little poem "To the Dandelion":
+
+   "Not in mid June the golden cuirassed bee
+    Feels a more summer-like, warm ravishment
+      In the white lily's breezy tent
+    (His conquered Sybaris) than I when first
+    From the dark green thy yellow circles burst."
+
+A war arose between the two cities, and Sybaris was conquered and
+destroyed. Milo, the celebrated athlete, led the army of Crotona.
+Many stories are told of Milo's vast strength, such as his
+carrying a heifer of four years old upon his shoulders and
+afterwards eating the whole of it in a single day. The mode of his
+death is thus related: As he was passing through a forest he saw
+the trunk of a tree which had been partially split open by wood-
+cutters, and attempted to rend it further; but the wood closed
+upon his hands and held him fast, in which state he was attacked
+and devoured by wolves.
+
+Byron, in his "Ode to Napoleon Bonaparte," alludes to the story of
+Milo:
+
+   "He who of old would rend the oak
+      Deemed not of the rebound;
+    Chained by the trunk he vainly broke,
+      Alone, how looked he round!"
+
+EGYPTIAN DEITIES
+
+The Egyptians acknowledged as the highest deity Amun, afterwards
+called Zeus, or Jupiter Ammon. Amun manifested himself in his word
+or will, which created Kneph and Athor, of different sexes. From
+Kneph and Athor proceeded Osiris and Isis. Osiris was worshipped
+as the god of the sun, the source of warmth, life, and
+fruitfulness, in addition to which he was also regarded as the god
+of the Nile, who annually visited his wife, Isis (the Earth), by
+means of an inundation. Serapis or Hermes is sometimes represented
+as identical with Osiris, and sometimes as a distinct divinity,
+the ruler of Tartarus and god of medicine. Anubis is the guardian
+god, represented with a dog's head, emblematic of his character of
+fidelity and watchfulness. Horus or Harpocrates was the son of
+Osiris. He is represented seated on a Lotus flower, with his
+finger on his lips, as the god of Silence.
+
+In one of Moore's "Irish Melodies" is an allusion to Harpocrates:
+
+   "Thyself shall, under some rosy bower,
+      Sit mute, with thy finger on thy lip;
+    Like him, the boy, who born among
+      The flowers that on the Nile-stream blush,
+    Sits ever thus,--his only song
+      To Earth and Heaven, 'Hush all, hush!'"
+
+MYTH OF OSIRIS AND ISIS
+
+Osiris and Isis were at one time induced to descend to the earth
+to bestow gifts and blessings on its inhabitants. Isis showed them
+first the use of wheat and barley, and Osiris made the instruments
+of agriculture and taught men the use of them, as well as how to
+harness the ox to the plough. He then gave men laws, the
+institution of marriage, a civil organization, and taught them how
+to worship the gods. After he had thus made the valley of the Nile
+a happy country, he assembled a host with which he went to bestow
+his blessings upon the rest of the world. He conquered the nations
+everywhere, but not with weapons, only with music and eloquence.
+His brother Typhon saw this, and filled with envy and malice
+sought during his absence to usurp his throne. But Isis, who held
+the reins of government, frustrated his plans. Still more
+embittered, he now resolved to kill his brother. This he did in
+the following manner: Having organized a conspiracy of seventy-two
+members, he went with them to the feast which was celebrated in
+honor of the king's return. He then caused a box or chest to be
+brought in, which had been made to fit exactly the size of Osiris,
+and declared that he wouldd would give that chest of precious wood
+to whosoever could get into it. The rest tried in vain, but no
+sooner was Osiris in it than Typhon and his companions closed the
+lid and flung the chest into the Nile. When Isis heard of the
+cruel murder she wept and mourned, and then with her hair shorn,
+clothed in black and beating her breast, she sought diligently for
+the body of her husband. In this search she was materially
+assisted by Anubis, the son of Osiris and Nephthys. They sought in
+vain for some time; for when the chest, carried by the waves to
+the shores of Byblos, had become entangled in the reeds that grew
+at the edge of the water, the divine power that dwelt in the body
+of Osiris imparted such strength to the shrub that it grew into a
+mighty tree, enclosing in its trunk the coffin of the god. This
+tree with its sacred deposit was shortly after felled, and erected
+as a column in the palace of the king of Phoenicia. But at length
+by the aid of Anubis and the sacred birds, Isis ascertained these
+facts, and then went to the royal city. There she offered herself
+at the palace as a servant, and being admitted, threw off her
+disguise and appeared as a goddess, surrounded with thunder and
+lightning. Striking the column with her wand she caused it to
+split open and give up the sacred coffin. This she seized and
+returned with it, and concealed it in the depth of a forest, but
+Typhon discovered it, and cutting the body into fourteen pieces
+scattered them hither and thither. After a tedious search, Isis
+found thirteen pieces, the fishes of the Nile having eaten the
+other. This she replaced by an imitation of sycamore wood, and
+buried the body at Philae, which became ever after the great
+burying place of the nation, and the spot to which pilgrimages
+were made from all parts of the country. A temple of surpassing
+magnificence was also erected there in honor of the god, and at
+every place where one of his limbs had been found minor temples
+and tombs were built to commemorate the event. Osiris became after
+that the tutelar deity of the Egyptians. His soul was supposed
+always to inhabit the body of the bull Apis, and at his death to
+transfer itself to his successor.
+
+Apis, the Bull of Memphis, was worshipped with the greatest
+reverence by the Egyptians. The individual animal who was held to
+be Apis was recognized by certain signs. It was requisite that he
+should be quite black, have a white square mark on the forehead,
+another, in the form of an eagle, on his back, and under his
+tongue a lump somewhat in the shape of a scarabaeus or beetle. As
+soon as a bull thus marked was found by those sent in search of
+him, he was placed in a building facing the east, and was fed with
+milk for four months. At the expiration of this term the priests
+repaired at new moon, with great pomp, to his habitation and
+saluted him Apis. He was placed in a vessel magnificently
+decorated and conveyed down the Nile to Memphis, where a temple,
+with two chapels and a court for exercise, was assigned to him.
+Sacrifices were made to him, and once every year, about the time
+when the Nile began to rise, a golden cup was thrown into the
+river, and a grand festival was held to celebrate his birthday.
+The people believed that during this festival the crocodiles
+forgot their natural ferocity and became harmless. There was,
+however, one drawback to his happy lot: he was not permitted to
+live beyond a certain period, and if, when he had attained the age
+of twenty-five years, he still survived, the priests drowned him
+in the sacred cistern and then buried him in the temple of
+Serapis. On the death of this bull, whether it occurred in the
+course of nature or by violence, the whole land was filled with
+sorrow and lamentations, which lasted until his successor was
+found.
+
+We find the following item in one of the newspapers of the day:
+
+"The Tomb of Apis.--The excavations going on at Memphis bid fair
+to make that buried city as interesting as Pompeii. The monster
+tomb of Apis is now open, after having lain unknown for
+centuries."
+
+Milton, in his "Hymn on the Nativity," alludes to the Egyptian
+deities, not as imaginary beings, but as real demons, put to
+flight by the coming of Christ.
+
+    "The brutish god of Nile as fast,
+    Isis and Horus and the dog Anubis haste.
+         Nor is Osiris seen
+         In Memphian grove or green
+    Trampling the unshowered grass with lowings loud;
+         Nor can he be at rest
+         Within his sacred chest;
+    Nought but profoundest hell can be his shroud.
+       In vain with timbrel'd anthems dark
+    The sable-stole sorcerers bear his worshipped ark."
+
+[Footnote: There being no rain in Egypt, the grass is
+"unshowered," and the country depend for its fertility upon the
+overflowings of the Nile. The ark alluded to in the last line is
+shown by pictures still remaining on the walls of the Egyptian
+temples to have been borne by the priests in their religious
+processions. It probably represented the chest in which Osiris was
+placed.]
+
+Isis was represinted in statuary with the head veiled, a symbol of
+mystery. It is this which Tennyson alludes to in "Maud," IV., 8:
+
+"For the drift of the Maker is dark, an Isis hid by the veil,"
+etc.
+
+ORACLES Oracle was the name used to denote the place where answers
+were supposed to be given by any of the divinities to those who
+consulted them respecting the future. The word was also used to
+signify the response which was given.
+
+The most ancient Grecian oracle was that of Jupiter at Dodona.
+According to one account, it was established in the following
+manner: Two black doves took their flight from Thebes in Egypt.
+One flew to Dodona in Epirus, and alighting in a grove of oaks, it
+proclaimed in human language to the inhabitants of the district
+that they must establish there an oracle of Jupiter. The other
+dove flew to the temple of Jupiter Ammon in the Libyan Oasis, and
+delivered a similar command there. Another account is, that they
+were not doves, but priestesses, who were carried off from Thebes
+in Egypt by the Phoenicians, and set up oracles at the Oasis and
+Dodona. The responses of the oracle were given from the trees, by
+the branches rustling in the wind, the sounds being interpreted by
+the priests.
+
+But the most celebrated of the Grecian oracles was that of Apollo
+at Delphi, a city built on the slopes of Parnassus in Phocis.
+
+It had been observed at a very early period that the goats feeding
+on Parnassus were thrown into convulsions when they approached a
+certain long deep cleft in the side of the mountain. This was
+owing to a peculiar vapor arising out of the cavern, and one of
+the goatherds was induced to try its effects upon himself.
+Inhaling the intoxicating air, he was affected in the same manner
+as the cattle had been, and the inhabitants of the surrounding
+country, unable to explain the circumstance, imputed the
+convulsive ravings to which he gave utterance while under the
+power of the exhalations to a divine inspiration. The fact was
+speedily circulated widely, and a temple was erected on the spot.
+The prophetic influence was at first variously attributed to the
+goddess Earth, to Neptune, Themis, and others, but it was at
+length assigned to Apollo, and to him alone. A priestess was
+appointed whose office it was to inhale the hallowed air, and who
+was named the Pythia. She was prepared for this duty by previous
+ablution at the fountain of Castalia, and being crowned with
+laurel was seated upon a tripod similarly adorned, which was
+placed over the chasm whence the divine afflatus proceeded. Her
+inspired words while thus situated were interpreted by the
+priests.
+
+ORACLE OF TROPHONIUS
+
+Besides the oracles of Jupiter and Apollo, at Dodona and Delphi,
+that of Trophonius in Boeotia was held in high estimation.
+Trophonius and Agamedes were brothers. They were distinguished
+architects, and built the temple of Apollo at Delphi, and a
+treasury for King Hyrieus. In the wall of the treasury they placed
+a stone, in such a manner that it could be taken out; and by this
+means, from time to time, purloined the treasure. This amazed
+Hyrieus, for his locks and seals were untouched, and yet his
+wealth continually diminished. At length he set a trap for the
+thief and Agamedes was caught. Trophonias, unable to extricate
+him, and fearing that when found he would be compelled by torture
+to discover his accomplice, cut off his head. Trophonius himself
+is said to have been shortly afterwards swallowed up by the earth.
+
+The oracle of Trophonius was at Lebadea in Boeotia. During a great
+drought the Boeotians, it is said, were directed by the god at
+Delphi to seek aid of Trophonius at Lebadea. They came thither,
+but could find no pracle. One of them, however, happening to see a
+swarm of bees, followed them to a chasm in the earth, which proved
+to be the place sought.
+
+Peculiar ceremonies were to be performed by the person who came to
+consult the oracle. After these preliminaries, he descended into
+the cave by a narrow passage. This place could be entered only in
+the night. The person returned from the cave by the same narrow
+passage, bat walking backwards. He appeared melancholy and
+defected; and hence the proverb which was applied to a person low-
+spirited and gloomy, "He has been consulting the oracle of
+Trophonius."
+
+ORACLE OF AESCULAPIUS
+
+There were numerous oracles of Aesculapius, but the most
+celebrated one was at Epidaurus. Here the sick sought responses
+and the recovery of their health by sleeping in the temple. It has
+been inferred from the accounts that have come down to us that the
+treatment of the sick resembled what is now called Animal
+Magnetism or Mesmerism.
+
+Serpents 'were sacred to Aesculapius, probably because of a
+superstition that those animals have a faculty of renewing their
+youth by a change of skin. The worship of Aesculapius was
+introduced into Rome in a time of great sickness, and an embassy
+sent to the temple of Epidaurus to entreat the aid of the god.
+Aesculapius was propitious, and on the return of the ship
+accompanied it in the form of a serpent. Arriving in the river
+Tiber, the serpent glided from the vessel and took possession of
+an island in the river, and a temple was there erected to his
+honor.
+
+ORACLE OF APIS
+
+At Memphis the sacred bull Apis gave answer to those who consulted
+him by the manner in which he received or rejected what was
+presented to him. If the bull refused food from the hand of the
+inquirer it was considered an unfavorable sign, and the contrary
+when he received it.
+
+It has been a question whether oracular responses ought to be
+ascribed to mere human contrivance or to the agency of evil
+spirits. The latter opinion has been most general in past ages. A
+third theory has been advanced since the phenomena of Mesmerism
+have attracted attention, that something like the mesmeric trance
+was induced in the Pythoness, and the faculty of clairvoyance
+really called into action.
+
+Another question is as to the time when the Pagan oracles ceased
+to give responses. Ancient Christian writers assert that they
+became silent at the birth of Christ, and were heard no more after
+that date. Milton adopts, this view in his "Hymn on the Mativity,"
+and in lines of solemn and elevated beauty pictures the
+consternation of the heathen idols at the Advent of the Saviour:
+
+    "The oracles are dumb;
+    No voice or hideous hum
+     Rings through the arched roof in words Deceiving.
+    Apollo from his shrine
+    Can no more divine,
+      With hollow shriek the steep of Delphos heaving.
+    No nightly trance or breathed spell
+    Inspires the pale-eyed priest from the prophetic cell"
+
+In Cowper's poem of "Yardley Oak" there are some beautiful
+mythological allusions. The former of the two following is to the
+fable of Castor and Pollux; the latter is more appropriate to our
+present subject. Addressing the acorn he says:
+
+   "Thou fell'st mature; and in the loamy clod,
+    Swelling with vegetative force instinct,
+    Didst burst thine, as theirs the fabled Twins
+    Now stars; twor lobes protruding, paired exact;
+    A leaf succeede and another leaf,
+    And, all the elements thy puny growth
+    Fostering propitious, thou becam'st a twig.
+    Who lived  when thou wast such? Of couldst thou speak,
+    As in Dodona once thy kindred trees
+    Oracular, I would not curious ask
+    The future, best unknown, but at thy mouth
+    Inquisitive, the less ambiguous past."
+
+Tennyson, in his "Talking Oak," alludes to the oaks of Dodona in
+these lines:
+
+    And I will work in prose and rhyme,
+     And praise thee more in both
+    Than bard has honored beech or lime,
+     Or that Thessalian growth
+    In which the swarthy ring-dove sat
+     And mystic sentence spoke; etc.
+
+Byron alludes to the oracle of Delphi where, speaking of Rousseau,
+whose writings he conceives did much to bring on the French
+revolution, he says:
+
+    "For the, he was inspired, and from him came,
+       As from the Pythian's mystic cave of yore,
+    Those oracles which set the world in flame,
+       Nor ceased to burn till kingdoms were no more."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV
+
+ORIGIN OF MYTHOLOGY--STATUES OF GODS AND GODDESSES--POETS OF
+MYTHOLOGY
+
+ORIGINS OF MYTHOLOGY
+
+
+Having reached the close of our series of stories of Pagan
+mythology, and inquiry suggests itself. "Whence came these
+stories? Have they a foundation in truth or are they simply dreams
+of the imagination?" Philosophers have suggested various theories
+on the subject; and 1. The Scriptural theory; according to which
+all mythological legends are derived from the narratives of
+Scripture, though the real facts have been disguised and altered.
+Thus Deucalion is only another name for Noah, Hercules for Samson,
+Arion for Jonah, etc. Sir Walter Raleigh, in his "History of the
+World," says, "Jubal, Tubal, and Tubal-Cain were Mercury, Vulcan,
+and Apollo, inventors of Pasturage, Smithing, and Music. The
+Dragon which kept the golden apples was the serpent that beguiled
+Eve. Nimrod's tower was the attempt of the Giants against Heaven."
+There are doubtless many curious coincidences like these, but the
+theory cannot without extravagance be pushed so far as to account
+for any great proportion of the stories.
+
+2. The Historical theory; according to which all the persons
+mentioned in mythology were once real human beings, and the
+legends and fabulous traditions relating to them are merely the
+additions and embellishments of later times. Thus the story of
+Aeolus, the king and god of the winds, is supposed to have risen
+from the fact that Aeolus was the ruler of some islands in the
+Tyrrhenian Sea, where he reigned as a just and pious king, and
+taught the natives the use of sails for ships, and how to tell
+from the signs of the atmosphere the changes of the weather and
+the winds. Cadmus, who, the legend says, sowed the earth with
+dragon's teeth, from which sprang a crop of armed men, was in fact
+an emigrant from Phoenicia, and brought with him into Greece the
+knowledge of the letters of the alphabet, which he taught to the
+natives. From these rudiments of learning sprung civilization,
+which the poets have always been prone to describe as a
+deterioration of man's first estate, the Golden Age of innocence
+and simplicity.
+
+3. The Allegorical theory supposes that all the myths of the
+ancients were allegorical and symbolical, and contained some
+moral, religious, or philosophical truth or historical fact, under
+the form of an allegory, but came in process of time to be
+understood literally. Thus Saturn, who devours his own children,
+is the same power whom the Greeks called Cronos (Time), which may
+truly be said to destroy whatever it has brought into existence.
+The story of Io is interpreted in a similar manner. Io is the
+moon, and Argus the starry sky, which, as it were, keeps sleepless
+watch over her. The fabulous wanderings of Io represent the
+continual revolutions of the moon, which also suggested to Milton
+the same idea.
+
+   "To behold the wandering moon
+    Riding near her highest noon,
+    Like one that had been led astray
+    In the heaven's wide, pathless way."
+
+    --Il Penseroso.
+
+4. The Physical theory; according to which the elements of air,
+fire, and water were originally the objects of religious
+adoration, and the principal deities were personifications of the
+powers of nature. The transition was easy from a personification
+of the elements to the notion of supernatural beings presiding
+over and governing the different objects of nature. The Greeks,
+whose imagination was lively, peopled all nature with invisible
+beings, and supposed that every object, from the sun and sea to
+the smallest fountain and rivulet, was under the care of some
+particular divinity. Wordsworth, in his "Excursion," has
+beautifully developed this view of Grecian mythology:
+
+   "In that fair clime the lonely herdsman, stretched
+    On the soft grass through half a summer's day,
+    With music lulled his indolent repose;
+    And, in some fit of weariness, if he,
+    When his own breath was silent, chanced to hear
+    A distant strain far sweeter than the sounds
+    Which his poor skill could make, his fancy fetched
+    Even from the blazing chariot of the Sun
+    A beardless youth who touched a golden lute,
+    And filled the illumined groves with ravishment.
+    The mighty hunter, lifting up his eyes
+    Toward the crescent Moon, with grateful heart
+    Called on the lovely Wanderer who bestowed
+    That timely light to share his joyous sport;
+    And hence a beaming goddess with her nymphs
+    Across the lawn and through the darksome grove
+    (Not unaccompanied with tuneful notes
+    By echo multiplied from rock or cave)
+    Swept in the storm of chase, as moon and stars
+    Glance rapidly along the clouded heaven
+    When winds are blowing strong. The Traveller slaked
+    His thirst from rill or gushing fount, and thanked
+    The Naiad. Sunbeams upon distant hills
+    Gliding apace with shadows in their train,
+    Might with small help from fancy, be transformed
+    Into fleet Oreads sporting visibly.
+    The Zephyrs, fanning, as they passed, their wings,
+    Lacked not for love fair objects whom they wooed
+    With gentle whisper. Withered boughs grotesque,
+    Stripped of their leaves and twigs by hoary age,
+    From depth of shaggy covert peeping forth
+    In the low vale, or on steep mountain side;
+    And sometimes intermixed with stirring horns
+    Of the live deer, or goat's depending beard;
+    These were the lurking Satyrs, wild brood
+    Of gamesome deities; or Pan himself,
+    That simple shepherd's awe-inspiring god."
+
+All the theories which have been mentioned are true to a certain
+extent. It would therefore be more correct to say that the
+mythology of a nation has sprung from all these sources combined
+than from any one in particular. We may add also that there are
+many myths which have arisen from the desire of man to account for
+those natural phenomena which he cannot understand; and not a few
+have had their rise from a similar desire of giving a reason for
+the names of places and persons.
+
+STATUES OF THE GODS
+
+To adequately represent to the eye the ideas intended to be
+conveyed to the mind under the several names of deities was a task
+which called into exercise the highest powers of genius and art.
+Of the many attempts FOUR have been most celebrated, the first two
+known to us only by the descriptions of the ancients, the others
+still extant and the acknowledged masterpieces of the sculptor's
+art.
+
+THE OLYMPIAN JUPITER
+
+The statue of the Olympian Jupiter by Phidias was considered the
+highest achievement of this department of Grecian art. It was of
+colossal dimensions, and was what the ancients called
+"chryselephantine;" that is, composed of ivory and gold; the parts
+representing flesh being of ivory laid on a core of wood or stone,
+while the drapery and other ornaments were of gold. The height of
+the figure was forty feet, on a pedestal twelve feet high. The god
+was represented seated on his throne. His brows were crowned with
+a wreath of olive, and he held in his right hand a sceptre, and in
+his left a statue of Victory. The throne was of cedar, adorned
+with gold and precious stones.
+
+The idea which the artist essayed to embody was that of the
+supreme deity of the Hellenic (Grecian) nation, enthroned as a
+conqueror, in perfect majesty and repose, and ruling with a nod
+the subject world. Phidias avowed that he took his idea from the
+representation which Homer gives in the first book of the "Iliad,"
+in the passage thus translated by Pope:
+
+   "He spoke and awful bends his sable brows,
+    Shakes his ambrosial curls and gives the nod,
+    The stamp of fate and sanction of the god.
+    High heaven with reverence the dread signal took,
+    And all Olympus to the centre shook."
+
+[Footnote: Cowper's version is less elegant, but truer to the
+original:
+
+   "He ceased, and under his dark brows the nod
+    Vouchsafed of confirmation. All around
+    The sovereign's everlasting head his curls
+    Ambrosial shook, and the huge mountain reeled."
+
+It may interest our readers to see how this passage appears in
+another famous version, that which was issued under the name of
+Tickell, contemporaneously with Pope's, and which, being by many
+attributed to Addison, led to the quarrel which ensued between
+Addison and Pope:
+
+   "This said, his kingly brow the sire inclined;
+    The large black curls fell awful from behind,
+    Thick shadowing the stern forehead of the god;
+    Olympus trembled at the almighty nod."]
+
+THE MINERVA OF THE PARTHENON
+
+This was also the work of Phidias. It stood in the Parthenon, or
+temple of Minerva at Athens. The goddess was represented standing.
+In one hand she held a spear, in the other a statue of Victory.
+Her helmet, highly decorated, was surmounted by a Sphinx. The
+statue was forty feet in height, and, like the Jupiter, composed
+of ivory and gold. The eyes were of marble, and probably painted
+to represent the iris and pupil. The Parthenon, in which this
+statue stood, was also constructed under the direction and
+superintendence of Phidias. Its exterior was enriched with
+sculptures, many of them from the hand of Phidias. The Elgin
+marbles, now in the British Museum, are a part of them.
+
+Both the Jupiter and Minerva of Phidias are lost, but there is
+good ground to believe that we have, in several extant statues and
+busts, the artist's conceptions of the countenances of both. They
+are characterized by grave and dignified beauty, and freedom from
+any transient expression, which in the language of art is called
+repose.
+
+THE VENUS DE' MEDICI
+
+The Venus of the Medici is so called from its having been in the
+possession of the princes of that name in Rome when it first
+attracted attention, about two hundred years ago. An inscription
+on the base records it to be the work of Cleomenes, an Athenian
+sculptor of 200 B.C., but the authenticity of the inscription is
+doubtful. There is a story that the artist was employed by public
+authority to make a statue exhibiting the perfection of female
+beauty, and to aid him in his task the most perfect forms the city
+could supply were furnished him for models. It is this which
+Thomson alludes to in his "Summer":
+
+   "So stands the statue that enchants the world;
+    So bending tries to veil the matchless boast,
+    The mingled beauties of exulting Greece."
+
+Byron also alludes to this statue. Speaking of the Florence
+Museum, he says:
+
+   "There, too, the goddess loves in stone, and fills
+    The air around with beauty;" etc.
+
+And in the next stanza,
+
+   "Blood, pulse, and breast confirm the Dardan shepherd's prize."
+
+See this last allusion explained in Chapter XXVII.
+
+THE APOLLO BELVEDERE
+
+The most highly esteemed of all the remains of ancient sculpture
+is the statue of Apollo, called the Belvedere, from the name of
+the apartment of the Pope's palace at Rome in which it was placed.
+The artist is unknown. It is supposed to be a work of Roman art,
+of about the first century of our era. It is a standing figure, in
+marble, more than seven feet high, naked except for the cloak
+which is fastened around the neck and hangs over the extended left
+arm. It is supposed to represent the god in the moment when he has
+shot the arrow to destroy the monster Python. (See Chapter III.)
+The victorious divinity is in the act of stepping forward. The
+left arm, which seems to have held the bow, is outstretched, and
+the head is turned in the same direction. In attitude and
+proportion the graceful majesty of the figure is unsurpassed. The
+effect is completed by the countenance, where on the perfection of
+youthful godlike beauty there dwells the consciousness of
+triumphant power.
+
+THE DIANA A LA BICHE
+
+The Diana of the Hind, in the palace of the Louvre, may be
+considered the counterpart to the Apollo Belvedere. The attitude
+much resembles that of the Apollo, the sizes correspond and also
+the style of execution. It is a work of the highest order, though
+by no means equal to the Apollo. The attitude is that of hurried
+and eager motion, the face that of a huntress in the excitement of
+the chase. The left hand is extended over the forehead of the
+Hind, which runs by her side, the right arm reaches backward over
+the shoulder to draw an arrow from the quiver.
+
+THE POETS OF MYTHOLOGY
+
+Homer, from whose poems of the "Iliad" and "Odyssey" we have taken
+the chief part of our chapters of the Trojan war and the return of
+the Grecians, is almost as mythical a personage as the heroes he
+celebrates. The traditionary story is that he was a wandering
+minstrel, blind and old, who travelled from place to place singing
+his lays to the music of his harp, in the courts of princes or the
+cottages of peasants, and dependent upon the voluntary offerings
+of his hearers for support. Byron calls him "The blind old man of
+Scio's rocky isle," and a well-known epigram, alluding to the
+uncertainty of the fact of his birthplace, says:
+
+   "Seven wealthy towns contend for Homer dead,
+    Through which the living Homer begged his bread."
+
+These seven were Smyrna, Scio, Rhodes, Colophon, Salamis, Argos,
+and Athens.
+
+Modern scholars have doubted whether the Homeric poems are the
+work of any single mind. This arises from the difficulty of
+believing that poems of such length could have been committed to
+writing at so early an age as that usually assigned to these, an
+age earlier than the date of any remaining inscriptions or coins,
+and when no materials capable of containing such long productions
+were yet introduced into use. On the other hand it is asked how
+poems of such length could have been handed down from age to age
+by means of the memory alone. This is answered by the statement
+that there was a professional body of men, called Rhapsodists, who
+recited the poems of others, and whose business it was to commit
+to memory and rehearse for pay the national and patriotic legends.
+
+The prevailing opinion of the learned, at this time, seems to be
+that the framework and much of the structure of the poems belong
+to Homer, but that there are numerous interpolations and additions
+by other hands.
+
+The date assigned to Homer, on the authority of Herodotus, is 850
+B.C.
+
+VIRGIL
+
+Virgil, called also by his surname, Maro, from whose poem of the
+"Aeneid" we have taken the story of Aeneas, was one of the great
+poets who made the reign of the Roman emperor Augustus so
+celebrated, under the name of the Augustan age. Virgil was born in
+Mantua in the year 70 B.C. His great poem is ranked next to those
+of Homer, in the highest class of poetical composition, the Epic.
+Virgil is far inferior to Homer in originality and invention, but
+superior to him in correctness and elegance. To critics of English
+lineage Milton alone of modern poets seems worthy to be classed
+with these illustrious ancients. His poem of "Paradise Lost," from
+which we have borrowed so many illustrations, is in many respects
+equal, in some superior, to either of the great works of
+antiquity. The following epigram of Dryden characterizes the three
+poets with as much truth as it is usual to find in such pointed
+criticism:
+
+   "ON MILTON
+
+   "Three poets in three different ages born,
+    Greece, Italy, and England did adorn
+    The first in loftiness of soul surpassed,
+    The next in majesty, in both the last.
+    The force of nature could no further go;
+    To make a third she joined the other two."
+
+From Cowper's "Table Talk":
+
+   "Ages elapsed ere Homer's lamp appeared,
+    And ages ere the Mantuan swan was heard.
+    To carry nature lengths unknown before,
+    To give a Milton birth, asked ages more.
+    Thus genius rose and set at ordered times,
+    And shot a dayspring into distant climes,
+    Ennobling every region that he chose;
+    He sunk in Greece, in Italy he rose,
+    And, tedious years of Gothic darkness past,
+    Emerged all splendor in our isle at last.
+    Thus lovely Halcyons dive into the main,
+    Then show far off their shining plumes again."
+
+OVID
+
+Ovid, often alluded to in poetry by his other name of Naso, was
+born in the year 43 B.C. He was educated for public life and held
+some offices of considerable dignity, but poetry was his delight,
+and he early resolved to devote himself to it. He accordingly
+sought the society of the contemporary poets, and was acquainted
+with Horace and saw Virgil, though the latter died when Ovid was
+yet too young and undistinguished to have formed his acquaintance.
+Ovid spent an easy life at Rome in the enjoyment of a competent
+income. He was intimate with the family of Augustus, the emperor,
+and it is supposed that some serious offence given to some member
+of that family was the cause of an event which reversed the poet's
+happy circumstances and clouded all the latter portion of his
+life. At the age of fifty he was banished from Rome, and ordered
+to betake himself to Tomi, on the borders of the Black Sea. Here,
+among the barbarous people and in a severe climate, the poet, who
+had been accustomed to all the pleasures of a luxurious capital
+and the society of his most distinguished contemporaries, spent
+the last ten years of his life, worn out with grief and anxiety.
+His only consolation in exile was to address his wife and absent
+friends, and his letters were all poetical. Though these poems
+(the "Trista" and "Letters from Pontus") have no other topic than
+the poet's sorrows, his exquisite taste and fruitful invention
+have redeemed them from the charge of being tedious, and they are
+read with pleasure and even with sympathy.
+
+The two great works of Ovid are his "Metamorphoses" and his
+"Fasti." They are both mythological poems, and from the former we
+have taken most of our stories of Grecian and Roman mythology. A
+late writer thus characterizes these poems:
+
+"The rich mythology of Greece furnished Ovid, as it may still
+furnish the poet, the painter, and the sculptor, with materials
+for his art. With exquisite taste, simplicity, and pathos he has
+narrated the fabulous traditions of early ages, and given to them
+that appearance of reality which only a master hand could impart.
+His pictures of nature are striking and true; he selects with care
+that which is appropriate; he rejects the superfluous; and when he
+has completed his work, it is neither defective nor redundant. The
+'Metamorphoses' are read with pleasure by youth, and are re-read
+in more advanced age with still greater delight. The poet ventured
+to predict that his poem would survive him, and be read wherever
+the Roman name was known."
+
+The prediction above alluded to is contained in the closing lines
+of the "Metamorphoses," of which we give a literal translation
+below:
+
+   "And now I close my work, which not the ire
+    Of Jove, nor tooth of time, nor sword, nor fire
+    Shall bring to nought. Come when it will that day
+    Which o'er the body, not the mind, has sway,
+    And snatch the remnant of my life away,
+    My better part above the stars shall soar,
+    And my renown endure forevermore.
+    Where'er the Roman arms and arts shall spread
+    There by the people shall my book be read;
+    And, if aught true in poet's visions be,
+    My name and fame have immortality."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI
+
+MODERN MONSTERS--THE PHOENIX--BASILISK--UNICORN--SALAMANDER
+
+MODERN MONSTERS
+
+
+There is a set of imaginary beings which seem to have been the
+successors of the "Gorgons, Hydras, and Chimeras dire" of the old
+superstitions, and, having no connection with the false gods of
+Paganism, to have continued to enjoy an existence in the popular
+belief after Paganism was superseded by Christianity. They are
+mentioned perhaps by the classical writers, but their chief
+popularity and currency seem to have been in more modern times. We
+seek our accounts of them not so much in the poetry of the
+ancients as in the old natural history books and narrations of
+travellers. The accounts which we are about to give are taken
+chiefly from the Penny Cyclopedia.
+
+THE PHOENIX
+
+Ovid tells the story of the Phoenix as follows: "Most beings
+spring from other individuals; but there is a certain kind which
+reproduces itself. The Assyrians call it the Phoenix. It does not
+live on fruit or flowers, but on frankincense and odoriferous
+gums. When it has lived five hundred years, it builds itself a
+nest in the branches of an oak, or on the top of a palm tree. In
+this it collects cinnamon, and spikenard, and myrrh, and of these
+materials builds a pile on which it deposits itself, and dying,
+breathes out its last breath amidst odors. From the body of the
+parent bird, a young Phoenix issues forth, destined to live as
+long a life as its predecessor. When this has grown up and gained
+sufficient strength, it lifts its nest from the tree (its own
+cradle and its parent's sepulchre), and carries it to the city of
+Heliopolis in Egypt, and deposits it in the temple of the Sun."
+
+Such is the account given by a poet. Now let us see that of a
+philosophic historian. Tacitus says, "In the consulship of Paulus
+Fabius (A.D. 34) the miraculous bird known to the world by the
+name of the Phoenix, after disappearing for a series of ages,
+revisited Egypt. It was attended in its flight by a group of
+various birds, all attracted by the novelty, and gazing with
+wonder at so beautiful an appearance." He then gives an account of
+the bird, not varying materially from the preceding, but adding
+some details. "The first care of the young bird as soon as
+fledged, and able to trust to his wings, is to perform the
+obsequies of his father. But this duty is not undertaken rashly.
+He collects a quantity of myrrh, and to try his strength makes
+frequent excursions with a load on his back. When he has gained
+sufficient confidence in his own vigor, he takes up the body of
+his father and flies with it to the altar of the Sun, where he
+leaves it to be consumed in flames of fragrance." Other writers
+add a few particulars. The myrrh is compacted in the form of an
+egg, in which the dead Phoenix is enclosed. From the mouldering
+flesh of the dead bird a worm springs, and this worm, when grown
+large, is transformed into a bird. Herodotus DESCRIBES the bird,
+though he says, "I have not seen it myself, except in a picture.
+Part of his plumage is gold-colored, and part crimson; and he is
+for the most part very much like an eagle in outline and bulk."
+
+The first writer who disclaimed a belief in the existence of the
+Phoenix was Sir Thomas Browne, in his "Vulgar Errors," published
+in 1646. He was replied to a few years later by Alexander Ross,
+who says, in answer to the objection of the Phoenix so seldom
+making his appearance, "His instinct teaches him to keep out of
+the way of the tyrant of the creation, MAN, for if he were to be
+got at, some wealthy glutton would surely devour him, though there
+were no more in the world."
+
+Dryden in one of his early poems has this allusion to the Phoenix:
+
+   "So when the new-born Phoenix first is seen,
+    Her feathered subjects all adore their queen,
+    And while she makes her progress through the East,
+    From every grove her numerous train's increased;
+    Each poet of the air her glory sings,
+    And round him the pleased audience clap their wings."
+
+Milton, in "Paradise Lost," Book V., compares the angel Raphael
+descending to earth to a Phoenix:
+
+   "... Down thither, prone in flight
+    He speeds, and through the vast ethereal sky
+    Sails between worlds and worlds, with steady wing,
+    Now on the polar winds, then with quick fan
+    Winnows the buxom air; till within soar
+    Of towering eagles, to all the fowls he seems
+    A Phoenix, gazed by all; as that sole bird
+    When, to enshrine his relics in the sun's
+    Bright temple, to Egyptian Thebes he flies."
+
+THE COCKATRICE, OR BASILISK
+
+This animal was called the king of the serpents. In confirmation
+of his royalty, he was said to be endowed with a crest, or comb
+upon the head, constituting a crown. He was supposed to be
+produced from the egg of a cock hatched under toads or serpents.
+There were several species of this animal. One species burned up
+whatever they approached; a second were a kind of wandering
+Medusa's heads, and their look caused an instant horror which was
+immediately followed by death. In Shakspeare's play of "Richard
+the Third," Lady Anne, in answer to Richard's compliment on her
+eyes, says, "Would they were basilisk's, to strike thee dead!"
+
+The basilisks were called kings of serpents because all other
+serpents and snakes, behaving like good subjects, and wisely not
+wishing to be burned up or struck dead, fled the moment they heard
+the distant hiss of their king, although they might be in full
+feed upon the most delicious prey, leaving the sole enjoyment of
+the banquet to the royal monster.
+
+The Roman naturalist Pliny thus describes him: "He does not impel
+his body, like other serpents, by a multiplied flexion, but
+advances lofty and upright. He kills the shrubs, not only by
+contact, but by breathing on them, and splits the rocks, such
+power of evil is there in him." It was formerly believed that if
+killed by a spear from on horseback the power of the poison
+conducted through the weapon killed not only the rider, but the
+horse also. To this Lucan alludes in these lines:
+
+   "What though the Moor the basilisk hath slain,
+    And pinned him lifeless to the sandy plain,
+    Up through the spear the subtle venom flies,
+    The hand imbibes it, and the victor dies."
+
+Such a prodigy was not likely to be passed over in the legends of
+the saints. Accordingly we find it recorded that a certain holy
+man, going to a fountain in the desert, suddenly beheld a
+basilisk. He immediately raised his eyes to heaven, and with a
+pious appeal to the Deity laid the monster dead at his feet.
+
+These wonderful powers of the basilisk are attested by a host of
+learned persons, such as Galen, Avicenna, Scaliger, and others.
+Occasionally one would demur to some part of the tale while he
+admitted the rest. Jonston, a learned physician, sagely remarks,
+"I would scarcely believe that it kills with its look, for who
+could have seen it and lived to tell the story?" The worthy sage
+was not aware that those who went to hunt the basilisk of this
+sort took with them a mirror, which reflected back the deadly
+glare upon its author, and by a kind of poetical justice slew the
+basilisk with his own weapon.
+
+But what was to attack this terrible and unapproachable monster?
+There is an old saying that "everything has its enemy"--and the
+cockatrice quailed before the weasel. The basilisk might look
+daggers, the weasel cared not, but advanced boldly to the
+conflict. When bitten, the weasel retired for a moment to eat some
+rue, which was the only plant the basilisks could not wither,
+returned with renewed strength and soundness to the charge, and
+never left the enemy till he was stretched dead on the plain. The
+monster, too, as if conscious of the irregular way in which he
+came into the world, was supposed to have a great antipathy to a
+cock; and well he might, for as soon as he heard the cock crow he
+expired.
+
+The basilisk was of some use after death. Thus we read that its
+carcass was suspended in the temple of Apollo, and in private
+houses, as a sovereign remedy against spiders, and that it was
+also hung up in the temple of Diana, for which reason no swallow
+ever dared enter the sacred place.
+
+The reader will, we apprehend, by this time have had enough of
+absurdities, but still we can imagine his anxiety to know what a
+cockatrice was like. The following is from Aldrovandus, a
+celebrated naturalist of the sixteenth century, whose work on
+natural history, in thirteen folio volumes, contains with much
+that is valuable a large proportion of fables and inutilities. In
+particular he is so ample on the subject of the cock and the bull
+that from his practice, all rambling, gossiping tales of doubtful
+credibility are called COCK AND BULL STORIES. Aldrovandus,
+however, deserves our respect and esteem as the founder of a
+botanic garden, and as a pioneer in the now prevalent custom of
+making scientific collections for purposes of investigation and
+research.
+
+Shelley, in his "Ode to Naples," full of the enthusiasm excited by
+the intelligence of the proclamation of a Constitutional
+Government at Naples, in 1820, thus uses an allusion to the
+basilisk:
+
+   "What though Cimmerian anarchs dare blaspheme
+    Freedom and thee? a new Actaeon's error
+    Shall theirs have been,--devoured by their own hounds!
+      Be thou like the imperial basilisk,
+    Killing thy foe with unapparent wounds!
+      Gaze on oppression, till at that dread risk,
+      Aghast she pass from the earth's disk.
+    Fear not, but gaze,--for freemen mightier grow,
+    And slaves more feeble, gazing on their foe."
+
+THE UNICORN
+
+Pliny, the Roman naturalist, out of whose account of the unicorn
+most of the modern unicorns have been described and figured,
+records it as "a very ferocious beast, similar in the rest of its
+body to a horse, with the head of a deer, the feet of an elephant,
+the tail of a boar, a deep, bellowing voice, and a single black
+horn, two cubits in length, standing out in the middle of its
+forehead." He adds that "it cannot be taken alive;" and some such
+excuse may have been necessary in those days for not producing the
+living animal upon the arena of the amphitheatre.
+
+The unicorn seems to have been a sad puzzle to the hunters, who
+hardly knew how to come at so valuable a piece of game. Some
+described the horn as movable at the will of the animal, a kind of
+small sword, in short, with which no hunter who was not
+exceedingly cunning in fence could have a chance. Others
+maintained that all the animal's strength lay in its horn, and
+that when hard pressed in pursuit, it would throw itself from the
+pinnacle of the highest rocks horn foremost, so as to pitch upon
+it, and then quietly march off not a whit the worse for its fall.
+
+But it seems they found out how to circumvent the poor unicorn at
+last. They discovered that it was a great lover of purity and
+innocence, so they took the field with a young virgin, who was
+placed in the unsuspecting admirer's way. When the unicorn spied
+her, he approached with all reverence, couched beside her, and
+laying his head in her lap, fell asleep. The treacherous virgin
+then gave a signal, and the hunters made in and captured the
+simple beast.
+
+Modern zoologists, disgusted as they well may be with such fables
+as these, disbelieve generally the existence of the unicorn. Yet
+there are animals bearing on their heads a bony protuberance more
+or less like a horn, which may have given rise to the story. The
+rhinoceros horn, as it is called, is such a protuberance, though
+it does not exceed a few inches in height, and is far from
+agreeing with the descriptions of the horn of the unicorn. The
+nearest approach to a horn in the middle of the forehead is
+exhibited in the bony protuberance on the forehead of the giraffe;
+but this also is short and blunt, and is not the only horn of the
+animal, but a third horn, standing in front of the two others. In
+fine, though it would be presumptuous to deny the existence of a
+one-horned quadruped other than the rhinoceros, it may be safely
+stated that the insertion of a long and solid horn in the living
+forehead of a horse-like or deer-like animal is as near an
+impossibility as anything can be.
+
+THE SALAMANDER
+
+The following is from the "Life of Benvenuto Cellini," an Italian
+artist of the sixteenth century, written by himself: "When I was
+about five years of age, my father, happening to be in a little
+room in which they had been washing, and where there was a good
+fire of oak burning, looked into the flames and saw a little
+animal resembling a lizard, which could live in the hottest part
+of that element. Instantly perceiving what it was, he called for
+my sister and me, and after he had shown us the creature, he gave
+me a box on the ear. I fell a-crying, while he, soothing me with
+caresses, spoke these words: 'My dear child, I do not give you
+that blow for any fault you have committed, but that you may
+recollect that the little creature you see in the fire is a
+salamander; such a one as never was beheld before to my
+knowledge.' So saying he embraced me, and gave me some money."
+
+It seems unreasonable to doubt a story of which Signor Cellini was
+both an eye and ear witness. Add to which the authority of
+numerous sage philosophers, at the head of whom are Aristotle and
+Pliny, affirms this power of the salamander. According to them,
+the animal not only resists fire, but extinguishes it, and when he
+sees the flame charges it as an enemy which he well knows how to
+vanquish.
+
+That the skin of an animal which could resist the action of fire
+should be considered proof against that element is not to be
+wondered at. We accordingly find that a cloth made of the skin of
+salamanders (for there really is such an animal, a kind of lizard)
+was incombustible, and very valuable for wrapping up such articles
+as were too precious to be intrusted to any other envelopes. These
+fire-proof cloths were actually produced, said to be made of
+salamander's wool, though the knowing ones detected that the
+substance of which they were composed was asbestos, a mineral,
+which is in fine filaments capable of being woven into a flexible
+cloth.
+
+The foundation of the above fables is supposed to be the fact that
+the salamander really does secrete from the pores of his body a
+milky juice, which when he is irritated is produced in
+considerable quantity, and would doubtless, for a few moments,
+defend the body from fire. Then it is a hibernating animal, and in
+winter retires to some hollow tree or other cavity, where it coils
+itself up and remains in a torpid state till the spring again
+calls it forth. It may therefore sometimes be carried with the
+fuel to the fire, and wake up only time enough to put forth all
+its faculties for its defence. Its viscous juice would do good
+service, and all who profess to have seen it, acknowledge that it
+got out of the fire as fast as its legs could carry it; indeed,
+too fast for them ever to make prize of one, except in one
+instance, and in that one the animal's feet and some parts of its
+body were badly burned.
+
+Dr. Young, in the "Night Thoughts," with more quaintness than good
+taste, compares the sceptic who can remain unmoved in the
+contemplation of the starry heavens to a salamander unwarmed in
+the fire:
+
+   "An undevout astronomer is mad!
+
+   "O, what a genius must inform the skies!
+    And is Lorenzo's salamander-heart
+    Cold and untouched amid these sacred fires?"
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII
+
+EASTERN MYTHOLOGY--ZOROASTER--HINDU MYTHOLOGY--CASTES--BUDDHA--
+GRAND LAMA
+
+ZOROASTER
+
+
+Our knowledge of the religion of the ancient Persians is
+principally derived from the Zendavesta, or sacred books of that
+people. Zoroaster was the founder of their religion, or rather the
+reformer of the religion which preceded him. The time when he
+lived is doubtful, but it is certain that his system became the
+dominant religion of Western Asia from the time of Cyrus (550
+B.C.) to the conquest of Persia by Alexander the Great. Under the
+Macedonian monarchy the doctrines of Zoroaster appear to have been
+considerably corrupted by the introduction of foreign opinions,
+but they afterwards recovered their ascendency.
+
+Zoroaster taught the existence of a supreme being, who created two
+other mighty beings and imparted to them as much of his own nature
+as seemed good to him. Of these, Ormuzd (called by the Greeks
+Oromasdes) remained faithful to his creator, and was regarded as
+the source of all good, while Ahriman (Arimanes) rebelled, and
+became the author of all evil upon the earth. Ormuzd created man
+and supplied him with all the materials of happiness; but Ahriman
+marred this happiness by introducing evil into the world, and
+creating savage beasts and poisonous reptiles and plants. In
+consequence of this, evil and good are now mingled together in
+every part of the world, and the followers of good and evil--the
+adherents of Ormuzd and Ahriman--carry on incessant war. But this
+state of things will not last forever. The time will come when the
+adherents of Ormuzd shall everywhere be victorious, and Ahriman
+and his followers be consigned to darkness forever.
+
+The religious rites of the ancient Persians were exceedingly
+simple. They used neither temples, altars, nor statues, and
+performed their sacrifices on the tops of mountains. They adored
+fire, light, and the sun as emblems of Ormuzd, the source of all
+light and purity, but did not regard them as independent deities.
+The religious rites and ceremonies were regulated by the priests,
+who were called Magi. The learning of the Magi was connected with
+astrology and enchantment, in which they were so celebrated that
+their name was applied to all orders of magicians and enchanters.
+
+Wordsworth thus alludes to the worship of the Persians:
+
+   "... the Persian,--zealous to reject
+    Altar and Image, and the inclusive walls
+    And roofs of temples built by human hands,--
+    The loftiest heights ascending, from their tops,
+    With myrtle-wreathed Tiara on his brows,
+    Presented sacrifice to Moon and Stars,
+    And to the Winds and mother Elements,
+    And the whole circle of the Heavens, for him
+    A sensitive existence and a God."
+
+    --Excursion, Book IV.
+
+In "Childe Harold" Byron speaks thus of the Persian worship:
+
+   "Not vainly did the early Persian make
+    His altar the high places and the peak
+    Of earth-o'er-gazing mountains, and thus take
+    A fit and unwalled temple, there to seek
+    The Spirit, in whose honor shrines are weak,
+    Upreared of human hands. Come and compare
+    Columns and idol-dwellings, Goth or Greek,
+    With Nature's realms of worship, earth and air,
+    Nor fix on fond abodes to circumscribe thy prayer."
+
+III., 91.
+
+The religion of Zoroaster continued to flourish even after the
+introduction of Christianity, and in the third century was the
+dominant faith of the East, till the rise of the Mahometan power
+and the conquest of Persia by the Arabs in the seventh century,
+who compelled the greater number of the Persians to renounce their
+ancient faith. Those who refused to abandon the religion of their
+ancestors fled to the deserts of Kerman and to Hindustan, where
+they still exist under the name of Parsees, a name derived from
+Pars, the ancient name of Persia. The Arabs call them Guebers,
+from an Arabic word signifying unbelievers. At Bombay the Parsees
+are at this day a very active, intelligent, and wealthy class. For
+purity of life, honesty, and conciliatory manners, they are
+favorably distinguished. They have numerous temples to Fire, which
+they adore as the symbol of the divinity.
+
+The Persian religion makes the subject of the finest tale in
+Moore's "Lalla Rookh," the "Fire Worshippers." The Gueber chief
+says,
+
+   "Yes! I am of that impious race,
+      Those slaves of Fire, that morn and even
+    Hail their creator's dwelling-place
+      Among the living lights of heaven;
+    Yes! I am of that outcast crew
+    To Iran and to vengeance true,
+    Who curse the hour your Arabs came
+    To desecrate our shrines of flame,
+    And swear before God's burning eye,
+    To break our country's chains or die."
+
+HINDU MYTHOLOGY
+
+The religion of the Hindus is professedly founded on the Vedas. To
+these books of their scripture they attach the greatest sanctity,
+and state that Brahma himself composed them at the creation. But
+the present arrangement of the Vedas is attributed to the sage
+Vyasa, about five thousand years ago.
+
+The Vedas undoubtedly teach the belief of one supreme God. The
+name of this deity is Brahma. His attributes are represented by
+the three personified powers of creation, preservation, and
+destruction, which under the respective names of Brahma, Vishnu,
+and Siva form the Trimurti or triad of principal Hindu gods. Of
+the inferior gods the most important are: 1. Indra, the god of
+heaven, of thunder, lightning, storm, and rain; 2. Agni, the god
+of fire; 3. Yama, the god of the infernal regions; 4. Surya, the
+god of the sun.
+
+Brahma is the creator of the universe, and the source from which
+all the individual deities have sprung, and into which all will
+ultimately be absorbed. "As milk changes to curd, and water to
+ice, so is Brahma variously transformed and diversified, without
+aid of exterior means of any sort." The human soul, according to
+the Vedas, is a portion of the supreme ruler, as a spark is of the
+fire.
+
+VISHNU
+
+Vishnu occupies the second place in the triad of the Hindus, and
+is the personification of the preserving principle. To protect the
+world in various epochs of danger, Vishnu descended to the earth
+in different incarnations, or bodily forms, which descents are
+called Avatars. They are very numerous, but ten are more
+particularly specified. The first Avatar was as Matsya, the Fish,
+under which form Vishnu preserved Manu, the ancestor of the human
+race, during a universal deluge. The second Avatar was in the form
+of a Tortoise, which form he assumed to support the earth when the
+gods were churning the sea for the beverage of immortality,
+Amrita.
+
+We may omit the other Avatars, which were of the same general
+character, that is, interpositions to protect the right or to
+punish wrong-doers, and come to the ninth, which is the most
+celebrated of the Avatars of Vishnu, in which he appeared in the
+human form of Krishna, an invincible warrior, who by his exploits
+relieved the earth from the tyrants who oppressed it.
+
+Buddha is by the followers of the Brahmanical religion regarded as
+a delusive incarnation of Vishnu, assumed by him in order to
+induce the Asuras, opponents of the gods, to abandon the sacred
+ordinances of the Vedas, by which means they lost their strength
+and supremacy.
+
+Kalki is the name of the tenth Avatar, in which Vishnu will appear
+at the end of the present age of the world to destroy all vice and
+wickedness, and to restore mankind to virtue and purity.
+
+SIVA
+
+Siva is the third person of the Hindu triad. He is the
+personification of the destroying principle. Though the third
+name, he is, in respect to the number of his worshippers and the
+extension of his worship, before either of the others. In the
+Puranas (the scriptures of the modern Hindu religion) no allusion
+is made to the original power of this god as a destroyer; that
+power not being to be called into exercise till after the
+expiration of twelve millions of years, or when the universe will
+come to an end; and Mahadeva (another name for Siva) is rather the
+representative of regeneration than of destruction.
+
+The worshippers of Vishnu and Siva form two sects, each of which
+proclaims the superiority of its favorite deity, denying the
+claims of the other, and Brahma, the creator, having finished his
+work, seems to be regarded as no longer active, and has now only
+one temple in India, while Mahadeva and Vishnu have many. The
+worshippers of Vishnu are generally distinguished by a greater
+tenderness for life, and consequent abstinence from animal food,
+and a worship less cruel than that of the followers of Siva.
+
+JUGGERNAUT
+
+Whether the worshippers of Juggernaut are to be reckoned among the
+followers of Vishnu or Siva, our authorities differ. The temple
+stands near the shore, about three hundred miles south-west of
+Calcutta. The idol is a carved block of wood, with a hideous face,
+painted black, and a distended blood-red mouth. On festival days
+the throne of the image is placed on a tower sixty feet high,
+moving on wheels. Six long ropes are attached to the tower, by
+which the people draw it along. The priests and their attendants
+stand round the throne on the tower, and occasionally turn to the
+worshippers with songs and gestures. While the tower moves along
+numbers of the devout worshippers throw themselves on the ground,
+in order to be crushed by the wheels, and the multitude shout in
+approbation of the act, as a pleasing sacrifice to the idol. Every
+year, particularly at two great festivals in March and July,
+pilgrims flock in crowds to the temple. Not less than seventy or
+eighty thousand people are said to visit the place on these
+occasions, when all castes eat together.
+
+CASTES
+
+The division of the Hindus into classes or castes, with fixed
+occupations, existed from the earliest times. It is supposed by
+some to have been founded upon conquest, the first three castes
+being composed of a foreign race, who subdued the natives of the
+country and reduced them to an inferior caste. Others trace it to
+the fondness of perpetuating, by descent from father to son,
+certain offices or occupations.
+
+The Hindu tradition gives the following account of the origin of
+the various castes: At the creation Brahma resolved to give the
+earth inhabitants who should be direct emanations from his own
+body. Accordingly from his mouth came forth the eldest born,
+Brahma (the priest), to whom he confided the four Vedas; from his
+right arm issued Shatriya (the warrior), and from his left, the
+warrior's wife. His thighs produced Vaissyas, male and female
+(agriculturists and traders), and lastly from his feet sprang
+Sudras (mechanics and laborers).
+
+The four sons of Brahma, so significantly brought into the world,
+became the fathers of the human race, and heads of their
+respective castes. They were commanded to regard the four Vedas as
+containing all the rules of their faith, and all that was
+necessary to guide them in their religious ceremonies. They were
+also commanded to take rank in the order of their birth, the
+Brahmans uppermost, as having sprung from the head of Brahma.
+
+A strong line of demarcation is drawn between the first three
+castes and the Sudras. The former are allowed to receive
+instruction from the Vedas, which is not permitted to the Sudras.
+The Brahmans possess the privilege of teaching the Vedas, and were
+in former times in exclusive possession of all knowledge. Though
+the sovereign of the country was chosen from the Shatriya class,
+also called Rajputs, the Brahmans possessed the real power, and
+were the royal counsellors, the judges and magistrates of the
+country; their persons and property were inviolable; and though
+they committed the greatest crimes, they could only be banished
+from the kingdom. They were to be treated by sovereigns with the
+greatest respect, for "a Brahman, whether learned or ignorant, is
+a powerful divinity."
+
+When the Brahman arrives at years of maturity it becomes his duty
+to marry. He ought to be supported by the contributions of the
+rich, and not to be obliged to gain his subsistence by any
+laborious or productive occupation. But as all the Brahmans could
+not be maintained by the working classes of the community, it was
+found necessary to allow them to engage in productive employments.
+
+We need say little of the two intermediate classes, whose rank and
+privileges may be readily inferred from their occupations. The
+Sudras or fourth class are bound to servile attendance on the
+higher classes, especially the Brahmans, but they may follow
+mechanical occupations and practical arts, as painting and
+writing, or become traders or husbandmen. Consequently they
+sometimes grow rich, and it will also sometimes happen that
+Brahmans become poor. That fact works its usual consequence, and
+rich Sudras sometimes employ poor Brahmans in menial occupations.
+
+There is another class lower even than the Sudras, for it is not
+one of the original pure classes, but springs from an unauthorized
+union of individuals of different castes. These are the Pariahs,
+who are employed in the lowest services and treated with the
+utmost severity. They are compelled to do what no one else can do
+without pollution. They are not only considered unclean
+themselves, but they render unclean everything they touch. They
+are deprived of all civil rights, and stigmatized by particular
+laws regulating their mode of life, their houses, and their
+furniture. They are not allowed to visit the pagodas or temples of
+the other castes, but have their own pagodas and religious
+exercises. They are not suffered to enter the houses of the other
+castes; if it is done incautiously or from necessity, the place
+must be purified by religious ceremonies. They must not appear at
+public markets, and are confined to the use of particular wells,
+which they are obliged to surround with bones of animals, to warn
+others against using them. They dwell in miserable hovels, distant
+from cities and villages, and are under no restrictions in regard
+to food, which last is not a privilege, but a mark of ignominy, as
+if they were so degraded that nothing could pollute them. The
+three higher castes are prohibited entirely the use of flesh. The
+fourth is allowed to use all kinds except beef, but only the
+lowest caste is allowed every kind of food without restriction.
+
+BUDDHA
+
+Buddha, whom the Vedas represent as a delusive incarnation of
+Vishnu, is said by his followers to have been a mortal sage, whose
+name was Gautama, called also by the complimentary epithets of
+Sakyasinha, the Lion, and Buddha, the Sage.
+
+By a comparison of the various epochs assigned to his birth, it is
+inferred that he lived about one thousand years before Christ.
+
+He was the son of a king; and when in conformity to the usage of
+the country he was, a few days after his birth, presented before
+the altar of a deity, the image is said to have inclined its head
+as a presage of the future greatness of the new-born prophet. The
+child soon developed faculties of the first order, and became
+equally distinguished by the uncommon beauty of his person. No
+sooner had he grown to years of maturity than he began to reflect
+deeply on the depravity and misery of mankind, and he conceived
+the idea of retiring from society and devoting himself to
+meditation. His father in vain opposed this design. Buddha escaped
+the vigilance of his guards, and having found a secure retreat,
+lived for six years undisturbed in his devout contemplations. At
+the expiration of that period he came forward at Benares as a
+religious teacher. At first some who heard him doubted of the
+soundness of his mind; but his doctrines soon gained credit, and
+were propagated so rapidly that Buddha himself lived to see them
+spread all over India. He died at the age of eighty years.
+
+The Buddhists reject entirely the authority of the Vedas, and the
+religious observances prescribed in them and kept by the Hindus.
+They also reject the distinction of castes, and prohibit all
+bloody sacrifices, and allow animal food. Their priests are chosen
+from all classes; they are expected to procure their maintenance
+by perambulation and begging, and among other things it is their
+duty to endeavor to turn to some use things thrown aside as
+useless by others, and to discover the medicinal power of plants.
+But in Ceylon three orders of priests are recognized; those of the
+highest order are usually men of high birth and learning, and are
+supported at the principal temples, most of which have been richly
+endowed by the former monarchs of the country.
+
+For several centuries after the appearance of Buddha, his sect
+seems to have been tolerated by the Brahmans, and Buddhism appears
+to have penetrated the peninsula of Hindustan in every direction,
+and to have been carried to Ceylon, and to the eastern peninsula.
+But afterwards it had to endure in India a long-continued
+persecution, which ultimately had the effect of entirely
+abolishing it in the country where it had originated, but to
+scatter it widely over adjacent countries. Buddhism appears to
+have been introduced into China about the year 65 of our era. From
+China it was subsequently extended to Corea, Japan, and Java.
+
+THE GRAND LAMA
+
+It is a doctrine alike of the Brahminical Hindus and of the
+Buddhist sect that the confinement of the human soul, an emanation
+of the divine spirit, in a human body, is a state of misery, and
+the consequence of frailties and sins committed during former
+existences. But they hold that some few individuals have appeared
+on this earth from time to time, not under the necessity of
+terrestrial existence, but who voluntarily descended to the earth
+to promote the welfare of mankind. These individuals have
+gradually assumed the character of reappearances of Buddha
+himself, in which capacity the line is continued till the present
+day, in the several Lamas of Thibet, China, and other countries
+where Buddhism prevails. In consequence of the victories of Gengis
+Khan and his successors, the Lama residing in Thibet was raised to
+the dignity of chief pontiff of the sect. A separate province was
+assigned to him as his own territory, and besides his spiritual
+dignity he became to a limited extent a temporal monarch. He is
+styled the Dalai Lama.
+
+The first Christian missionaries who proceeded to Thibet were
+surprised to find there in the heart of Asia a pontifical court
+and several other ecclesiastical institutions resembling those of
+the Roman Catholic church. They found convents for priests and
+nuns; also processions and forms of religious worship, attended
+with much pomp and splendor; and many were induced by these
+similarities to consider Lamaism as a sort of degenerated
+Christianity. It is not improbable that the Lamas derived some of
+these practices from the Nestorian Christians, who were settled in
+Tartary when Buddhism was introduced into Thibet.
+
+PRESTER JOHN
+
+An early account, communicated probably by travelling merchants,
+of a Lama or spiritual chief among the Tartars, seems to have
+occasioned in Europe the report of a Presbyter or Prester John, a
+Christian pontiff resident in Upper Asia. The Pope sent a mission
+in search of him, as did also Louis IX. of France, some years
+later, but both missions were unsuccessful, though the small
+communities of Nestorian Christians, which they did find, served
+to keep up the belief in Europe that such a personage did exist
+somewhere in the East. At last in the fifteenth century, a
+Portuguese traveller, Pedro Covilham, happening to hear that there
+was a Christian prince in the country of the Abessines
+(Abyssinia), not far from the Red Sea, concluded that this must be
+the true Prester John. He accordingly went thither, and penetrated
+to the court of the king, whom he calls Negus. Milton alludes to
+him in "Paradise Lost," Book XI., where, describing Adam's vision
+of his descendants in their various nations and cities, scattered
+over the face of the earth, he says,--
+
+    "... Nor did his eyes not ken
+     Th' empire of Negus, to his utmost port,
+     Ercoco, and the less maritime kings,
+     Mombaza and Quiloa and Melind."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII
+
+NORTHERN MYTHOLOGY--VALHALLA--THE VALKYRIOR
+
+NORTHERN MYTHOLOGY
+
+
+The stories which have engaged our attention thus far relate to
+the mythology of southern regions. But there is another branch of
+ancient superstitions which ought not to be entirely overlooked,
+especially as it belongs to the nations from which we, through our
+English ancestors, derive our origin. It is that of the northern
+nations, called Scandinavians, who inhabited the countries now
+known as Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland. These mythological
+records are contained in two collections called the Eddas, of
+which the oldest is in poetry and dates back to the year 1056, the
+more modern or prose Edda being of the date of 1640.
+
+According to the Eddas there was once no heaven above nor earth
+beneath, but only a bottomless deep, and a world of mist in which
+flowed a fountain. Twelve rivers issued from this fountain, and
+when they had flowed far from their source, they froze into ice,
+and one layer accumulating over another, the great deep was filled
+up.
+
+Southward from the world of mist was the world of light. From this
+flowed a warm wind upon the ice and melted it. The vapors rose in
+the air and formed clouds, from which sprang Ymir, the Frost giant
+and his progeny, and the cow Audhumbla, whose milk afforded
+nourishment and food to the giant. The cow got nourishment by
+licking the hoar frost and salt from the ice. While she was one
+day licking the salt stones there appeared at first the hair of a
+man, on the second day the whole head, and on the third the entire
+form endowed with beauty, agility, and power. This new being was a
+god, from whom and his wife, a daughter of the giant race, sprang
+the three brothers Odin, Vili, and Ve. They slew the giant Ymir,
+and out of his body formed the earth, of his blood the seas, of
+his bones the mountains, of his hair the trees, of his skull the
+heavens, and of his brain clouds, charged with hail and snow. Of
+Ymir's eyebrows the gods formed Midgard (mid earth), destined to
+become the abode of man.
+
+Odin then regulated the periods of day and night and the seasons
+by placing in the heavens the sun and moon and appointing to them
+their respective courses. As soon as the sun began to shed its
+rays upon the earth, it caused the vegetable world to bud and
+sprout. Shortly after the gods had created the world they walked
+by the side of the sea, pleased with their new work, but found
+that it was still incomplete, for it was without human beings.
+They therefore took an ash tree and made a man out of it, and they
+made a woman out of an elder, and called the man Aske and the
+woman Embla. Odin then gave them life and soul, Vili reason and
+motion, and Ve bestowed upon them the senses, expressive features,
+and speech. Midgard was then given them as their residence, and
+they became the progenitors of the human race.
+
+The mighty ash tree Ygdrasill was supposed to support the whole
+universe. It sprang from the body of Ymir, and had three immense
+roots, extending one into Asgard (the dwelling of the gods), the
+other into Jotunheim (the abode of the giants), and the third to
+Niffleheim (the regions of darkness and cold). By the side of each
+of these roots is a spring, from which it is watered. The root
+that extends into Asgard is carefully tended by the three Norns,
+goddesses, who are regarded as the dispensers of fate. They are
+Urdur (the past), Verdandi (the present), Skuld (the future). The
+spring at the Jotunheim side is Ymir's well, in which wisdom and
+wit lie hidden, but that of Niffleheim feeds the adder Nidhogge
+(darkness), which perpetually gnaws at the root. Four harts run
+across the branches of the tree and bite the buds; they represent
+the four winds. Under the tree lies Ymir, and when he tries to
+shake off its weight the earth quakes.
+
+Asgard is the name of the abode of the gods, access to which is
+only gained by crossing the bridge Bifrost (the rainbow). Asgard
+consists of golden and silver palaces, the dwellings of the gods,
+but the most beautiful of these is Valhalla, the residence of
+Odin. When seated on his throne he overlooks all heaven and earth.
+Upon his shoulders are the ravens Hugin and Munin, who fly every
+day over the whole world, and on their return report to him all
+they have seen and heard. At his feet lie his two wolves, Geri and
+Freki, to whom Odin gives all the meat that is set before him, for
+he himself stands in no need of food. Mead is for him both food
+and drink. He invented the Runic characters, and it is the
+business of the Norns to engrave the runes of fate upon a metal
+shield. From Odin's name, spelt Woden, as it sometimes is, came
+Wednesday, the name of the fourth day of the week.
+
+Odin is frequently called Alfadur (All-father), but this name is
+sometimes used in a way that shows that the Scandinavians had an
+idea of a deity superior to Odin, uncreated and eternal.
+
+OF THE JOYS OF VALHALLA
+
+Valhalla is the great hall of Odin, wherein he feasts with his
+chosen heroes, all those who have fallen bravely in battle, for
+all who die a peaceful death are excluded. The flesh of the boar
+Schrimnir is served up to them, and is abundant for all. For
+although this boar is cooked every morning, he becomes whole again
+every night. For drink the heroes are supplied abundantly with
+mead from the she-goat Heidrum. When the heroes are not feasting
+they amuse themselves with fighting. Every day they ride out into
+the court or field and fight until they cut each other in pieces.
+This is their pastime; but when meal time comes they recover from
+their wounds and return to feast in Valhalla.
+
+THE VALKYRIE
+
+The Valkyrie are warlike virgins, mounted upon horses and armed
+with helmets and spears. Odin, who is desirous to collect a great
+many heroes in Valhalla to be able to meet the giants in a day
+when the final contest must come, sends down to every battle-field
+to make choice of those who shall be slain. The Valkyrie are his
+messengers, and their name means "Choosers of the slain." When
+they ride forth on their errand, their armor sheds a strange
+flickering light, which flashes up over the northern skies, making
+what men call the "Aurora Borealis," or "Northern Lights."
+[Footnote: Gray's ode, "The Fatal Sisters," is founded on this
+superstition.]
+
+OF THOR AND THE OTHER GODS
+
+Thor, the thunderer, Odin's eldest son, is the strongest of gods
+and men, and possesses three very precious things. The first is a
+hammer, which both the Frost and the Mountain giants know to their
+cost, when they see it hurled against them in the air, for it has
+split many a skull of their fathers and kindred. When thrown, it
+returns to his hand of its own accord. The second rare thing he
+possesses is called the belt of strength. When he girds it about
+him his divine might is doubled. The third, also very precious, is
+his iron gloves, which he puts on whenever he would use his mallet
+efficiently. From Thor's name is derived our word Thursday.
+
+Frey is one of the most celebrated of the gods. He presides over
+rain and sunshine and all the fruits of the earth. His sister
+Freya is the most propitious of the goddesses. She loves music,
+spring, and flowers, and is particularly fond of the Elves
+(fairies). She is very fond of love ditties, and all lovers would
+do well to invoke her.
+
+Bragi is the god of poetry, and his song records the deeds of
+warriors. His wife, Iduna, keeps in a box the apples which the
+gods, when they feel old age approaching, have only to taste of to
+become young again.
+
+Heimdall is the watchman of the gods, and is therefore placed on
+the borders of heaven to prevent the giants from forcing their way
+over the bridge Bifrost (the rainbow). He requires less sleep than
+a bird, and sees by night as well as by day a hundred miles around
+him. So acute is his ear that no sound escapes him, for he can
+even hear the grass grow and the wool on a sheep's back.
+
+OF LOKI AND HIS PROGENY
+
+There is another deity who is described as the calumniator of the
+gods and the contriver of all fraud and mischief. His name is
+Loki. He is handsome and well made, but of a very fickle mood and
+most evil disposition. He is of the giant race, but forced himself
+into the company of the gods, and seems to take pleasure in
+bringing them into difficulties, and in extricating them out of
+the danger by his cunning, wit, and skill. Loki has three
+children. The first is the wolf Fenris, the second the Midgard
+serpent, the third Hela (Death), The gods were not ignorant that
+these monsters were growing up, and that they would one day bring
+much evil upon gods and men. So Odin deemed it advisable to send
+one to bring them to him. When they came he threw the serpent into
+that deep ocean by which the earth is surrounded. But the monster
+had grown to such an enormous size that holding his tail in his
+mouth he encircles the whole earth. Hela he cast into Niffleheim,
+and gave her power over nine worlds or regions, into which she
+distributes those who are sent to her; that is, all who die of
+sickness or old age. Her hall is called Elvidner. Hunger is her
+table, Starvation her knife, Delay her man, Slowness her maid,
+Precipice her threshold, Care her bed, and Burning Anguish forms
+the hangings of the apartments. She may easily be recognized, for
+her body is half flesh color and half blue, and she has a
+dreadfully stern and forbidding countenance. The wolf Fenris gave
+the gods a great deal of trouble before they succeeded in chaining
+him. He broke the strongest fetters as if they were made of
+cobwebs. Finally the gods sent a messenger to the mountain
+spirits, who made for them the chain called Gleipnir. It is
+fashioned of six things, viz., the noise made by the footfall of a
+cat, the beards of women, the roots of stones, the breath of
+fishes, the nerves (sensibilities) of bears, and the spittle of
+birds. When finished it was as smooth and soft as a silken string.
+But when the gods asked the wolf to suffer himself to be bound
+with this apparently slight ribbon, he suspected their design,
+fearing that it was made by enchantment. He therefore only
+consented to be bound with it upon condition that one of the gods
+put his hand in his (Fenris's) mouth as a pledge that the band was
+to be removed again. Tyr (the god of battles) alone had courage
+enough to do this. But when the wolf found that he could not break
+his fetters, and that the gods would not release him, he bit off
+Tyr's hand, and he has ever since remained one-handed. HOW THOR
+PAID THE MOUNTAIN GIANT HIS WAGES
+
+Once on a time, when the gods were constructing their abodes and
+had already finished Midgard and Valhalla, a certain artificer
+came and offered to build them a residence so well fortified that
+they should be perfectly safe from the incursions of the Frost
+giants and the giants of the mountains. But he demanded for his
+reward the goddess Freya, together with the sun and moon. The gods
+yielded to his terms, provided he would finish the whole work
+himself without any one's assistance, and all within the space of
+one winter. But if anything remained unfinished on the first day
+of summer he should forfeit the recompense agreed on. On being
+told these terms the artificer stipulated that he should be
+allowed the use of his horse Svadilfari, and this by the advice of
+Loki was granted to him. He accordingly set to work on the first
+day of winter, and during the night let his horse draw stone for
+the building. The enormous size of the stones struck the gods with
+astonishment, and they saw clearly that the horse did one-half
+more of the toilsome work than his master. Their bargain, however,
+had been concluded, and confirmed by solemn oaths, for without
+these precautions a giant would not have thought himself safe
+among the gods, especially when Thor should return from an
+expedition he had then undertaken against the evil demons.
+
+As the winter drew to a close, the building was far advanced, and
+the bulwarks were sufficiently high and massive to render the
+place impregnable. In short, when it wanted but three days to
+summer, the only part that remained to be finished was the
+gateway. Then sat the gods on their seats of justice and entered
+into consultation, inquiring of one another who among them could
+have advised to give Freya away, or to plunge the heavens in
+darkness by permitting the giant to carry away the sun and the
+moon.
+
+They all agreed that no one but Loki, the author of so many evil
+deeds, could have given such bad counsel, and that he should be
+put to a cruel death if he did not contrive some way to prevent
+the artificer from completing his task and obtaining the
+stipulated recompense. They proceeded to lay hands on Loki, who in
+his fright promised upon oath that, let it cost him what it would,
+he would so manage matters that the man should lose his reward.
+That very night when the man went with Svadilfari for building
+stone, a mare suddenly ran out of a forest and began to neigh. The
+horse thereat broke loose and ran after the mare into the forest,
+which obliged the man also to run after his horse, and thus
+between one and another the whole night was lost, so that at dawn
+the work had not made the usual progress. The man, seeing that he
+must fail of completing his task, resumed his own gigantic
+stature, and the gods now clearly perceived that it was in reality
+a mountain giant who had come amongst them. Feeling no longer
+bound by their oaths, they called on Thor, who immediately ran to
+their assistance, and lifting up his mallet, paid the workman his
+wages, not with the sun and moon, and not even by sending him back
+to Jotunheim, for with the first blow he shattered the giant's
+skull to pieces and hurled him headlong into Niffleheim.
+
+THE RECOVERY OF THE HAMMER
+
+Once upon a time it happened that Thor's hammer fell into the
+possession of the giant Thrym, who buried it eight fathoms deep
+under the rocks of Jotunheim. Thor sent Loki to negotiate with
+Thrym, but he could only prevail so far as to get the giant's
+promise to restore the weapon if Freya would consent to be his
+bride. Loki returned and reported the result of his mission, but
+the goddess of love was quite horrified at the idea of bestowing
+her charms on the king of the Frost giants. In this emergency Loki
+persuaded Thor to dress himself in Freya's clothes and accompany
+him to Jotunheim. Thrym received his veiled bride with due
+courtesy, but was greatly surprised at seeing her eat for her
+supper eight salmons and a full grown ox, besides other
+delicacies, washing the whole down with three tuns of mead. Loki,
+however, assured him that she had not tasted anything for eight
+long nights, so great was her desire to see her lover, the
+renowned ruler of Jotunheim. Thrym had at length the curiosity to
+peep under his bride's veil, but started back in affright and
+demanded why Freya's eyeballs glistened with fire. Loki repeated
+the same excuse and the giant was satisfied. He ordered the hammer
+to be brought in and laid on the maiden's lap. Thereupon Thor
+threw off his disguise, grasped his redoubted weapon, and
+slaughtered Thrym and all his followers.
+
+Frey also possessed a wonderful weapon, a sword which would of
+itself spread a field with carnage whenever the owner desired it.
+Frey parted with this sword, but was less fortunate than Thor and
+never recovered it. It happened in this way: Frey once mounted
+Odin's throne, from whence one can see over the whole universe,
+and looking round saw far off in the giant's kingdom a beautiful
+maid, at the sight of whom he was struck with sudden sadness,
+insomuch that from that moment he could neither sleep, nor drink,
+nor speak. At last Skirnir, his messenger, drew his secret from
+him, and undertook to get him the maiden for his bride, if he
+would give him his sword as a reward. Frey consented and gave him
+the sword, and Skirnir set off on his journey and obtained the
+maiden's promise that within nine nights she would come to a
+certain place and there wed Frey. Skirnir having reported the
+success of his errand, Frey exclaimed:
+
+    "Long is one night,
+     Long are two nights,
+     But how shall I hold out three?
+     Shorter hath seemed
+     A month to me oft
+     Than of this longing time the half."
+
+So Frey obtained Gerda, the most beautiful of all women, for his
+wife, but he lost his sword.
+
+This story, entitled "Skirnir For," and the one immediately
+preceding it, "Thrym's Quida," will be found poetically told in
+Longfellow's "Poets and Poetry of Europe."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX
+
+THOR'S VISIT TO JOTUNHEIM
+
+THOR'S VISIT TO JOTUNHEIM, THE GIANT'S COUNTRY
+
+
+One day the god Thor, with his servant Thialfi, and accompanied by
+Loki, set out on a journey to the giant's country. Thialfi was of
+all men the swiftest of foot. He bore Thor's wallet, containing
+their provisions. When night came on they found themselves in an
+immense forest, and searched on all sides for a place where they
+might pass the night, and at last came to a very large hall, with
+an entrance that took the whole breadth of one end of the
+building. Here they lay down to sleep, but towards midnight were
+alarmed by an earthquake which shook the whole edifice. Thor,
+rising up, called on his companions to seek with him a place of
+safety. On the right they found an adjoining chamber, into which
+the others entered, but Thor remained at the doorway with his
+mallet in his hand, prepared to defend himself, whatever might
+happen. A terrible groaning was heard during the night, and at
+dawn of day Thor went out and found lying near him a huge giant,
+who slept and snored in the way that had alarmed them so. It is
+said that for once Thor was afraid to use his mallet, and as the
+giant soon waked up, Thor contented himself with simply asking his
+name.
+
+"My name is Skrymir," said the giant, "but I need not ask thy
+name, for I know that thou art the god Thor. But what has become
+of my glove?" Thor then perceived that what they had taken
+overnight for a hall was the giant's glove, and the chamber where
+his two companions had sought refuge was the thumb. Skrymir then
+proposed that they should travel in company, and Thor consenting,
+they sat down to eat their breakfast, and when they had done,
+Skrymir packed all the provisions into one wallet, threw it over
+his shoulder, and strode on before them, taking such tremendous
+strides that they were hard put to it to keep up with him. So they
+travelled the whole day, and at dusk Skrymir chose a place for
+them to pass the night in under a large oak tree. Skrymir then
+told them he would lie down to sleep. "But take ye the wallet," he
+added, "and prepare your supper."
+
+Skrymir soon fell asleep and began to snore strongly; but when
+Thor tried to open the wallet, he found the giant had tied it up
+so tight he could not untie a single knot. At last Thor became
+wroth, and grasping his mallet with both hands he struck a furious
+blow on the giant's head. Skrymir, awakening, merely asked whether
+a leaf had not fallen on his head, and whether they had supped and
+were ready to go to sleep. Thor answered that they were just going
+to sleep, and so saying went and laid himself down under another
+tree. But sleep came not that night to Thor, and when Skrymir
+snored again so loud that the forest reechoed with the noise, he
+arose, and grasping his mallet launched it with such force at the
+giant's skull that it made a deep dint in it. Skrymir, awakening,
+cried out, "What's the matter? Are there any birds perched on this
+tree? I felt some moss from the branches fall on my head. How
+fares it with thee, Thor?" But Thor went away hastily, saying that
+he had just then awoke, and that as it was only midnight, there
+was still time for sleep. He, however, resolved that if he had an
+opportunity of striking a third blow, it should settle all matters
+between them. A little before daybreak he perceived that Skrymir
+was again fast asleep, and again grasping his mallet, he dashed it
+with such violence that it forced its way into the giant's skull
+up to the handle. But Skrymir sat up, and stroking his cheek said,
+"An acorn fell on my head. What! Art thou awake, Thor? Me thinks
+it is time for us to get up and dress ourselves; but you have not
+now a long way before you to the city called Utgard. I have heard
+you whispering to one another that I am not a man of small
+dimensions; but if you come to Utgard you will see there many men
+much taller than I. Wherefore, I advise you, when you come there,
+not to make too much of yourselves, for the followers of Utgard--
+Loki will not brook the boasting of such little fellows as you
+are. You must take the road that leads eastward, mine lies
+northward, so we must part here."
+
+Hereupon he threw his wallet over his shoulders and turned away
+from them into the forest, and Thor had no wish to stop him or to
+ask for any more of his company.
+
+Thor and his companions proceeded on their way, and towards noon
+descried a city standing in the middle of a plain. It was so lofty
+that they were obliged to bend their necks quite back on their
+shoulders in order to see to the top of it. On arriving they
+entered the city, and seeing a large palace before them with the
+door wide open, they went in, and found a number of men of
+prodigious stature, sitting on benches in the hall. Going further,
+they came before the king, Utgard-Loki, whom they saluted with
+great respect. The king, regarding them with a scornful smile,
+said, "If I do not mistake me, that stripling yonder must be the
+god Thor." Then addressing himself to Thor, he said, "Perhaps thou
+mayst be more than thou appearest to be. What are the feats that
+thou and thy fellows deem yourselves skilled in, for no one is
+permitted to remain here who does not, in some feat or other,
+excel all other men?"
+
+"The feat that I know," said Loki, "is to eat quicker than any one
+else, and in this I am ready to give a proof against any one here
+who may choose to compete with me."
+
+"That will indeed be a feat," said Utgard-Loki, "if thou
+performest what thou promisest, and it shall be tried forthwith."
+
+He then ordered one of his men who was sitting at the farther end
+of the bench, and whose name was Logi, to come forward and try his
+skill with Loki. A trough filled with meat having been set on the
+hall floor, Loki placed himself at one end, and Logi at the other,
+and each of them began to eat as fast as he could, until they met
+in the middle of the trough. But it was found that Loki had only
+eaten the flesh, while his adversary had devoured both flesh and
+bone, and the trough to boot. All the company therefore adjudged
+that Loki was vanquished.
+
+Utgard-Loki then asked what feat the young man who accompanied
+Thor could perform. Thialfi answered that he would run a race with
+any one who might be matched against him. The king observed that
+skill in running was something to boast of, but if the youth would
+win the match he must display great agility. He then arose and
+went with all who were present to a plain where there was good
+ground for running on, and calling a young man named Hugi, bade
+him run a match with Thialfi. In the first course Hugi so much
+out-stripped his competitor that he turned back and met him not
+far from the starting place. Then they ran a second and a third
+time, but Thialfi met with no better success.
+
+Utgard-Loki then asked Thor in what feats he would choose to give
+proofs of that prowess for which he was so famous. Thor answered
+that he would try a drinking-match with any one. Utgard-Loki bade
+his cup-bearer bring the large horn which his followers were
+obliged to empty when they had trespassed in any way against the
+law of the feast. The cupbearer having presented it to Thor,
+Utgard-Loki said, "Whoever is a good drinker will empty that horn
+at a single draught, though most men make two of it, but the most
+puny drinker can do it in three."
+
+Thor looked at the horn, which seemed of no extraordinary size
+though somewhat long; however, as he was very thirsty, he set it
+to his lips, and without drawing breath, pulled as long and as
+deeply as he could, that he might not be obliged to make a second
+draught of it; but when he set the horn down and looked in, he
+could scarcely perceive that the liquor was diminished.
+
+After taking breath, Thor went to it again with all his might, but
+when he took the horn from his mouth, it seemed to him that he had
+drunk rather less than before, although the horn could now be
+carried without spilling.
+
+"How now, Thor?" said Utgard-Loki; "thou must not spare thyself;
+if thou meanest to drain the horn at the third draught thou must
+pull deeply; and I must needs say that thou wilt not be called so
+mighty a man here as thou art at home if thou showest no greater
+prowess in other feats than methinks will be shown in this."
+
+Thor, full of wrath, again set the horn to his lips, and did his
+best to empty it; but on looking in found the liquor was only a
+little lower, so he resolved to make no further attempt, but gave
+back the horn to the cup-bearer.
+
+"I now see plainly," said Utgard-Loki, "that thou art not quite so
+stout as we thought thee: but wilt thou try any other feat, though
+methinks thou art not likely to bear any prize away with thee
+hence."
+
+"What new trial hast thou to propose?" said Thor.
+
+"We have a very trifling game here," answered Utgard-Loki, "in
+which we exercise none but children. It consists in merely lifting
+my cat from the ground; nor should I have dared to mention such a
+feat to the great Thor if I had not already observed that thou art
+by no means what we took thee for."
+
+As he finished speaking, a large gray cat sprang on the hall
+floor. Thor put his hand under the cat's belly and did his utmost
+to raise him from the floor, but the cat, bending his back, had,
+notwithstanding all Thor's efforts, only one of his feet lifted
+up, seeing which Thor made no further attempt.
+
+"This trial has turned out," said Utgard-Loki, "just as I imagined
+it would. The cat is large, but Thor is little in comparison to
+our men."
+
+"Little as ye call me," answered Thor, "let me see who among you
+will come hither now I am in wrath and wrestle with me."
+
+"I see no one here," said Utgard-Loki, looking at the men sitting
+on the benches, "who would not think it beneath him to wrestle
+with thee; let somebody, however, call hither that old crone, my
+nurse Elli, and let Thor wrestle with her if he will. She has
+thrown to the ground many a man not less strong than this Thor
+is."
+
+A toothless old woman then entered the hall, and was told by
+Utgard-Loki to take hold of Thor. The tale is shortly told. The
+more Thor tightened his hold on the crone the firmer she stood. At
+length after a very violent struggle Thor began to lose his
+footing, and was finally brought down upon one knee. Utgard-Loki
+then told them to desist, adding that Thor had now no occasion to
+ask any one else in the hall to wrestle with him, and it was also
+getting late; so he showed Thor and his companions to their seats,
+and they passed the night there in good cheer.
+
+The next morning, at break of day, Thor and his companions dressed
+themselves and prepared for their departure. Utgard-Loki ordered a
+table to be set for them, on which there was no lack of victuals
+or drink. After the repast Utgard-Loki led them to the gate of the
+city, and on parting asked Thor how he thought his journey had
+turned out, and whether he had met with any men stronger than
+himself. Thor told him that he could not deny but that he had
+brought great shame on himself. "And what grieves me most," he
+added, "is that ye will call me a person of little worth."
+
+"Nay," said Utgard-Loki, "it behooves me to tell thee the truth,
+now thou art out of the city, which so long as I live and have my
+way thou shalt never enter again. And, by my troth, had I known
+beforehand that thou hadst so much strength in thee, and wouldst
+have brought me so near to a great mishap, I would not have
+suffered thee to enter this time. Know then that I have all along
+deceived thee by my illusions; first in the forest, where I tied
+up the wallet with iron wire so that thou couldst not untie it.
+After this thou gavest me three blows with thy mallet; the first,
+though the least, would have ended my days had it fallen on me,
+but I slipped aside and thy blows fell on the mountain, where thou
+wilt find three glens, one of them remarkably deep. These are the
+dints made by thy mallet. I have made use of similar illusions in
+the contests you have had with my followers. In the first, Loki,
+like hunger itself, devoured all that was set before him, but Logi
+was in reality nothing else than Fire, and therefore consumed not
+only the meat, bat the trough which held it. Hugi, with whom
+Thialfi contended in running, was Thought, and it was impossible
+for Thialfi to keep pace with that. When thou in thy turn didst
+attempt to empty the horn, thou didst perform, by my troth, a deed
+so marvellous that had I not seen it myself I should never have
+believed it. For one end of that horn reached the sea, which thou
+wast not aware of, but when thou comest to the shore thou wilt
+perceive how much the sea has sunk by thy draughts. Thou didst
+perform a feat no less wonderful by lifting up the cat, and to
+tell thee the truth, when we saw that one of his paws was off the
+floor, we were all of us terror-stricken, for what thou tookest
+for a cat was in reality the Midgard serpent that encompasseth the
+earth, and he was so stretched by thee that he was barely long
+enough to enclose it between his head and tail. Thy wrestling with
+Elli was also a most astonishing feat, for there was never yet a
+man, nor ever will be, whom Old Age, for such in fact was Elli,
+will not sooner or later lay low. But now, as we are going to
+part, let me tell thee that it will be better for both of us if
+thou never come near me again, for shouldst thou do so, I shall
+again defend myself by other illusions, so that thou wilt only
+lose thy labor and get no fame from the contest with me."
+
+On hearing these words Thor in a rage laid hold of his mallet and
+would have launched it at him, but Utgard-Loki had disappeared,
+and when Thor would have returned to the city to destroy it, he
+found nothing around him but a verdant plain.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XL
+
+THE DEATH OF BALDUR--THE ELVES--RUNIC LETTERS--ICELAND--TEUTONIC
+MYTHOLOGY--NIBELUNGEN LIED
+
+THE DEATH OF BALDUR
+
+
+Baldur the Good, having been tormented with terrible dreams
+indicating that his life was in peril, told them to the assembled
+gods, who resolved to conjure all things to avert from him the
+threatened danger. Then Frigga, the wife of Odin, exacted an oath
+from fire and water, from iron and all other metals, from stones,
+trees, diseases, beasts, birds, poisons, and creeping things, that
+none of them would do any harm to Baldur. Odin, not satisfied with
+all this, and feeling alarmed for the fate of his son, determined
+to consult the prophetess Angerbode, a giantess, mother of Fenris,
+Hela, and the Midgard serpent. She was dead, and Odin was forced
+to seek her in Hela's dominions. This Descent of Odin forms the
+subject of Gray's fine ode beginning,--
+
+    "Uprose the king of men with speed
+    And saddled straight his coal-black steed"
+
+But the other gods, feeling that what Frigga had done was quite
+sufficient, amused themselves with using Baldur as a mark, some
+hurling darts at him, some stones, while others hewed at him with
+their swords and battle-axes; for do what they would, none of them
+could harm him. And this became a favorite pastime with them and
+was regarded as an honor shown to Baldur. But when Loki beheld the
+scene he was sorely vexed that Baldur was not hurt. Assuming,
+therefore, the shape of a woman, he went to Fensalir, the man-
+sion of Frigga. That goddess, when she saw the pretended woman,
+inquired of her if she knew what the gods were doing at their
+meetings. She replied that they were throwing darts and stones at
+Baldur, without being able to hurt him. "Ay," said Frigga,
+"neither stones, nor sticks, nor anything else can hurt Baldur,
+for I have exacted an oath from all of them." "What," exclaimed
+the woman, "have all things sworn to spare Baldur?" "All things,"
+replied Frigga, "except one little shrub that grows on the eastern
+side of Valhalla, and is called Mistletoe, and which I thought too
+young and feeble to crave an oath from."
+
+As soon as Loki heard this he went away, and resuming his natural
+shape, cut off the mistletoe, and repaired to the place where the
+gods were assembled. There he found Hodur standing apart, without
+partaking of the sports, on account of his blindness, and going up
+to him, said, "Why dost thou not also throw something at Baldur?"
+
+"Because I am blind," answered Hodur, "and see not where Baldur
+is, and have, moreover, nothing to throw."
+
+"Come, then," said Loki, "do like the rest, and show honor to
+Baldur by throwing this twig at him, and I will direct thy arm
+towards the place where he stands."
+
+Hodur then took the mistletoe, and under the guidance of Loki,
+darted it at Baldur, who, pierced through and through, fell down
+lifeless. Surely never was there witnessed, either among gods or
+men, a more atrocious deed than this. When Baldur fell, the gods
+were struck speechless with horror, and then they looked at each
+other, and all were of one mind to lay hands on him who had done
+the deed, but they were obliged to delay their vengeance out of
+respect for the sacred place where they were assembled. They gave
+vent to their grief by loud lamentations. When the gods came to
+themselves, Frigga asked who among them wished to gain all her
+love and good will. "For this," said she, "shall he have who will
+ride to Hel and offer Hela a ransom if she will let Baldur return
+to Asgard." Whereupon Hermod, surnamed the Nimble, the son of
+Odin, offered to undertake the journey. Odin's horse, Sleipnir,
+which has eight legs and can outrun the wind, was then led forth,
+on which Hermod mounted and galloped away on his mission. For the
+space of nine days and as many nights he rode through deep glens
+so dark that he could not discern anything, until he arrived at
+the river Gyoll, which he passed over on a bridge covered with
+glittering gold. The maiden who kept the bridge asked him his name
+and lineage, telling him that the day before five bands of dead
+persons had ridden over the bridge, and did not shake it as much
+as he alone. "But," she added, "thou hast not death's hue on thee;
+why then ridest thou here on the way to Hel?"
+
+"I ride to Hel," answered Hermod, "to seek Baldur. Hast thou
+perchance seen him pass this way?"
+
+She replied, "Baldur hath ridden over Gyoll's bridge, and yonder
+lieth the way he took to the abodes of death"
+
+Hermod pursued his journey until he came to the barred gates of
+Hel. Here he alighted, girthed his saddle tighter, and remounting
+clapped both spurs to his horse, who cleared the gate by a
+tremendous leap without touching it. Hermod then rode on to the
+palace, where he found his brother Baldur occupying the most
+distinguished seat in the hall, and passed the night in his
+company. The next morning he besought Hela to let Baldur ride home
+with him, assuring her that nothing but lamentations were to be
+heard among the gods. Hela answered that it should now be tried
+whether Baldur was so beloved as he was said to be. "If,
+therefore," she added, "all things in the world, both living and
+lifeless, weep for him, then shall he return to life; but if any
+one thing speak against him or refuse to weep, he shall be kept in
+Hel."
+
+Hermod then rode back to Asgard and gave an account of all he had
+heard and witnessed.
+
+The gods upon this despatched messengers throughout the world to
+beg everything to weep in order that Baldur might be delivered
+from Hel. All things very willingly complied with this request,
+both men and every other living being, as well as earths, and
+stones, and trees, and metals, just as we have all seen these
+things weep when they are brought from a cold place into a hot
+one. As the messengers were returning, they found an old hag named
+Thaukt sitting in a cavern, and begged her to weep Baldur out of
+Hel. But she answered,
+
+    "Thaukt will wail
+    With dry tears
+    Baldur's bale-fire.
+    Let Hela keep her own."
+
+It was strongly suspected that this hag was no other than Loki
+himself, who never ceased to work evil among gods and men. So
+Baldur was prevented from coming back to Asgard.
+
+[Footnote: In Longfellow's Poems will be found a poem entitled
+"Tegner's Drapa," upon the subject of Baldur's death.]
+
+The gods took up the dead body and bore it to the seashore where
+stood Baldur's ship "Hringham," which passed for the largest in
+the world. Baldur's dead body was put on the funeral pile, on
+board the ship, and his wife Nanna was so struck with grief at the
+sight that she broke her heart, and her body was burned on the
+same pile as her husband's. There was a vast concourse of various
+kinds of people at Baldur's obsequies. First came Odin accompanied
+by Frigga, the Valkyrie, and his ravens; then Frey in his car
+drawn by Gullinbursti, the boar; Heimdall rode his horse Gulltopp,
+and Freya drove in her chariot drawn by cats. There were also a
+great many Frost giants and giants of the mountain present.
+Baldur's horse was led to the pile fully caparisoned and consumed
+in the same flames with his master.
+
+But Loki did not escape his deserved punishment. When he saw how
+angry the gods were, he fled to the mountain, and there built
+himself a hut with four doors, so that he could see every
+approaching danger. He invented a net to catch the fishes, such as
+fishermen have used since his time. But Odin found out his hiding-
+place and the gods assembled to take him. He, seeing this, changed
+himself into a salmon, and lay hid among the stones of the brook.
+But the gods took his net and dragged the brook, and Loki, finding
+he must be caught, tried to leap over the net; but Thor caught him
+by the tail and compressed it, so that salmons ever since have had
+that part remarkably fine and thin. They bound him with chains and
+suspended a serpent over his head, whose venom falls upon his face
+drop by drop. His wife Siguna sits by his side and catches the
+drops as they fall, in a cup; but when she carries it away to
+empty it, the venom falls upon Loki, which makes him howl with
+horror, and twist his body about so violently that the whole earth
+shakes, and this produces what men call earthquakes.
+
+THE ELVES
+
+The Edda mentions another class of beings, inferior to the gods,
+but still possessed of great power; these were called Elves. The
+white spirits, or Elves of Light, were exceedingly fair, more
+brilliant than the sun, and clad in garments of a delicate and
+transparent texture. They loved the light, were kindly disposed to
+mankind, and generally appeared as fair and lovely children. Their
+country was called Alfheim, and was the domain of Freyr, the god
+of the sun, in whose light they were always sporting.
+
+The Black or Night Elves were a different kind of creatures. Ugly,
+long-nosed dwarfs, of a dirty brown color, they appeared only at
+night, for they avoided the sun as their most deadly enemy,
+because whenever his beams fell upon any of them they changed them
+immediately into stones. Their language was the echo of solitudes,
+and their dwelling-places subterranean caves and clefts. They were
+supposed to have come into existence as maggots produced by the
+decaying flesh of Ymir's body, and were afterwards endowed by the
+gods with a human form and great understanding. They were
+particularly distinguished for a knowledge of the mysterious
+powers of nature, and for the runes which they carved and
+explained. They were the most skilful artificers of all created
+beings, and worked in metals and in wood. Among their most noted
+works were Thor's hammer, and the ship "Skidbladnir," which they
+gave to Freyr, and which was so large that it could contain all
+the deities with their war and household implements, but so
+skillfully was it wrought that when folded together it could be
+put into a side pocket.
+
+RAGNAROK, THE TWILIGHT OF THE GODS
+
+It was a firm belief of the northern nations that a time would
+come when all the visible creation, the gods of Valhalla and
+Niffleheim, the inhabitants of Jotunheim, Alfheim, and Midgard,
+together with their habitations, would be destroyed. The fearful
+day of destruction will not, however, be without its forerunners.
+First will come a triple winter, during which snow will fall from
+the four corners of the heavens, the frost be very severe, the
+wind piercing, the weather tempestuous, and the sun impart no
+gladness. Three such winters will pass away without being tempered
+by a single summer. Three other similar winters will then follow,
+during which war and discord will spread over the universe. The
+earth itself will be frightened and begin to tremble, the sea
+leave its basin, the heavens tear asunder, and men perish in great
+numbers, and the eagles of the air feast upon their still
+quivering bodies. The wolf Fenris will now break his bands, the
+Midgard serpent rise out of her bed in the sea, and Loki, released
+from his bonds, will join the enemies of the gods. Amidst the
+general devastation the sons of Muspelheim will rush forth under
+their leader Surtur, before and behind whom are flames and burning
+fire. Onward they ride over Bifrost, the rainbow bridge, which
+breaks under the horses' hoofs. But they, disregarding its fall,
+direct their course to the battlefield called Vigrid. Thither also
+repair the wolf Fenris, the Midgard serpent, Loki with all the
+followers of Hela, and the Frost giants.
+
+Heimdall now stands up and sounds the Giallar horn to assemble the
+gods and heroes for the contest. The gods advance, led on by Odin,
+who engages the wolf Fenris, but falls a victim to the monster,
+who is, however, slain by Vidar, Odin's son. Thor gains great
+renown by killing the Midgard serpent, but recoils and falls dead,
+suffocated with the venom which the dying monster vomits over him.
+Loki and Heimdall meet and fight till they are both slain. The
+gods and their enemies having fallen in battle, Surtur, who has
+killed Freyr, darts fire and flames over the world, and the whole
+universe is burned up. The sun becomes dim, the earth sinks into
+the ocean, the stars fall from heaven, and time is no more.
+
+After this Alfadur (the Almighty) will cause a new heaven and a
+new earth to arise out of the sea. The new earth filled with
+abundant supplies will spontaneously produce its fruits without
+labor or care. Wickedness and misery will no more be known, but
+the gods and men will live happily together.
+
+RUNIC LETTERS
+
+One cannot travel far in Denmark, Norway, or Sweden without
+meeting with great stones of different forms, engraven with
+characters called Runic, which appear at first sight very
+different from all we know. The letters consist almost invariably
+of straight lines, in the shape of little sticks either singly or
+put together. Such sticks were in early times used by the northern
+nations for the purpose of ascertaining future events. The sticks
+were shaken up, and from the figures that they formed a kind of
+divination was derived.
+
+The Runic characters were of various kinds. They were chiefly used
+for magical purposes. The noxious, or, as they called them, the
+BITTER runes, were employed to bring various evils on their
+enemies; the favorable averted misfortune. Some were medicinal,
+others employed to win love, etc. In later times they were
+frequently used for inscriptions, of which more than a thousand
+have been found. The language is a dialect of the Gothic, called
+Norse, still in use in Iceland. The inscriptions may therefore be
+read with certainty, but hitherto very few have been found which
+throw the least light on history. They are mostly epitaphs on
+tombstones.
+
+Gray's ode on the "Descent of Odin" contains an allusion to the
+use of Runic letters for incantation:
+
+    "Facing to the northern clime,
+    Thrice he traced the Runic rhyme;
+    Thrice pronounced, in accents dread,
+    The thrilling verse that wakes the dead,
+    Till from out the hollow ground
+    Slowly breathed a sullen sound."
+
+THE SKALDS
+
+The Skalds were the bards and poets of the nation, a very
+important class of men in all communities in an early stage of
+civilization. They are the depositaries of whatever historic lore
+there is, and it is their office to mingle something of
+intellectual gratification with the rude feasts of the warriors,
+by rehearsing, with such accompaniments of poetry and music as
+their skill can afford, the exploits of their heroes living or
+dead. The compositions of the Skalds were called Sagas, many of
+which have come down to us, and contain valuable materials of
+history, and a faithful picture of the state of society at the
+time to which they relate.
+
+ICELAND
+
+The Eddas and Sagas have come to us from Iceland. The following
+extract from Carlyle's lectures on "Heroes and Hero Worship" gives
+an animated account of the region where the strange stories we
+have been reading had their origin. Let the reader contrast it for
+a moment with Greece, the parent of classical mythology:
+
+"In that strange island, Iceland,--burst up, the geologists say,
+by fire from the bottom of the sea, a wild land of barrenness and
+lava, swallowed many months of every year in black tempests, yet
+with a wild, gleaming beauty in summer time, towering up there
+stern and grim in the North Ocean, with its snow yokuls
+[mountains], roaring geysers [boiling springs], sulphur pools, and
+horrid volcanic chasms, like the waste, chaotic battlefield of
+Frost and Fire,--where, of all places, we least looked for
+literature or written memorials,--the record of these things was
+written down. On the seaboard of this wild land is a rim of grassy
+country, where cattle can subsist, and men by means of them and of
+what the sea yields; and it seems they were poetic men these, men
+who had deep thoughts in them and uttered musically their
+thoughts. Much would be lost had Iceland not been burst up from
+the sea, not been discovered by the Northmen!"
+
+TEUTONIC MYTHOLOGY
+
+In the mythology of Germany proper, the name of Odin appears as
+Wotan; Freya and Frigga are regarded as one and the same divinity,
+and the gods are in general represented as less warlike in
+character than those in the Scandinavian myths. As a whole,
+however, Teutonic mythology runs along almost identical lines with
+that of the northern nations. The most notable divergence is due
+to modifications of the legends by reason of the difference in
+climatic conditions. The more advanced social condition of the
+Germans is also apparent in their mythology.
+
+THE NIBELUNGEN LIED
+
+One of the oldest myths of the Teutonic race is found in the great
+national epic of the Nibelungen Lied, which dates back to the
+prehistoric era when Wotan, Frigga, Thor, Loki, and the other gods
+and goddesses were worshipped in the German forests. The epic is
+divided into two parts, the first of which tells how Siegfried,
+the youngest of the kings of the Netherlands, went to Worms, to
+ask in marriage the hand of Kriemhild, sister of Gunther, King of
+Burgundy. While he was staying with Gunther, Siegfried helped the
+Burgundian king to secure as his wife Brunhild, queen of Issland.
+The latter had announced publicly that he only should be her
+husband who could beat her in hurling a spear, throwing a huge
+stone, and in leaping. Siegfried, who possessed a cloak of
+invisibility, aided Gunther in these three contests, and Brunhild
+became his wife. In return for these services, Gunther gave
+Siegfried his sister Kriemhild in marriage.
+
+After some time had elapsed, Siegfried and Kriemhild went to visit
+Gunther, when the two women fell into a dispute about the relative
+merits of their husbands. Kriemhild, to exalt Siegfried, boasted
+that it was to the latter that Gunther owed his victories and his
+wife. Brunhild, in great anger, employed Hagan, liegeman of
+Gunther, to murder Siegfried. In the epic Hagan is described as
+follows:
+
+"Well-grown and well-compacted was that redoubted guest; Long were
+his legs and sinewy, and deep and broad his chest; His hair, that
+once was sable, with gray was dashed of late; Most terrible his
+visage, and lordly was his gait."
+
+--Nibelungen Lied, stanza 1789.
+
+This Achilles of German romance stabbed Siegfried between the
+shoulders, as the unfortunate King of the Netherlands was stooping
+to drink from a brook during a hunting expedition.
+
+The second part of the epic relates how, thirteen years later,
+Kriemhild married Etzel, King of the Huns. After a time, she
+invited the King of Burgundy, with Hagan and many others, to the
+court of her husband. A fearful quarrel was stirred up in the
+banquet hall, which ended in the slaughter of all the Burgundians
+but Gunther and Hagan. These two were taken prisoners and given to
+Kriemhild, who with her own hand cut off the heads of both. For
+this bloody act of vengeance Kriemhild was herself slain by
+Hildebrand, a magician and champion, who in German mythology holds
+a place to an extent corresponding to that of Nestor in the Greek
+mythology.
+
+THE NIBELUNGEN HOARD
+
+This was a mythical mass of gold and precious stones which
+Siegfried obtained from the Nibelungs, the people of the north
+whom he had conquered and whose country he had made tributary to
+his own kingdom of the Netherlands. Upon his marriage, Siegfried
+gave the treasure to Kriemhild as her wedding portion. After the
+murder of Siegfried, Hagan seized it and buried it secretly
+beneath the Rhine at Lochham, intending to recover it at a future
+period. The hoard was lost forever when Hagan was killed by
+Kriemhild. Its wonders are thus set forth in the poem:
+
+    "'Twas as much as twelve huge wagons in four whole nights and days
+    Could carry from the mountain down to the salt sea bay;
+    Though to and fro each wagon thrice journeyed every day.
+
+    "It was made up of nothing but precious stones and gold;
+    Were all the world bought from it, and down the value told,
+    Not a mark the less would there be left than erst there was, I ween."
+
+    --Nibelungen Lied, XIX.
+
+Whoever possessed the Nibelungen hoard were termed Nibelungers.
+Thus at one time certain people of Norway were so called. When
+Siegfried held the treasure he received the title "King of the
+Nibelungers."
+
+WAGNER'S NIBELUNGEN RING
+
+Though Richard Wagner's music-drama of the Nibelungen Ring bears
+some resemblance to the ancient German epic, it is a wholly
+independent composition and was derived from various old songs and
+sagas, which the dramatist wove into one great harmonious story.
+The principal source was the Volsunga Saga, while lesser parts
+were taken from the Elder Edda and the Younger Edda, and others
+from the Nibelungen Lied, the Ecklenlied, and other Teutonic
+folklore.
+
+In the drama there are at first only four distinct races,--the
+gods, the giants, the dwarfs, and the nymphs. Later, by a special
+creation, there come the valkyrie and the heroes. The gods are the
+noblest and highest race, and dwell first in the mountain meadows,
+later in the palace of Valhalla on the heights. The giants are a
+great and strong race, but lack wisdom; they hate what is noble,
+and are enemies of the gods; they dwell in caves near the earth's
+surface. The dwarfs, or nibelungs, are black uncouth pigmies,
+hating the good, hating the gods; they are crafty and cunning, and
+dwell in the bowels of the earth. The nymphs are pure, innocent
+creatures of the water. The valkyrie are daughters of the gods,
+but mingled with a mortal strain; they gather dead heroes from the
+battle-fields and carry them to Valhalla. The heroes are children
+of the gods, but also mingled with a mortal strain; they are
+destined to become at last the highest race of all, and to succeed
+the gods in the government of the world.
+
+The principal gods are Wotan, Loki, Donner, and Froh. The chief
+giants are Fafner and Fasolt, brothers. The chief dwarfs are
+Alberich and Mime, brothers, and later Hagan, son of Alberich. The
+chief nymphs are the Rhine-daughters, Flosshilda, Woglinda, and
+Wellgunda. There are nine Valkyrie, of whom Brunhild is the
+leading one.
+
+Wagner's story of the Ring may be summarized as follows:
+
+A hoard of gold exists in the depths of the Rhine, guarded by the
+innocent Rhine-maidens. Alberich, the dwarf, forswears love to
+gain this gold. He makes it into a magic ring. It gives him all
+power, and he gathers by it a vast amount of treasures.
+
+Meanwhile Wotan, chief of the gods, has engaged the giants to
+build for him a noble castle, Valhalla, from whence to rule the
+world, promising in payment Freya, goddess of youth and love. But
+the gods find they cannot spare Freya, as they are dependent on
+her for their immortal youth. Loki, called upon to provide a
+substitute, tells of Alberich's magic ring and other treasure.
+Wotan goes with Loki, and they steal the ring and the golden hoard
+from Alberich, who curses the ring and lays the curse on all who
+shall henceforth possess it. The gods give the ring and the
+treasure to the giants as a substitute for Freya. The curse at
+once begins. One giant, Fafner, kills his brother to get all, and
+transforms himself into a dragon to guard his wealth. The gods
+enter Valhalla over the rainbow bridge. This ends the first part
+of the drama, called the Rhine-Gold.
+
+The second part, the Valkyrie, relates how Wotan still covets the
+ring. He cannot take it himself, for he has given his word to the
+giants. He stands or falls by his word. So he devises an artifice
+to get the ring. He will get a hero-race to work for him and
+recover the ring and the treasures. Siegmund and Sieglinda are
+twin children of this new race. Sieglinda is carried off as a
+child and is forced into marriage with Hunding. Siegmund comes,
+and unknowingly breaks the law of marriage, but wins Nothung, the
+great sword, and a bride. Brunhild, chief of the Valkyrie, is
+commissioned by Wotan at the instance of Fricka, goddess of
+marriage, to slay him for his sin. She disobeys and tries to save
+him, but Hunding, helped by Wotan, slays him. Sieglinda, however,
+about to bear the free hero, to be called Siegfried, is saved by
+Brunhild, and hid in the forest. Brunhild herself is punished by
+being made a mortal woman. She is left sleeping on the mountains
+with a wall of fire around her which only a hero can penetrate.
+
+The drama continues with the story of Siegfried, which opens with
+a scene in the smithy between Mime the dwarf and Siegfried. Mime
+is welding a sword, and Siegfried scorns him. Mime tells him
+something of his mother, Sieglinda, and shows him the broken
+pieces of his father's sword. Wotan comes and tells Mime that only
+one who has no fear can remake the sword. Now Siegfried knows no
+fear and soon remakes the sword Nothung. Wotan and Alberich come
+to where the dragon Fafner is guarding the ring. They both long
+for it, but neither can take it. Soon Mime comes bringing
+Siegfried with the mighty sword. Fafner comes out, but Siegfried
+slays him. Happening to touch his lips with the dragon's blood, he
+understands the language of the birds. They tell him of the ring.
+He goes and gets it. Siegfried now has possession of the ring, but
+it is to bring him nothing of happiness, only evil. It is to curse
+love and finally bring death. The birds also tell him of Mime's
+treachery. He slays Mime. He longs for some one to love. The birds
+tell him of the slumbering Brunnhilda, whom he finds and marries.
+
+The Dusk of the Gods portrays at the opening the three norns or
+fates weaving and measuring the thread of destiny. It is the
+beginning of the end. The perfect pair, Siegfried and Brunhild,
+appear in all the glory of their life, splendid ideals of manhood
+and womanhood. But Siegfried goes out into the world to achieve
+deeds of prowess. He gives her the Nibelungen ring to keep as a
+pledge of his love till his return. Meanwhile Alberich also has
+begotten a son, Hagan, to achieve for him the possession of the
+ring. He is partly of the Gibichung race, and works through
+Gunther and Gutrune, half-brother and half-sister to him. They
+beguile Siegfried to them, give him a magic draught which makes
+him forget Brunhild and fall in love with Gutrune. Under this same
+spell, he offers to bring Brunhild for wife to Gunther. Now is
+Valhalla full of sorrow and despair. The gods fear the end. Wotan
+murmurs, "O that she would give back the ring to the Rhine." But
+Brunhild will not give it up,--it is now her pledge of love.
+Siegfried comes, takes the ring, and Brunhild is now brought to
+the Rhine castle of the Gibichungs, but Siegfried under the spell
+does not love her. She is to be wedded to Gunther. She rises in
+wrath and denounces Siegfried. But at a hunting banquet Siegfried
+is given another magic draught, remembers all, and is slain by
+Hagan by a blow in the back, as he calls on Brunhild's name in
+love. Then comes the end. The body of Siegfried is burned on a
+funeral pyre, a grand funeral march is heard, and Brunhild rides
+into the flames and sacrifices herself for love's sake; the ring
+goes back to the Rhine-daughters; and the old world--of the gods
+of Valhalla, of passion and sin--is burnt up with flames, for the
+gods have broken moral law, and coveted power rather than love,
+gold rather than truth, and therefore must perish. They pass, and
+a new era, the reign of love and truth, has begun.
+
+Those who wish to study the differences in the legends of the
+Nibelungen Lied and the Nibelungen Ring, and the way in which
+Wagner used his ancient material, are referred to Professor W. C.
+Sawyer's book on "Teutonic Legends in the Nibelungen Lied and the
+Nibelungen Ring," where the matter is treated in full detail. For
+a very thorough and clear analysis of the Ring as Wagner gives it,
+with a study of the musical motifs, probably nothing is better for
+general readers than the volume "The Epic of Sounds," by Freda
+Winworth. The more scholarly work of Professor Lavignac is
+indispensable for the student of Wagner's dramas. There is much
+illuminating comment on the sources and materials in "Legends of
+the Wagner Drama" by J. L. Weston.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLI
+
+THE DRUIDS--IONA
+
+DRUIDS
+
+
+The Druids were the priests or ministers of religion among the
+ancient Celtic nations in Gaul, Britain, and Germany. Our
+information respecting them is borrowed from notices in the Greek
+and Roman writers, compared with the remains of Welsh and Gaelic
+poetry still extant.
+
+The Druids combined the functions of the priest, the magistrate,
+the scholar, and the physician. They stood to the people of the
+Celtic tribes in a relation closely analogous to that in which the
+Brahmans of India, the Magi of Persia, and the priests of the
+Egyptians stood to the people respectively by whom they were
+revered.
+
+The Druids taught the existence of one god, to whom they gave a
+name "Be' al," which Celtic antiquaries tell us means "the life of
+everything," or "the source of all beings," and which seems to
+have affinity with the Phoenician Baal. What renders this affinity
+more striking is that the Druids as well as the Phoenicians
+identified this, their supreme deity, with the Sun. Fire was
+regarded as a symbol of the divinity. The Latin writers assert
+that the Druids also worshipped numerous inferior gods.
+
+They used no images to represent the object of their worship, nor
+did they meet in temples or buildings of any kind for the
+performance of their sacred rites. A circle of stones (each stone
+generally of vast size), enclosing an area of from twenty feet to
+thirty yards in diameter, constituted their sacred place. The most
+celebrated of these now remaining is Stonehenge, on Salisbury
+Plain, England.
+
+These sacred circles were generally situated near some stream, or
+under the shadow of a grove or wide-spreading oak. In the centre
+of the circle stood the Cromlech or altar, which was a large
+stone, placed in the manner of a table upon other stones set up on
+end. The Druids had also their high places, which were large
+stones or piles of stones on the summits of hills. These were
+called Cairns, and were used in the worship of the deity under the
+symbol of the sun.
+
+That the Druids offered sacrifices to their deity there can be no
+doubt. But there is some uncertainty as to what they offered, and
+of the ceremonies connected with their religious services we know
+almost nothing. The classical (Roman) writers affirm that they
+offered on great occasions human sacrifices; as for success in war
+or for relief from dangerous diseases. Caesar has given a detailed
+account of the manner in which this was done. "They have images of
+immense size, the limbs of which are framed with twisted twigs and
+filled with living persons. These being set on fire, those within
+are encompassed by the flames." Many attempts have been made by
+Celtic writers to shake the testimony of the Roman historians to
+this fact, but without success.
+
+The Druids observed two festivals in each year. The former took
+place in the beginning of May, and was called Beltane or "fire of
+God." On this occasion a large fire was kindled on some elevated
+spot, in honor of the sun, whose returning beneficence they thus
+welcomed after the gloom and desolation of winter. Of this custom
+a trace remains in the name given to Whitsunday in parts of
+Scotland to this day. Sir Walter Scott uses the word in the "Boat
+Song" in the "Lady of the Lake":
+
+"Ours is no sapling, chance sown by the fountain, Blooming at
+Beltane in winter to fade;" etc.
+
+The other great festival of the Druids was called "Samh'in," or
+"fire of peace," and was held on Halloweve (first of November),
+which still retains this designation in the Highlands of Scotland.
+On this occasion the Druids assembled in solemn conclave, in the
+most central part of the district, to discharge the judicial
+functions of their order. All questions, whether public or
+private, all crimes against person or property, were at this time
+brought before them for adjudication. With these judicial acts
+were combined certain superstitious usages, especially the
+kindling of the sacred fire, from which all the fires in the
+district, which had been beforehand scrupulously extinguished,
+might be relighted. This usage of kindling fires on Hallow-eve
+lingered in the British islands long after the establishment of
+Christianity.
+
+Besides these two great annual festivals, the Druids were in the
+habit of observing the full moon, and especially the sixth day of
+the moon. On the latter they sought the Mistletoe, which grew on
+their favorite oaks, and to which, as well as to the oak itself,
+they ascribed a peculiar virtue and sacredness. The discovery of
+it was an occasion of rejoicing and solemn worship. "They call
+it," says Pliny, "by a word in their language, which means 'heal-
+all,' and having made solemn preparation for feasting and
+sacrifice under the tree, they drive thither two milk-white bulls,
+whose horns are then for the first time bound. The priest then,
+robed in white, ascends the tree, and cuts off the mistletoe with
+a golden sickle. It is caught in a white mantle, after which they
+proceed to slay the victims, at the same time praying that God
+would render his gift prosperous to those to whom he had given
+it." They drink the water in which it has been infused, and think
+it a remedy for all diseases. The mistletoe is a parasitic plant,
+and is not always nor often found on the oak, so that when it is
+found it is the more precious.
+
+The Druids were the teachers of morality as well as of religion.
+Of their ethical teaching a valuable specimen is preserved in the
+Triads of the Welsh Bards, and from this we may gather that their
+views of moral rectitude were on the whole just, and that they
+held and inculcated many very noble and valuable principles of
+conduct. They were also the men of science and learning of their
+age and people. Whether they were acquainted with letters or not
+has been disputed, though the probability is strong that they
+were, to some extent. But it is certain that they committed
+nothing of their doctrine, their history, or their poetry to
+writing. Their teaching was oral, and their literature (if such a
+word may be used in such a case) was preserved solely by
+tradition. But the Roman writers admit that "they paid much
+attention to the order and laws of nature, and investigated and
+taught to the youth under their charge many things concerning the
+stars and their motions, the size of the world and the lands, and
+concerning the might and power of the immortal gods."
+
+Their history consisted in traditional tales, in which the heroic
+deeds of their forefathers were celebrated. These were apparently
+in verse, and thus constituted part of the poetry as well as the
+history of the Druids. In the poems of Ossian we have, if not the
+actual productions of Druidical times, what may be considered
+faithful representations of the songs of the Bards.
+
+The Bards were an essential part of the Druidical hierarchy. One
+author, Pennant, says, "The Bards were supposed to be endowed with
+powers equal to inspiration. They were the oral historians of all
+past transactions, public and private. They were also accomplished
+genealogists," etc.
+
+Pennant gives a minute account of the Eisteddfods or sessions of
+the Bards and minstrels, which were held in Wales for many
+centuries, long after the Druidical priesthood in its other
+departments became extinct. At these meetings none but Bards of
+merit were suffered to rehearse their pieces, and minstrels of
+skill to perform. Judges were appointed to decide on their
+respective abilities, and suitable degrees were conferred. In the
+earlier period the judges were appointed by the Welsh princes, and
+after the conquest of Wales, by commission from the kings of
+England. Yet the tradition is that Edward I., in revenge for the
+influence of the Bards in animating the resistance of the people
+to his sway, persecuted them with great cruelty. This tradition
+has furnished the poet Gray with the subject of his celebrated
+ode, the "Bard."
+
+There are still occasional meetings of the lovers of Welsh poetry
+and music, held under the ancient name. Among Mrs. Hemans' poems
+is one written for an Eisteddfod, or meeting of Welsh Bards, held
+in London, May 22, 1822. It begins with a description of the
+ancient meeting, of which the following lines are a part:
+
+    "... midst the eternal cliffs, whose strength defied
+    The crested Roman in his hour of pride;
+    And where the Druid's ancient cromlech frowned,
+    And the oaks breathed mysterious murmurs round,
+    There thronged the inspired of yore! on plain or height,
+    In the sun's face, beneath the eye of light,
+    And baring unto heaven each noble head,
+    Stood in the circle, where none else might tread."
+
+The Druidical system was at its height at the time of the Roman
+invasion under Julius Caesar. Against the Druids, as their chief
+enemies, these conquerors of the world directed their unsparing
+fury. The Druids, harassed at all points on the mainland,
+retreated to Anglesey and Iona, where for a season they found
+shelter and continued their now dishonored rites.
+
+The Druids retained their predominance in Iona and over the
+adjacent islands and mainland until they were supplanted and their
+superstitions overturned by the arrival of St. Columba, the
+apostle of the Highlands, by whom the inhabitants of that district
+were first led to profess Christianity.
+
+IONA
+
+One of the smallest of the British Isles, situated near a rugged
+and barren coast, surrounded by dangerous seas, and possessing no
+sources of internal wealth, Iona has obtained an imperishable
+place in history as the seat of civilization and religion at a
+time when the darkness of heathenism hung over almost the whole of
+Northern Europe. lona or Icolmkill is situated at the extremity of
+the island of Mull, from which it is separated by a strait of half
+a mile in breadth, its distance from the mainland of Scotland
+being thirty-six miles.
+
+Columba was a native of Ireland, and connected by birth with the
+princes of the land. Ireland was at that time a land of gospel
+light, while the western and northern parts of Scotland were still
+immersed in the darkness of heathenism. Columba with twelve
+friends landed on the island of lona in the year of our Lord 563,
+having made the passage in a wicker boat covered with hides. The
+Druids who occupied the island endeavored to prevent his settling
+there, and the savage nations on the adjoining shores incommoded
+him with their hostility, and on several occasions endangered his
+life by their attacks. Yet by his perseverance and zeal he
+surmounted all opposition, procured from the king a gift of the
+island, and established there a monastery of which he was the
+abbot. He was unwearied in his labors to disseminate a knowledge
+of the Scriptures throughout the Highlands and islands of
+Scotland, and such was the reverence paid him that though not a
+bishop, but merely a presbyter and monk, the entire province with
+its bishops was subject to him and his successors. The Pictish
+monarch was so impressed with a sense of his wisdom and worth that
+he held him in the highest honor, and the neighboring chiefs and
+princes sought his counsel and availed themselves of his judgment
+in settling their disputes.
+
+When Columba landed on lona he was attended by twelve followers
+whom he had formed into a religious body of which he was the head.
+To these, as occasion required, others were from time to time
+added, so that the original number was always kept up. Their
+institution was called a monastery and the superior an abbot, but
+the system had little in common with the monastic institutions of
+later times. The name by which those who submitted to the rule
+were known was that of Culdees, probably from the Latin "cultores
+Dei"--worshippers of God. They were a body of religious persons
+associated together for the purpose of aiding each other in the
+common work of preaching the gospel and teaching youth, as well as
+maintaining in themselves the fervor of devotion by united
+exercises of worship. On entering the order certain vows were
+taken by the members, but they were not those which were usually
+imposed by monastic orders, for of these, which are three,--
+celibacy, poverty, and obedience.--the Culdees were bound to none
+except the third. To poverty they did not bind themselves; on the
+contrary they seem to have labored diligently to procure for
+themselves and those dependent on them the comforts of life.
+Marriage also was allowed them, and most of them seem to have
+entered into that state. True, their wives were not permitted to
+reside with them at the institution, but they had a residence
+assigned to them in an adjacent locality. Near lona there is an
+island which still bears the name of "Eilen nam ban," women's
+island, where their husbands seem to have resided with them,
+except when duty required their presence in the school or the
+sanctuary.
+
+Campbell, in his poem of "Reullura," alludes to the married monks
+of Iona:
+
+    "... The pure Culdees
+       Were Albyn's earliest priests of God,
+    Ere yet an island of her seas
+      By foot of Saxon monk was trod,
+    Long ere her churchmen by bigotry
+    Were barred from holy wedlock's tie.
+    'Twas then that Aodh, famed afar,
+      In lona preached the word with power,
+    And Reullura, beauty's star,
+      Was the partner of his bower."
+
+In one of his "Irish Melodies," Moore gives the legend of St.
+Senanus and the lady who sought shelter on the island, but was
+repulsed:
+
+    "O, haste and leave this sacred isle,
+    Unholy bark, ere morning smile;
+    For on thy deck, though dark it be,
+        A female form I see;
+    And I have sworn this sainted sod
+    Shall ne'er by woman's foot be trod."
+
+In these respects and in others the Culdees departed from the
+established rules of the Romish church, and consequently were
+deemed heretical. The consequence was that as the power of the
+latter advanced that of the Culdees was enfeebled. It was not,
+however, till the thirteenth centurv that the communities of the
+Culdees were suppressed and the members dispersed. They still
+continued to labor as individuals, and resisted the inroads of
+Papal usurpation as they best might till the light of the
+Reformation dawned on the world.
+
+Iona, from its position in the western seas, was exposed to the
+assaults of the Norwegian and Danish rovers by whom those seas
+were infested, and by them it was repeatedly pillaged, its
+dwellings burned, and its peaceful inhabitants put to the sword.
+These unfavorable circumstances led to its gradual decline, which
+was expedited by the subversion of the Culdees throughout
+Scotland. Under the reign of Popery the island became the seat of
+a nunnery, the ruins of which are still seen. At the Reformation,
+the nuns were allowed to remain, living in community, when the
+abbey was dismantled.
+
+Iona is now chiefly resorted to by travellers on account of the
+numerous ecclesiastical and sepulchral remains which are found
+upon it. The principal of these are the Cathedral or Abbey Church
+and the Chapel of the Nunnery. Besides these remains of
+ecclesiastical antiquity, there are some of an earlier date, and
+pointing to the existence on the island of forms of worship and
+belief different from those of Christianity. These are the
+circular Cairns which are found in various parts, and which seem
+to have been of Druidical origin. It is in reference to all these
+remains of ancient religion that Johnson exclaims, "That man is
+little to be envied whose patriotism would not gain force upon the
+plains of Marathon, or whose piety would not grow warmer amid the
+ruins of lona."
+
+In the "Lord of the Isles" Scott beautifully contrasts the church
+on lona with the cave of Staffa, opposite:
+
+    "Nature herself, it seemed, would raise
+    A minister to her Maker's praise!
+    Not for a meaner use ascend
+    Her columns, or her arches bend;
+    Nor of a theme less solemn tells
+    That mighty surge that ebbs and swells,
+    And still between each awful pause,
+    From the high vault an answer draws,
+    In varied tone, prolonged and high,
+    That mocks the organ's melody;
+    Nor doth its entrance front in vain
+    To old Iona's holy fane,
+    That Nature's voice might seem to say,
+    Well hast thou done, frail child of clay!
+    Thy humble powers that stately shrine
+    Tasked high and hard--but witness mine!"
+
+
+
+
+
+KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+On the decline of the Roman power, about five centuries after
+Christ, the countries of Northern Europe were left almost
+destitute of a national government. Numerous chiefs, more or less
+powerful, held local sway, as far as each could enforce his
+dominion, and occasionally those chiefs would unite for a common
+object; but, in ordinary times, they were much more likely to be
+found in hostility to one another. In such a state of things the
+rights of the humbler classes of society were at the mercy of
+every assailant; and it is plain that, without some check upon the
+lawless power of the chiefs, society must have relapsed into
+barbarism. Such checks were found, first, in the rivalry of the
+chiefs themselves, whose mutual jealousy made them restraints upon
+one another; secondly, in the influence of the Church, which, by
+every motive, pure or selfish, was pledged to interpose for the
+protection of the weak; and lastly, in the generosity and sense of
+right which, however crushed under the weight of passion and
+selfishness, dwell naturally in the heart of man. From this last
+source sprang Chivalry, which framed an ideal of the heroic
+character, combining invincible strength and valor, justice,
+modesty, loyalty to superiors, courtesy to equals, compassion to
+weakness, and devotedness to the Church; an ideal which, if never
+met with in real life, was acknowledged by all as the highest
+model for emulation.
+
+The word "Chivalry" is derived from the French "cheval," a horse.
+The word "knight," which originally meant boy or servant, was
+particularly applied to a young man after he was admitted to the
+privilege of bearing arms. This privilege was conferred on youths
+of family and fortune only, for the mass of the people were not
+furnished with arms. The knight then was a mounted warrior, a man
+of rank, or in the service and maintenance of some man of rank,
+generally possessing some independent means of support, but often
+relying mainly on the gratitude of those whom he served for the
+supply of his wants, and often, no doubt, resorting to the means
+which power confers on its possessor.
+
+In time of war the knight was, with his followers, in the camp of
+his sovereign, or commanding in the field, or holding some castle
+for him. In time of peace he was often in attendance at his
+sovereign's court, gracing with his presence the banquets and
+tournaments with which princes cheered their leisure. Or he was
+traversing the country in quest of adventure, professedly bent on
+redressing wrongs and enforcing rights, sometimes in fulfilment of
+some vow of religion or of love. These wandering knights were
+called knights-errant; they were welcome guests in the castles of
+the nobility, for their presence enlivened the dulness of those
+secluded abodes, and they were received with honor at the abbeys,
+which often owed the best part of their revenues to the patronage
+of the knights; but if no castle or abbey or hermitage were at
+hand their hardy habits made it not intolerable to them to lie
+down, supperless, at the foot of some wayside cross, and pass the
+night.
+
+It is evident that the justice administered by such an
+instrumentality must have been of the rudest description. The
+force whose legitimate purpose was to redress wrongs might easily
+be perverted to inflict them Accordingly, we find in the romances,
+which, however fabulous in facts, are true as pictures of manners,
+that a knightly castle was often a terror to the surrounding
+country; that is, dungeons were full of oppressed knights and
+ladies, waiting for some champion to appear to set them free, or
+to be ransomed with money; that hosts of idle retainers were ever
+at hand to enforce their lord's behests, regardless of law and
+justice; and that the rights of the unarmed multitude were of no
+account. This contrariety of fact and theory in regard to chivalry
+will account for the opposite impressions which exist in men's
+minds respecting it. While it has been the theme of the most
+fervid eulogium on the one part, it has been as eagerly denounced
+on the other. On a cool estimate, we cannot but see reason to
+congratulate ourselves that it has given way in modern times to
+the reign of law, and that the civil magistrate, if less
+picturesque, has taken the place of the mailed champion.
+
+THE TRAINING OF A KNIGHT
+
+The preparatory education of candidates for knighthood was long
+and arduous. At seven years of age the noble children were usually
+removed from their father's house to the court or castle of their
+future patron, and placed under the care of a governor, who taught
+them the first articles of religion, and respect and reverence for
+their lords and superiors, and initiated them in the ceremonies of
+a court. They were called pages, valets, or varlets, and their
+office was to carve, to wait at table, and to perform other menial
+services, which were not then considered humiliating. In their
+leisure hours they learned to dance and play on the harp, were
+instructed in the mysteries of woods and rivers, that is, in
+hunting, falconry, and fishing, and in wrestling, tilting with
+spears, and performing other military exercises on horseback. At
+fourteen the page became an esquire, and began a course of severer
+and more laborious exercises. To vault on a horse in heavy armor;
+to run, to scale walls, and spring over ditches, under the same
+encumbrance; to wrestle, to wield the battle-axe for a length of
+time, without raising the visor or taking breath; to perform with
+grace all the evolutions of horsemanship,--were necessary
+preliminaries to the reception of knighthood, which was usually
+conferred at twenty-one years of age, when the young man's
+education was supposed to be completed. In the meantime, the
+esquires were no less assiduously engaged in acquiring all those
+refinements of civility which formed what was in that age called
+courtesy. The same castle in which they received their education
+was usually thronged with young persons of the other sex, and the
+page was encouraged, at a very early age, to select some lady of
+the court as the mistress of his heart, to whom he was taught to
+refer all his sentiments, words, and actions. The service of his
+mistress was the glory and occupation of a knight, and her smiles,
+bestowed at once by affection and gratitude, were held out as the
+recompense of his well-directed valor. Religion united its
+influence with those of loyalty and love, and the order of
+knighthood, endowed with all the sanctity and religious awe that
+attended the priesthood, became an object of ambition to the
+greatest sovereigns.
+
+The ceremonies of initiation were peculiarly solemn. After
+undergoing a severe fast, and spending whole nights in prayer, the
+candidate confessed, and received the sacrament. He then clothed
+himself in snow-white garments, and repaired to the church, or the
+hall, where the ceremony was to take place, bearing a knightly
+sword suspended from his neck, which the officiating priest took
+and blessed, and then returned to him. The candidate then, with
+folded arms, knelt before the presiding knight, who, after some
+questions about his motives and purposes in requesting admission,
+administered to him the oaths, and granted his request. Some of
+the knights present, sometimes even ladies and damsels, handed to
+him in succession the spurs, the coat of mail, the hauberk, the
+armlet and gauntlet, and lastly he girded on the sword. He then
+knelt again before the president, who, rising from his seat, gave
+him the "accolade," which consisted of three strokes, with the
+flat of a sword, on the shoulder or neck of the candidate,
+accompanied by the words: "In the name of God, of St. Michael, and
+St. George, I make thee a knight; be valiant, courteous, and
+loyal!" Then he received his helmet, his shield, and spear; and
+thus the investiture ended.
+
+FREEMEN, VILLAINS, SERFS, AND CLERKS
+
+The other classes of which society was composed were, first,
+FREEMEN, owners of small portions of land independent, though they
+sometimes voluntarily became the vassals of their more opulent
+neighbors, whose power was necessary for their protection. The
+other two classes, which were much the most numerous, were either
+serfs or villains, both of which were slaves.
+
+The SERFS were in the lowest state of slavery. All the fruits of
+their labor belonged to the master whose land they tilled, and by
+whom they were fed and clothed.
+
+The VILLIANS were less degraded. Their situation seems to have
+resembled that of the Russian peasants at this day. Like the
+serfs, they were attached to the soil, and were transferred with
+it by purchase; but they paid only a fixed rent to the landlord,
+and had a right to dispose of any surplus that might arise from
+their industry.
+
+The term "clerk" was of very extensive import. It comprehended,
+originally, such persons only as belonged to the clergy, or
+clerical order, among whom, however, might be found a multitude of
+married persons, artisans or others. But in process of time a much
+wider rule was established; every one that could read being
+accounted a clerk or clericus, and allowed the "benefit of
+clergy," that is, exemption from capital and some other forms of
+punishment, in case of crime.
+
+TOURNAMENTS
+
+The splendid pageant of a tournament between knights, its gaudy
+accessories and trappings, and its chivalrous regulations,
+originated in France. Tournaments were repeatedly condemned by the
+Church, probably on account of the quarrels they led to, and the
+often fatal results. The "joust," or "just," was different from
+the tournament. In these, knights fought with their lances, and
+their object was to unhorse their antagonists; while the
+tournaments were intended for a display of skill and address in
+evolutions, and with various weapons, and greater courtesy was
+observed in the regulations. By these it was forbidden to wound
+the horse, or to use the point of the sword, or to strike a knight
+after he had raised his vizor, or unlaced his helmet. The ladies
+encouraged their knights in these exercises; they bestowed prizes,
+and the conqueror's feats were the theme of romance and song. The
+stands overlooking the ground, of course, were varied in the
+shapes of towers, terraces, galleries, and pensile gardens,
+magnificently decorated with tapestry, pavilions, and banners.
+Every combatant proclaimed the name of the lady whose servant
+d'amour he was. He was wont to look up to the stand, and
+strengthen his courage by the sight of the bright eyes that were
+raining their influence on him from above. The knights also
+carried FAVORS, consisting of scarfs, veils, sleeves, bracelets,
+clasps,--in short, some piece of female habiliment,--attached to
+their helmets, shields, or armor. If, during the combat, any of
+these appendages were dropped or lost the fair donor would at
+times send her knight new ones, especially if pleased with his
+exertions.
+
+MAIL ARMOR
+
+Mail armor, of which the hauberk is a species, and which derived
+its name from maille, a French word for MESH, was of two kinds,
+PLATE or SCALE mail, and CHAIN mail. It was originally used for
+the protection of the body only, reaching no lower than the knees.
+It was shaped like a carter's frock, and bound round the waist by
+a girdle. Gloves and hose of mail were afterwards added, and a
+hood, which, when necessary, was drawn over the head, leaving the
+face alone uncovered. To protect the skin from the impression of
+the iron network of the chain mail, a quilted lining was employed,
+which, however, was insufficient, and the bath was used to efface
+the marks of the armor.
+
+The hauberk was a complete covering of double chain mail. Some
+hauberks opened before, like a modern coat; others were closed
+like a shirt.
+
+The chain mail of which they were composed was formed by a number
+of iron links, each link having others inserted into it, the whole
+exhibiting a kind of network, of which (in some instances at
+least) the meshes were circular, with each link separately
+riveted.
+
+The hauberk was proof against the most violent blow of a sword;
+but the point of a lance might pass through the meshes, or drive
+the iron into the flesh. To guard against this, a thick and well-
+stuffed doublet was worn underneath, under which was commonly
+added an iron breastplate. Hence the expression "to pierce both
+plate and mail," so common in the earlier poets.
+
+Mail armor continued in general use till about the year 1300, when
+it was gradually supplanted by plate armor, or suits consisting of
+pieces or plates of solid iron, adapted to the different parts of
+the body.
+
+Shields were generally made of wood, covered with leather, or some
+similar substance. To secure them, in some sort, from being cut
+through by the sword, they were surrounded with a hoop of metal.
+
+HELMETS
+
+The helmet was composed of two parts: the HEADPIECE, which was
+strengthened within by several circles of iron, and the VISOR,
+which, as the name implies, was a sort of grating to see through,
+so contrived as, by sliding in a groove, or turning on a pivot, to
+be raised or lowered at pleasure. Some helmets had a further
+improvement called a BEVER, from the Italian bevere, to drink. The
+VENTAYLE, or "air-passage," is another name for this.
+
+To secure the helmet from the possibility of falling, or of being
+struck off, it was tied by several laces to the meshes of the
+hauberk; consequently, when a knight was overthrown it was
+necessary to undo these laces before he could be put to death;
+though this was sometimes effected by lifting up the skirt of the
+hauberk, and stabbing him in the belly. The instrument of death
+was a small dagger, worn on the right side.
+
+ROMANCES
+
+In ages when there were no books, when noblemen and princes
+themselves could not read, history or tradition was monopolized by
+the story-tellers. They inherited, generation after generation,
+the wondrous tales of their predecessors, which they retailed to
+the public with such additions of their own as their acquired
+information supplied them with. Anachronisms became of course very
+common, and errors of geography, of locality, of manners, equally
+so. Spurious genealogies were invented, in which Arthur and his
+knights, and Charlemagne and his paladins, were made to derive
+their descent from Aeneas, Hector, or some other of the Trojan
+heroes.
+
+With regard to the derivation of the word "Romance," we trace it
+to the fact that the dialects which were formed in Western Europe,
+from the admixture of Latin with the native languages, took the
+name of Langue Romaine. The French language was divided into two
+dialects. The river Loire was their common boundary. In the
+provinces to the south of that river the affirmative, YES, was
+expressed by the word oc; in the north it was called oil (oui);
+and hence Dante has named the southern language langue d'oc, and
+the northern langue d'oil. The latter, which was carried into
+England by the Normans, and is the origin of the present French,
+may be called the French Romane; and the former the Provencal, or
+Provencial Romane, because it was spoken by the people of Provence
+and Languedoc, southern provinces of France.
+
+These dialects were soon distinguished by very opposite
+characters. A soft and enervating climate, a spirit of commerce
+encouraged by an easy communication with other maritime nations,
+the influx of wealth, and a more settled government, may have
+tended to polish and soften the diction of the Provencials, whose
+poets, under the name of Troubadours, were the masters of the
+Italians, and particularly of Petrarch. Their favorite pieces were
+Sirventes (satirical pieces), love-songs, and Tensons, which last
+were a sort of dialogue in verse between two poets, who questioned
+each other on some refined points of loves' casuistry. It seems
+the Provencials were so completely absorbed in these delicate
+questions as to neglect and despise the composition of fabulous
+histories of adventure and knighthood, which they left in a great
+measure to the poets of the northern part of the kingdom, called
+Trouveurs.
+
+At a time when chivalry excited universal admiration, and when all
+the efforts of that chivalry were directed against the enemies of
+religion, it was natural that literature should receive the same
+impulse, and that history and fable should be ransacked to furnish
+examples of courage and piety that might excite increased
+emulation. Arthur and Charlemagne were the two heroes selected for
+this purpose. Arthur's pretensions were that he was a brave,
+though not always a successful warrior; he had withstood with
+great resolution the arms of the infidels, that is to say of the
+Saxons, and his memory was held in the highest estimation by his
+countrymen, the Britons, who carried with them into Wales, and
+into the kindred country of Armorica, or Brittany, the memory of
+his exploits, which their national vanity insensibly exaggerated,
+till the little prince of the Silures (South Wales) was magnified
+into the conqueror of England, of Gaul, and of the greater part of
+Europe. His genealogy was gradually carried up to an imaginary
+Brutus, and to the period of the Trojan war, and a sort of
+chronicle was composed in the Welsh, or Armorican language, which,
+under the pompous title of the "History of the Kings of Britain,"
+was translated into Latin by Geoffrey of Monmouth, about the year
+1150. The Welsh critics consider the material of the work to have
+been an older history, written by St. Talian, Bishop of St. Asaph,
+in the seventh century.
+
+As to Charlemagne, though his real merits were sufficient to
+secure his immortality, it was impossible that his HOLY WARS
+against the Saracens should not become a favorite topic for
+fiction. Accordingly, the fabulous history of these wars was
+written, probably towards the close of the eleventh century, by a
+monk, who, thinking it would add dignity to his work to embellish
+it with a contemporary name, boldly ascribed it to Turpin, who was
+Archbishop of Rheims about the year 773.
+
+These fabulous chronicles were for a while imprisoned in languages
+of local only or of professional access. Both Turpin and Geoffrey
+might indeed be read by ecclesiastics, the sole Latin scholars of
+those times, and Geoffrey's British original would contribute to
+the gratification of Welshmen; but neither could become
+extensively popular till translated into some language of general
+and familiar use. The Anglo-Saxon was at that time used only by a
+conquered and enslaved nation; the Spanish and Italian languages
+were not yet formed; the Norman French alone was spoken and
+understood by the nobility in the greater part of Europe, and
+therefore was a proper vehicle for the new mode of composition.
+
+That language was fashionable in England before the Conquest, and
+became, after that event, the only language used at the court of
+London. As the various conquests of the Normans, and the
+enthusiastic valor of that extraordinary people, had familiarized
+the minds of men with the most marvellous events, their poets
+eagerly seized the fabulous legends of Arthur and Charlemagne,
+translated them into the language of the day, and soon produced a
+variety of imitations. The adventures attributed to these
+monarchs, and to their distinguished warriors, together with those
+of many other traditionary or imaginary heroes, composed by
+degrees that formidable body of marvellous histories which, from
+the dialect in which the most ancient of them were written, were
+called "Romances."
+
+METRICAL ROMANCES
+
+The earliest form in which romances appear is that of a rude kind
+of verse. In this form it is supposed they were sung or recited at
+the feasts of princes and knights in their baronial halls. The
+following specimen of the language and style of Robert de
+Beauvais, who flourished in 1257, is from Sir Walter Scott's
+"Introduction to the Romance of Sir Tristrem":
+
+    "Ne voil pas emmi dire,
+    Ici diverse la matyere,
+    Entre ceus qui solent cunter,
+    E de le cunte Tristran parler."
+
+    "I will not say too much about it,
+    So diverse is the matter,
+    Among those who are in the habit of telling
+    And relating the story of Tristran."
+
+This is a specimen of the language which was in use among the
+nobility of England, in the ages immediately after the Norman
+conquest. The following is a specimen of the English that existed
+at the same time, among the common people. Robert de Brunne,
+speaking of his Latin and French authorities, says:
+
+    "Als thai haf wryten and sayd
+    Haf I alle in myn Inglis layd,
+    In symple speche as I couthe,
+    That is lightest in manne's mouthe.
+    Alle for the luf of symple men,
+    That strange Inglis cannot ken."
+
+The "strange Inglis" being the language of the previous specimen.
+
+It was not till toward the end of the thirteenth century that the
+PROSE romances began to appear. These works generally began with
+disowning and discrediting the sources from which in reality they
+drew their sole information. As every romance was supposed to be a
+real history, the compilers of those in prose would have forfeited
+all credit if they had announced themselves as mere copyists of
+the minstrels. On the contrary, they usually state that, as the
+popular poems upon the matter in question contain many "lesings,"
+they had been induced to translate the real and true history of
+such or such a knight from the original Latin or Greek, or from
+the ancient British or Armorican authorities, which authorities
+existed only in their own assertion.
+
+A specimen of the style of the prose romances may be found in the
+following extract from one of the most celebrated and latest of
+them, the "Morte d'Arthur" of Sir Thomas Mallory, of the date of
+1485. From this work much of the contents of this volume has been
+drawn, with as close an adherence to the original style as was
+thought consistent with our plan of adapting our narrative to the
+taste of modern readers.
+
+"It is notoyrly knowen thorugh the vnyuersal world that there been
+ix worthy and the best that ever were. That is to wete thre
+paynyms, three Jewes, and three crysten men. As for the paynyms,
+they were tofore the Incarnacyon of Cryst whiche were named, the
+fyrst Hector of Troye; the second Alysaunder the grete, and the
+thyrd Julyus Cezar, Emperour of Rome, of whome thystoryes ben wel
+kno and had. And as for the thre Jewes whyche also were tofore
+thyncarnacyon of our Lord, of whome the fyrst was Duc Josue,
+whyche brought the chyldren of Israhel into the londe of beheste;
+the second Dauyd, kyng of Jherusalem, and the thyrd Judas
+Machabeus; of these thre the byble reherceth al theyr noble
+hystoryes and actes. And sythe the sayd Incarnacyon haue ben the
+noble crysten men stalled and admytted thorugh the vnyuersal world
+to the nombre of the ix beste and worthy, of whome was fyrst the
+noble Arthur, whose noble actes I purpose to wryte in this person
+book here folowyng. The second was Charlemayn, or Charles the
+grete, of whome thystorye is had in many places both in frensshe
+and englysshe, and the thyrd and last was Godefray of boloyn."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE MYTHICAL HISTORY OF ENGLAND
+
+
+The illustrious poet, Milton, in his "History of England," is the
+author whom we chiefly follow in this chapter.
+
+According to the earliest accounts, Albion, a giant, and son of
+Neptune, a contemporary of Hercules, ruled over the island, to
+which he gave his name. Presuming to oppose the progress of
+Hercules in his western march, he was slain by him.
+
+Another story is that Histion, the son of Japhet, the son of Noah,
+had four sons, Francus, Romanus, Alemannus, and Britto, from whom
+descended the French, Roman, German, and British people.
+
+Rejecting these and other like stories, Milton gives more regard
+to the story of Brutus, the Trojan, which, he says, is supported
+by "descents of ancestry long continued, laws and exploits not
+plainly seeming to be borrowed or devised, which on the common
+belief have wrought no small impression; defended by many, denied
+utterly by few." The principal authority is Geoffrey of Monmouth,
+whose history, written in the twelfth century, purports to be a
+translation of a history of Britain brought over from the opposite
+shore of France, which, under the name of Brittany, was chiefly
+peopled by natives of Britain who, from time to time, emigrated
+thither, driven from their own country by the inroads of the Picts
+and Scots. According to this authority, Brutus was the son of
+Silvius, and he of Ascanius, the son of Aeneas, whose flight from
+Troy and settlement in Italy are narrated in "Stories of Gods and
+Heroes."
+
+Brutus, at the age of fifteen, attending his father to the chase,
+unfortunately killed him with an arrow. Banished therefor by his
+kindred, he sought refuge in that part of Greece where Helenus,
+with a band of Trojan exiles, had become established. But Helenus
+was now dead and the descendants of the Trojans were oppressed by
+Pandrasus, the king of the country. Brutus, being kindly received
+among them, so throve in virtue and in arms as to win the regard
+of all the eminent of the land above all others of his age. In
+consequence of this the Trojans not only began to hope, but
+secretly to persuade him to lead them the way to liberty. To
+encourage them, they had the promise of help from Assaracus, a
+noble Greek youth, whose mother was a Trojan. He had suffered
+wrong at the hands of the king, and for that reason the more
+willingly cast in his lost with the Trojan exiles.
+
+Choosing a fit opportunity, Brutus with his countrymen withdrew to
+the woods and hills, as the safest place from which to
+expostulate, and sent this message to Pandrasus: "That the
+Trojans, holding it unworthy of their ancestors to serve in a
+foreign land, had retreated to the woods, choosing rather a savage
+life than a slavish one. If that displeased him, then, with his
+leave, they would depart to some other country." Pandrasus, not
+expecting so bold a message from the sons of captives, went in
+pursuit of them, with such forces as he could gather, and met them
+on the banks of the Achelous, where Brutus got the advantage, and
+took the king captive. The result was, that the terms demanded by
+the Trojans were granted; the king gave his daughter Imogen in
+marriage to Brutus, and furnished shipping, money, and fit
+provision for them all to depart from the land.
+
+The marriage being solemnized, and shipping from all parts got
+together, the Trojans, in a fleet of no less than three hundred
+and twenty sail, betook themselves to the sea. On the third day
+they arrived at a certain island, which they found destitute of
+inhabitants, though there were appearances of former habitation,
+and among the ruins a temple of Diana. Brutus, here performing
+sacrifice at the shrine of the goddess, invoked an oracle for his
+guidance, in these lines:
+
+    "Goddess of shades, and huntress, who at will
+    Walk'st on the rolling sphere, and through the deep;
+    On thy third realm, the earth, look now, and tell
+    What land, what seat of rest, thou bidd'st me seek;
+    What certain seat where I may worship thee
+    For aye, with temples vowed and virgin choirs."
+
+To whom, sleeping before the altar, Diana in a vision thus
+answered:
+
+    "Brutus! far to the west, in the ocean wide,
+    Beyond the realm of Gaul, a land there lies,
+    Seagirt it lies, where giants dwelt of old;
+    Now, void, it fits thy people: thither bend
+    Thy course; there shalt thou find a lasting seat;
+    There to thy sons another Troy shall rise,
+    And kings be born of thee, whose dreaded might
+    Shall awe the world, and conquer nations bold"
+
+Brutus, guided now, as he thought, by divine direction, sped his
+course towards the west, and, arriving at a place on the Tyrrhene
+sea, found there the descendants of certain Trojans who, with
+Antenor, came into Italy, of whom Corineus was the chief. These
+joined company, and the ships pursued their way till they arrived
+at the mouth of the river Loire, in France, where the expedition
+landed, with a view to a settlement, but were so rudely assaulted
+by the inhabitants that they put to sea again, and arrived at a
+part of the coast of Britain, now called Devonshire, where Brutus
+felt convinced that he had found the promised end of his voyage,
+landed his colony, and took possession.
+
+The island, not yet Britain, but Albion, was in a manner desert
+and inhospitable, occupied only by a remnant of the giant race
+whose excessive force and tyranny had destroyed the others. The
+Trojans encountered these and extirpated them, Corineus, in
+particular, signalizing himself by his exploits against them; from
+whom Cornwall takes its name, for that region fell to his lot, and
+there the hugest giants dwelt, lurking in rocks and caves, till
+Corineus rid the land of them.
+
+Brutus built his capital city, and called it Trojanova (New Troy),
+changed in time to Trinovantus, now London;
+
+[Footnote:
+    "For noble Britons sprong from Trojans bold,
+    And Troynovant was built of old Troy's ashes cold" SPENSER,
+
+    Book III, Canto IX., 38.]
+
+and, having governed the isle twenty-four years, died, leaving
+three sons, Locrine, Albanact and Camber. Locrine had the middle
+part, Camber the west, called Cambria from him, and Albanact
+Albania, now Scotland. Locrine was married to Guendolen, the
+daughter of Corineus, but having seen a fair maid named Estrildis,
+who had been brought captive from Germany, he became enamoured of
+her, and had by her a daughter, whose name was Sabra. This matter
+was kept secret while Corineus lived, but after his death Locrine
+divorced Guendolen, and made Estrildis his queen. Guendolen, all
+in rage, departed to Cornwall, where Madan, her son, lived, who
+had been brought up by Corineus, his grandfather. Gathering an
+army of her father's friends and subjects, she gave battle to her
+husband's forces and Locrine was slain. Guendolen caused her
+rival, Estrildis, with her daughter Sabra, to be thrown into the
+river, from which cause the river thenceforth bore the maiden's
+name, which by length of time is now changed into Sabrina or
+Severn. Milton alludes to this in his address to the rivers,--
+
+    "Severn swift, guilty of maiden's death";--
+
+and in his "Comus" tells the story with a slight variation, thus:
+
+    "There is a gentle nymph not far from hence,
+    That with moist curb sways the smooth Severn stream;
+    Sabrina is her name, a virgin pure:
+    Whilom she was the daughter of Locrine,
+    That had the sceptre from his father, Brute,
+    She, guiltless damsel, flying the mad pursuit
+    Of her enraged step-dame, Guendolen,
+    Commended her fair innocence to the flood,
+    That stayed her night with his cross-flowing course
+    The water-nymphs that in the bottom played,
+    Held up their pearled wrists and took her in,
+    Bearing her straight to aged Nereus' hall,
+    Who, piteous of her woes, reared her lank head,
+    And gave her to his daughters to imbathe
+    In nectared lavers strewed with asphodel,
+    And through the porch and inlet of each sense
+    Dropped in ambrosial oils till she revived,
+    And underwent a quick, immortal change,
+    Made goddess of the river," etc.
+
+If our readers ask when all this took place, we must answer, in
+the first place, that mythology is not careful of dates; and next,
+that, as Brutus was the great-grandson of Aeneas, it must have
+been not far from a century subsequent to the Trojan war, or about
+eleven hundred years before the invasion of the island by Julius
+Caesar. This long interval is filled with the names of princes
+whose chief occupation was in warring with one another. Some few,
+whose names remain connected with places, or embalmed in
+literature, we will mention.
+
+BLADUD
+
+Bladud built the city of Bath, and dedicated the medicinal waters
+to Minerva. He was a man of great invention, and practised the
+arts of magic, till, having made him wings to fly, he fell down
+upon the temple of Apollo, in Trinovant, and so died, after twenty
+years' reign.
+
+LEIR
+
+Leir, who next reigned, built Leicester, and called it after his
+name. He had no male issue, but only three daughters. When grown
+old he determined to divide his kingdom among his daughters, and
+bestow them in marriage. But first, to try which of them loved him
+best, he determined to ask them solemnly in order, and judge of
+the warmth of their affection by their answers. Goneril, the
+eldest, knowing well her father's weakness, made answer that she
+loved him "above her soul." "Since thou so honorest my declining
+age," said the old man, "to thee and to thy husband I give the
+third part of my realm." Such good success for a few words soon
+uttered was ample instruction to Regan, the second daughter, what
+to say. She therefore to the same question replied that "she loved
+him more than all the world beside;" and so received an equal
+reward with her sister. But Cordelia, the youngest, and hitherto
+the best beloved, though having before her eyes the reward of a
+little easy soothing, and the loss likely to attend plain-
+dealing, yet was not moved from the solid purpose of a sincere and
+virtuous answer, and replied: "Father, my love towards you is as
+my duty bids. They who pretend beyond this flatter." When the old
+man, sorry to hear this, and wishing her to recall these words,
+persisted in asking, she still restrained her expressions so as to
+say rather less than more than the truth. Then Leir, all in a
+passion, burst forth: "Since thou hast not reverenced thy aged
+father like thy sisters, think not to have any part in my kingdom
+or what else I have;"--and without delay, giving in marriage his
+other daughters, Goneril to the Duke of Albany, and Regan to the
+Duke of Cornwall, he divides his kingdom between them, and goes to
+reside with his eldest daughter, attended only by a hundred
+knights. But in a short time his attendants, being complained of
+as too numerous and disorderly, are reduced to thirty. Resenting
+that affront, the old king betakes him to his second daughter; but
+she, instead of soothing his wounded pride, takes part with her
+sister, and refuses to admit a retinue of more than five. Then
+back he returns to the other, who now will not receive him with
+more than one attendant. Then the remembrance of Cordeilla comes
+to his thoughts, and he takes his journey into France to seek her,
+with little hope of kind consideration from one whom he had so
+injured, but to pay her the last recompense he can render,--
+confession of his injustice. When Cordeilla is informed of his
+approach, and of his sad condition, she pours forth true filial
+tears. And, not willing that her own or others' eyes should see
+him in that forlorn condition, she sends one of her trusted
+servants to meet him, and convey him privately to some comfortable
+abode, and to furnish him with such state as befitted his dignity.
+After which Cordeilla, with the king her husband, went in state to
+meet him, and, after an honorable reception, the king permitted
+his wife, Cordeilla, to go with an army and set her father again
+upon his throne. They prospered, subdued the wicked sisters and
+their consorts, and Leir obtained the crown and held it three
+years. Cordeilla succeeded him and reigned five years; but the
+sons of her sisters, after that, rebelled against her, and she
+lost both her crown and life.
+
+Shakspeare has chosen this story as the subject of his tragedy of
+"King Lear," varying its details in some respects. The madness of
+Leir, and the ill success of Cordeilla's attempt to reinstate her
+father, are the principal variations, and those in the names will
+also be noticed. Our narrative is drawn from Milton's "History;"
+and thus the reader will perceive that the story of Leir has had
+the distinguished honor of being told by the two acknowledged
+chiefs of British literature.
+
+FERREX AND PORREX
+
+Ferrex and Porrex were brothers, who held the kingdom after Leir.
+They quarrelled about the supremacy, and Porrex expelled his
+brother, who, obtaining aid from Suard, king of the Franks,
+returned and made war upon Porrex. Ferrex was slain in battle and
+his forces dispersed. When their mother came to hear of her son's
+death, who was her favorite, she fell into a great rage, and
+conceived a mortal hatred against the survivor. She took,
+therefore, her opportunity when he was asleep, fell upon him, and,
+with the assistance of her women, tore him in pieces. This horrid
+story would not be worth relating, were it not for the fact that
+it has furnished the plot for the first tragedy which was written
+in the English language. It was entitled "Gorboduc," but in the
+second edition "Ferrex and Porrex," and was the production of
+Thomas Sackville, afterwards Earl of Dorset, and Thomas Norton, a
+barrister. Its date was 1561.
+
+DUNWALLO MOLMUTIUS
+
+This is the next name of note. Molmutius established the Molmutine
+laws, which bestowed the privilege of sanctuary on temples,
+cities, and the roads leading to them, and gave the same
+protection to ploughs, extending a religious sanction to the
+labors of the field. Shakspeare alludes to him in "Cymbeline," Act
+III., Scene 1:
+
+    "... Molmutius made our laws;
+     Who was the first of Britain which did put
+     His brows within a golden crown, and called
+     Himself a king."
+
+BRENNUS AND BELINUS,
+
+The sons of Molmutius, succeeded him. They quarrelled, and Brennus
+was driven out of the island, and took refuge in Gaul, where he
+met with such favor from the king of the Allobroges that he gave
+him his daughter in marriage, and made him his partner on the
+throne. Brennus is the name which the Roman historians give to the
+famous leader of the Gauls who took Rome in the time of Camillus.
+Geoffrey of Monmouth claims the glory of the conquest for the
+British prince, after he had become king of the Allobroges.
+
+ELIDURE
+
+After Belinus and Brennus there reigned several kings of little
+note, and then came Elidure. Arthgallo, his brother, being king,
+gave great offence to his powerful nobles, who rose against him,
+deposed him, and advanced Elidure to the throne. Arthgallo fled,
+and endeavored to find assistance in the neighboring kingdoms to
+reinstate him, but found none. Elidure reigned prosperously and
+wisely. After five years' possession of the kingdom, one day, when
+hunting, he met in the forest his brother, Arthgallo, who had been
+deposed. After long wandering, unable longer to bear the poverty
+to which he was reduced, he had returned to Britain, with only ten
+followers, designing to repair to those who had formerly been his
+friends. Elidure, at the sight of his brother in distress,
+forgetting all animosities, ran to him, and embraced him. He took
+Arthgallo home with him, and concealed him in the palace. After
+this he feigned himself sick, and, calling his nobles about him,
+induced them, partly by persuasion, partly by force, to consent to
+his abdicating the kingdom, and reinstating his brother on the
+throne. The agreement being ratified, Elidure took the crown from
+his own head, and put it on his brother's head. Arthgallo after
+this reigned ten years, well and wisely, exercisng strict justice
+towards all men.
+
+He died, and left the kingdom to his sons, who reigned with
+various fortunes, but were not long-lived, and left no offspring,
+so that Elidure was again advanced to the throne, and finished the
+course of his life in just and virtuous actions, receiving the
+name of THE PIOUS, from the love and admiration of his subjects.
+
+Wordsworth has taken the story of Artegal and Elidure for the
+subject of a poem, which is No. 2 of "Poems founded on the
+Affections."
+
+LUD
+
+After Elidure, the Chronicle names many kings, but none of special
+note, till we come to Lud, who greatly enlarged Trinovant, his
+capital, and surrounded it with a wall. He changed its name,
+bestowing upon it his own, so that henceforth it was called Lud's
+town, afterwards London. Lud was buried by the gate of the city
+called after him Ludgate. He had two sons, but they were not old
+enough at the time of their father's death to sustain the cares of
+government, and therefore their uncle, Caswallaun, or
+Cassibellaunus, succeeded to the kingdom. He was a brave and
+magnificent prince, so that his fame reached to distant countries.
+
+CASSIBELLAUNUS
+
+About this time it happened (as is found in the Roman histories)
+that Julius Caesar, having subdued Gaul, came to the shore
+opposite Britain. And having resolved to add this island also to
+his conquests, he prepared ships and transported his army across
+the sea, to the mouth of the River Thames. Here he was met by
+Cassibellaun with all his forces, and a battle ensued, in which
+Nennius, the brother of Cassibellaun, engaged in single combat
+with Csesar. After several furious blows given and received, the
+sword of Caesar stuck so fast in the shield of Nennius that it
+could not be pulled out, and the combatants being separated by the
+intervention of the troops Nennius remained possessed of this
+trophy. At last, after the greater part of the day was spent, the
+Britons poured in so fast that Caesar was forced to retire to his
+camp and fleet. And finding it useless to continue the war any
+longer at that time, he returned to Gaul.
+
+Shakspeare alludes to Cassibellaunus, in "Cymbeline":
+
+    "The famed Cassibelan, who was once at point
+     (O giglot fortune!) to master Caesar's sword,
+     Made Lud's town with rejoicing fires bright,
+     And Britons strut with courage."
+
+KYMBELINUS, OR CYMBELINE
+
+Caesar, on a second invasion of the island, was more fortunate,
+and compelled the Britons to pay tribute. Cymbeline, the nephew of
+the king, was delivered to the Romans as a hostage for the
+faithful fulfilment of the treaty, and, being carried to Rome by
+Caesar, he was there brought up in the Roman arts and
+accomplishments. Being afterwards restored to his country, and
+placed on the throne, he was attached to the Romans, and continued
+through all his reign at peace with them. His sons, Guiderius and
+Arviragus, who made their appearance in Shakspeare's play of
+"Cymbeline," succeeded their father, and, refusing to pay tribute
+to the Romans, brought on another invasion. Guiderius was slain,
+but Arviragus afterward made terms with the Romans, and reigned
+prosperously many years.
+
+ARMORICA
+
+The next event of note is the conquest and colonization of
+Armorica, by Maximus, a Roman general, and Conan, lord of Miniadoc
+or Denbigh-land, in Wales. The name of the country was changed to
+Brittany, or Lesser Britain; and so completely was it possessed by
+the British colonists, that the language became assimilated to
+that spoken in Wales, and it is said that to this day the
+peasantry of the two countries can understand each other when
+speaking their native language.
+
+The Romans eventually succeeded in establishing themselves in the
+island, and after the lapse of several generations they became
+blended with the natives so that no distinction existed between
+the two races. When at length the Roman armies were withdrawn from
+Britain, their departure was a matter of regret to the
+inhabitants, as it left them without protection against the
+barbarous tribes, Scots, Picts, and Norwegians, who harassed the
+country incessantly. This was the state of things when the era of
+King Arthur began.
+
+The adventure of Albion, the giant, with Hercules is alluded to by
+Spenser, "Faery Queene," Book IV., Canto xi:
+
+   "For Albion the son of Neptune was;
+    Who for the proof of his great puissance,
+    Out of his Albion did on dry foot pass
+    Into old Gaul that now is cleped France,
+    To fight with Hercules, that did advance
+    To vanquish all the world with matchless might:
+    And there his mortal part by great mischance
+    Was slain."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+MERLIN
+
+
+Merlin was the son of no mortal father, but of an Incubus, one of
+a class of beings not absolutely wicked, but far from good, who
+inhabit the regions of the air. Merlin's mother was a virtuous
+young woman, who, on the birth of her son, intrusted him to a
+priest, who hurried him to the baptismal fount, and so saved him
+from sharing the lot of his father, though he retained many marks
+of his unearthly origin.
+
+At this time Vortigern reigned in Britain. He was a usurper, who
+had caused the death of his sovereign, Moines, and driven the two
+brothers of the late king, whose names were Uther and Pendragon,
+into banishment. Vortigern, who lived in constant fear of the
+return of the rightful heirs of the kingdom, began to erect a
+strong tower for defence. The edifice, when brought by the workmen
+to a certain height, three times fell to the ground, without any
+apparent cause. The king consulted his astrologers on this
+wonderful event, and learned from them that it would be necessary
+to bathe the corner-stone of the foundation with the blood of a
+child born without a mortal father.
+
+In search of such an infant, Vortigern sent his messengers all
+over the kingdom, and they by accident discovered Merlin, whose
+lineage seemed to point him out as the individual wanted. They
+took him to the king; but Merlin, young as he was, explained to
+the king the absurdity of attempting to rescue the fabric by such
+means, for he told him the true cause of the instability of the
+tower was its being placed over the den of two immense dragons,
+whose combats shook the earth above them. The king ordered his
+workmen to dig beneath the tower, and when they had done so they
+discovered two enormous serpents, the one white as milk the other
+red as fire. The multitude looked on with amazement, till the
+serpents, slowly rising from their den, and expanding their
+enormous folds, began the combat, when every one fled in terror,
+except Merlin, who stood by clapping his hands and cheering on the
+conflict. The red dragon was slain, and the white one, gliding
+through a cleft in the rock, disappeared.
+
+These animals typified, as Merlin afterwards explained, the
+invasion of Uther and Pendragon, the rightful princes, who soon
+after landed with a great army. Vortigern was defeated, and
+afterwards burned alive in the castle he had taken such pains to
+construct. On the death of Vortigern, Pendragon ascended the
+throne. Merlin became his chief adviser, and often assisted the
+king by his magical arts.
+
+   "Merlin, who knew the range of all their arts,
+    Had built the King his havens, ships and halls."
+
+    --Vivian.
+
+Among other endowments, he had the power of transforming himself
+into any shape he pleased. At one time he appeared as a dwarf, at
+others as a damsel, a page, or even a greyhound or a stag. This
+faculty he often employed for the service of the king, and
+sometimes also for the diversion of the court and the sovereign.
+
+Merlin continued to be a favorite counsellor through the reigns of
+Pendragon, Uther, and Arthur, and at last disappeared from view,
+and was no more found among men, through the treachery of his
+mistress, Viviane, the Fairy, which happened in this wise.
+
+Merlin, having become enamoured of the fair Viviane, the Lady of
+the Lake, was weak enough to impart to her various important
+secrets of his art, being impelled by fatal destiny, of which he
+was at the same time fully aware. The lady, however, was not
+content with his devotion, unbounded as it seems to have been, but
+"cast about," the Romance tells us, how she might "detain him for
+evermore," and one day addressed him in these terms: "Sir, I would
+that we should make a fair place and a suitable, so contrived by
+art and by cunning that it might never be undone, and that you and
+I should be there in joy and solace." "My lady," said Merlin, "I
+will do all this." "Sir," said she, "I would not have you do it,
+but you shall teach me, and I will do it, and then it will be more
+to my mind." "I grant you this," said Merlin. Then he began to
+devise, and the damsel put it all in writing. And when he had
+devised the whole, then had the damsel full great joy, and showed
+him greater semblance of love than she had ever before made, and
+they sojourned together a long while. At length it fell out that,
+as they were going one day hand in hand through the forest of
+Breceliande, they found a bush of white-thorn, which was laden
+with flowers; and they seated themselves under the shade of this
+white-thorn, upon the green grass, and Merlin laid his head upon
+the damsel's lap, and fell asleep. Then the damsel rose, and made
+a ring with her wimple round the bush, and round Merlin, and began
+her enchantments, such as he himself had taught her; and nine
+times she made the ring, and nine times she made the enchantment,
+and then she went and sat down by him, and placed his head again
+upon her lap.
+
+                                 "And a sleep
+    Fell upon Merlin more like death, so deep
+    Her finger on her lips; then Vivian rose,
+    And from her brown-locked head the wimple throws,
+    And takes it in her hand and waves it over
+    The blossomed thorn tree and her sleeping lover.
+    Nine times she waved the fluttering wimple round,
+    And made a little plot of magic ground."
+
+    --Matthew Arnold.
+
+And when he awoke, and looked round him, it seemed to him that he
+was enclosed in the strongest tower in the world, and laid upon a
+fair bed. Then said he to the dame: "My lady, you have deceived
+me, unless you abide with me, for no one hath power to unmake this
+tower but you alone." She then promised she would be often there,
+and in this she held her covenant with him. And Merlin never went
+out of that tower where his Mistress Viviane had enclosed him; but
+she entered and went out again when she listed.
+
+After this event Merlin was never more known to hold converse with
+any mortal but Viviane, except on one occasion. Arthur, having for
+some time missed him from his court, sent several of his knights
+in search of him, and, among the number, Sir Gawain, who met with
+a very unpleasant adventure while engaged in this quest. Happening
+to pass a damsel on his road, and neglecting to salute her, she
+revenged herself for his incivility by transforming him into a
+hideous dwarf. He was bewailing aloud his evil fortune as he went
+through the forest of Breceliande, when suddenly he heard the
+voice of one groaning on his right hand; and, looking that way, he
+could see nothing save a kind of smoke, which seemed like air, and
+through which he could not pass. Merlin then addressed him from
+out the smoke, and told him by what misadventure he was imprisoned
+there. "Ah, sir!" he added, "you will never see me more, and that
+grieves me, but I cannot remedy it; I shall never more speak to
+you, nor to any other person, save only my mistress. But do thou
+hasten to King Arthur, and charge him from me to undertake,
+without delay, the quest of the Sacred Graal. The knight is
+already born, and has received knighthood at his hands, who is
+destined to accomplish this quest." And after this he comforted
+Gawain under his transformation, assuring him that he should
+speedily be disenchanted; and he predicted to him that he should
+find the king at Carduel, in Wales, on his return, and that all
+the other knights who had been on like quest would arrive there
+the same day as himself. And all this came to pass as Merlin had
+said.
+
+Merlin is frequently introduced in the tales of chivalry, but it
+is chiefly on great occasions, and at a period subsequent to his
+death, or magical disappearance. In the romantic poems of Italy,
+and in Spenser, Merlin is chiefly represented as a magical artist.
+Spenser represents him as the artificer of the impenetrable shield
+and other armor of Prince Arthur ("Faery Queene," Book I., Canto
+vii.), and of a mirror, in which a damsel viewed her lover's
+shade. The Fountain of Love, in the "Orlando Innamorata," is
+described as his work; and in the poem of "Ariosto" we are told of
+a hall adorned with prophetic paintings, which demons had executed
+in a single night, under the direction of Merlin.
+
+The following legend is from Spenser's "Faery Queene," Book III.,
+Canto iii.:
+
+CAER-MERDIN, OR CAERMARTHEN (IN WALES), MERLIN'S TOWER, AND THE
+IMPRISONED FIENDS.
+
+   "Forthwith themselves disguising both, in straunge
+    And base attire, that none might them bewray,
+    To Maridunum, that is now by chaunge
+    Of name Caer-Merdin called, they took their way:
+    There the wise Merlin whylome wont (they say)
+    To make his wonne, low underneath the ground
+    In a deep delve, far from the view of day,
+    That of no living wight he mote be found,
+  Whenso he counselled with his sprights encompassed round.
+
+   "And if thou ever happen that same way
+    To travel, go to see that dreadful place;
+    It is a hideous hollow cave (they say)
+    Under a rock that lies a little space
+    From the swift Barry, tombling down apace
+    Amongst the woody hills of Dynevor;
+    But dare not thou, I charge, in any case,
+    To enter into that same baleful bower,
+  For fear the cruel fiends should thee unwares devour.
+
+   "But standing high aloft, low lay thine ear,
+    And there such ghastly noise of iron chains
+    And brazen cauldrons thou shalt rumbling hear,
+    Which thousand sprites with long enduring pains
+    Do toss, that it will stun thy feeble brains;
+    And oftentimes great groans, and grievous stounds,
+    When too huge toil and labor them constrains;
+    And oftentimes loud strokes and ringing sounds
+  From under that deep rock most horribly rebounds.
+
+   "The cause some say is this. A little while
+    Before that Merlin died, he did intend
+    A brazen wall in compas to compile
+    About Caermerdin, and did it commend
+    Unto these sprites to bring to perfect end;
+    During which work the Lady of the Lake,
+    Whom long he loved, for him in haste did send;
+    Who, thereby forced his workmen to forsake,
+  Them bound till his return their labor not to slack.
+
+   "In the mean time, through that false lady's train,
+    He was surprised, and buried under beare,
+    He ever to his work returned again;
+    Nathless those fiends may not their work forbear,
+    So greatly his commandement they fear;
+    But there do toil and travail day and night,
+    Until that brazen wall they up do rear.
+    For Merlin had in magic more insight
+  Than ever him before or after living wight."
+
+[Footnote: Buried under beare. Buried under something which
+enclosed him like a coffin or bier.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+ARTHUR
+
+
+We shall begin our history of King Arthur by giving those
+particulars of his life which appear to rest on historical
+evidence; and then proceed to record those legends concerning him
+which form the earliest portion of British literature.
+
+Arthur was a prince of the tribe of Britons called Silures, whose
+country was South Wales, the son of Uther, named Pendragon, a
+title given to an elective sovereign, paramount over the many
+kings of Britain. He appears to have commenced his martial career
+about the year 500, and was raised to the Pendragonship about ten
+years later. He is said to have gained twelve victories over the
+Saxons. The most important of them was that of Badon, by some
+supposed to be Bath, by others Berkshire. This was the last of his
+battles with the Saxons, and checked their progress so
+effectually, that Arthur experienced no more annoyance from them,
+and reigned in peace, until the revolt of his nephew Modred,
+twenty years later, which led to the fatal battle of Camlan, in
+Cornwall, in 542. Modred was slain, and Arthur, mortally wounded,
+was conveyed by sea to Glastonbury, where he died, and was buried.
+Tradition preserved the memory of the place of his interment
+within the abbey, as we are told by Giraldus Cambrensis, who was
+present when the grave was opened by command of Henry II. about
+1150, and saw the bones and sword of the monarch, and a leaden
+cross let into his tombstone, with the inscription in rude Roman
+letters, "Here lies buried the famous King Arthur, in the island
+Avalonia." This story has been elegantly versified by Warton. A
+popular traditional belief was long entertained among the Britons,
+that Arthur was not dead, but had been carried off to be healed of
+his wounds in Fairy-land, and that he would reappear to avenge his
+countrymen and reinstate them in the sovereignty of Britain. In
+Warton's "Ode" a bard relates to King Henry the traditional story
+of Arthur's death, and closes with these lines.
+
+   "Yet in vain a paynim foe
+    Armed with fate the mighty blow:
+    For when he fell, the Elfin queen,
+    All in secret and unseen,
+    O'er the fainting hero threw
+    Her mantle of ambrosial blue,
+    And bade her spirits bear him far,
+    In Merlin's agate-axled car,
+    To her green isle's enamelled steep,
+    Far in the navel of the deep.
+    O'er his wounds she sprinkled dew
+    From flowers that in Arabia grew.
+
+    There he reigns a mighty king,
+    Thence to Britain shall return,
+    If right prophetic rolls I learn,
+    Borne on victory's spreading plume,
+    His ancient sceptre to resume,
+    His knightly table to restore,
+    And brave the tournaments of yore."
+
+After this narration another bard came forward who recited a
+different story:
+
+   "When Arthur bowed his haughty crest,
+    No princess veiled in azure vest
+    Snatched him, by Merlin's powerful spell,
+    In groves of golden bliss to dwell;
+    But when he fell, with winged speed,
+    His champions, on a milk-white steed,
+    From the battle's hurricane,
+    Bore him to Joseph's towered fane,
+    In the fair vale of Avalon;
+    There, with chanted orison
+    And the long blaze of tapers clear,
+    The stoled fathers met the bier;
+    Through the dim aisles, in order dread
+    Of martial woe, the chief they led,
+    And deep entombed in holy ground,
+    Before the altar's solemn bound."
+
+[Footnote: Glastonbury Abbey, said to be founded by Joseph of
+Arimathea, in a spot anciently called the island or valley of
+Avalonia.
+
+Tennyson, in his "Palace of Art," alludes to the legend of
+Arthur's rescue by the Faery queen, thus:
+
+   "Or mythic Uther's deeply wounded son,
+      In some fair space of sloping greens,
+    Lay dozing in the vale of Avalon,
+      And watched by weeping queens."]
+
+It must not be concealed that the very existence of Arthur has
+been denied by some. Milton says of him: "As to Arthur, more
+renowned in songs and romances than in true stories, who he was,
+and whether ever any such reigned in Britain, hath been doubted
+heretofore, and may again, with good reason." Modern critics,
+however, admit that there was a prince of this name, and find
+proof of it in the frequent mention of him in the writings of the
+Welsh bards. But the Arthur of romance, according to Mr. Owen, a
+Welsh scholar and antiquarian, is a mythological person. "Arthur,"
+he says, "is the Great Bear, as the name literally implies
+(Arctos, Arcturus), and perhaps this constellation, being so near
+the pole, and visibly describing a circle in a small space, is the
+origin of the famous Round Table."
+
+KING ARTHUR
+
+Constans, king of Britain, had three sons, Moines, Ambrosius,
+otherwise called Uther, and Pendragon. Moines, soon after his
+accession to the crown, was vanquished by the Saxons, in
+consequence of the treachery of his seneschal, Vortigern, and
+growing unpopular, through misfortune, he was killed by his
+subjects, and the traitor Vortigern chosen in his place.
+
+Vortigern was soon after defeated in a great battle by Uther and
+Pendragon, the surviving brothers of Moines, and Pendragon
+ascended the throne.
+
+This prince had great confidence in the wisdom of Merlin, and made
+him his chief adviser. About this time a dreadful war arose
+between the Saxons and Britons. Merlin obliged the royal brothers
+to swear fidelity to each other, but predicted that one of them
+must fall in the first battle. The Saxons were routed, and
+Pendragon, being slain, was succeeded by Uther, who now assumed in
+addition to his own name the appellation of Pendragon.
+
+Merlin still continued a favorite counsellor. At the request of
+Uther he transported by magic art enormous stones from Ireland, to
+form the sepulchre of Pendragon. These stones constitute the
+monument now called Stonehenge, on Salisbury plain.
+
+Merlin next proceeded to Carlisle to prepare the Round Table, at
+which he seated an assemblage of the great nobles of the country.
+The companions admitted to this high order were bound by oath to
+assist each other at the hazard of their own lives, to attempt
+singly the most perilous adventures, to lead, when necessary, a
+life of monastic solitude, to fly to arms at the first summons,
+and never to retire from battle till they had defeated the enemy,
+unless night intervened and separated the combatants.
+
+Soon after this institution, the king invited all his barons to
+the celebration of a great festival, which he proposed holding
+annually at Carlisle.
+
+As the knights had obtained the sovereign's permission to bring
+their ladies along with them, the beautiful Igerne accompanied her
+husband, Gorlois, Duke of Tintadel, to one of these anniversaries.
+The king became deeply enamoured of the duchess, and disclosed his
+passion; but Igerne repelled his advances, and revealed his
+solicitations to her husband. On hearing this, the duke instantly
+removed from court with Igerne, and without taking leave of Uther.
+The king complained to his council of this want of duty, and they
+decided that the duke should be summoned to court, and, if
+refractory, should be treated as a rebel. As he refused to obey
+the citation, the king carried war into the estates of his vassal
+and besieged him in the strong castle of Tintadel. Merlin
+transformed the king into the likeness of Gorlois, and enabled him
+to have many stolen interviews with Igerne. At length the duke was
+killed in battle and the king espoused Igerne.
+
+From this union sprang Arthur, who succeeded his father, Uther,
+upon the throne.
+
+ARTHUR CHOSEN KING
+
+Arthur, though only fifteen years old at his father's death, was
+elected king, at a general meeting of the nobles. It was not done
+without opposition, for there were many ambitious competitors.
+
+   "For while he linger'd there
+    A doubt that ever smoulder'd in the hearts
+    Of those great Lords and Barons of his realm
+    Flash'd forth and into war: for most of these
+    Made head against him, crying, 'Who is he
+    That he should rule us? who hath proven him
+    King Uther's son? for lo! we look at him,
+    And find nor face nor bearing, limbs nor voice,
+    Are like to those of Uther whom we knew."
+
+    --Coming of Arthur.
+
+But Bishop Brice, a person of great sanctity, on Christmas eve
+addressed the assembly, and represented that it would well become
+them, at that solemn season, to put up their prayers for some
+token which should manifest the intentions of Providence
+respecting their future sovereign. This was done, and with such
+success, that the service was scarcely ended when a miraculous
+stone was discovered before the church door, and in the stone was
+firmly fixed a sword, with the following words engraven on its
+hilt:
+
+   "I am hight Escalibore,
+    Unto a king fair tresore."
+
+Bishop Brice, after exhorting the assembly to offer up their
+thanksgiving for this signal miracle, proposed a law, that whoever
+should be able to draw out the sword from the stone, should be
+acknowledged as sovereign of the Britons; and his proposal was
+decreed by general acclamation. The tributary kings of Uther, and
+the most famous knights, successively put their strength to the
+proof, but the miraculous sword resisted all their efforts. It
+stood till Candlemas; it stood till Easter, and till Pentecost,
+when the best knights in the kingdom usually assembled for the
+annual tournament. Arthur, who was at that time serving in the
+capacity of squire to his foster-brother, Sir Kay, attended his
+master to the lists. Sir Kay fought with great valor and success,
+but had the misfortune to break his sword, and sent Arthur to his
+mother for a new one. Arthur hastened home, but did not find the
+lady; but having observed near the church a sword, sticking in a
+stone, he galloped to the place, drew out the sword with great
+ease, and delivered it to his master. Sir Kay would willingly have
+assumed to himself the distinction conferred by the possession of
+the sword, but when, to confirm the doubters, the sword was
+replaced in the stone he was utterly unable to withdraw it, and it
+would yield a second time to no hand but Arthur's. Thus decisively
+pointed out by Heaven as their king, Arthur was by general consent
+proclaimed as such, and an early day appointed for his solemn
+coronation.
+
+Immediately after his election to the crown, Arthur found himself
+opposed by eleven kings and one duke, who with a vast army were
+actually encamped in the forest of Rockingham. By Merlin's advice
+Arthur sent an embassy to Brittany, to solicit the aid of King Ban
+and King Bohort, two of the best knights in the world. They
+accepted the call, and with a powerful army crossed the sea,
+landing at Portsmouth, where they were received with great
+rejoicing. The rebel kings were still superior in numbers; but
+Merlin, by a powerful enchantment, caused all their tents to fall
+down at once, and in the confusion Arthur with his allies fell
+upon them and totally routed them.
+
+After defeating the rebels, Arthur took the field against the
+Saxons. As they were too strong for him unaided, he sent an
+embassy to Armorica, beseeching the assistance of Hoel, who soon
+after brought over an army to his aid. The two kings joined their
+forces, and sought the enemy, whom they met, and both sides
+prepared for a decisive engagement. "Arthur himself," as Geoffrey
+of Monmouth relates, "dressed in a breastplate worthy of so great
+a king, places on his head a golden helmet engraved with the
+semblance of a dragon. Over his shoulders he throws his shield
+called Priwen, on which a picture of the Holy Virgin constantly
+recalled her to his memory. Girt with Caliburn, a most excellent
+sword, and fabricated in the isle of Avalon, he graces his right
+hand with the lance named Ron. This was a long and broad spear,
+well contrived for slaughter." After a severe conflict, Arthur,
+calling on the name of the Virgin, rushes into the midst of his
+enemies, and destroys multitudes of them with the formidable
+Caliburn, and puts the rest to flight. Hoel, being detained by
+sickness, took no part in this battle.
+
+This is called the victory of Mount Badon, and, however disguised
+by fable, it is regarded by historians as a real event.
+
+The feats performed by Arthur at the battle of Badon Mount are
+thus celebrated in Drayton's verse:
+
+    "They sung how he himself at Badon bore, that day,
+    When at the glorious goal his British sceptre lay;
+    Two daies together how the battel stronglie stood;
+    Pendragon's worthie son, who waded there in blood,
+    Three hundred Saxons slew with his owne valiant hand."
+
+    --Song IV.
+
+GUENEVER
+
+Merlin had planned for Arthur a marriage with the daughter of King
+Laodegan of Carmalide. By his advice Arthur paid a visit to the
+court of that sovereign, attended only by Merlin and by thirty-
+nine knights whom the magician had selected for that service. On
+their arrival they found Laodegan and his peers sitting in
+council, endeavoring, but with small prospect of success, to
+devise means of resisting the impending attack of Ryence, king of
+Ireland, who, with fifteen tributary kings and an almost
+innumerable army, had nearly surrounded the city. Merlin, who
+acted as leader of the band of British knights, announced them as
+strangers, who came to offer the king their services in his wars;
+but under the express condition that they should be at liberty to
+conceal their names and quality until they should think proper to
+divulge them. These terms were thought very strange, but were
+thankfully accepted, and the strangers, after taking the usual
+oath to the king, retired to the lodging which Merlin had prepared
+for them.
+
+A few days after this, the enemy, regardless of a truce into which
+they had entered with King Laodegan, suddenly issued from their
+camp and made an attempt to surprise the city. Cleodalis, the
+king's general, assembled the royal forces with all possible
+despatch. Arthur and his companions also flew to arms, and Merlin
+appeared at their head, bearing a standard on which was emblazoned
+a terrific dragon. Merlin advanced to the gate, and commanded the
+porter to open it, which the porter refused to do, without the
+king's order. Merlin thereupon took up the gate, with all its
+appurtenances of locks, bars, bolts, etc., and directed his troops
+to pass through, after which he replaced it in perfect order. He
+then set spurs to his horse and dashed, at the head of his little
+troop, into a body of two thousand pagans. The disparity of
+numbers being so enormous, Merlin cast a spell upon the enemy, so
+as to prevent their seeing the small number of their assailants;
+notwithstanding which the British knights were hard pressed. But
+the people of the city, who saw from the walls this unequal
+contest, were ashamed of leaving the small body of strangers to
+their fate, so they opened the gate and sallied forth. The numbers
+were now more nearly equal, and Merlin revoked his spell, so that
+the two armies encountered on fair terms. Where Arthur, Ban,
+Bohort, and the rest fought the king's army had the advantage; but
+in another part of the field the king himself was surrounded and
+carried off by the enemy. The sad sight was seen by Guenever, the
+fair daughter of the king, who stood on the city wall and looked
+at the battle. She was in dreadful distress, tore her hair, and
+swooned away.
+
+But Merlin, aware of what passed in every part of the field,
+suddenly collected his knights, led them out of the battle,
+intercepted the passage of the party who were carrying away the
+king, charged them with irresistible impetuosity, cut in pieces or
+dispersed the whole escort, and rescued the king. In the fight
+Arthur encountered Caulang, a giant fifteen feet high, and the
+fair Guenever, who had already began to feel a strong interest in
+the handsome young stranger, trembled for the issue of the
+contest. But Arthur, dealing a dreadful blow on the shoulder of
+the monster, cut through his neck so that his head hung over on
+one side, and in this condition his horse carried him about the
+field, to the great horror and dismay of the Pagans. Guenever
+could not refrain from expressing aloud her wish that the gentle
+knight, who dealt with giants so dexterously, were destined to
+become her husband, and the wish was echoed by her attendants. The
+enemy soon turned their backs and fled with precipitation, closely
+pursued by Laodegan and his allies.
+
+After the battle Arthur was disarmed and conducted to the bath by
+the princess Guenever, while his friends were attended by the
+other ladies of the court. After the bath the knights were
+conducted to a magnificent entertainment, at which they were
+diligently served by the same fair attendants. Laodegan, more and
+more anxious to know the name and quality of his generous
+deliverers, and occasionally forming a secret wish that the chief
+of his guests might be captivated by the charms of his daughter,
+appeared silent and pensive, and was scarcely roused from his
+reverie by the banters of his courtiers. Arthur, having had an
+opportunity of explaining to Guenever his great esteem for her
+merit, was in the joy of his heart, and was still further
+delighted by hearing from Merlin the late exploits of Gawain at
+London, by means of which his immediate return to his dominions
+was rendered unnecessary, and he was left at liberty to protract
+his stay at the court of Laodegan. Every day contributed to
+increase the admiration of the whole court for the gallant
+strangers, and the passion of Guenever for their chief; and when
+at last Merlin announced to the king that the object of the visit
+of the party was to procure a bride for their leader, Laodegan at
+once presented Guenever to Arthur, telling him that, whatever
+might be his rank, his merit was sufficient to entitle him to the
+possession of the heiress of Carmalide.
+
+   "And could he find a woman in her womanhood
+    As great as he was in his manhood--
+    The twain together might change the world."
+
+    --Guinevere.
+
+Arthur accepted the lady with the utmost gratitude, and Merlin
+then proceeded to satisfy the king of the rank of his son-in-law;
+upon which Laodegan, with all his barons, hastened to do homage to
+their lawful sovereign, the successor of Uther Pendragon. The fair
+Guenever was then solemnly betrothed to Arthur, and a magnificent
+festival was proclaimed, which lasted seven days. At the end of
+that time, the enemy appearing again with renewed force, it became
+necessary to resume military operations. [Footnote: Guenever, the
+name of Arthur's queen, also written Genievre and Geneura, is
+familiar to all who are conversant with chivalric lore. It is to
+her adventures, and those of her true knight, Sir Launcelot, that
+Dante alludes in the beautiful episode of Francesca di Rimini.]
+
+We must now relate what took place at and near London, while
+Arthur was absent from his capital. At this very time a band of
+young heroes were on their way to Arthur's court, for the purpose
+of receiving knighthood from him. They were Gawain and his three
+brothers, nephews of Arthur, sons of King Lot, and Galachin,
+another nephew, son of King Nanters. King Lot had been one of the
+rebel chiefs whom Arthur had defeated, but he now hoped by means
+of the young men to be reconciled to his brother-in-law. He
+equipped his sons and his nephew with the utmost magnificence,
+giving them a splendid retinue of young men, sons of earls and
+barons, all mounted on the best horses, with complete suits of
+choice armor. They numbered in all seven hundred, but only nine
+had yet received the order of knighthood; the rest were candidates
+for that honor, and anxious to earn it by an early encounter with
+the enemy. Gawain, the leader, was a knight of wonderful strength;
+but what was most remarkable about him was that his strength was
+greater at certain hours of the day than at others. From nine
+o'clock till noon his strength was doubled, and so it was from
+three to evensong; for the rest of the time it was less
+remarkable, though at all times surpassing that of ordinary men.
+
+After a march of three days they arrived in the vicinity of
+London, where they expected to find Arthur and his court, and very
+unexpectedly fell in with a large convoy belonging to the enemy,
+consisting of numerous carts and wagons, all loaded with
+provisions, and escorted by three thousand men, who had been
+collecting spoil from all the country round. A single charge from
+Gawain's impetuous cavalry was sufficient to disperse the escort
+and recover the convoy, which was instantly despatched to London.
+But before long a body of seven thousand fresh soldiers advanced
+to the attack of the five princes and their little army. Gawain,
+singling out a chief named Choas, of gigantic size, began the
+battle by splitting him from the crown of the head to the breast.
+Galachin encountered King Sanagran, who was also very huge, and
+cut off his head. Agrivain and Gahariet also performed prodigies
+of valor. Thus they kept the great army of assailants at bay,
+though hard pressed, till of a sudden they perceived a strong body
+of the citizens advancing from London, where the convoy which had
+been recovered by Gawain had arrived, and informed the mayor and
+citizens of the danger of their deliverer. The arrival of the
+Londoners soon decided the contest. The enemy fled in all
+directions, and Gawain and his friends, escorted by the grateful
+citizens, entered London, and were received with acclamations.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+ARTHUR (Continued)
+
+
+After the great victory of Mount Badon, by which the Saxons were
+for the time effectually put down, Arthur turned his arms against
+the Scots and Picts, whom he routed at Lake Lomond, and compelled
+to sue for mercy. He then went to York to keep his Christmas, and
+employed himself in restoring the Christian churches which the
+Pagans had rifled and overthrown. The following summer he
+conquered Ireland, and then made a voyage with his fleet to
+Iceland, which he also subdued. The kings of Gothland and of the
+Orkneys came voluntarily and made their submission, promising to
+pay tribute. Then he returned to Britain, where, having
+established the kingdom, he dwelt twelve years in peace.
+
+During this time he invited over to him all persons whatsoever
+that were famous for valor in foreign nations, and augmented the
+number of his domestics, and introduced such politeness into his
+court as people of the remotest countries thought worthy of their
+imitation. So that there was not a nobleman who thought himself of
+any consideration unless his clothes and arms were made in the
+same fashion as those of Arthur's knights.
+
+Finding himself so powerful at home, Arthur began to form designs
+for extending his power abroad. So, having prepared his fleet, he
+first attempted Norway, that he might procure the crown of it for
+Lot, his sister's husband. Arthur landed in Norway, fought a great
+battle with the king of that country, defeated him, and pursued
+the victory till he had reduced the whole country under his
+dominion, and established Lot upon the throne. Then Arthur made a
+voyage to Gaul and laid siege to the city of Paris. Gaul was at
+that time a Roman province, and governed by Flollo, the Tribune.
+When the siege of Paris had continued a month, and the people
+began to suffer from famine, Flollo challenged Arthur to single
+combat, proposing to decide the conquest of the province in that
+way. Arthur gladly accepted the challenge, and slew his adversary
+in the contest, upon which the citizens surrendered the city to
+him. After the victory Arthur divided his army into two parts, one
+of which he committed to the conduct of Hoel, whom he ordered to
+march into Aquitaine, while he with the other part should endeavor
+to subdue the other provinces. At the end of nine years, in which
+time all the parts of Gaul were entirely reduced, Arthur returned
+to Paris, where he kept his court, and, calling an assembly of the
+clergy and people, established peace and the just administration
+of the laws in that kingdom. Then he bestowed Normandy upon
+Bedver, his butler, and the province of Andegavia upon Kay, his
+steward, [Footnote: This name, in the French romances, is spelled
+Queux, which means head cook. This would seem to imply that it was
+a title, and not a name; yet the personage who bore it is never
+mentioned by any other. He is the chief, if not the only, comic
+character among the heroes of Arthur's court. He is the Seneschal
+or Steward, his duties also embracing those of chief of the cooks.
+In the romances, his general character is a compound of valor and
+buffoonery, always ready to fight, and generally getting the worst
+of the battle. He is also sarcastic and abusive in his remarks, by
+which he often gets into trouble. Yet Arthur seems to have an
+attachment to him, and often takes his advice, which is generally
+wrong.] and several other provinces upon his great men that
+attended him. And, having settled the peace of the cities and
+countries, he returned back in the beginning of spring to Britain.
+
+Upon the approach of the feast of Pentecost, Arthur, the better to
+demonstrate his joy after such triumphant successes, and for the
+more solemn observation of that festival, and reconciling the
+minds of the princes that were now subject to him, resolved during
+that season to hold a magnificent court, to place the crown upon
+his head, and to invite all the kings and dukes under his
+subjection to the solemnity. And he pitched upon Caerleon, the
+City of Legions, as the proper place for his purpose. For, besides
+its great wealth above the other cities, its situation upon the
+river Usk, near the Severn sea, was most pleasant and fit for so
+great a solemnity. For on one side it was washed by that noble
+river, so that the kings and princes from the countries beyond the
+seas might have the convenience of sailing up to it. On the other
+side the beauty of the meadows and groves, and magnificence of the
+royal palaces, with lofty gilded roofs that adorned it, made it
+even rival the grandeur of Rome. It was also famous for two
+churches, whereof one was adorned with a choir of virgins, who
+devoted themselves wholly to the service of God, and the other
+maintained a convent of priests. Besides, there was a college of
+two hundred philosophers, who, being learned in astronomy and the
+other arts, were diligent in observing the courses of the stars,
+and gave Arthur true predictions of the events that would happen.
+In this place, therefore, which afforded such delights, were
+preparations made for the ensuing festival.
+
+[Footnote: Several cities are allotted to King Arthur by the
+romance-writers. The principal are Caerleon, Camelot, and
+Carlisle.
+
+Caerleon derives its name from its having been the station of one
+of the legions, during the dominion of the Romans. It is called by
+Latin writers Urbs Legionum, the City of Legions. The former word
+being rendered into Welsh by Caer, meaning city, and the latter
+contracted into lleon. The river Usk retains its name in modern
+geography, and there is a town or city of Caerleon upon it, though
+the city of Cardiff is thought to be the scene of Arthur's court.
+Chester also bears in Welsh the name of Caerleon; for Chester,
+derived from castra, Latin for camp, is the designation of
+military headquarters.
+
+Camelot is thought to be Winchester.
+
+Shalott is Guilford.
+
+Hamo's Port is Southampton.
+
+Carlisle is the city still retaining that name, near the Scottish
+border. But this name is also sometimes applied to other places,
+which were, like itself, military stations.]
+
+Ambassadors were then sent into several kingdoms, to invite to
+court the princes both of Gaul and of the adjacent islands.
+Accordingly there came Augusel, king of Albania, now Scotland,
+Cadwallo, king of Venedotia, now North Wales, Sater, king of
+Demetia, now South Wales; also the archbishops of the metropolitan
+sees, London and York, and Dubricius, bishop of Caerleon, the City
+of Legions. This prelate, who was primate of Britain, was so
+eminent for his piety that he could cure any sick person by his
+prayers. There were also the counts of the principal cities, and
+many other worthies of no less dignity.
+
+From the adjacent islands came Guillamurius, king of Ireland,
+Gunfasius, king of the Orkneys, Malvasius, king of Iceland, Lot,
+king of Norway, Bedver, the butler, Duke of Normandy, Kay, the
+sewer, Duke of Andegavia; also the twelve peers of Gaul, and Hoel,
+Duke of the Armorican Britons, with his nobility, who came with
+such a train of mules, horses, and rich furniture as it is
+difficult to describe. Besides these there remained no prince of
+any consideration on this side of Spain who came not upon this
+invitation. And no wonder, when Arthur's munificence, which was
+celebrated over the whole world, made him beloved by all people.
+
+When all were assembled upon the day of the solemnity the
+archbishops were conducted to the palace, in order to place the
+crown upon the king's head. Then Dubricius, inasmuch as the court
+was held in his diocese, made himself ready to celebrate the
+office. As soon as the king was invested with his royal
+habiliments he was conducted in great pomp to the metropolitan
+church, having four kings, viz., of Albania, Cornwall, Demetia,
+and Venedotia, bearing four golden swords before him. On another
+part was the queen, dressed out in her richest ornaments,
+conducted by the archbishops and bishops to the Church of Virgins;
+the four queens, also, of the kings last mentioned, bearing before
+her four white doves, according to ancient custom. When the whole
+procession was ended so transporting was the harmony of the
+musical instruments and voices, whereof there was a vast variety
+in both churches, that the knights who attended were in doubt
+which to prefer, and therefore crowded from the one to the other
+by turns, and were far from being tired of the solemnity, though
+the whole day had been spent in it. At last, when divine service
+was over at both churches, the king and queen put off their
+crowns, and, putting on their lighter ornaments, went to the
+banquet. When they had all taken their seats according to
+precedence, Kay, the sewer, in rich robes of ermine, with a
+thousand young noblemen all in like manner clothed in rich attire,
+served up the dishes. From another part Bedver, the butler, was
+followed by the same number of attendants, who waited with all
+kinds of cups and drinking-vessels. And there was food and drink
+in abundance, and everything was of the best kind, and served in
+the best manner. For at that time Britain had arrived at such a
+pitch of grandeur that in riches, luxury, and politeness it far
+surpassed all other kingdoms.
+
+As soon as the banquets were over they went into the fields
+without the city to divert themselves with various sports, such as
+shooting with bows and arrows, tossing the pike, casting of heavy
+stones and rocks, playing at dice, and the like, and all these
+inoffensively, and without quarrelling. In this manner were three
+days spent, and after that they separated, and the kings and
+noblemen departed to their several homes.
+
+After this Arthur reigned five years in peace. Then came
+ambassadors from Lucius Tiberius, Procurator under Leo, Emperor of
+Rome, demanding tribute. But Arthur refused to pay tribute, and
+prepared for war. As soon as the necessary dispositions were made
+he committed the government of his kingdom to his nephew Modred
+and to Queen Guenever, and marched with his army to Hamo's Port,
+where the wind stood fair for him. The army crossed over in
+safety, and landed at the mouth of the river Barba. And there they
+pitched their tents to wait the arrival of the kings of the
+islands.
+
+As soon as all the forces were arrived Arthur marched forward to
+Augustodunum, and encamped on the banks of the river Alba. Here
+repeated battles were fought, in all which the Britons, under
+their valiant leaders, Hoel, Duke of Armorica, and Gawain, nephew
+to Arthur, had the advantage. At length Lucius Tiberius determined
+to retreat, and wait for the Emperor Leo to join him with fresh
+troops. But Arthur, anticipating this event, took possession of a
+certain valley, and closed up the way of retreat to Lucius,
+compelling him to fight a decisive battle, in which Arthur lost
+some of the bravest of his knights and most faithful followers.
+But on the other hand Lucius Tiberius was slain, and his army
+totally defeated. The fugitives dispersed over the country, some
+to the by-ways and woods, some to cities and towns, and all other
+places where they could hope for safety.
+
+Arthur stayed in those parts till the next winter was over, and
+employed his time in restoring order and settling the government.
+He then returned into England, and celebrated his victories with
+great splendor.
+
+Then the king stablished all his knights, and to them that were
+not rich he gave lands, and charged them all never to do outrage
+nor murder, and always to flee treason; also, by no means to be
+cruel, but to give mercy unto him that asked mercy, upon pain of
+forfeiture of their worship and lordship; and always to do ladies,
+damosels, and gentlewomen service, upon pain of death. Also that
+no man take battle in a wrongful quarrel, for no law, nor for any
+world's goods. Unto this were all the knights sworn of the Table
+Round, both old and young. And at every year were they sworn at
+the high feast of Pentecost.
+
+KING ARTHUR SLAYS THE GIANT OF ST. MICHAEL'S MOUNT
+
+While the army was encamped in Brittany, awaiting the arrival of
+the kings, there came a countryman to Arthur, and told him that a
+giant, whose cave was on a neighboring mountain, called St.
+Michael's Mount, had for a long time been accustomed to carry off
+the children of the peasants to devour them. "And now he hath
+taken the Duchess of Brittany, as she rode with her attendants,
+and hath carried her away in spite of all they could do." "Now,
+fellow," said King Arthur, "canst thou bring me there where this
+giant haunteth?" "Yea, sure," said the good man; "lo, yonder where
+thou seest two great fires, there shalt thou find him, and more
+treasure than I suppose is in all France beside." Then the king
+called to him Sir Bedver and Sir Kay, and commanded them to make
+ready horse and harness for himself and them; for after evening he
+would ride on pilgrimage to St. Michael's Mount.
+
+So they three departed, and rode forth till they came to the foot
+of the mount. And there the king commanded them to tarry, for he
+would himself go up into that mount. So he ascended the hill till
+he came to a great fire, and there he found an aged woman sitting
+by a new-made grave, making great sorrow. Then King Arthur saluted
+her, and demanded of her wherefore she made such lamentation; to
+whom she answered: "Sir knight, speak low, for yonder is a devil,
+and if he hear thee speak, he will come and destroy thee. For ye
+cannot make resistance to him, he is so fierce and so strong. He
+hath murdered the Duchess, which here lieth, who was the fairest
+of all the world, wife to Sir Hoel, Duke of Brittany." "Dame,"
+said the king, "I come from the noble conqueror, King Arthur, to
+treat with that tyrant." "Fie on such treaties," said she; "he
+setteth not by the king, nor by no man else." "Well," said Arthur,
+"I will accomplish my message for all your fearful words." So he
+went forth by the crest of the hill, and saw where the giant sat
+at supper, gnawing on the limb of a man, and baking his broad
+limbs at the fire, and three fair damsels lying bound, whose lot
+it was to be devoured in their turn. When King Arthur beheld that,
+he had great compassion on them, so that his heart bled for
+sorrow. Then he hailed the giant, saying, "He that all the world
+ruleth give thee short life and shameful death. Why hast thou
+murdered this Duchess? Therefore come forth, for this day thou
+shalt die by my hand." Then the giant started up, and took a great
+club, and smote at the king, and smote off his coronal; and then
+the king struck him in the belly with his sword, and made a
+fearful wound. Then the giant threw away his club, and caught the
+king in his arms, so that he crushed his ribs. Then the three
+maidens kneeled down and prayed for help and comfort for Arthur.
+And Arthur weltered and wrenched, so that he was one while under,
+and another time above. And so weltering and wallowing they rolled
+down the hill, and ever as they weltered Arthur smote him with his
+dagger; and it fortuned they came to the place where the two
+knights were. And when they saw the king fast in the giant's arms
+they came and loosed him. Then the king commanded Sir Kay to smite
+off the giant's head, and to set it on the truncheon of a spear,
+and fix it on the barbican, that all the people might see and
+behold it. This was done, and anon it was known through all the
+country, wherefor the people came and thanked the king. And he
+said, "Give your thanks to God; and take ye the giant's spoil and
+divide it among you." And King Arthur caused a church to be
+builded on that hill, in honor of St. Michael.
+
+KING ARTHUR GETS A SWORD FROM THE LADY OF THE LAKE
+
+One day King Arthur rode forth, and on a sudden he was ware of
+three churls chasing Merlin, to have slain him. And the king rode
+unto them and bade them, "Flee, churls!" Then were they afraid
+when they saw a knight, and fled. "O Merlin," said Arthur, "here
+hadst thou been slain, for all thy crafts, had I not been by."
+"Nay," said Merlin, "not so, for I could save myself if I would;
+but thou art more near thy death than I am." So, as they went thus
+talking, King Arthur perceived where sat a knight on horseback, as
+if to guard the pass. "Sir knight," said Arthur, "for what cause
+abidest thou here?" Then the knight said, "There may no knight
+ride this way unless he just with me, for such is the custom of
+the pass." "I will amend that custom," said the king. Then they
+ran together, and they met so hard that their spears were
+shivered. Then they drew their swords and fought a strong battle,
+with many great strokes. But at length the sword of the knight
+smote King Arthur's sword in two pieces. Then said the knight unto
+Arthur, "Thou art in my power, whether to save thee or slay thee,
+and unless thou yield thee as overcome and recreant, thou shalt
+die." "As for death," said King Arthur, "welcome be it when it
+cometh; but to yield me unto thee as recreant, I will not." Then
+he leapt upon the knight, and took him by the middle and threw him
+down; but the knight was a passing strong man, and anon he brought
+Arthur under him, and would have razed off his helm to slay him.
+Then said Merlin, "Knight, hold thy hand, for this knight is a man
+of more worship than thou art aware of." "Why, who is he?" said
+the knight. "It is King Arthur." Then would he have slain him for
+dread of his wrath, and lifted up his sword to slay him; and
+therewith Merlin cast an enchantment on the knight, so that he
+fell to the earth in a great sleep. Then Merlin took up King
+Arthur, and set him on his horse. "Alas!" said Arthur, "what hast
+thou done, Merlin? hast thou slain this good knight by thy
+crafts?" "Care ye not," said Merlin; "he is wholer than ye be. He
+is only asleep, and will wake in three hours."
+
+Then the king and he departed, and went till they came to a
+hermit, that was a good man and a great leech. So the hermit
+searched all his wounds, and applied good salves; and the king was
+there three days, and then were his wounds well amended, that he
+might ride and go. So they departed, and as they rode Arthur said,
+"I have no sword." "No matter," said Merlin; "hereby is a sword
+that shall be yours." So they rode till they came to a lake, which
+was a fair water and broad. And in the midst of the lake Arthur
+was aware of an arm clothed in white samite, [Footnote: Samite, a
+sort of silk stuff.] that held a fair sword in the hand. "Lo!"
+said Merlin, "yonder is that sword that I spake of. It belongeth
+to the Lady of the Lake, and, if she will, thou mayest take it;
+but if she will not, it will not be in thy power to take it."
+
+So Sir Arthur and Merlin alighted from their horses, and went into
+a boat. And when they came to the sword that the hand held Sir
+Arthur took it by the handle and took it to him, and the arm and
+the hand went under the water.
+
+Then they returned unto the land and rode forth. And Sir Arthur
+looked on the sword and liked it right well.
+
+So they rode unto Caerleon, whereof his knights were passing glad.
+And when they heard of his adventures they marvelled that he would
+jeopard his person so alone. But all men of worship said it was a
+fine thing to be under such a chieftain as would put his person in
+adventure as other poor knights did.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+SIR GAWAIN
+
+
+Sir Gawain was nephew to King Arthur, by his sister Morgana,
+married to Lot, king of Orkney, who was by Arthur made king of
+Norway. Sir Gawain was one of the most famous knights of the Round
+Table, and is characterized by the romancers as the SAGE and
+COURTEOUS Gawain. To this Chaucer alludes in his "Squiere's Tale,"
+where the strange knight "salueth" all the court
+
+    "With so high reverence and observance,
+    As well in speeche as in countenance,
+    That Gawain, with his olde curtesie,
+    Though he were come agen out of faerie,
+    Ne coude him not amenden with a word."
+
+Gawain's brothers were Agrivain, Gahariet, and Gareth.
+
+SIR GAWAIN'S MARRIAGE
+
+Once upon a time King Arthur held his court in merry Carlisle,
+when a damsel came before him and craved a boon. It was for
+vengeance upon a caitiff knight, who had made her lover captive
+and despoiled her of her lands. King Arthur commanded to bring him
+his sword, Excalibar, and to saddle his steed, and rode forth
+without delay to right the lady's wrong. Ere long he reached the
+castle of the grim baron, and challenged him to the conflict. But
+the castle stood on magic ground, and the spell was such that no
+knight could tread thereon but straight his courage fell and his
+strength decayed. King Arthur felt the charm, and before a blow
+was struck, his sturdy limbs lost their strength, and his head
+grew faint. He was fain to yield himself prisoner to the churlish
+knight, who refused to release him except upon condition that he
+should return at the end of a year, and bring a true answer to the
+question, "What thing is it which women most desire?" or in
+default thereof surrender himself and his lands. King Arthur
+accepted the terms, and gave his oath to return at the time
+appointed. During the year the king rode east, and he rode west,
+and inquired of all whom he met what thing it is which all women
+most desire. Some told him riches; some, pomp and state; some,
+mirth; some, flattery; and some, a gallant knight. But in the
+diversity of answers he could find no sure dependence. The year
+was well-nigh spent, when one day, as he rode thoughtfully through
+a forest, he saw sitting beneath a tree a lady of such hideous
+aspect that he turned away his eyes, and when she greeted him in
+seemly sort, made no answer. "What wight art thou," the lady said,
+"that will not speak to me? It may chance that I may resolve thy
+doubts, though I be not fair of aspect." "If thou wilt do so,"
+said King Arthur, "choose what reward thou wilt, thou grim lady,
+and it shall be given thee." "Swear me this upon thy faith," she
+said, and Arthur swore it. Then the lady told him the secret, and
+demanded her reward, which was that the king should find some fair
+and courtly knight to be her husband.
+
+King Arthur hastened to the grim baron's castle and told him one
+by one all the answers which he had received from his various
+advisers, except the last, and not one was admitted as the true
+one. "Now yield thee, Arthur," the giant said, "for thou hast not
+paid thy ransom, and thou and thy lands are forfeited to me." Then
+King Arthur said:
+
+    "Yet hold thy hand, thou proud baron,
+      I pray thee hold thy hand,
+    And give me leave to speak once more,
+      In rescue of my land.
+    This morn as I came over a moor,
+      I saw a lady set,
+    Between an oak and a green holly,
+      All clad in red scarlett.
+    She says ALL WOMEN WOULD HAVE THEIR WILL,
+      This is their chief desire;
+    Now yield, as thou art a baron true,
+      That I have paid my hire."
+
+"It was my sister that told thee this," the churlish baron
+exclaimed. "Vengeance light on her! I will some time or other do
+her as ill a turn."
+
+King Arthur rode homeward, but not light of heart, for he
+remembered the promise he was under to the loathly lady to--give
+her one of his young and gallant knights for a husband. He told
+his grief to Sir Gawain, his nephew, and he replied, "Be not sad,
+my lord, for I will marry the loathly lady." King Arthur replied:
+
+    "Now nay, now nay, good Sir Gawaine,
+      My sister's son ye be;
+    The loathly lady's all too grim,
+      And all too foule for thee."
+
+But Gawain persisted, and the king at last, with sorrow of heart,
+consented that Gawain should be his ransom. So one day the king
+and his knights rode to the forest, met the loathly lady, and
+brought her to the court. Sir Gawain stood the scoffs and jeers of
+his companions as he best might, and the marriage was solemnized,
+but not with the usual festivities. Chaucer tells us:
+
+    "... There was no joye ne feste at alle;
+    There n' as but hevinesse and mochel sorwe,
+    For prively he wed her on the morwe,
+    And all day after hid him as an owle,
+    So wo was him his wife loked so foule!"
+
+[Footnote: N'AS is NOT WAS, contracted; in modern phrase, THERE
+WAS NOT. MOCHEL SORWE is much sorrow; MORWE is MORROW.]
+
+When night came, and they were alone together, Sir Gawain could
+not conceal his aversion; and the lady asked him why he sighed so
+heavily, and turned away his face. He candidly confessed it was on
+account of three things, her age, her ugliness, and her low
+degree. The lady, not at all offended, replied with excellent
+arguments to all his objections. She showed him that with age is
+discretion, with ugliness security from rivals, and that all true
+gentility depends, not upon the accident of birth, but upon the
+character of the individual.
+
+Sir Gawain made no reply; but, turning his eyes on his bride, what
+was his amazement to perceive that she wore no longer the unseemly
+aspect that had so distressed him. She then told him that the form
+she had worn was not her true form, but a disguise imposed upon
+her by a wicked enchanter, and that she was condemned to wear it
+until two things should happen: one, that she should obtain some
+young and gallant knight to be her husband. This having been done,
+one-half of the charm was removed. She was now at liberty to wear
+her true form for half the time, and she bade him choose whether
+he would have her fair by day, and ugly by night, or the reverse.
+Sir Gawain would fain have had her look her best by night, when he
+alone would see her, and show her repulsive visage, if at all, to
+others. But she reminded him how much more pleasant it would be to
+her to wear her best looks in the throng of knights and ladies by
+day. Sir Gawain yielded, and gave up his will to hers. This alone
+was wanting to dissolve the charm. The lovely lady now with joy
+assured him that she should change no more, but as she now was, so
+would she remain by night as well as by day.
+
+    "Sweet blushes stayned her rud-red cheek,
+      Her eyen were black as sloe,
+    The ripening cherrye swelled her lippe,
+      And all her neck was snow.
+    Sir Gawain kist that ladye faire
+      Lying upon the sheete,
+    And swore, as he was a true knight,
+      The spice was never so swete."
+
+The dissolution of the charm which had held the lady also released
+her brother, the "grim baron," for he too had been implicated in
+it. He ceased to be a churlish oppressor, and became a gallant and
+generous knight as any at Arthur's court.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+CARADOC BRIEFBRAS; OR, CARADOC WITH THE SHRUNKEN ARM
+
+
+Caradoc was the son of Ysenne, the beautiful niece of Arthur. He
+was ignorant who his father was, till it was discovered in the
+following manner: When the youth was of proper years to receive
+the honors of knighthood, King Arthur held a grand court for the
+purpose of knighting him. On this occasion a strange knight
+presented himself, and challenged the knights of Arthur's court to
+exchange blow for blow with him. His proposal was this--to lay his
+neck on a block for any knight to strike, on condition that, if he
+survived the blow, the knight should submit in turn to the same
+experiment. Sir Kay, who was usually ready to accept all
+challenges, pronounced this wholly unreasonable, and declared that
+he would not accept it for all the wealth in the world. And when
+the knight offered his sword, with which the operation was to be
+performed, no person ventured to accept it, till Caradoc, growing
+angry at the disgrace which was thus incurred by the Round Table,
+threw aside his mantle and took it. "Do you do this as one of the
+best knights?" said the stranger. "No," he replied, "but as one of
+the most foolish." The stranger lays his head upon the block,
+receives a blow which sends it rolling from his shoulders, walks
+after it, picks it up, replaces it with great success, and says he
+will return when the court shall be assembled next year, and claim
+his turn. When the anniversary arrived, both parties were punctual
+to their engagement. Great entreaties were used by the king and
+queen, and the whole court, in behalf of Caradoc, but the stranger
+was inflexible. The young knight laid his head upon the block, and
+more than once desired him to make an end of the business, and not
+keep him longer in so disagreeable a state of expectation. At last
+the stranger strikes him gently with the side of the sword, bids
+him rise, and reveals to him the fact that he is his father, the
+enchanter Eliaures, and that he gladly owns him for a son, having
+proved his courage and fidelity to his word.
+
+But the favor of enchanters is short-lived and uncertain. Eliaures
+fell under the influence of a wicked woman, who, to satisfy her
+pique against Caradoc, persuaded the enchanter to fasten on his
+arm a serpent, which remained there sucking at his flesh and
+blood, no human skill sufficing either to remove the reptile or
+alleviate the torments which Caradoc endured.
+
+Caradoc was betrothed to Guimier, sister to his bosom friend,
+Cador, and daughter to the king of Cornwall. As soon as they were
+informed of his deplorable condition, they set out for Nantes,
+where Caradoc's castle was, that Guimier might attend upon him.
+When Caradoc heard of their coming, his first emotion was that of
+joy and love. But soon he began to fear that the sight of his
+emaciated form, and of his sufferings, would disgust Guimier; and
+this apprehension became so strong, that he departed secretly from
+Nantes, and hid himself in a hermitage. He was sought far and near
+by the knights of Arthur's court, and Cador made a vow never to
+desist from the quest till he should have found him. After long
+wandering, Cador discovered his friend in the hermitage, reduced
+almost to a skeleton, and apparently near his death. All other
+means of relief having already been tried in vain, Cador at last
+prevailed on the enchanter Eliaures to disclose the only method
+which could avail for his rescue. A maiden must be found, his
+equal in birth and beauty, and loving him better than herself, so
+that she would expose herself to the same torment to deliver him.
+Two vessels were then to be provided, the one filled with sour
+wine, and the other with milk. Caradoc must enter the first, so
+that the wine should reach his neck, and the maiden must get into
+the other, and, exposing her bosom upon the edge of the vessel,
+invite the serpent to forsake the withered flesh of his victim for
+this fresh and inviting food. The vessels were to be placed three
+feet apart, and as the serpent crossed from one to the other. a
+knight was to cut him in two. If he failed in his blow, Caradoc
+would indeed be delivered, but it would be only to see his fair
+champion suffering the same cruel and hopeless torment. The sequel
+may be easily foreseen. Guimier willingly exposed herself to the
+perilous adventure, and Cador, with a lucky blow, killed the
+serpent. The arm in which Caradoc had suffered so long recovered
+its strength, but not its shape, in consequence of which he was
+called Caradoc Briefbras, Caradoc of the Shrunken Arm.
+
+Caradoc and Guimier are the hero and heroine of the ballad Of the
+"Boy and the Mantle," which follows:
+
+    "THE BOY AND THE MANTLE
+
+    "In Carlisle dwelt King Arthur,
+      A prince of passing might,
+    And there maintained his Table Round,
+      Beset with many a knight.
+
+    "And there he kept his Christmas,
+      With mirth and princely cheer,
+    When lo! a strange and cunning boy
+      Before him did appear.
+
+    "A kirtle and a mantle
+      This boy had him upon,
+    With brooches, rings, and ouches,
+      Full daintily bedone.
+
+    "He had a sash of silk
+      About his middle meet;
+    And thus with seemly curtesie
+      He did King Arthur greet:
+
+    "'God speed thee, brave King Arthur.
+      Thus feasting in thy bower,
+    And Guenever, thy goodly queen,
+      That fair and peerless flower.
+
+    "'Ye gallant lords and lordlings,
+      I wish you all take heed,
+    Lest what ye deem a blooming rose
+      Should prove a cankered weed.'
+
+    "Then straightway from his bosom
+      A little wand he drew;
+    And with it eke a mantle,
+      Of wondrous shape and hue.
+
+    "'Now have thou here, King Arthur,
+      Have this here of me,
+    And give unto thy comely queen,
+      All shapen as you see.
+
+    "'No wife it shall become,
+      That once hath been to blame.'
+    Then every knight in Arthur's court
+      Sly glanced at his dame.
+
+    "And first came Lady Guenever,
+      The mantle she must try.
+    This dame she was new-fangled, [1]
+      And of a roving eye.
+
+    "When she had taken the mantle,
+      And all with it was clad,
+    From top to toe it shivered down,
+      As though with shears beshred.
+
+    "One while it was too long,
+      Another while too short,
+    And wrinkled on her shoulders,
+      In most unseemly sort.
+
+    "Now green, now red it seemed,
+      Then all of sable hue;
+    'Beshrew me,' quoth King Arthur,
+      'I think thou be'st not true!'
+
+    "Down she threw the mantle,
+      No longer would she stay;
+    But, storming like a fury,
+      To her chamber flung away.
+
+    "She cursed the rascal weaver,
+      That had the mantle wrought;
+    And doubly cursed the froward imp
+      Who thither had it brought.
+
+    I had rather live in deserts,
+      Beneath the greenwood tree,
+    Than here, base king, among thy grooms
+      The sport of them and thee.'
+
+    "Sir Kay called forth his lady,
+      And bade her to come near:
+    'Yet dame, if thou be guilty,
+      I pray thee now forbear.'
+
+    "This lady, pertly giggling,
+      With forward step came on,
+    And boldly to the little boy
+      With fearless face is gone.
+
+    "When she had taken the mantle,
+      With purpose for to wear,
+    It shrunk up to her shoulder,
+      And left her back all bare.
+
+    "Then every merry knight,
+      That was in Arthur's court,
+    Gibed and laughed and flouted,
+      To see that pleasant sport.
+
+    "Down she threw the mantle,
+      No longer bold or gay,
+    But, with a face all pale and wan
+      To her chamber slunk away.
+
+    "Then forth came an old knight
+      A pattering o'er his creed,
+    And proffered to the little boy
+       Five nobles to his meed:
+
+    "'And all the time of Christmas
+      Plum-porridge shall be thine,
+    If thou wilt let my lady fair
+      Within the mantle shine.'
+
+    "A saint his lady seemed,
+      With step demure and slow,
+    And gravely to the mantle
+      With mincing face doth go.
+
+    "When she the same had taken
+      That was so fine and thin,
+    It shrivelled all about her,
+      And showed her dainty skin.
+
+    "Ah! little did her mincing,
+      Or his long prayers bestead;
+     She had no more hung on her
+      Than a tassel and a thread.
+
+    "Down she threw the mantle,
+      With terror and dismay,
+    And with a face of scarlet
+      To her chamber hied away.
+
+    "Sir Cradock called his lady,
+      And bade her to come near:
+    'Come win this mantle, lady,
+       And do me credit here:
+
+    "'Come win this mantle, lady,
+      For now it shall be thine,
+    If thou hast never done amiss,
+      Since first I made thee mine.'
+
+    "The lady, gently blushing,
+      With modest grace came on;
+    And now to try the wondrous charm
+      Courageously is gone.
+
+    "When she had ta'en the mantle,
+      And put it on her back,
+    About the hem it seemed
+      To wrinkle and to crack.
+
+    "'Lie still,' she cried, 'O mantle!
+      And shame me not for naught;
+    I'll freely own whate'er amiss
+      Or blameful I have wrought.
+
+    "'Once I kissed Sir Cradock
+      Beneath the greenwood tree;
+    Once I kissed Sir Cradock's mouth,
+      Before he married me.'
+
+    "When she had thus her shriven,
+      And her worst fault had told,
+    The mantle soon became her,
+      Right comely as it should.
+
+    "Most rich and fair of color,
+      Like gold it glittering shone,
+    And much the knights in Arthur's court
+      Admired her every one."
+
+[Footnote 1: New-fangled--fond of novelty.]
+
+The ballad goes on to tell of two more trials of a similar kind,
+made by means of a boar's head and a drinking horn, in both of
+which the result was equally favorable with the first to Sir
+Cradock and his lady. It then concludes as follows:
+
+    "Thus boar's head, horn, and mantle
+      Were this fair couple's meed;
+    And all such constant lovers,
+      God send them well to speed"
+
+    --Percy's Reliques.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+LAUNCELOT OF THE LAKE
+
+
+King Ban, of Brittany, the faithful ally of Arthur was attacked by
+his enemy Claudas, and after a long war saw himself reduced to the
+possession of a single fortress, where he was besieged by his
+enemy. In this extremity he determined to solicit the assistance
+of Arthur, and escaped in a dark night, with his wife Helen and
+his infant son Launcelot, leaving his castle in the hands of his
+seneschal, who immediately surrendered the place to Claudas. The
+flames of his burning citadel reached the eyes of the unfortunate
+monarch during his flight and he expired with grief. The wretched
+Helen, leaving her child on the brink of a lake, flew to receive
+the last sighs of her husband, and on returning perceived the
+little Launcelot in the arms of a nymph, who, on the approach of
+the queen, threw herself into the lake with the child. This nymph
+was Viviane, mistress of the enchanter Merlin, better known by the
+name of the Lady of the Lake. Launcelot received his appellation
+from having been educated at the court of this enchantress, whose
+palace was situated in the midst, not of a real, but, like the
+appearance which deceives the African traveller, of an imaginary
+lake, whose deluding resemblance served as a barrier to her
+residence. Here she dwelt not alone, but in the midst of a
+numerous retinue, and a splendid court of knights and damsels.
+
+The queen, after her double loss, retired to a convent, where she
+was joined by the widow of Bohort, for this good king had died of
+grief on hearing of the death of his brother Ban. His two sons,
+Lionel and Bohort, were rescued by a faithful knight, and arrived
+in the shape of greyhounds at the palace of the lake, where,
+having resumed their natural form, they were educated along with
+their cousin Launcelot.
+
+The fairy, when her pupil had attained the age of eighteen,
+conveyed him to the court of Arthur for the purpose of demanding
+his admission to the honor of knighthood; and at the first
+appearance of the youthful candidate the graces of his person,
+which were not inferior to his courage and skill in arms, made an
+instantaneous and indelible impression on the heart of Guenever,
+while her charms inspired him with an equally ardent and constant
+passion. The mutual attachment of these lovers exerted, from that
+time forth, an influence over the whole history of Arthur. For the
+sake of Guenever, Launcelot achieved the conquest of
+Northumberland, defeated Gallehaut, King of the Marches, who
+afterwards became his most faithful friend and ally, exposed
+himself in numberless encounters, and brought hosts of prisoners
+to the feet of his sovereign.
+
+SIR LAUNCELOT
+
+After King Arthur was come from Rome into England all the knights
+of the Table Round resorted unto him and made him many justs and
+tournaments. And in especial Sir Launcelot of the Lake in all
+tournaments and justs and deeds of arms, both for life and death,
+passed all other knights, and was never overcome, except it were
+by treason or enchantment; and he increased marvellously in
+worship, wherefore Queen Guenever had him in great favor, above
+all other knights. And for certain he loved the queen again above
+all other ladies; and for her he did many deeds of arms, and saved
+her from peril, through his noble chivalry. Thus Sir Launcelot
+rested him long with play and game, and then he thought to prove
+himself in strange adventures; so he bade his nephew, Sir Lionel,
+to make him ready,-- "for we two will seek adventures." So they
+mounted on their horses, armed at all sights, and rode into a
+forest, and so into a deep plain. And the weather was hot about
+noon, and Sir Launcelot had great desire to sleep. Then Sir Lionel
+espied a great apple-tree that stood by a hedge, and he said:
+"Brother, yonder is a fair shadow--there may we rest us and our
+horses." "It is well said," replied Sir Launcelot. So they there
+alighted, and Sir Launcelot laid him down, and his helm under his
+head, and soon was asleep passing fast. And Sir Lionel waked while
+he slept. And presently there came three knights riding as fast as
+ever they might ride, and there followed them but one knight. And
+Sir Lionel thought he never saw so great a knight before. So
+within a while this great knight overtook one of those knights,
+and smote him so that he fell to the earth. Then he rode to the
+second knight and smote him, and so he did to the third knight.
+Then he alighted down and bound all the three knights fast with
+their own bridles. When Sir Lionel saw him do thus, he thought to
+assay him, and made him ready silently, not to awake Sir
+Launcelot, and rode after the strong knight, and bade him turn.
+And the other smote Sir Lionel so hard that horse and man fell to
+the earth; and then he alighted down and bound Sir Lionel, and
+threw him across his own horse; and so he served them all four,
+and rode with them away to his own castle. And when he came there
+he put them in a deep prison, in which were many more knights in
+great distress.
+
+Now while Sir Launcelot lay under the apple-tree sleeping, there
+came by him four queens of great estate. And that the heat should
+not grieve them, there rode four knights about them, and bare a
+cloth of green silk on four spears, betwixt them and the sun. And
+the queens rode on four white mules.
+
+Thus as they rode they heard by them a great horse grimly neigh.
+Then they were aware of a sleeping knight, that lay all armed
+under an apple-tree; and as the queens looked on his face, they
+knew it was Sir Launcelot. Then they began to strive for that
+knight, and each one said she would have him for her love. "We
+will not strive," said Morgane le Fay, that was King Arthur's
+sister, "for I will put an enchantment upon him, that he shall not
+wake for six hours, and we will take him away to my castle; and
+then when he is surely within my hold, I will take the enchantment
+from him, and then let him choose which of us he will have for his
+love." So the enchantment was cast upon Sir Launcelot. And then
+they laid him upon his shield, and bare him so on horseback
+between two knights, and brought him unto the castle and laid him
+in a chamber, and at night they sent him his supper. And on the
+morning came early those four queens, richly dight, and bade him
+good morning, and he them again. "Sir knight," they said, "thou
+must understand thou art our prisoner; and we know thee well, that
+thou art Sir Launcelot of the Lake, King Ban's son, and that thou
+art the noblest knight living. And we know well that there can no
+lady have thy love but one, and that is Queen Guenever; and now
+thou shalt lose her for ever, and she thee; and therefore it
+behooveth thee now to choose one of us. I am the Queen Morgane le
+Fay, and here is the Queen of North Wales, and the Queen of
+Eastland, and the Queen of the Isles. Now choose one of us which
+thou wilt have, for if thou choose not, in this prison thou shalt
+die." "This is a hard case," said Sir Launcelot, "that either I
+must die, or else choose one of you; yet had I liever to die in
+this prison with worship, than to have one of you for my paramour,
+for ye be false enchantresses." "Well," said the queens, "is this
+your answer, that ye will refuse us." "Yea, on my life it is,"
+said Sir Launcelot. Then they departed, making great sorrow.
+
+Then at noon came a damsel unto him with his dinner, and asked
+him, "What cheer?" "Truly, fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot,
+"never so ill." "Sir," said she, "if you will be ruled by me, I
+will help you out of this distress. If ye will promise me to help
+my father on Tuesday next, who hath made a tournament betwixt him
+and the king of North Wales; for last Tuesday my father lost the
+field." "Fair maiden," said Sir Launcelot, "tell me what is your
+father's name, and then will I give you an answer." "Sir knight,"
+she said, "my father is King Bagdemagus." "I know him well," said
+Sir Launcelot, "for a noble king and a good knight; and, by the
+faith of my body, I will be ready to do your father and you
+service at that day."
+
+So she departed, and came on the next morning early and found him
+ready, and brought him out of twelve locks, and brought him to his
+own horse, and lightly he saddled him, and so rode forth.
+
+And on the Tuesday next he came to a little wood where the
+tournament should be. And there were scaffolds and holds, that
+lords and ladies might look on, and give the prize. Then came into
+the field the king of North Wales, with eightscore helms, and King
+Badgemagus came with fourscore helms. And then they couched their
+spears, and came together with a great dash, and there were
+overthrown at the first encounter twelve of King Bagdemagus's
+party and six of the king of North Wales's party, and King
+Bagdemagus's party had the worse.
+
+With that came Sir Launcelot of the Lake, and thrust in with his
+spear in the thickest of the press; and he smote down five knights
+ere he held his hand; and he smote down the king of North Wales,
+and he brake his thigh in that fall. And then the knights of the
+king of North Wales would just no more; and so the gree was given
+to King Bagdemagus.
+
+And Sir Launcelot rode forth with King Bagdemagus unto his castle;
+and there he had passing good cheer, both with the king and with
+his daughter. And on the morn he took his leave, and told the king
+he would go and seek his brother, Sir Lionel, that went from him
+when he slept. So he departed, and by adventure he came to the
+same forest where he was taken sleeping. And in the highway he met
+a damsel riding on a white palfrey, and they saluted each other.
+"Fair damsel," said Sir Launcelot, "know ye in this country any
+adventures?" "Sir knight," said the damsel, "here are adventures
+near at hand, if thou durst pursue them." "Why should I not prove
+adventures?" said Sir Launcelot, "since for that cause came I
+hither." "Sir," said she, "hereby dwelleth a knight that will not
+be overmatched for any man I know, except thou overmatch him. His
+name is Sir Turquine, and, as I understand, he is a deadly enemy
+of King Arthur, and he has in his prison good knights of Arthur's
+court, threescore and more, that he hath won with his own hands."
+"Damsel," said Launcelot, "I pray you bring me unto this knight."
+So she told him, "Hereby, within this mile, is his castle, and by
+it on the left hand is a ford for horses to drink of, and over
+that ford there groweth a fair tree, and on that tree hang many
+shields that good knights wielded aforetime, that are now
+prisoners; and on the tree hangeth a basin of copper and latten,
+and if thou strike upon that basin thou shalt hear tidings." And
+Sir Launcelot departed, and rode as the damsel had shown him, and
+shortly he came to the ford, and the tree where hung the shields
+and the basin. And among the shields he saw Sir Lionel's and Sir
+Hector's shields, besides many others of knights that he knew.
+
+Then Sir Launcelot struck on the basin with the butt of his spear;
+and long he did so, but he saw no man. And at length he was ware
+of a great knight that drove a horse before him, and across the
+horse there lay an armed knight bounden. And as they came near,
+Sir Launcelot thought he should know the captive knight. Then Sir
+Launcelot saw that it was Sir Gaheris, Sir Gawain's brother, a
+knight of the Table Round. "Now, fair knight," said Sir Launcelot,
+"put that wounded knight off the horse, and let him rest awhile,
+and let us two prove our strength. For, as it is told me, thou
+hast done great despite and shame unto knights of the Round Table,
+therefore now defend thee." "If thou be of the Table Round," said
+Sir Turquine, "I defy thee and all thy fellowship." "That is
+overmuch said," said Sir Launcelot.
+
+Then they put their spears in the rests, and came together with
+their horses as fast as they might run. And each smote the other
+in the middle of their shields, so that their horses fell under
+them, and the knights were both staggered; and as soon as they
+could clear their horses they drew out their swords and came
+together eagerly, and each gave the other many strong strokes, for
+neither shield nor harness might withstand their strokes. So
+within a while both had grimly wounds, and bled grievously. Then
+at the last they were breathless both, and stood leaning upon
+their swords. "Now, fellow," said Sir Turquine, "thou art the
+stoutest man that ever I met with, and best breathed; and so be it
+thou be not the knight that I hate above all other knights, the
+knight that slew my brother, Sir Carados, I will gladly accord
+with thee; and for thy love I will deliver all the prisoners that
+I have."
+
+"What knight is he that thou hatest so above others?" "Truly,"
+said Sir Turquine, "his name is Sir Launcelot of the Lake." "I am
+Sir Launcelot of the Lake, King Ban's son of Benwick, and very
+knight of the Table Round; and now I defy thee do thy best." "Ah!"
+said Sir Turquine, "Launcelot, thou art to me the most welcome
+that ever was knight; for we shall never part till the one of us
+be dead." And then they hurtled together like two wild bulls,
+rashing and lashing with their swords and shields, so that
+sometimes they fell, as it were, headlong. Thus they fought two
+hours and more, till the ground where they fought was all
+bepurpled with blood.
+
+Then at the last Sir Turquine waxed sore faint, and gave somewhat
+aback, and bare his shield full low for weariness. That spied Sir
+Launcelot, and leapt then upon him fiercely as a lion, and took
+him by the beaver of his helmet, and drew him down on his knees.
+And he raised off his helm, and smote his neck in sunder.
+
+And Sir Gaheris, when he saw Sir Turquine slain, said, "Fair lord,
+I pray you tell me your name, for this day I say ye are the best
+knight in the world, for ye have slain this day in my sight the
+mightiest man and the best knight except you that ever I saw."
+"Sir, my name is Sir Launcelot du Lac, that ought to help you of
+right for King Arthur's sake, and in especial for Sir Gawain's
+sake, your own dear brother. Now I pray you, that ye go into
+yonder castle, and set free all the prisoners ye find there, for I
+am sure ye shall find there many knights of the Table Round, and
+especially my brother Sir Lionel. I pray you greet them all from
+me, and tell them I bid them take there such stuff as they find;
+and tell my brother to go unto the court and abide me there, for
+by the feast of Pentecost I think to be there; but at this time I
+may not stop, for I have adventures on hand." So he departed, and
+Sir Gaheris rode into the castle, and took the keys from the
+porter, and hastily opened the prison door and let out all the
+prisoners. There was Sir Kay, Sir Brandeles, and Sir Galynde, Sir
+Bryan, and Sir Alyduke, Sir Hector de Marys, and Sir Lionel, and
+many more. And when they saw Sir Gaheris they all thanked him, for
+they thought, because he was wounded, that he had slain Sir
+Turquine. "Not so," said Sir Gaheris; "it was Sir Launcelot that
+slew him, right worshipfully; I saw it with mine eyes."
+
+Sir Launcelot rode till at nightfall he came to a fair castle, and
+therein he found an old gentlewoman, who lodged him with good-
+will, and there he had good cheer for him and his horse. And when
+time was, his host brought him to a fair chamber over the gate to
+his bed. Then Sir Launcelot unarmed him, and set his harness by
+him, and went to bed, and anon he fell asleep. And soon after,
+there came one on horseback and knocked at the gate in great
+haste; and when Sir Launcelot heard this, he arose and looked out
+of the window, and saw by the moonlight three knights riding after
+that one man, and all three lashed on him with their swords, and
+that one knight turned on them knightly again and defended
+himself. "Truly," said Sir Launcelot, "yonder one knight will I
+help, for it is shame to see three knights on one." Then he took
+his harness and went out at the window by a sheet down to the four
+knights; and he said aloud, "Turn you knights unto me, and leave
+your fighting with that knight." Then the knights left Sir Kay,
+for it was he they were upon, and turned unto Sir Launcelot, and
+struck many great strokes at Sir Launcelot, and assailed him on
+every side. Then Sir Kay addressed him to help Sir Launcelot, but
+he said, "Nay, sir, I will none of your help; let me alone with
+them." So Sir Kay suffered him to do his will, and stood one side.
+And within six strokes Sir Launcelot had stricken them down.
+
+Then they all cried, "Sir knight, we yield us unto you." "As to
+that," said Sir Launcelot, "I will not take your yielding unto me.
+If so be ye will yield you unto Sir Kay the Seneschal, I will save
+your lives, but else not." "Fair knight," then they said, "we will
+do as thou commandest us." "Then shall ye," said Sir Launcelot,
+"on Whitsunday next, go unto the court of King Arthur, and there
+shall ye yield you unto Queen Guenever, and say that Sir Kay sent
+you thither to be her prisoners." "Sir," they said, "it shall be
+done, by the faith of our bodies;" and then they swore, every
+knight upon his sword. And so Sir Launcelot suffered them to
+depart.
+
+On the morn Sir Launcelot rose early and left Sir Kay sleeping;
+and Sir Launcelot took Sir Kay's armor, and his shield, and armed
+him, and went to the stable and took his horse, and so he
+departed. Then soon after arose Sir Kay, and missed Sir Launcelot.
+And then he espied that he had taken his armor and his horse.
+"Now, by my faith, I know well," said Sir Kay, "that he will
+grieve some of King Arthur's knights, for they will deem that it
+is I, and will be bold to meet him. But by cause of his armor I am
+sure I shall ride in peace." Then Sir Kay thanked his host and
+departed.
+
+Sir Launcelot rode in a deep forest, and there he saw four
+knights, under an oak, and they were of Arthur's court. There was
+Sir Sagramour le Desirus, and Hector de Marys, and Sir Gawain, and
+Sir Uwaine. As they spied Sir Launcelot they judged by his arms it
+had been Sir Kay. "Now, by my faith," said Sir Sagramour, "I will
+prove Sir Kay's might;" and got his spear in his hand, and came
+towards Sir Launcelot. Therewith Sir Launcelot couched his spear
+against him, and smote Sir Sagramour so sore that horse and man
+fell both to the earth. Then said Sir Hector, "Now shall ye see
+what I may do with him." But he fared worse than Sir Sagramour,
+for Sir Launcelot's spear went through his shoulder and bare him
+from his horse to the ground. "By my faith," said Sir Uwaine,
+"yonder is a strong knight, and I fear he hath slain Sir Kay, and
+taken his armor." And therewith Sir Uwaine took his spear in hand,
+and rode toward Sir Launcelot; and Sir Launcelot met him on the
+plain and gave him such a buffet that he was staggered, and wist
+not where he was. "Now see I well," said Sir Gawain, "that I must
+encounter with that knight." Then he adjusted his shield, and took
+a good spear in his hand, and Sir Launcelot knew him well. Then
+they let run their horses with all their mights, and each knight
+smote the other in the middle of his shield. But Sir Gawain's
+spear broke, and Sir Launcelot charged so sore upon him that his
+horse fell over backward. Then Sir Launcelot passed by smiling
+with himself, and he said, "Good luck be with him that made this
+spear, for never came a better into my hand." Then the four
+knights went each to the other and comforted one another. "What
+say ye to this adventure," said Sir Gawain, "that one spear hath
+felled us all four?" "I dare lay my head it is Sir Launcelot,"
+said Sir Hector; "I know it by his riding."
+
+And Sir Launcelot rode through many strange countries, till by
+fortune he came to a fair castle; and as he passed beyond the
+castle he thought he heard two bells ring. And then he perceived
+how a falcon came flying over his head, toward a high elm; and she
+had long lunys [Footnote: LUNYS, the string with which the falcon
+is held.] about her feet, and she flew unto the elm to take her
+perch, and the lunys got entangled in the bough; and when she
+would have taken her flight, she hung by the legs fast, and Sir
+Launcelot saw how she hung, and beheld the fair falcon entangled,
+and he was sorry for her. Then came a lady out of the castle and
+cried aloud, "O Launcelot, Launcelot, as thou art the flower of
+all knights, help me to get my hawk; for if my hawk be lost, my
+lord will slay me, he is so hasty." "What is your lord's name?"
+said Sir Launcelot. "His name is Sir Phelot, a knight that
+belongeth to the king of North Wales." "Well, fair lady, since ye
+know my name, and require me of knighthood to help you, I will do
+what I may to get your hawk; and yet in truth I am an ill climber,
+and the tree is passing high, and few boughs to help me." And
+therewith Sir Launcelot alighted and tied his horse to the tree,
+and prayed the lady to unarm him. And when he was unarmed, he put
+off his jerkin, and with might and force he clomb up to the
+falcon, and tied the lunys to a rotten bough, and threw the hawk
+down with it; and the lady got the hawk in her hand. Then suddenly
+there came out of the castle her husband, all armed, and with his
+naked sword in his hand, and said, "O Knight Launcelot, now have I
+got thee as I would," and stood at the boll of the tree to slay
+him. "Ah, lady!" said Sir Launcelot, "why have ye betrayed me?"
+"She hath done," said Sir Phelot, "but as I commanded her; and
+therefore there is none other way but thine hour is come, and thou
+must die." "That were shame unto thee," said Sir Launcelot; "thou
+an armed knight to slay a naked man by treason." "Thou gettest
+none other grace," said Sir Phelot, "and therefore help thyself if
+thou canst." "Alas!" said Sir Launcelot, "that ever a knight
+should die weaponless!" And therewith he turned his eyes upward
+and downward; and over his head he saw a big bough leafless, and
+he brake it off from the trunk. And then he came lower, and
+watched how his own horse stood; and suddenly he leapt on the
+further side of his horse from the knight. Then Sir Phelot lashed
+at him eagerly, meaning to have slain him. But Sir Launcelot put
+away the stroke, with the big bough, and smote Sir Phelot
+therewith on the side of the head, so that he fell down in a swoon
+to the ground. Then Sir Launcelot took his sword out of his hand
+and struck his head from the body. Then said the lady, "Alas! why
+hast thou slain my husband?" "I am not the cause," said Sir
+Launcelot, "for with falsehood ye would have slain me, and now it
+is fallen on yourselves." Thereupon Sir Launcelot got all his
+armor, and put it upon him hastily, for fear of more resort, for
+the knight's castle was so nigh. And as soon as he might, he took
+his horse and departed, and thanked God he had escaped that
+adventure.
+
+And two days before the feast of Pentecost, Sir Launcelot came
+home; and the king and all the court were passing glad of his
+coming. And when Sir Gawain, Sir Uwaine, Sir Sagramour, and Sir
+Hector de Marys saw Sir Launcelot in Sir Kay's armor then they
+wist well it was he that smote them down, all with one spear. Then
+there was laughing and merriment among them; and from time to time
+came all the knights that Sir Turquine had prisoners, and they all
+honored and worshipped Sir Launcelot. Then Sir Gaheris said, "I
+saw all the battle from the beginning to the end," and he told
+King Arthur all how it was. Then Sir Kay told the king how Sir
+Launcelot had rescued him, and how he "made the knights yield to
+me, and not to him." And there they were, all three, and confirmed
+it all "And, by my faith," said Sir Kay, "because Sir Launcelot
+took my harness and left me his, I rode in peace, and no man would
+have to do with me."
+
+And so at that time Sir Launcelot had the greatest name of any
+knight of the world, and most was he honored of high and low.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE ADVENTURE OF THE CART
+
+
+It befell in the month of May, Queen Guenever called to her
+knights of the Table Round, and gave them warning that early upon
+the morrow she would ride a-maying into the woods and fields
+beside Westminster; "and I warn you that there be none of you but
+he be well horsed, and that ye all be clothed in green, either
+silk or cloth; and I shall bring with me ten ladies, and every
+knight shall have a lady behind him, and every knight shall have a
+squire and two yeoman, and all well horsed."
+
+    "For thus it chanced one morn when all the court,
+     Green-suited, but with plumes that mock'd the May,
+     Had been, their wont, a-maying"
+
+    --Guinevere.
+
+So they made them ready; and these were the names of the knights:
+Sir Kay the Seneschal, Sir Agrivaine, Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagramour
+le Desirus, Sir Dodynas le Sauvage, Sir Ozanna, Sir Ladynas, Sir
+Persant of Inde, Sir Ironside, and Sir Pelleas; and these ten
+knights made them ready, in the freshest manner, to ride with the
+queen. So upon the morn they took their horses with the queen, and
+rode a-maying in woods and meadows, as it pleased them, in great
+joy and delight. Now there was a knight named Maleagans, son to
+King Brademagus, who loved Queen Guenever passing well, and so had
+he done long and many years. Now this knight, Sir Maleagans,
+learned the queen's purpose, and that she had no men of arms with
+her but the ten noble knights all arrayed in green for maying; so
+he prepared him twenty men of arms, and a hundred archers, to take
+captive the queen and her knights.
+
+    "In the merry month of May,
+     In a morn at break of day,
+     With a troop of damsels playing,
+     The Queen, forsooth, went forth a-maying."
+
+    --Old Song.
+
+So when the queen had mayed, and all were bedecked with herbs,
+mosses, and flowers in the best manner and freshest, right then
+came out of a wood Sir Maleagans with eightscore men well
+harnessed, and bade the queen and her knights yield them
+prisoners. "Traitor knight," said Queen Guenever, "what wilt thou
+do? Wilt thou shame thyself? Bethink thee how thou art a king's
+son, and a knight of the Table Round, and how thou art about to
+dishonor all knighthood and thyself?" "Be it as it may," said Sir
+Maleagans, "know you well, madam, I have loved you many a year and
+never till now could I get you to such advantage as I do now; and
+therefore I will take you as I find you." Then the ten knights of
+the Round Table drew their swords, and the other party run at them
+with their spears, and the ten knights manfully abode them, and
+smote away their spears. Then they lashed together with swords
+till several were smitten to the earth. So when the queen saw her
+knights thus dolefully oppressed, and needs must be slain at the
+last, then for pity and sorrow she cried, "Sir Maleagans, slay not
+my noble knights and I will go with you, upon this covenant, that
+they be led with me wheresoever thou leadest me." "Madame," said
+Maleagans, "for your sake they shall be led with you into my own
+castle, if that ye will be ruled, and ride with me." Then Sir
+Maleagans charged them all that none should depart from the queen,
+for he dreaded lest Sir Launcelot should have knowledge of what
+had been done.
+
+Then the queen privily called unto her a page of her chamber that
+was swiftly horsed, to whom she said, "Go thou when thou seest thy
+time, and bear this ring unto Sir Launcelot, and pray him as he
+loveth me, that he will see me and rescue me. And spare not thy
+horse," said the queen, "neither for water nor for land." So the
+child espied his time, and lightly he took his horse with the
+spurs and departed as fast as he might. And when Sir Maleagans saw
+him so flee, he understood that it was by the queen's commandment
+for to warn Sir Launcelot. Then they that were best horsed chased
+him, and shot at him, but the child went from them all. Then Sir
+Maleagans said to the queen, "Madam, ye are about to betray me,
+but I shall arrange for Sir Launcelot that he shall not come
+lightly at you." Then he rode with her and them all to his castle,
+in all the haste that they might. And by the way Sir Maleagans
+laid in ambush the best archers that he had to wait for Sir
+Launcelot. And the child came to Westminster and found Sir
+Launcelot and told his message and delivered him the queen's ring.
+"Alas!" said Sir Launcelot, "now am I shamed for ever, unless I
+may rescue that noble lady." Then eagerly he asked his armor and
+put it on him, and mounted his horse and rode as fast as he might;
+and men say he took the water at Westminster Bridge, and made his
+horse swim over Thames unto Lambeth. Then within a while he came
+to a wood where was a narrow way; and there the archers were laid
+in ambush. And they shot at him and smote his horse so that he
+fell. Then Sir Launcelot left his horse and went on foot, but
+there lay so many ditches and hedges betwixt the archers and him
+that he might not meddle with them. "Alas! for shame," said Sir
+Launcelot, "that ever one knight should betray another! but it is
+an old saw, a good man is never in danger, but when he is in
+danger of a coward." Then Sir Launcelot went awhile and he was
+exceedingly cumbered by his armor, his shield, and his spear, and
+all that belonged to him. Then by chance there came by him a cart
+that came thither to fetch wood.
+
+Now at this time carts were little used except for carrying offal
+and for conveying criminals to execution. But Sir Launcelot took
+no thought of anything but the necessity of haste for the purpose
+of rescuing the queen; so he demanded of the carter that he should
+take him in and convey him as speedily as possible for a liberal
+reward. The carter consented, and Sir Launcelot placed himself in
+the cart and only lamented that with much jolting he made but
+little progress. Then it happened Sir Gawain passed by and seeing
+an armed knight travelling in that unusual way he drew near to see
+who it might be. Then Sir Launcelot told him how the queen had
+been carried off, and how, in hastening to her rescue, his horse
+had been disabled and he had been compelled to avail himself of
+the cart rather than give up his enterprise. Then Sir Gawain said,
+"Surely it is unworthy of a knight to travel in such sort;" but
+Sir Launcelot heeded him not.
+
+At nightfall they arrived at a castle and the lady thereof came
+out at the head of her damsels to welcome Sir Gawain. But to admit
+his companion, whom she supposed to be a criminal, or at least a
+prisoner, it pleased her not; however, to oblige Sir Gawain, she
+consented. At supper Sir Launcelot came near being consigned to
+the kitchen and was only admitted to the lady's table at the
+earnest solicitation of Sir Gawain. Neither would the damsels
+prepare a bed for him. He seized the first he found unoccupied and
+was left undisturbed.
+
+Next morning he saw from the turrets of the castle a train
+accompanying a lady, whom he imagined to be the queen. Sir Gawain
+thought it might be so, and became equally eager to depart. The
+lady of the castle supplied Sir Launcelot with a horse and they
+traversed the plain at full speed. They learned from some
+travellers whom they met, that there were two roads which led to
+the castle of Sir Maleagans. Here therefore the friends separated.
+Sir Launcelot found his way beset with obstacles, which he
+encountered successfully, but not without much loss of time. As
+evening approached he was met by a young and sportive damsel, who
+gayly proposed to him a supper at her castle. The knight, who was
+hungry and weary, accepted the offer, though with no very good
+grace. He followed the lady to her castle and ate voraciously of
+her supper, but was quite impenetrable to all her amorous
+advances. Suddenly the scene changed and he was assailed by six
+furious ruffians, whom he dealt with so vigorously that most of
+them were speedily disabled, when again there was a change and he
+found himself alone with his fair hostess, who informed him that
+she was none other than his guardian fairy, who had but subjected
+him to tests of his courage and fidelity. The next day the fairy
+brought him on his road, and before parting gave him a ring, which
+she told him would by its changes of color disclose to him all
+enchantments, and enable him to subdue them.
+
+Sir Launcelot pursued his journey, without being much incommoded
+except by the taunts of travellers, who all seemed to have
+learned, by some means, his disgraceful drive in the cart. One,
+more insolent than the rest, had the audacity to interrupt him
+during dinner, and even to risk a battle in support of his
+pleasantry. Launcelot, after an easy victory, only doomed him to
+be carted in his turn.
+
+At night he was received at another castle, with great apparent
+hospitality, but found himself in the morning in a dungeon, and
+loaded with chains. Consulting his ring, and finding that this was
+an enchantment, he burst his chains, seized his armor in spite of
+the visionary monsters who attempted to defend it, broke open the
+gates of the tower, and continued his journey. At length his
+progress was checked by a wide and rapid torrent, which could only
+be passed on a narrow bridge, on which a false step would prove
+his destruction. Launcelot, leading his horse by the bridle, and
+making him swim by his side, passed over the bridge, and was
+attacked as soon as he reached the bank by a lion and a leopard,
+both of which he slew, and then, exhausted and bleeding, seated
+himself on the grass, and endeavored to bind up his wounds, when
+he was accosted by Brademagus, the father of Maleagans, whose
+castle was then in sight, and at no great distance. This king, no
+less courteous than his son was haughty and insolent, after
+complimenting Sir Launcelot on the valor and skill he had
+displayed in the perils of the bridge and the wild beasts, offered
+him his assistance, and informed him that the queen was safe in
+his castle, but could only be rescued by encountering Maleagans.
+Launcelot demanded the battle for the next day, and accordingly it
+took place, at the foot of the tower, and under the eyes of the
+fair captive. Launcelot was enfeebled by his wounds, and fought
+not with his usual spirit, and the contest for a time was
+doubtful; till Guenever exclaimed, "Ah, Launcelot! my knight,
+truly have I been told that thou art no longer worthy of me!"
+These words instantly revived the drooping knight; he resumed at
+once his usual superiority, and soon laid at his feet his haughty
+adversary.
+
+He was on the point of sacrificing him to his resentment, when
+Guenever, moved by the entreaties of Brademagus, ordered him to
+withhold the blow, and he obeyed. The castle and its prisoners
+were now at his disposal. Launcelot hastened to the apartment of
+the queen, threw himself at her feet, and was about to kiss her
+hand, when she exclaimed, "Ah, Launcelot! why do I see thee again,
+yet feel thee to be no longer worthy of me, after having been
+disgracefully drawn about the country in a--" She had not time to
+finish the phrase, for her lover suddenly started from her, and,
+bitterly lamenting that he had incurred the displeasure of his
+sovereign lady, rushed out of the castle, threw his sword and his
+shield to the right and left, ran furiously into the woods, and
+disappeared.
+
+It seems that the story of the abominable cart, which haunted
+Launcelot at every step, had reached the ears of Sir Kay, who had
+told it to the queen, as a proof that her knight must have been
+dishonored. But Guenever had full leisure to repent the haste with
+which she had given credit to the tale. Three days elapsed, during
+which Launcelot wandered without knowing where he went, till at
+last he began to reflect that his mistress had doubtless been
+deceived by misrepresentation, and that it was his duty to set her
+right. He therefore returned, compelled Maleagans to release his
+prisoners, and, taking the road by which they expected the arrival
+of Sir Gawain, had the satisfaction of meeting him the next day;
+after which the whole company proceeded gayly towards Camelot.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE LADY OF SHALOTT
+
+
+King Arthur proclaimed a solemn tournament to be held at
+Winchester. The king, not less impatient than his knights for this
+festival, set off some days before to superintend the
+preparations, leaving the queen with her court at Camelot. Sir
+Launcelot, under pretence of indisposition, remained behind also.
+His intention was to attend the tournament--in disguise; and
+having communicated his project to Guenever, he mounted his horse,
+set off without any attendant, and, counterfeiting the feebleness
+of age, took the most unfrequented road to Winchester, and passed
+unnoticed as an old knight who was going to be a spectator of the
+sports. Even Arthur and Gawain, who happened to behold him from
+the windows of a castle under which he passed, were the dupes of
+his disguise. But an accident betrayed him. His horse happened to
+stumble, and the hero, forgetting for a moment his assumed
+character, recovered the animal with a strength and agility so
+peculiar to himself, that they instantly recognized the inimitable
+Launcelot. They suffered him, however, to proceed on his journey
+without interruption, convinced that his extraordinary feats of
+arms must discover him at the approaching festival.
+
+In the evening Launcelot was magnificently entertained as a
+stranger knight at the neighboring castle of Shalott. The lord of
+this castle had a daughter of exquisite beauty, and two sons
+lately received into the order of knighthood, one of whom was at
+that time ill in bed, and thereby prevented from attending the
+tournament, for which both brothers had long made preparation.
+Launcelot offered to attend the other, if he were permitted to
+borrow the armor of the invalid, and the lord of Shalott, without
+knowing the name of his guest, being satisfied from his appearance
+that his son could not have a better assistant in arms, most
+thankfully accepted the offer. In the meantime the young lady, who
+had been much struck by the first appearance of the stranger
+knight, continued to survey him with increased attention, and,
+before the conclusion of supper, became so deeply enamoured of
+him, that after frequent changes of color, and other symptoms
+which Sir Launcelot could not possibly mistake, she was obliged to
+retire to her chamber, and seek relief in tears. Sir Launcelot
+hastened to convey to her, by means of her brother, the
+information that his heart was already disposed of, but that it
+would be his pride and pleasure to act as her knight at the
+approaching tournament. The lady, obliged to be satisfied with
+that courtesy, presented him her scarf to be worn at the
+tournament.
+
+Launcelot set off in the morning with the young knight, who, on
+their approaching Winchester, carried him to the castle of a lady,
+sister to the lord of Shalott, by whom they were hospitably
+entertained. The next day they put on their armor, which was
+perfectly plain and without any device, as was usual to youths
+during the first year of knighthood, their shields being only
+painted red, as some color was necessary to enable them to be
+recognized by their attendants. Launcelot wore on his crest the
+scarf of the maid of Shalott, and, thus equipped, proceeded to the
+tournament, where the knights were divided into two companies, the
+one commanded by Sir Galehaut, the other by King Arthur. Having
+surveyed the combat for a short time from without the lists, and
+observed that Sir Galehaut's party began to give way, they joined
+the press and attacked the royal knights, the young man choosing
+such adversaries as were suited to his strength, while his
+companion selected the principal champions of the Round Table, and
+successively overthrew Gawain, Bohort, and Lionel. The
+astonishment of the spectators was extreme, for it was thought
+that no one but Launcelot could possess such invincible force; yet
+the favor on his crest seemed to preclude the possibility of his
+being thus disguised, for Launcelot had never been known to wear
+the badge of any but his sovereign lady. At length Sir Hector,
+Launcelot's brother, engaged him, and, after a dreadful combat,
+wounded him dangerously in the head, but was himself completely
+stunned by a blow on the helmet, and felled to the ground; after
+which the conqueror rode off at full speed, attended by his
+companion.
+
+They returned to the castle of Shalott, where Launcelot was
+attended with the greatest care by the good earl, by his two sons,
+and, above all, by his fair daughter, whose medical skill probably
+much hastened the period of his recovery. His health was almost
+completely restored, when Sir Hector, Sir Bohort, and Sir Lionel,
+who, after the return of the court to Camelot, had undertaken the
+quest of their relation, discovered him walking on the walls of
+the castle. Their meeting was very joyful; they passed three days
+in the castle amidst constant festivities, and bantered each other
+on the events of the tournament. Launcelot, though he began by
+vowing vengeance against the author of his wound, yet ended by
+declaring that he felt rewarded for the pain by the pride he took
+in witnessing his brother's extraordinary prowess. He then
+dismissed them with a message to the queen, promising to follow
+immediately, it being necessary that he should first take a formal
+leave of his kind hosts, as well as of the fair maid of Shalott.
+
+The young lady, after vainly attempting to detain him by her tears
+and solicitations, saw him depart without leaving her any ground
+for hope.
+
+It was early summer when the tournament took place; but some
+months had passed since Launcelot's departure, and winter was now
+near at hand. The health and strength of the Lady of Shalott had
+gradually sunk, and she felt that she could not live apart from
+the object of her affections. She left the castle, and descending
+to the river's brink placed herself in a boat, which she loosed
+from its moorings, and suffered to bear her down the current
+toward Camelot.
+
+One morning, as Arthur and Sir Lionel looked from the window of
+the tower, the walls of which were washed by a river, they
+descried a boat richly ornamented, and covered with an awning of
+cloth of gold, which appeared to be floating down the stream
+without any human guidance. It struck the shore while they watched
+it, and they hastened down to examine it. Beneath the awning they
+discovered the dead body of a beautiful woman, in whose features
+Sir Lionel easily recognized the lovely maid of Shalott. Pursuing
+their search, they discovered a purse richly embroidered with gold
+and jewels, and within the purse a letter, which Arthur opened,
+and found addressed to himself and all the knights of the Round
+Table, stating that Launcelot of the Lake, the most accomplished
+of knights and most beautiful of men, but at the same time the
+most cruel and inflexible, had by his rigor produced the death of
+the wretched maiden, whose love was no less invincible than his
+cruelty. The king immediately gave orders for the interment of the
+lady with all the honors suited to her rank, at the same time
+explaining to the knights the history of her affection for
+Launcelot, which moved the compassion and regret of all.
+
+Tennyson has chosen the story of the "Lady of Shalott" for the
+subject of a poem. The catastrophe is told thus:
+
+      "Under tower and balcony,
+      By garden-wall and gallery,
+      A gleaming shape she floated by,
+      A corse between the houses high,
+          Silent into Camelot.
+      Out upon the wharfs they came,
+      Knight and burgher, lord and dame,
+      And round the prow they read her name,
+          'The Lady of Shalott'
+
+      "Who is this? and what is here?
+      And in the lighted palace near
+      Died the sound of royal cheer;
+      And they crossed themselves for fear,
+
+      All the knights at Camelot.
+      But Launcelot mused a little space;
+      He said, 'She has a lovely face;
+      God in his mercy lend her grace,
+          The Lady of Shalott.'"
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+QUEEN GUENEVER'S PERIL
+
+
+It happened at this time that Queen Guenever was thrown into great
+peril of her life. A certain squire who was in her immediate
+service, having some cause of animosity to Sir Gawain, determined
+to destroy him by poison, at a public entertainment. For this
+purpose he concealed the poison in an apple of fine appearance,
+which he placed on the top of several others, and put the dish
+before the queen, hoping that, as Sir Gawain was the knight of
+greatest dignity, she would present the apple to him. But it
+happened that a Scottish knight of high distinction, who arrived
+on that day, was seated next to the queen, and to him as a
+stranger she presented the apple, which he had no sooner eaten
+than he was seized with dreadful pain, and fell senseless. The
+whole court was, of course, thrown into confusion; the knights
+rose from table, darting looks of indignation at the wretched
+queen, whose tears and protestations were unable to remove their
+suspicions. In spite of all that could be done the knight died,
+and nothing remained but to order a magnificent funeral and
+monument for him, which was done.
+
+Some time after Sir Mador, brother of the murdered knight, arrived
+at Arthur's court in quest of him. While hunting in the forest he
+by chance came to the spot where the monument was erected, read
+the inscription, and returned to court determined on immediate and
+signal vengeance. He rode into the hall, loudly accused the queen
+of treason, and insisted on her being given up for punishment,
+unless she should find by a certain day a knight hardy enough to
+risk his life in support of her innocence. Arthur, powerful as he
+was, did not dare to deny the appeal, but was compelled with a
+heavy heart to accept it, and Mador sternly took his departure,
+leaving the royal couple plunged in terror and anxiety.
+
+During all this time Launcelot was absent, and no one knew where
+he was. He fled in anger from his fair mistress, upon being
+reproached by her with his passion for the Lady of Shalott, which
+she had hastily inferred from his wearing her scarf at the
+tournament. He took up his abode with a hermit in the forest, and
+resolved to think no more of the cruel beauty, whose conduct he
+thought must flow from a wish to get rid of him. Yet calm
+reflection had somewhat cooled his indignation, and he had begun
+to wish, though hardly able to hope, for a reconciliation when the
+news of Sir Mador's challenge fortunately reached his ears. The
+intelligence revived his spirits, and he began to prepare with the
+utmost cheerfulness for a contest which, if successful, would
+insure him at once the affection of his mistress and the gratitude
+of his sovereign.
+
+The sad fate of the Lady of Shalott had ere this completely
+acquitted Launcelot in the queen's mind of all suspicion of his
+fidelity, and she lamented most grievously her foolish quarrel
+with him, which now, at her time of need, deprived her of her most
+efficient champion.
+
+As the day appointed by Sir Mador was fast approaching, it became
+necessary that she should procure a champion for her defence; and
+she successively adjured Sir Hector, Sir Lionel, Sir Bohort, and
+Sir Gawain to undertake the battle. She fell on her knees before
+them, called heaven to witness her innocence of the crime alleged
+against her, but was sternly answered by all that they could not
+fight to maintain the innocence of one whose act, and the fatal
+consequence of it, they had seen with their own eyes. She retired,
+therefore, dejected and disconsolate; but the sight of the fatal
+pile on which, if guilty, she was doomed to be burned, exciting
+her to fresh effort, she again repaired to Sir Bohort, threw
+herself at his feet, and piteously calling on him for mercy, fell
+into a swoon. The brave knight was not proof against this. He
+raised her up, and hastily promised that he would undertake her
+cause, if no other or better champion should present himself. He
+then summoned his friends, and told them his resolution; and as a
+mortal combat with Sir Mador was a most fearful enterprise, they
+agreed to accompany him in the morning to the hermitage in the
+forest, where he proposed to receive absolution from the hermit,
+and to make his peace with Heaven before he entered the lists. As
+they approached the hermitage, they espied a knight riding in the
+forest, whom they at once recognized as Sir Launcelot. Overjoyed
+at the meeting, they quickly, in answer to his questions,
+confirmed the news of the queen's imminent danger, and received
+his instructions to return to court, to comfort her as well as
+they could, but to say nothing of his intention of undertaking her
+defence, which he meant to do in tne character of an unknown
+adventurer.
+
+On their return to the castle they found that mass was finished,
+and had scarcely time to speak to the queen before they were
+summoned into the hall to dinner. A general gloom was spread over
+the countenances of all the guests. Arthur himself was unable to
+conceal his dejection, and the wretched Guenever, motionless and
+bathed in tears, sat in trembling expectation of Sir Mador's
+appearance. Nor was it long ere he stalked into the hall, and with
+a voice of thunder, rendered more impressive by the general
+silence, demanded instant justice on the guilty party. Arthur
+replied with dignity, that little of the day was yet spent, and
+that perhaps a champion might yet be found capable of satisfying
+his thirst for battle. Sir Bohort now rose from table, and shortly
+returning in complete armor, resumed his place, after receiving
+the embraces and thanks of the king, who now began to resume some
+degree of confidence. Sir Mador, growing impatient, again repeated
+his denunciations of vengeance, and insisted that the combat
+should no longer be postponed.
+
+In the height of the debate there came riding into the hall a
+knight mounted on a black steed, and clad in black armor, with his
+visor down, and lance in hand. "Sir," said the king, "is it your
+will to alight and partake of our cheer?" "Nay, sir," he replied;
+"I come to save a lady's life. The queen hath ill bestowed her
+favors, and honored many a knight, that in her hour of need she
+should have none to take her part. Thou that darest accuse her of
+treachery, stand forth, for to-day shalt thou need all thy might."
+
+Sir Mador, though surprised, was not appalled by the stern
+challenge and formidable appearance of his antagonist, but
+prepared for the encounter. At the first shock both were unhorsed.
+They then drew their swords, and commenced a combat which lasted
+from noon till evening, when Sir Mador, whose strength began to
+fail, was felled to the ground by Launcelot, and compelled to sue
+for mercy. The victor, whose arm was already raised to terminate
+the life of his opponent, instantly dropped his sword, courteously
+lifted up the fainting Sir Mador, frankly confessing that he had
+never before encountered so formidable an enemy. The other, with
+similar courtesy, solemnly renounced all further projects of
+vengeance for his brother's death; and the two knights, now become
+fast friends, embraced each other with the greatest cordiality. In
+the meantime Arthur, having recognized Sir Launcelot, whose helmet
+was now unlaced, rushed down into the lists, followed by all his
+knights, to welcome and thank his deliverer. Guenever swooned with
+joy, and the place of combat suddenly exhibited a scene of the
+most tumultuous delight.
+
+The general satisfaction was still further increased by the
+discovery of the real culprit. Having accidentally incurred some
+suspicion, he confessed his crime, and was publicly punished in
+the presence of Sir Mador.
+
+The court now returned to the castle, which, with the title of "La
+Joyeuse Garde" bestowed upon it in memory of the happy event, was
+conferred on Sir Launcelot by Arthur, as a memorial of his
+gratitude.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+TRISTRAM AND ISOUDE
+
+
+Meliadus was king of Leonois, or Lionesse, a country famous in the
+annals of romance, which adjoined the kingdom of Cornwall, but has
+now disappeared from the map, having been, it is said, overwhelmed
+by the ocean. Meliadus was married to Isabella, sister of Mark,
+king of Cornwall. A fairy fell in love with him, and drew him away
+by enchantment while he was engaged in hunting. His queen set out
+in quest of him, but was taken ill on her journey, and died,
+leaving an infant son, whom, from the melancholy circumstances of
+his birth, she called Tristram.
+
+Gouvernail, the queen's squire, who had accompanied her, took
+charge of the child, and restored him to his father, who had at
+length burst the enchantments of the fairy, and returned home.
+
+Meliadus after seven years married again, and the new queen, being
+jealous of the influence of Tristram with his father, laid plots
+for his life, which were discovered by Gouvernail, who in
+consequence fled with the boy to the court of the king of France,
+where Tristram was kindly received, and grew up improving in every
+gallant and knightly accomplishment, adding to his skill in arms
+the arts of music and of chess. In particular, he devoted himself
+to the chase and to all woodland sports, so that he became
+distinguished above all other chevaliers of the court for his
+knowledge of all that relates to hunting. No wonder that Belinda,
+the king's daughter, fell in love with him; but as he did not
+return her passion, she, in a sudden impulse of anger, excited her
+father against him, and he was banished the kingdom. The princess
+soon repented of her act, and in despair destroyed herself, having
+first written a most tender letter to Tristram, sending him at the
+same time a beautiful and sagacious dog, of which she was very
+fond, desiring him to keep it as a memorial of her. Meliadus was
+now dead, and as his queen, Tristram's stepmother, held the
+throne, Gouvernail was afraid to carry his pupil to his native
+country, and took him to Cornwall, to his uncle Mark, who gave him
+a kind reception.
+
+King Mark resided at the castle of Tintadel, already mentioned in
+the history of Uther and Igerne. In this court Tristram became
+distinguished in all the exercises incumbent on a knight; nor was
+it long before he had an opportunity of practically employing his
+valor and skill. Moraunt, a celebrated champion, brother to the
+queen of Ireland, arrived at the court, to demand tribute of King
+Mark. The knights of Cornwall are in ill repute in romance for
+their cowardice, and they exhibited it on this occasion. King Mark
+could find no champion who dared to encounter the Irish knight,
+till his nephew Tristram, who had not yet received the honors of
+knighthood, craved to be admitted to the order, offering at the
+same time to fight the battle of Cornwall against the Irish
+champion. King Mark assented with reluctance; Tristram received
+the accolade, which conferred knighthood upon him, and the place
+and time were assigned for the encounter.
+
+Without attempting to give the details of this famous combat, the
+first and one of the most glorious of Tristram's exploits, we
+shall only say that the young knight, though severely wounded,
+cleft the head of Moraunt, leaving a portion of his sword in the
+wound. Moraunt, half dead with his wound and the disgrace of his
+defeat, hastened to hide himself in his ship, sailed away with all
+speed for Ireland, and died soon after arriving in his own
+country.
+
+The kingdom of Cornwall was thus delivered from its tribute.
+Tristram, weakened by loss of blood, fell senseless. His friends
+flew to his assistance. They dressed his wounds, which in general
+healed readily; but the lance of Moraunt was poisoned, and one
+wound which it made yielded to no remedies, but grew worse day by
+day. The surgeons could do no more. Tristram asked permission of
+his uncle to depart, and seek for aid in the kingdom of Loegria
+(England). With his consent he embarked, and after tossing for
+many days on the sea, was driven by the winds to the coast of
+Ireland. He landed, full of joy and gratitude that he had escaped
+the peril of the sea; took his rote,[Footnote: A musical
+instrument.] and began to play. It was a summer evening, and the
+king of Ireland and his daughter, the beautiful Isoude, were at a
+window which overlooked the sea. The strange harper was sent for,
+and conveyed to the palace, where, finding that he was in Ireland,
+whose champion he had lately slain, he concealed his name, and
+called himself Tramtris. The queen undertook his cure, and by a
+medicated bath gradually restored him to health. His skill in
+music and in games occasioned his being frequently called to
+court, and he became the instructor of the princess Isoude in
+minstrelsy and poetry, who profited so well under his care, that
+she soon had no equal in the kingdom, except her instructor.
+
+At this time a tournament was held, at which many knights of the
+Round Table, and others, were present. On the first day a Saracen
+prince, named Palamedes, obtained the advantage over all. They
+brought him to the court, and gave him a feast, at which Tristram,
+just recovering from his wound, was present. The fair Isoude
+appeared on this occasion in all her charms. Palamedes could not
+behold them without emotion, and made no effort to conceal his
+love. Tristram perceived it, and the pain he felt from jealousy
+taught him how dear the fair Isoude had already become to him.
+
+Next day the tournament was renewed. Tristram, still feeble from
+his wound, rose during the night, took his arms, and concealed
+them in a forest near the place of the contest, and, after it had
+begun, mingled with the combatants. He overthrew all that
+encountered him, in particular Palamedes, whom he brought to the
+ground with a stroke of his lance, and then fought him hand to
+hand, bearing off the prize of the tourney. But his exertions
+caused his wound to reopen; he bled fast, and in this sad state,
+yet in triumph, they bore him to the palace. The fair Isoude
+devoted herself to his relief with an interest which grew more
+vivid day by day; and her skilful care soon restored him to
+health.
+
+It happened one day that a damsel of the court, entering the
+closet where Tristram's arms were deposited, perceived that a part
+of the sword had been broken off. It occurred to her that the
+missing portion was like that which was left in the skull of
+Moraunt, the Irish champion. She imparted her thought to the
+queen, who compared the fragment taken from her brother's wound
+with the sword of Tristram, and was satisfied that it was part of
+the same, and that the weapon of Tristram was that which reft her
+brother's life. She laid her griefs and resentment before the
+king, who satisfied himself with his own eyes of the truth of her
+suspicions. Tristram was cited before the whole court, and
+reproached with having dared to present himself before them after
+having slain their kinsman. He acknowledged that he had fought
+with Moraunt to settle the claim for tribute, and said that it was
+by force of winds and waves alone that he was thrown on their
+coast. The queen demanded vengeance for the death of her brother;
+the fair Isoude trembled and grew pale, but a murmur rose from all
+the assembly that the life of one so handsome and so brave should
+not be taken for such a cause, and generosity finally triumphed
+over resentment in the mind of the king. Tristram was dismissed in
+safety, but commanded to leave the kingdom without delay, and
+never to return thither under pain of death Tristram went back,
+with restored health, to Cornwall.
+
+King Mark made his nephew give him a minute recital of his
+adventures. Tristram told him all minutely; but when he came to
+speak of the fair Isoude he described her charms with a warmth and
+energy such as none but a lover could display. King Mark was
+fascinated with the description, and, choosing a favorable time,
+demanded a boon[Footnote: "Good faith was the very corner-stone of
+chivalry. Whenever a knight's word was pledged (it mattered not
+how rashly) it was to be redeemed at any price. Hence the sacred
+obligation of the boon granted by a knight to his suppliant.
+Instances without number occur in romance, in which a knight, by
+rashly granting an indefinite boon, was obliged to do or suffer
+something extremely to his prejudice. But it is not in romance
+alone that we find such singular instances of adherence to an
+indefinite promise. The history of the times presents authentic
+transactions equally embarrassing and absurd"--SCOTT, note to Sir
+Tristram.] of his nephew, who readily granted it. The king made
+him swear upon the holy reliques that he would fulfil his
+commands. Then Mark directed him to go to Ireland, and obtain for
+him the fair Isoude to be queen of Cornwall.
+
+Tristram believed it was certain death for him to return to
+Ireland; and how could he act as ambassador for his uncle in such
+a cause? Yet, bound by his oath, he hesitated not for an instant.
+He only took the precaution to change his armor. He embarked for
+Ireland; but a tempest drove him to the coast of England, near
+Camelot, where King Arthur was holding his court, attended by the
+knights of the Round Table, and many others, the most illustrious
+in the world.
+
+Tristram kept himself unknown. He took part in many justs; he
+fought many combats, in which he covered himself with glory. One
+day he saw among those recently arrived the king of Ireland,
+father of the fair Isoude. This prince, accused of treason against
+his liege sovereign, Arthur, came to Camelot to free himself from
+the charge. Blaanor, one of the most redoubtable warriors of the
+Round Table, was his accuser, and Argius, the king, had neither
+youthful vigor nor strength to encounter him. He must therefore
+seek a champion to sustain his innocence. But the knights of the
+Round Table were not at liberty to fight against one another,
+unless in a quarrel of their own. Argius heard of the great renown
+of the unknown knight; he also was witness of his exploits. He
+sought him, and conjured him to adopt his defence, and on his oath
+declared that he was innocent of the crime of which he was
+accused. Tristram readily consented, and made himself known to the
+king, who on his part promised to reward his exertions, if
+successful, with whatever gift he might ask.
+
+Tristram fought with Blaanor, and overthrew him, and held his life
+in his power. The fallen warrior called on him to use his right of
+conquest, and strike the fatal blow. "God forbid," said Tristram,
+"that I should take the life of so brave a knight!" He raised him
+up and restored him to his friends. The judges of the field
+decided that the king of Ireland was acquitted of the charge
+against him, and they led Tristram in triumph to his tent. King
+Argius, full of gratitude, conjured Tristram to accompany him to
+his kingdom. They departed together, and arrived in Ireland; and
+the queen, forgetting her resentment for her brother's death,
+exhibited to the preserver of her husband's life nothing but
+gratitude and good-will.
+
+How happy a moment for Isoude, who knew that her father had
+promised his deliverer whatever boon he might ask! But the unhappy
+Tristram gazed on her with despair, at the thought of the cruel
+oath which bound him. His magnanimous soul subdued the force of
+his love. He revealed the oath which he had taken, and with
+trembling voice demanded the fair Isoude for his uncle.
+
+Argius consented, and soon all was prepared for the departure of
+Isoude. Brengwain, her favorite maid of honor, was to accompany
+her. On the day of departure the queen took aside this devoted
+attendant, and told her that she had observed that her daughter
+and Tristram were attached to one another, and that to avert the
+bad effects of this inclination she had procured from a powerful
+fairy a potent philter (love-draught), which she directed
+Brengwain to administer to Isoude and to King Mark on the evening
+of their marriage.
+
+Isoude and Tristram embarked together. A favorable wind filled the
+sails, and promised them a fortunate voyage. The lovers gazed upon
+one another, and could not repress their sighs. Love seemed to
+light up all his fires on their lips, as in their hearts. The day
+was warm; they suffered from thirst. Isoude first complained.
+Tristram descried the bottle containing the love-draught, which
+Brengwain had been so imprudent as to leave in sight. He took it,
+gave some of it to the charming Isoude, and drank the remainder
+himself. The dog Houdain licked the cup. The ship arrived in
+Cornwall, and Isoude was married to King Mark, The old monarch was
+delighted with his bride, and his gratitude to Tristram was
+unbounded. He loaded him with honors, and made him chamberlain of
+his palace, thus giving him access to the queen at all times.
+
+In the midst of the festivities of the court which followed the
+royal marriage, an unknown minstrel one day presented himself,
+bearing a harp of peculiar construction. He excited the curiosity
+of King Mark by refusing to play upon it till he should grant him
+a boon. The king having promised to grant his request, the
+minstrel, who was none other than the Saracen knight, Sir
+Palamedes, the lover of the fair Isoude, sung to the harp a lay,
+in which he demanded Isoude as the promised gift. King Mark could
+not by the laws of knighthood withhold the boon. The lady was
+mounted on her horse, and led away by her triumphant lover.
+Tristram, it is needless to say, was absent at the time, and did
+not return until their departure. When he heard what had taken
+place he seized his rote, and hastened to the shore, where Isoude
+and her new master had already embarked. Tristram played upon his
+rote, and the sound reached the ears of Isoude, who became so
+deeply affected, that Sir Palamedes was induced to return with her
+to land, that they might see the unknown musician. Tristram
+watched his opportunity, seized the lady's horse by the bridle,
+and plunged with her into the forest, tauntingly informing his
+rival that "what he had got by the harp he had lost by the rote."
+Palamedes pursued, and a combat was about to commence, the result
+of which must have been fatal to one or other of these gallant
+knights; but Isoude stepped between them, and, addressing
+Palamedes, said, "You tell me that you love me; you will not then
+deny me the request I am about to make?" "Lady," he replied, "I
+will perform your bidding." "Leave, then," said she, "this
+contest, and repair to King Arthur's court, and salute Queen
+Guenever from me; tell her that there are in the world but two
+ladies, herself and I, and two lovers, hers and mine; and come
+thou not in future in any place where I am." Palamedes burst into
+tears. "Ah, lady," said he, "I will obey you; but I beseech you
+that you will not for ever steel your heart against me."
+"Palamedes," she replied, "may I never taste of joy again if I
+ever quit my first love." Palamedes then went his way. The lovers
+remained a week in concealment, after which Tristram restored
+Isoude to her husband, advising him in future to reward minstrels
+in some other way.
+
+The king showed much gratitude to Tristram, but in the bottom of
+his heart he cherished bitter jealousy of him. One day Tristram
+and Isoude were alone together in her private chamber. A base and
+cowardly knight of the court, named Andret, spied them through a
+keyhole. They sat at a table of chess, but were not attending to
+the game. Andret brought the king, having first raised his
+suspicions, and placed him so as to watch their motions. The king
+saw enough to confirm his suspicions, and he burst into the
+apartment with his sword drawn, and had nearly slain Tristram
+before he was put on his guard. But Tristram avoided the blow,
+drew his sword, and drove before him the cowardly monarch, chasing
+him through all the apartments of the palace, giving him frequent
+blows with the flat of his sword, while he cried in vain to his
+knights to save him. They were not inclined, or did not dare, to
+interpose in his behalf.
+
+A proof of the great popularity of the tale of Sir Tristram is the
+fact that the Italian poets, Boiardo and Ariosto, have founded
+upon it the idea of the two enchanted fountains, which produced
+the opposite effects of love and hatred. Boiardo thus describes
+the fountain of hatred:
+
+   "Fair was that fountain, sculptured all of gold,
+    With alabaster sculptured, rich and rare;
+    And in its basin clear thou might'st behold
+    The flowery marge reflected fresh and fair.
+    Sage Merlin framed the font,--so legends bear,--
+    When on fair Isoude doated Tristram brave,
+    That the good errant knight, arriving there,
+    Might quaff oblivion in the enchanted wave,
+  And leave his luckless love, and 'scape his timeless grave.
+
+   'But ne'er the warrior's evil fate allowed
+    His steps that fountain's charmed verge to gain.
+    Though restless, roving on adventure proud,
+    He traversed oft the land and oft the main."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+TRISTRAM AND ISOUDE (Continued)
+
+
+After this affair Tristram was banished from the kingdom, and
+Isoude shut up in a tower, which stood on the bank of a river.
+Tristram could not resolve to depart without some further
+communication with his beloved; so he concealed himself in the
+forest, till at last he contrived to attract her attention, by
+means of twigs which he curiously peeled, and sent down the stream
+under her window. By this means many secret interviews were
+obtained. Tristram dwelt in the forest, sustaining himself by
+game, which the dog Houdain ran down for him; for this faithful
+animal was unequalled in the chase, and knew so well his master's
+wish for concealment, that, in the pursuit of his game, he never
+barked. At length Tristram departed, but left Houdain with Isoude,
+as a remembrancer of him.
+
+Sir Tristram wandered through various countries, achieving the
+most perilous enterprises, and covering himself with glory, yet
+unhappy at the separation from his beloved Isoude. At length King
+Mark's territory was invaded by a neighboring chieftain, and he
+was forced to summon his nephew to his aid. Tristram obeyed the
+call, put himself at the head of his uncle's vassals, and drove
+the enemy out of the country. Mark was full of gratitude, and
+Tristram, restored to favor and to the society of his beloved
+Isoude, seemed at the summit of happiness. But a sad reverse was
+at hand.
+
+Tristram had brought with him a friend named Pheredin, son of the
+king of Brittany. This young knight saw Queen Isoude, and could
+not resist her charms. Knowing the love of his friend for the
+queen, and that that love was returned, Pheredin concealed his
+own, until his health failed, and he feared he was drawing near
+his end. He then wrote to the beautiful queen that he was dying
+for love of her.
+
+The gentle Isoude, in a moment of pity for the friend of Tristram,
+returned him an answer so kind and compassionate that it restored
+him to life. A few days afterwards Tristram found this letter. The
+most terrible jealousy took possession of his soul; he would have
+slain Pheredin, who with difficulty made his escape. Then Tristram
+mounted his horse, and rode to the forest, where for ten days he
+took no rest nor food. At length he was found by a damsel lying
+almost dead by the brink of a fountain. She recognized him, and
+tried in vain to rouse his attention. At last recollecting his
+love for music she went and got her harp, and played thereon.
+Tristram was roused from his reverie; tears flowed; he breathed
+more freely; he took the harp from the maiden, and sung this lay,
+with a voice broken with sobs:
+
+    "Sweet I sang in former days,
+     Kind love perfected my lays:
+     Now my art alone displays
+     The woe that on my being preys.
+
+    "Charming love, delicious power,
+     Worshipped from my earliest hour,
+     Thou who life on all dost shower,
+     Love! my life thou dost devour.
+
+    "In death's hour I beg of thee,
+     Isoude, dearest enemy,
+     Thou who erst couldst kinder be,
+     When I'm gone, forget not me.
+
+    "On my gravestone passers-by
+     Oft will read, as low I lie,
+     'Never wight in love could vie
+     With Tristram, yet she let him die.'"
+
+Tristram, having finished his lay, wrote it off and gave it to the
+damsel, conjuring her to present it to the queen.
+
+Meanwhile Queen Isoude was inconsolable at the absence of
+Tristram. She discovered that it was caused by the fatal letter
+which she had written to Pheredin. Innocent, but in despair at the
+sad effects of her letter, she wrote another to Pheredin, charging
+him never to see her again. The unhappy lover obeyed this cruel
+decree. He plunged into the forest, and died of grief and love in
+a hermit's cell.
+
+Isoude passed her days in lamenting the absence and unknown fate
+of Tristram. One day her jealous husband, having entered her
+chamber unperceived, overheard her singing the following lay:
+
+    "My voice to piteous wail is bent,
+     My harp to notes of languishment;
+     Ah, love! delightsome days be meant
+     For happier wights, with hearts content.
+
+    "Ah, Tristram' far away from me,
+     Art thou from restless anguish free?
+     Ah! couldst thou so one moment be,
+     From her who so much loveth thee?"
+
+The king hearing these words burst forth in a rage; but Isoude was
+too wretched to fear his violence. "You have heard me," she said;
+"I confess it all. I love Tristram, and always shall love him.
+Without doubt he is dead, and died for me. I no longer wish to
+live. The blow that shall finish my misery will be most welcome."
+
+The king was moved at the distress of the fair Isoude, and perhaps
+the idea of Tristram's death tended to allay his wrath. He left
+the queen in charge of her women, commanding them to take especial
+care lest her despair should lead her to do harm to herself.
+
+Tristram meanwhile, distracted as he was, rendered a most
+important service to the shepherds by slaying a gigantic robber
+named Taullas, who was in the habit of plundering their flocks and
+rifling their cottages. The shepherds, in their gratitude to
+Tristram, bore him in triumph to King Mark to have him bestow on
+him a suitable reward. No wonder Mark failed to recognize in the
+half-clad, wild man, before him his nephew Tristram; but grateful
+for the service the unknown had rendered he ordered him to be well
+taken care of, and gave him in charge to the queen and her women.
+Under such care Tristram rapidly recovered his serenity and his
+health, so that the romancer tells us he became handsomer than
+ever. King Mark's jealousy revived with Tristram's health and good
+looks, and, in spite of his debt of gratitude so lately increased,
+he again banished him from the court.
+
+Sir Tristram left Cornwall, and proceeded into the land of Loegria
+(England) in quest of adventures. One day he entered a wide
+forest. The sound of a little bell showed him that some inhabitant
+was near. He followed the sound, and found a hermit, who informed
+him that he was in the forest of Arnantes, belonging to the fairy
+Viviane, the Lady of the Lake, who, smitten with love for King
+Arthur, had found means to entice him to this forest, where by
+enchantments she held him a prisoner, having deprived him of all
+memory of who and what he was. The hermit informed him that all
+the knights of the Round Table were out in search of the king, and
+that he (Tristram) was now in the scene of the most grand and
+important adventures.
+
+This was enough to animate Tristram in the search. He had not
+wandered far before he encountered a knight of Arthur's court, who
+proved to be Sir Kay the Seneschal, who demanded of him whence he
+came. Tristram answering, "From Cornwall," Sir Kay did not let
+slip the opportunity of a joke at the expense of the Cornish
+knight. Tristram chose to leave him in his error, and even
+confirmed him in it; for meeting some other knights Tristram
+declined to just with them. They spent the night together at an
+abbey, where Tristram submitted patiently to all their jokes. The
+Seneschal gave the word to his companions that they should set out
+early next day, and intercept the Cornish knight on his way, and
+enjoy the amusement of seeing his fright when they should insist
+on running a tilt with him. Tristram next morning found himself
+alone; he put on his armor, and set out to continue his quest. He
+soon saw before him the Seneschal and the three knights, who
+barred the way, and insisted on a just. Tristram excused himself a
+long time; at last he reluctantly took his stand. He encountered
+them, one after the other, and overthrew them all four, man and
+horse, and then rode off, bidding them not to forget their friend
+the knight of Cornwall.
+
+Tristram had not ridden far when he met a damsel, who cried out,
+"Ah, my lord! hasten forward, and prevent a horrid treason!"
+Tristram flew to her assistance, and soon reached a spot where he
+beheld a knight, whom three others had borne to the ground, and
+were unlacing his helmet in order to cut off his head.
+
+Tristram flew to the rescue, and slew with one stroke of his lance
+one of the assailants. The knight, recovering his feet, sacrificed
+another to his vengeance, and the third made his escape. The
+rescued knight then raised the visor of his helmet, and a long
+white beard fell down upon his breast. The majesty and venerable
+air of this knight made Tristram suspect that it was none other
+than Arthur himself, and the prince confirmed his conjecture.
+Tristram would have knelt before him, but Arthur received him in
+his arms, and inquired his name and country; but Tristram declined
+to disclose them, on the plea that he was now on a quest requiring
+secrecy. At this moment the damsel who had brought Tristram to the
+rescue darted forward, and, seizing the king's hand, drew from his
+finger a ring, the gift of the fairy, and by that act dissolved
+the enchantment. Arthur, having recovered his reason and his
+memory, offered to Tristram to attach him to his court, and to
+confer honors and dignities upon him; but Tristram declined all,
+and only consented to accompany him till he should see him safe in
+the hands of his knights. Soon after, Hector de Marys rode up, and
+saluted the king, who on his part introduced him to Tristram as
+one of the bravest of his knights. Tristram took leave of the king
+and his faithful follower, and continued his quest.
+
+We cannot follow Tristram through all the adventures which filled
+this epoch of his history. Suffice it to say, he fulfilled on all
+occasions the duty of a true knight, rescuing the oppressed,
+redressing wrongs, abolishing evil customs, and suppressing
+injustice, thus by constant action endeavoring to lighten the
+pains of absence from her he loved. In the meantime Isoude,
+separated from her dear Tristram, passed her days in languor and
+regret. At length she could no longer resist the desire to hear
+some news of her lover. She wrote a letter, and sent it by one of
+her damsels, niece of her faithful Brengwain. One day Tristram,
+weary with his exertions, had dismounted and laid himself down by
+the side of a fountain and fallen asleep. The damsel of Queen
+Isoude arrived at the same fountain, and recognized Passebreul,
+the horse of Tristram, and presently perceived his master asleep.
+He was thin and pale, showing evident marks of the pain he
+suffered in separation from his beloved. She awakened him, and
+gave him the letter which she bore, and Tristram enjoyed the
+pleasure, so sweet to a lover, of hearing from and talking about
+the object of his affections. He prayed the damsel to postpone her
+return till after the magnificent tournament which Arthur had
+proclaimed should have taken place, and conducted her to the
+castle of Persides, a brave and loyal knight, who received her
+with great consideration.
+
+Tristram conducted the damsel of Queen Isoude to the tournament,
+and had her placed in the balcony among the ladies of the queen.
+
+    "He glanced and saw the stately galleries,
+    Dame, damsel, each through worship of their Queen
+    White-robed in honor of the stainless child,
+    And some with scatter'd jewels, like a bank
+    Of maiden snow mingled with sparks of fire.
+    He looked but once, and veiled his eyes again."
+
+    --The Last Tournament.
+
+He then joined the tourney. Nothing could exceed his strength and
+valor. Launcelot admired him, and by a secret presentiment
+declined to dispute the honor of the day with a knight so gallant
+and so skilful. Arthur descended from the balcony to greet the
+conqueror; but the modest and devoted Tristram, content with
+having borne off the prize in the sight of the messenger of
+Isoude, made his escape with her, and disappeared.
+
+The next day the tourney recommenced. Tristram assumed different
+armor, that he might not be known; but he was soon detected by the
+terrible blows that he gave, Arthur and Guenever had no doubt that
+it was the same knight who had borne off the prize of the day
+before. Arthur's gallant spirit was roused. After Launcelot of the
+Lake and Sir Gawain he was accounted the best knight of the Round
+Table. He went privately and armed himself, and came into the
+tourney in undistinguished armor. He ran a just with Tristram,
+whom he shook in his seat; but Tristram, who did not know him,
+threw him out of the saddle. Arthur recovered himself, and content
+with having made proof of the stranger knight bade Launcelot
+finish the adventure, and vindicate the honor of the Round Table.
+Sir Launcelot, at the bidding of the monarch, assailed Tristram,
+whose lance was already broken in former encounters. But the law
+of this sort of combat was that the knight after having broken his
+lance must fight with his sword, and must not refuse to meet with
+his shield the lance of his antagonist. Tristram met Launcelot's
+charge upon his shield, which that terrible lance could not fail
+to pierce. It inflicted a wound upon Tristram's side, and,
+breaking, left the iron in the wound. But Tristram also with his
+sword smote so vigorously on Launcelot's casque that he cleft it,
+and wounded his head. The wound was not deep, but the blood flowed
+into his eyes, and blinded him for a moment, and Tristram, who
+thought himself mortally wounded, retired from the field.
+Launcelot declared to the king that he had never received such a
+blow in his life before.
+
+Tristram hastened to Gouvernail, his squire, who drew forth the
+iron, bound up the wound, and gave him immediate ease. Tristram
+after the tournament kept retired in his tent, but Arthur, with
+the consent of all the knights of the Round Table, decreed him the
+honors of the second day. But it was no longer a secret that the
+victor of the two days was the same individual, and Gouvernail,
+being questioned, confirmed the suspicions of Launcelot and Arthur
+that it was no other than Sir Tristram of Leonais, the nephew of
+the king of Cornwall.
+
+King Arthur, who desired to reward his distinguished valor, and
+knew that his Uncle Mark had ungratefully banished him, would have
+eagerly availed himself of the opportunity to attach Tristram to
+his court,--all the knights of the Round Table declaring with
+acclamation that it would be impossible to find a more worthy
+companion. But Tristram had already departed in search of
+adventures, and the damsel of Queen Isoude returned to her
+mistress.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+SIR TRISTRAM'S BATTLE WITH SIR LAUNCELOT
+
+
+Sir Tristram rode through a forest and saw ten men fighting, and
+one man did battle against nine. So he rode to the knights and
+cried to them, bidding them cease their battle, for they did
+themselves great shame, so many knights to fight against one. Then
+answered the master of the knights (his name was Sir Breuse sans
+Pitie, who was at that time the most villanous knight living):
+"Sir knight, what have ye to do to meddle with us? If ye be wise
+depart on your way as you came, for this knight shall not escape
+us." "That were pity," said Sir Tristram, "that so good a knight
+should be slain so cowardly; therefore I warn you I will succor
+him with all my puissance."
+
+Then Sir Tristram alighted off his horse, because they were on
+foot, that they should not slay his horse. And he smote on the
+right hand and on the left so vigorously that well-nigh at every
+stroke he struck down a knight. At last they fled, with Breuse
+sans Pitie, into the tower, and shut Sir Tristram without the
+gate. Then Sir Tristram returned back to the rescued knight, and
+found him sitting under a tree, sore wounded. "Fair knight," said
+he, "how is it with you?" "Sir knight," said Sir Palamedes, for he
+it was, "I thank you of your great goodness, for ye have rescued
+me from death." "What is your name?" said Sir Tristram. He said,
+"My name is Sir Palamedes." "Say ye so?" said Sir Tristram; "now
+know that thou art the man in the world that I most hate;
+therefore make thee ready, for I will do battle with thee." "What
+is your name?" said Sir Palamedes. "My name is Sir Tristram, your
+mortal enemy." "It may be so," said Sir Palamedes; "but you have
+done overmuch for me this day, that I should fight with you.
+Moreover, it will be no honor for you to have to do with me, for
+you are fresh and I am wounded. Therefore, if you will needs have
+to do with me, assign me a day, and I shall meet you without
+fail." "You say well, "said Sir Tristram; "now I assign you to
+meet me in the meadow by the river of Camelot, where Merlin set
+the monument." So they were agreed. Then they departed and took
+their ways diverse. Sir Tristram passed through a great forest
+into a plain, till he came to a priory, and there he reposed him
+with a good man six days.
+
+Then departed Sir Tristram, and rode straight into Camelot to the
+monument of Merlin, and there he looked about him for Sir
+Palamedes. And he perceived a seemly knight, who came riding
+against him all in white, with a covered shield. When he came nigh
+Sir Tristram said aloud, "Welcome, sir knight, and well and truly
+have you kept your promise." Then they made ready their shields
+and spears, and came together with all the might of their horses,
+so fiercely, that both the horses and the knights fell to the
+earth. And as soon as they might they quitted their horses, and
+struck together with bright swords as men of might, and each
+wounded the other wonderfully sore, so that the blood ran out upon
+the grass. Thus they fought for the space of four hours and never
+one would speak to the other one word. Then at last spake the
+white knight, and said, "Sir, thou fightest wonderful well, as
+ever I saw knight; therefore, if it please you, tell me your
+name." "Why dost thou ask my name?" said Sir Tristram; "art thou
+not Sir Palamedes?" "No, fair knight," said he, "I am Sir
+Launcelot of the Lake." "Alas!" said Sir Tristram, "what have I
+done? for you are the man of the world that I love best." "Fair
+knight," said Sir Launcelot, "tell me your name." "Truly," said
+he, "my name is Sir Tristram de Lionesse." "Alas! alas!" said Sir
+Launcelot, "what adventure has befallen me!" And therewith Sir
+Launcelot kneeled down and yielded him up his sword; and Sir
+Tristram kneeled down and yielded him up his sword; and so either
+gave other the degree. And then they both went to the stone, and
+sat them down upon it and took off their helms and each kissed the
+other a hundred times. And then anon they rode toward Camelot, and
+on the way they met with Sir Gawain and Sir Gaheris, that had made
+promise to Arthur never to come again to the court till they had
+brought Sir Tristram with them.
+
+"Return again," said Sir Launcelot, "for your quest is done; for I
+have met with Sir Tristram. Lo, here he is in his own person."
+Then was Sir Gawain glad, and said to Sir Tristram, "Ye are
+welcome." With this came King Arthur, and when he wist there was
+Sir Tristram, he ran unto him, and took him by the hand, and said,
+"Sir Tristram, ye are as welcome as any knight that ever came to
+this court." Then Sir Tristram told the king how he came thither
+for to have had to do with Sir Palamedes, and how he had rescued
+him from Sir Breuse sans Pitie and the nine knights. Then King
+Arthur took Sir Tristram by the hand, and went to the Table Round,
+and Queen Guenever came, and many ladies with her, and all the
+ladies said with one voice, "Welcome, Sir Tristram." "Welcome,"
+said the knights. "Welcome," said Arthur, "for one of the best of
+knights, and the gentlest of the world, and the man of most
+worship; for of all manner of hunting thou bearest the prize, and
+of all measures of blowing thou art the beginning, and of all the
+terms of hunting and hawking ye are the inventor, and of all
+instruments of music ye are the best skilled; therefore, gentle
+knight," said Arthur, "ye are welcome to this court." And then
+King Arthur made Sir Tristram knight of the Table Round with great
+nobley and feasting as can be thought.
+
+SIR TRISTRAM AS A SPORTSMAN
+
+Tristram is often alluded to by the Romancers as the great
+authority and model in all matters relating to the chase. In the
+"Faery Queene," Tristram, in answer to the inquiries of Sir
+Calidore, informs him of his name and parentage, and concludes:
+
+    "All which my days I have not lewdly spent,
+    Nor spilt the blossom of my tender years
+    In idlesse; but, as was convenient,
+    Have trained been with many noble feres
+    In gentle thewes, and such like seemly leers;
+    'Mongst which my most delight hath always been
+    To hunt the salvage chace, amongst my peers,
+    Of all that rangeth in the forest green,
+    Of which none is to me unknown that yet was seen.
+
+    "Ne is there hawk which mantleth on her perch,
+    Whether high towering or accosting low,
+    But I the measure of her flight do search,
+    And all her prey, and all her diet know.
+    Such be our joys, which in these forests grow."
+
+[Footnote: Feres, companions; thewes, labors; leers, learning.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE ROUND TABLE
+
+
+The famous enchanter, Merlin, had exerted all his skill in
+fabricating the Round Table. Of the seats which surrounded it he
+had constructed thirteen, in memory of the thirteen Apostles.
+Twelve of these seats only could be occupied, and they only by
+knights of the highest fame; the thirteenth represented the seat
+of the traitor Judas. It remained always empty. It was called the
+PERILOUS SEAT, ever since a rash and haughty Saracen knight had
+dared to place himself in it, when the earth opened and swallowed
+him up.
+
+    "In our great hall there stood a vacant chair,
+    Fashion'd by Merlin ere he past away,
+    And carven with strange figures; and in and out
+    The figures, like a serpent, ran a scroll
+    Of letters in a tongue no man could read
+    And Merlin call'd it 'The Siege perilous,'
+    Perilous for good and ill; 'for there,' he said,
+    'No man could sit but he should lose himself.'"
+
+    --The Holy Grail.
+
+A magic power wrote upon each seat the name of the knight who was
+entitled to sit in it. No one could succeed to a vacant seat
+unless he surpassed in valor and glorious deeds the knight who had
+occupied it before him; without this qualification he would be
+violently repelled by a hidden force. Thus proof was made of all
+those who presented themselves to replace any companions of the
+order who had fallen.
+
+One of the principal seats, that of Moraunt of Ireland, had been
+vacant ten years, and his name still remained over it ever since
+the time when that distinguished champion fell beneath the sword
+of Sir Tristram. Arthur now took Tristram by the hand and led him
+to that seat. Immediately the most melodious sounds were heard,
+and exquisite perfumes filled the place; the name of Moraunt
+disappeared, and that of Tristram blazed forth in light. The rare
+modesty of Tristram had now to be subjected to a severe task; for
+the clerks charged with the duty of preserving the annals of the
+Round Table attended, and he was required by the law of his order
+to declare what feats of arms he had accomplished to entitle him
+to take that seat. This ceremony being ended, Tristram received
+the congratulations of all his companions. Sir Launcelot and
+Guenever took the occasion to speak to him of the fair Isoude, and
+to express their wish that some happy chance might bring her to
+the kingdom of Loegria.
+
+While Tristram was thus honored and caressed at the court of King
+Arthur, the most gloomy and malignant jealousy harassed the soul
+of Mark. He could not look upon Isoude without remembering that
+she loved Tristram, and the good fortune of his nephew goaded him
+to thoughts of vengeance. He at last resolved to go disguised into
+the kingdom of Loegria, attack Tristram by stealth, and put him to
+death. He took with him two knights, brought up in his court, who
+he thought were devoted to him; and, not willing to leave Isoude
+behind, named two of her maidens to attend her, together with her
+faithful Brengwain, and made them accompany him.
+
+Having arrived in the neighborhood of Camelot, Mark imparted his
+plan to his two knights, but they rejected it with horror; nay,
+more, they declared that they would no longer remain in his
+service; and left him, giving him reason to suppose that they
+should repair to the court to accuse him before Arthur. It was
+necessary for Mark to meet and rebut their accusation; so, leaving
+Isoude in an abbey, he pursued his way alone to Camelot.
+
+Mark had not ridden far when he encountered a party of knights of
+Arthur's court, and would have avoided them, for he knew their
+habit of challenging to a just every stranger knight whom they
+met. But it was too late. They had seen his armor, and recognized
+him as a Cornish knight, and at once resolved to have some sport
+with him. It happened they had with them Daguenet, King Arthur's
+fool, who, though deformed and weak of body, was not wanting in
+courage. The knights as Mark approached laid their plan that
+Daguenet should personate Sir Launcelot of the Lake, and challenge
+the Cornish knight. They equipped him in armor belonging to one of
+their number who was ill, and sent him forward to the cross-road
+to defy the strange knight. Mark, who saw that his antagonist was
+by no means formidable in appearance, was not disinclined to the
+combat; but when the dwarf rode towards him, calling out that he
+was Sir Launcelot of the Lake, his fears prevailed, he put spurs
+to his horse, and rode away at full speed, pursued by the shouts
+and laughter of the party.
+
+Meanwhile Isoude, remaining at the abbey with her faithful
+Brengwain, found her only amusement in walking occasionally in a
+forest adjoining the abbey. There, on the brink of a fountain
+girdled with trees, she thought of her love, and sometimes joined
+her voice and her harp in lays reviving the memory of its pains or
+pleasures. One day the caitiff knight, Breuse the Pitiless, heard
+her voice, concealed himself, and drew near. She sang:
+
+    "Sweet silence, shadowy bower, and verdant lair,
+       Ye court my troubled spirit to repose,
+     Whilst I, such dear remembrance rises there,
+       Awaken every echo with my woes
+
+    "Within these woods, by nature's hand arrayed,
+       A fountain springs, and feeds a thousand flowers;
+    Ah! how my groans do all its murmurs aid!
+       How my sad eyes do swell it with their showers!
+
+    "What doth my knight the while? to him is given
+       A double meed; in love and arms' emprise,
+    Him the Round Table elevates to heaven!
+       Tristram! ah me! he hears not Isoude's cries."
+
+Breuse the Pitiless, who like most other caitiffs had felt the
+weight of Tristram's arm, and hated him accordingly, at hearing
+his name breathed forth by the beautiful songstress, impelled by a
+double impulse, rushed forth from his concealment and laid hands
+on his victim. Isoude fainted, and Brengwain filled the air with
+her shrieks. Breuse carried Isoude to the place where he had left
+his horse; but the animal had got away from his bridle, and was at
+some distance. He was obliged to lay down his fair burden, and go
+in pursuit of his horse. Just then a knight came up, drawn by the
+cries of Brengwain, and demanded the cause of her distress. She
+could not speak, but pointed to her mistress lying insensible on
+the ground.
+
+Breuse had by this time returned, and the cries of Brengwain,
+renewed at seeing him, sufficiently showed the stranger the cause
+of the distress. Tristram spurred his horse towards Breuse, who,
+not unprepared, ran to the encounter. Breuse was unhorsed, and lay
+motionless, pretending to be dead; but when the stranger knight
+left him to attend to the distressed damsels, he mounted his
+horse, and made his escape.
+
+The knight now approached Isoude, gently raised her head, drew
+aside the golden hair which covered her countenance, gazed thereon
+for an instant, uttered a cry, and fell back insensible. Brengwain
+came; her cares soon restored her mistress to life, and they then
+turned their attention to the fallen warrior. They raised his
+visor, and discovered the countenance of Sir Tristram. Isoude
+threw herself on the body of her lover, and bedewed his face with
+her tears. Their warmth revived the knight, and Tristram on
+awaking found himself in the arms of his dear Isoude.
+
+It was the law of the Round Table that each knight after his
+admission should pass the next ten days in quest of adventures,
+during which time his companions might meet him in disguised armor
+and try their strength with him. Tristram had now been out seven
+days, and in that time had encountered many of the best knights of
+the Round Table, and acquitted himself with honor. During the
+remaining three days, Isoude remained at the abbey, under his
+protection, and then set out with her maidens, escorted by Sir
+Tristram, to rejoin King Mark at the court of Camelot.
+
+This happy journey was one of the brightest epochs in the lives of
+Tristram and Isoude. He celebrated it by a lay upon the harp in a
+peculiar measure, to which the French give the name of Triolet.
+
+    "With fair Isoude, and with love,
+     Ah! how sweet the life I lead!
+     How blest for ever thus to rove,
+     With fair Isoude, and with love!
+     As she wills, I live and move,
+     And cloudless days to days succeed:
+     With fair Isoude, and with love,
+     Ah! how sweet the life I lead!
+
+    "Journeying on from break of day,
+     Feel you not fatigued, my fair?
+     Yon green turf invites to play;
+     Journeying on from day to day,
+     Ah! let us to that shade away,
+     Were it but to slumber there!
+     Journeying on from break of day,
+     Feel you not fatigued, my fair?"
+
+They arrived at Camelot, where Sir Launcelot received them most
+cordially. Isoude was introduced to King Arthur and Queen
+Guenever, who welcomed her as a sister. As King Mark was held in
+arrest under the accusation of the two Cornish knights, Queen
+Isoude could not rejoin her husband, and Sir Launcelot placed his
+castle of La Joyeuse Garde at the disposal of his friends, who
+there took up their abode.
+
+King Mark, who found himself obliged to confess the truth of the
+charge against him, or to clear himself by combat with his
+accusers, preferred the former, and King Arthur, as his crime had
+not been perpetrated, remitted the penalty, only enjoining upon
+him, under pain of his signal displeasure, to lay aside all
+thoughts of vengeance against his nephew. In the presence of the
+king and his court all parties were formally reconciled; Mark and
+his queen departed for their home, and Tristram remained at
+Arthur's court.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+SIR PALAMEDES
+
+
+While Sir Tristram and the fair Isoude abode yet at La Joyeuse
+Garde, Sir Tristram rode forth one day, without armor, having no
+weapon but his spear and his sword. And as he rode he came to a
+place where he saw two knights in battle, and one of them had
+gotten the better and the other lay overthrown. The knight who had
+the better was Sir Palamedes. When Sir Palamedes knew Sir
+Tristram, he cried out, "Sir Tristram, now we be met, and ere we
+depart we will redress our old wrongs." "As for that," said Sir
+Tristram, "there never yet was Christian man that might make his
+boast that I ever fled from him, and thou that art a Saracen shalt
+never say that of me." And therewith Sir Tristram made his horse
+to run, and with all his might came straight upon Sir Palamedes,
+and broke his spear upon him. Then he drew his sword and struck at
+Sir Palamedes six great strokes, upon his helm. Sir Palamedes saw
+that Sir Tristram had not his armor on, and he marvelled at his
+rashness and his great folly; and said to himself, "If I meet and
+slay him, I am shamed wheresoever I go." Then Sir Tristram cried
+out and said, "Thou coward knight, why wilt thou not do battle
+with me? for have thou no doubt I shall endure all thy malice."
+"Ah, Sir Tristram!" said Sir Palamedes, "thou knowest I may not
+fight with thee for shame; for thou art here naked, and I am
+armed; now I require that thou answer me a question that I shall
+ask you." "Tell me what it is," said Sir Tristram. "I put the
+case," said Palamedes, "that you were well armed, and I naked as
+ye be; what would you do to me now, by your true knighthood?"
+"Ah!" said Sir Tristram, "now I understand thee well, Sir
+Palamedes; and, as God bless me, what I shall say shall not be
+said for fear that I have of thee. But if it were so, thou
+shouldest depart from me, for I would not have to do with thee."
+"No more will I with thee," said Sir Palamedes, "and therefore
+ride forth on thy way." "As for that, I may choose," said Sir
+Tristram, "either to ride or to abide. But, Sir Palamedes, I
+marvel at one thing,--that thou art so good a knight, yet that
+thou wilt not be christened." "As for that," said Sir Palamedes,
+"I may not yet be christened, for a vow which I made many years
+ago; yet in my heart I believe in our Saviour and his mild mother,
+Mary; but I have yet one battle to do, and when that is done I
+will be christened, with a good will." "By my head," said Sir
+Tristram, "as for that one battle, thou shalt seek it no longer;
+for yonder is a knight, whom you have smitten down. Now help me to
+be clothed in his armor, and I will soon fulfil thy vow." "As ye
+will," said Sir Palamedes, "so shall it be." So they rode both
+unto that knight that sat on a bank; and Sir Tristram saluted him,
+and he full weary saluted him again. "Sir," said Sir Tristram, "I
+pray you to lend me your whole armor; for I am unarmed, and I must
+do battle with this knight." "Sir," said the hurt knight, "you
+shall have it, with a right good will," Then Sir Tristram unarmed
+Sir Galleron, for that was the name of the hurt knight, and he as
+well as he could helped to arm Sir Tristram. Then Sir Tristram
+mounted upon his own horse, and in his hand he took Sir Galleron's
+spear. Thereupon Sir Palamedes was ready, and so they came hurling
+together, and each smote the other in the midst of their shields.
+Sir Palamedes' spear broke, and Sir Tristram smote down the horse.
+Then Sir Palamedes leapt from his horse, and drew out his sword.
+That saw Sir Tristram, and therewith he alighted and tied his
+horse to a tree. Then they came together as two wild beasts,
+lashing the one on the other, and so fought more than two hours;
+and often Sir Tristram smote such strokes at Sir Palamedes that he
+made him to kneel, and Sir Palamedes broke away Sir Tristram's
+shield, and wounded him. Then Sir Tristram was wroth out of
+measure, and he rushed to Sir Palamedes and wounded him passing
+sore through the shoulder, and by fortune smote Sir Palamedes'
+sword out of his hand And if Sir Palamedes had stooped for his
+sword Sir Tristram had slain him. Then Sir Palamedes stood and
+beheld his sword with a full sorrowful heart. "Now," said Sir
+Tristram, "I have thee at a vantage, as thou hadst me to-day; but
+it shall never be said, in court, or among good knights, that Sir
+Tristram did slay any knight that was weaponless; therefore take
+thou thy sword, and let us fight this battle to the end." Then
+spoke Sir Palamedes to Sir Tristram: "I have no wish to fight this
+battle any more. The offence that I have done unto you is not so
+great but that, if it please you, we may be friends. All that I
+have offended is for the love of the queen, La Belle Isoude, and I
+dare maintain that she is peerless among ladies; and for that
+offence ye have given me many grievous and sad strokes, and some I
+have given you again. Wherefore I require you, my lord Sir
+Tristram, forgive me all that I have offended you, and this day
+have me unto the next church; and first I will be clean confessed,
+and after that see you that I be truly baptized, and then we will
+ride together unto the court of my lord, King Arthur, so that we
+may be there at the feast of Pentecost." "Now take your horse,"
+said Sir Tristram, "and as you have said, so shall it be done." So
+they took their horses, and Sir Galleron rode with them. When they
+came to the church of Carlisle, the bishop commanded to fill a
+great vessel with water; and when he had hallowed it, he then
+confessed Sir Palamedes clean, and christened him, and Sir
+Tristram and Sir Galleron were his godfathers. Then soon after
+they departed, and rode towards Camelot, where the noble King
+Arthur and Queen Guenever were keeping a court royal. And the king
+and all the court were glad that Sir Palamedes was christened.
+Then Sir Tristram returned again to La Joyeuse Garde, and Sir
+Palamedes went his way.
+
+Not long after these events Sir Gawain returned from Brittany, and
+related to King Arthur the adventure which befell him in the
+forest of Breciliande, how Merlin had there spoken to him, and
+enjoined him to charge the king to go without delay upon the quest
+of the Holy Greal. While King Arthur deliberated Tristram
+determined to enter upon the quest, and the more readily, as it
+was well known to him that this holy adventure would, if achieved,
+procure him the pardon of all his sins. He immediately departed
+for the kingdom of Brittany, hoping there to obtain from Merlin
+counsel as to the proper course to pursue to insure success.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+SIR TRISTRAM
+
+
+On arriving in Brittany Tristram found King Hoel engaged in a war
+with a rebellious vassal, and hard pressed by his enemy. His best
+knights had fallen in a late battle, and he knew not where to turn
+for assistance. Tristram volunteered his aid. It was accepted; and
+the army of Hoel, led by Tristram, and inspired by his example,
+gained a complete victory. The king, penetrated by the most lively
+sentiments of gratitude, and having informed himself of Tristram's
+birth, offered him his daughter in marriage. The princess was
+beautiful and accomplished, and bore the same name with the Queen
+of Cornwall; but this one is designated by the Romancers as Isoude
+of the White Hands, to distinguish her from Isoude the Fair.
+
+How can we describe the conflict that agitated the heart of
+Tristram? He adored the first Isoude, but his love for her was
+hopeless, and not unaccompanied by remorse. Moreover, the sacred
+quest on which he had now entered demanded of him perfect purity
+of life. It seemed as if a happy destiny had provided for him in
+the charming princess Isoude of the White Hands the best security
+for all his good resolutions. This last reflection determined him.
+They were married, and passed some months in tranquil happiness at
+the court of King Hoel. The pleasure which Tristram felt in his
+wife's society increased day by day. An inward grace seemed to
+stir within him from the moment when he took the oath to go on the
+quest of the Holy Greal; it seemed even to triumph over the power
+of the magic love-potion.
+
+The war, which had been quelled for a time, now burst out anew.
+Tristram as usual was foremost in every danger. The enemy was
+worsted in successive conflicts, and at last shut himself up in
+his principal city. Tristram led on the attack of the city. As he
+mounted a ladder to scale the walls he was struck on the head by a
+fragment of rock, which the besieged threw down upon him. It bore
+him to the ground, where he lay insensible.
+
+As soon as he recovered consciousness he demanded to be carried to
+his wife. The princess, skilled in the art of surgery, would not
+suffer any one but herself to touch her beloved husband. Her fair
+hands bound up his wounds; Tristram kissed them with gratitude,
+which began to grow into love. At first the devoted cares of
+Isoude seemed to meet with great success; but after a while these
+flattering appearances vanished, and, in spite of all her care,
+the malady grew more serious day by day.
+
+In this perplexity, an old squire of Tristram's reminded his
+master that the princess of Ireland, afterwards queen of Cornwall,
+had once cured him under circumstances quite as discouraging. He
+called Isoude of the White Hands to him, told her of his former
+cure, added that he believed that the Queen Isoude could heal him,
+and that he felt sure that she would come to his relief, if sent
+for.
+
+Isoude of the White Hands consented that Gesnes, a trusty man and
+skilful navigator, should be sent to Cornwall. Tristram called
+him, and, giving him a ring, "Take this," he said, "to the Queen
+of Cornwall. Tell her that Tristram, near to death, demands her
+aid. If you succeed in bringing her with you, place white sails to
+your vessel on your return, that we may know of your success when
+the vessel first heaves in sight. But if Queen Isoude refuses, put
+on black sails; they will be the presage of my impending death."
+
+Gesnes performed his mission successfully. King Mark happened to
+be absent from his capital, and the queen readily consented to
+return with the bark to Brittany. Gesnes clothed his vessel in the
+whitest of sails, and sped his way back to Brittany.
+
+Meantime the wound of Tristram grew more desperate day by day. His
+strength, quite prostrated, no longer permitted him to be carried
+to the seaside daily, as had been his custom from the first moment
+when it was possible for the bark to be on the way homeward. He
+called a young damsel, and gave her in charge to keep watch in the
+direction of Cornwall, and to come and tell him the color of the
+sails of the first vessel she should see approaching.
+
+When Isoude of the White Hands consented that the queen of
+Cornwall should be sent for, she had not known all the reasons
+which she had for fearing the influence which renewed intercourse
+with that princess might have on her own happiness. She had now
+learned more, and felt the danger more keenly. She thought, if she
+could only keep the knowledge of the queen's arrival from her
+husband, she might employ in his service any resources which her
+skill could supply, and still avert the dangers which she
+apprehended. When the vessel was seen approaching, with its white
+sails sparkling in the sun, the damsel, by command of her
+mistress, carried word to Tristram that the sails were black.
+
+Tristram, penetrated with inexpressible grief, breathed a profound
+sigh, turned away his face, and said, "Alas, my beloved! we shall
+never see one another again!" Then he commended himself to God,
+and breathed his last.
+
+The death of Tristram was the first intelligence which the queen
+of Cornwall heard on landing. She was conducted almost senseless
+into the chamber of Tristram, and expired holding him in her arms.
+
+Tristram, before his death, had requested that his body should be
+sent to Cornwall, and that his sword, with a letter he had
+written, should be delivered to King Mark. The remains of Tristram
+and Isoude were embarked in a vessel, along with the sword, which
+was presented to the king of Cornwall. He was melted with
+tenderness when he saw the weapon which slew Moraunt of Ireland,--
+which had so often saved his life, and redeemed the honor of his
+kingdom. In the letter Tristram begged pardon of his uncle, and
+related the story of the amorous draught.
+
+Mark ordered the lovers to be buried in his own chapel. From the
+tomb of Tristram there sprung a vine, which went along the walls,
+and descended into the grave of the queen. It was cut down three
+times, but each time sprung up again more vigorous than before,
+and this wonderful plant has ever since shaded the tombs of
+Tristram and Isoude.
+
+Spenser introduces Sir Tristram in his "Faery Queene." In Book
+VI., Canto ii., Sir Calidore encounters in the forest a young
+hunter, whom he thus describes:
+
+    "Him steadfastly he marked, and saw to be
+    A goodly youth of amiable grace,
+    Yet but a slender slip, that scarce did see
+    Yet seventeen yeares; but tall and faire of face,
+    That sure he deemed him borne of noble race.
+    All in a woodman's jacket he was clad
+    Of Lincoln greene, belayed with silver lace;
+    And on his head an hood with aglets sprad,
+    And by his side his hunter's horne he hanging had.
+
+[Footnote: Aglets, points or tags]
+
+    "Buskins he wore of costliest cordawayne,
+    Pinckt upon gold, and paled part per part,
+    As then the guize was for each gentle swayne.
+    In his right hand he held a trembling dart,
+    Whose fellow he before had sent apart;
+    And in his left he held a sharp bore-speare,
+    With which he wont to launch the salvage heart
+    Of many a lyon, and of many a beare,
+  That first unto his hand in chase did happen neare."
+
+[Footnote: PINCKT UPON GOLD, ETC., adorned with golden points, or
+eyelets, and regularly intersected with stripes. PALED (in
+heraldry), striped]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+PERCEVAL
+
+
+The father and two elder brothers of Perceval had fallen in battle
+or tournaments, and hence, as the last hope of his family, his
+mother retired with him into a solitary region, where he was
+brought up in total ignorance of arms and chivalry. He was allowed
+no weapon but "a lyttel Scots spere," which was the only thing of
+all "her lordes faire gere" that his mother carried to the wood
+with her. In the use of this he became so skilful, that he could
+kill with it not only the animals of the chase for the table, but
+even birds on the wing. At length, however, Perceval was roused to
+a desire of military renown by seeing in the forest five knights
+who were in complete armor. He said to his mother, "Mother, what
+are those yonder?" "They are angels, my son," said she. "By my
+faith, I will go and become an angel with them." And Perceval went
+to the road and met them. "Tell me, good lad," said one of them,
+"sawest thou a knight pass this way either today or yesterday?" "I
+know not," said he, "what a knight is." "Such an one as I am,"
+said the knight. "If thou wilt tell me what I ask thee, I will
+tell thee what thou askest me." "Gladly will I do so," said Sir
+Owain, for that was the knight's name. "What is this?" demanded
+Perceval, touching the saddle. "It is a saddle," said Owain. Then
+he asked about all the accoutrements which he saw upon the men and
+the horses, and about the arms, and what they were for, and how
+they were used. And Sir Owain showed him all those things fully.
+And Perceval in return gave him such information as he had
+
+Then Perceval returned to his mother, and said to her, "Mother,
+those were not angels, but honorable knights." Then his mother
+swooned away. And Perceval went to the place where they kept the
+horses that carried firewood and provisions for the castle, and he
+took a bony, piebald horse, which seemed to him the strongest of
+them. And he pressed a pack into the form of a saddle, and with
+twisted twigs he imitated the trappings which he had seen upon the
+horses. When he came again to his mother, the countess had
+recovered from her swoon. "My son," said she, "desirest thou to
+ride forth?" "Yes, with thy leave," said he. "Go forward, then,"
+she said, "to the court of Arthur, where there are the best and
+the noblest and the most bountiful of men, and tell him thou art
+Perceval, the son of Pelenore, and ask of him to bestow knighthood
+on thee. And whenever thou seest a church, repeat there thy pater-
+noster; and if thou see meat and drink, and hast need of them,
+thou mayest take them. If thou hear an outcry of one in distress,
+proceed toward it, especially if it be the cry of a woman, and
+render her what service thou canst. If thou see a fair jewel, win
+it, for thus shalt thou acquire fame; yet freely give it to
+another, for thus thou shalt obtain praise. If thou see a fair
+woman, pay court to her, for thus thou wilt obtain love."
+
+After this discourse Perceval mounted the horse and taking a
+number of sharp-pointed sticks in his hand he rode forth. And he
+rode far in the woody wilderness without food or drink. At last he
+came to an opening in the wood where he saw a tent, and as he
+thought it might be a church he said his pater-noster to it. And
+he went towards it; and the door of the tent was open. And
+Perceval dismounted and entered the tent. In the tent he found a
+maiden sitting, with a golden frontlet on her forehead and a gold
+ring on her hand. And Perceval said, "Maiden, I salute you, for my
+mother told me whenever I met a lady I must respectfully salute
+her." Perceiving in one corner of the tent some food, two flasks
+full of wine, and some boar's flesh roasted, he said, "My mother
+told me, whenever I saw meat and drink to take it." And he ate
+greedily, for he was very hungry. The maiden said, "Sir, thou
+hadst best go quickly from here, for fear that my friends should
+come, and evil should befall you." But Perceval said, "My mother
+told me wheresoever I saw a fair jewel to take it," and he took
+the gold ring from her finger, and put it on his own; and he gave
+the maiden his own ring in exchange for hers; then he mounted his
+horse and rode away.
+
+Perceval journeyed on till he arrived at Arthur's court. And it so
+happened that just at that time an uncourteous knight had offered
+Queen Guenever a gross insult. For when her page was serving the
+queen with a golden goblet, this knight struck the arm of the page
+and dashed the wine in the queen's face and over her stomacher.
+Then he said, "If any have boldness to avenge this insult to
+Guenever, let him follow me to the meadow." So the knight took his
+horse and rode to the meadow, carrying away the golden goblet. And
+all the household hung down their heads and no one offered to
+follow the knight to take vengeance upon him. For it seemed to
+them that no one would have ventured on so daring an outrage
+unless he possessed such powers, through magic or charms, that
+none could be able to punish him. Just then, behold, Perceval
+entered the hall upon the bony, piebald horse, with his uncouth
+trappings. In the centre of the hall stood Kay the Seneschal.
+"Tell me, tall man," said Perceval, "is that Arthur yonder?" "What
+wouldst thou with Arthur?" asked Kay. "My mother told me to go to
+Arthur and receive knighthood from him." "By my faith," said he,
+"thou art all too meanly equipped with horse and with arms." Then
+all the household began to jeer and laugh at him. But there was a
+certain damsel who had been a whole year at Arthur's court, and
+had never been known to smile. And the king's fool [Footnote: A
+fool was a common appendage of the courts of those days when this
+romance was written. A fool was the ornament held in next
+estimation to a dwarf. He wore a white dress with a yellow bonnet,
+and carried a bell or bawble in his hand. Though called a fool,
+his words were often weighed and remembered as if there were a
+sort of oracular meaning in them.] had said that this damsel would
+not smile till she had seen him who would be the flower of
+chivalry. Now this damsel came up to Perceval and told him,
+smiling, that if he lived he would be one of the bravest and best
+of knights. "Truly," said Kay, "thou art ill taught to remain a
+year at Arthur's court, with choice of society, and smile on no
+one, and now before the face of Arthur and all his knights to call
+such a man as this the flower of knighthood;" and he gave her a
+box on the ear, that she fell senseless to the ground. Then said
+Kay to Perceval, "Go after the knight who went hence to the
+meadow, overthrow him and recover the golden goblet, and possess
+thyself of his horse and arms, and thou shalt have knighthood." "I
+will do so, tall man," said Perceval. So he turned his horse's
+head toward the meadow. And when he came there, the knight was
+riding up and down, proud of his strength and valor and noble
+mien. "Tell me," said the knight, "didst thou see any one coming
+after me from the court?" "The tall man that was there," said
+Perceval, "told me to come and overthrow thee, and to take from
+thee the goblet and thy horse and armor for myself." "Silence!"
+said the knight; "go back to the court, and tell Arthur either to
+come himself, or to send some other to fight with me; and unless
+he do so quickly, I will not wait for him." "By my faith," said
+Perceval, "choose thou whether it shall be willingly or
+unwillingly, for I will have the horse and the arms and the
+goblet." Upon this the knight ran at him furiously, and struck him
+a violent blow with the shaft of his spear, between the neck and
+the shoulder. "Ha, ha, lad!" said Perceval, "my mother's servants
+were not used to play with me in this wise; so thus will I play
+with thee." And he threw at him one of his sharp-pointed sticks,
+and it struck him in the eye, and came out at the back of his
+head, so that he fell down lifeless.
+
+"Verily," said Sir Owain, the son of Urien, to Kay the Seneschal,
+"thou wast ill-advised to send that madman after the knight, for
+he must either be overthrown or flee, and either way it will be a
+disgrace to Arthur and his warriors; therefore will I go to see
+what has befallen him." So Sir Owain went to the meadow, and he
+found Perceval trying in vain to get the dead knight's armor off,
+in order to clothe himself with it. Sir Owain unfastened the
+armor, and helped Perceval to put it on, and taught him how to put
+his foot in the stirrup, and use the spur; for Perceval had never
+used stirrup nor spur, but rode without saddle, and urged on his
+horse with a stick. Then Owain would have had him return to the
+court to receive the praise that was his due; but Perceval said,
+"I will not come to the court till I have encountered the tall man
+that is there, to revenge the injury he did to the maiden. But
+take thou the goblet to Queen Guenever, and tell King Arthur that,
+wherever I am, I will be his vassal, and will do him what profit
+and service I can." And Sir Owain went back to the court, and
+related all these things to Arthur and Guenever, and to all the
+household.
+
+And Perceval rode forward. And he came to a lake on the side of
+which was a fair castle, and on the border of the lake he saw a
+hoary-headed man sitting upon a velvet cushion, and his attendants
+were fishing in the lake. When the hoary-headed man beheld
+Perceval approaching, he arose and went into the castle. Perceval
+rode to the castle, and the door was open, and he entered the
+hall. And the hoary-headed man received Perceval courteously, and
+asked him to sit by him on the cushion. When it was time the
+tables were set, and they went to meat. And when they had finished
+their meat the hoary-headed man asked Perceval if he knew how to
+fight with the sword "I know not," said Perceval, "but were I to
+be taught, doubtless I should." And the hoary-headed man said to
+him, "I am thy uncle, thy mother's brother; I am called King
+Pecheur.[Footnote: The word means both FISHER and SINNER.] Thou
+shalt remain with me a space, in order to learn the manners and
+customs of different countries, and courtesy and noble bearing.
+And this do thou remember, if thou seest aught to cause thy
+wonder, ask not the meaning of it; if no one has the courtesy to
+inform thee, the reproach will not fall upon thee, but upon me
+that am thy teacher." While Perceval and his uncle discoursed
+together, Perceval beheld two youths enter the hall bearing a
+golden cup and a spear of mighty size, with blood dropping from
+its point to the ground. And when all the company saw this they
+began to weep and lament. But for all that, the man did not break
+off his discourse with Perceval. And as he did not tell him the
+meaning of what he saw, he forebore to ask him concerning it. Now
+the cup that Perceval saw was the Sangreal, and the spear the
+sacred spear; and afterwards King Pecheur removed with those
+sacred relics into a far country.
+
+One evening Perceval entered a valley, and came to a hermit's
+cell; and the hermit welcomed him gladly, and there he spent the
+night. And in the morning he arose, and when he went forth,
+behold! a shower of snow had fallen in the night, and a hawk had
+killed a wild-fowl in front of the cell. And the noise of the
+horse had scared the hawk away, and a raven alighted on the bird.
+And Perceval stood and compared the blackness of the raven and the
+whiteness of the snow and the redness of the blood to the hair of
+the lady that best he loved, which was blacker than jet, and to
+her skin, which was whiter than the snow, and to the two red spots
+upon her cheeks, which were redder than the blood upon the snow.
+
+Now Arthur and his household were in search of Perceval, and by
+chance they came that way. "Know ye," said Arthur, "who is the
+knight with the long spear that stands by the brook up yonder?"
+"Lord," said one of them, "I will go and learn who he is." So the
+youth came to the place where Perceval was, and asked him what he
+did thus, and who he was. But Perceval was so intent upon his
+thought that he gave him no answer. Then the youth thrust at
+Perceval with his lance; and Perceval turned upon him, and struck
+him to the ground. And when the youth returned to the king, and
+told how rudely he had been treated, Sir Kay said, "I will go
+myself." And when he greeted Perceval, and got no answer, he spoke
+to him rudely and angrily. And Perceval thrust at him with his
+lance, and cast him down so that he broke his arm and his
+shoulder-blade. And while he lay thus stunned his horse returned
+back at a wild and prancing pace.
+
+Then said Sir Gawain, surnamed the Golden-Tongued, because he was
+the most courteous knight in Arthur's court: "It is not fitting
+that any should disturb an honorable knight from his thought
+unadvisedly; for either he is pondering some damage that he has
+sustained, or he is thinking of the lady whom best he loves. If it
+seem well to thee, lord, I will go and see if this knight has
+changed from his thought, and if he has, I will ask him
+courteously to come and visit thee."
+
+And Perceval was resting on the shaft of his spear, pondering the
+same thought, and Sir Gawain came to him, and said: "If I thought
+it would be as agreeable to thee as it would be to me, I would
+converse with thee. I have also a message from Arthur unto thee,
+to pray thee to come and visit him. And two men have been before
+on this errand." "That is true," said Perceval; "and uncourteously
+they came. They attacked me, and I was annoyed thereat" Then he
+told him the thought that occupied his mind, and Gawain said,
+"This was not an ungentle thought, and I should marvel if it were
+pleasant for thee to be drawn from it." Then said Perceval, "Tell
+me, is Sir Kay in Arthur's court?" "He is," said Gawain; "and
+truly he is the knight who fought with thee last." "Verily," said
+Perceval, "I am not sorry to have thus avenged the insult to the
+smiling maiden. "Then Perceval told him his name, and said, "Who
+art thou?" And he replied, "I am Gawain." "I am right glad to meet
+thee," said Perceval, "for I have everywhere heard of thy prowess
+and uprightness; and I solicit thy fellowship." "Thou shalt have
+it, by my faith; and grant me thine," said he. "Gladly will I do
+so," answered Perceval.
+
+So they went together to Arthur, and saluted him.
+
+"Behold, lord," said Gawain, "him whom thou hast sought so long."
+"Welcome unto thee, chieftain," said Arthur. And hereupon there
+came the queen and her handmaidens, and Perceval saluted them. And
+they were rejoiced to see him, and bade him welcome. And Arthur
+did him great honor and respect and they returned towards
+Caerleon.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+THE SANGREAL, OR HOLY GRAAL
+
+
+The Sangreal was the cup from which our Saviour drank at his last
+supper. He was supposed to have given it to Joseph of Arimathea,
+who carried it to Europe, together with the spear with which the
+soldier pierced the Saviour's side. From generation to generation,
+one of the descendants of Joseph of Arimathea had been devoted to
+the guardianship of these precious relics; but on the sole
+condition of leading a life of purity in thought, word, and deed.
+For a long time the Sangreal was visible to all pilgrims, and its
+presence conferred blessings upon the land in which it was
+preserved. But at length one of those holy men to whom its
+guardianship had descended so far forgot the obligation of his
+sacred office as to look with unhallowed eye upon a young female
+pilgrim whose robe was accidentally loosened as she knelt before
+him. The sacred lance instantly punished his frailty,
+spontaneously falling upon him, and inflicting a deep wound. The
+marvellous wound could by no means be healed, and the guardian of
+the Sangreal was ever after called "Le Roi Pescheur,"--The Sinner
+King. The Sangreal withdrew its visible presence from the crowds
+who came to worship, and an iron age succeeded to the happiness
+which its presence had diffused among the tribes of Britain.
+
+       "But then the times
+    Grew to such evil that the Holy cup
+    Was caught away to heaven and disappear'd."
+                             --The Holy Grail.
+
+We have told in the history of Merlin how that great prophet and
+enchanter sent a message to King Arthur by Sir Gawain, directing
+him to undertake the recovery of the Sangreal, informing him at
+the same time that the knight who should accomplish that sacred
+quest was already born, and of a suitable age to enter upon it.
+Sir Gawain delivered his message, and the king was anxiously
+revolving in his mind how best to achieve the enterprise, when, at
+the vigil of Pentecost, all the fellowship of the Round Table
+being met together at Camelot, as they sat at meat, suddenly there
+was heard a clap of thunder, and then a bright light burst forth,
+and every knight, as he looked on his fellow, saw him, in seeming,
+fairer than ever before. All the hall was filled with sweet odors,
+and every knight had such meat and drink as he best loved. Then
+there entered into the hall the Holy Graal, covered with white
+samite, so that none could see it, and it passed through the hall
+suddenly, and disappeared. During this time no one spoke a word,
+but when they had recovered breath to speak King Arthur said,
+"Certainly we ought greatly to thank the Lord for what he hath
+showed us this day." Then Sir Gawain rose up, and made a vow that
+for twelve months and a day he would seek the Sangreal, and not
+return till he had seen it, if so he might speed. When they of the
+Round Table heard Sir Gawain say so, they arose, the most part of
+them, and vowed the same. When King Arthur heard this, he was
+greatly displeased, for he knew well that they might not gainsay
+their vows. "Alas!" said he to Sir Gawain, "you have nigh slain me
+with the vow and promise that ye have made, for ye have bereft me
+of the fairest fellowship that ever were seen together in any
+realm of the world; for when they shall depart hence, I am sure
+that all shall never meet more in this world."
+
+SIR GALAHAD
+
+At that time there entered the hall a good old man, and with him
+he brought a young knight, and these words he said: "Peace be with
+you, fair lords." Then the old man said unto King Arthur, "Sir, I
+bring you here a young knight that is of kings' lineage, and of
+the kindred of Joseph of Arimathea, being the son of Dame Elaine,
+the daughter of King Pelles, king of the foreign country." Now the
+name of the young knight was Sir Galahad, and he was the son of
+Sir Launcelot du Lac; but he had dwelt with his mother, at the
+court of King Pelles, his grandfather, till now he was old enough
+to bear arms, and his mother had sent him in the charge of a holy
+hermit to King Arthur's court. Then Sir Launcelot beheld his son,
+and had great joy of him. And Sir Bohort told his fellows, "Upon
+my life, this young knight shall come to great worship." The noise
+was great in all the court, so that it came to the queen. And she
+said, "I would fain see him, for he must needs be a noble knight,
+for so is his father." And the queen and her ladies all said that
+he resembled much unto his father; and he was seemly and demure as
+a dove, with all manner of good features, that in the whole world
+men might not find his match. And King Arthur said, "God make him
+a good man, for beauty faileth him not, as any that liveth."
+
+Then the hermit led the young knight to the Siege Perilous; and he
+lifted up the cloth, and found there letters that said, "This is
+the seat of Sir Galahad, the good knight;" and he made him sit in
+that seat. And all the knights of the Round Table marvelled
+greatly at Sir Galahad, seeing him sit securely in that seat, and
+said, "This is he by whom the Sangreal shall be achieved, for
+there never sat one before in that seat without being mischieved."
+
+On the next day the king said, "Now, at this quest of the Sangreal
+shall all ye of the Round Table depart, and never shall I see you
+again altogether; therefore I will that ye all repair to the
+meadow of Camelot, for to just and tourney yet once more before ye
+depart." But all the meaning of the king was to see Sir Galahad
+proved. So then were they all assembled in the meadow. Then Sir
+Galahad, by request of the king and queen, put on his harness and
+his helm, but shield would he take none for any prayer of the
+king. And the queen was in a tower, with all her ladies, to behold
+that tournament. Then Sir Galahad rode into the midst of the
+meadow; and there he began to break spears marvellously, so that
+all men had wonder of him, for he surmounted all knights that
+encountered with him, except two, Sir Launcelot and Sir Perceval.
+
+    "So many knights, that all the people cried,
+    And almost burst the barriers in their heat,
+    Shouting 'Sir Galahad and Sir Perceval!'"
+
+    --Sir Galahad
+
+Then the king, at the queen's request, made him to alight, and
+presented him to the queen; and she said, "Never two men resembled
+one another more than he and Sir Launcelot, and therefore it is no
+marvel that he is like him in prowess."
+
+Then the king and the queen went to the minster, and the knights
+followed them. And after the service was done they put on their
+helms and departed, and there was great sorrow. They rode through
+the streets of Camelot, and there was weeping of the rich and
+poor; and the king turned away, and might not speak for weeping.
+And so they departed, and every knight took the way that him best
+liked.
+
+Sir Galahad rode forth without shield, and rode four days, and
+found no adventure. And on the fourth day he came to a white
+abbey; and there he was received with great reverence, and led to
+a chamber. He met there two knights, King Bagdemagus and Sir
+Uwaine, and they made of him great solace. "Sirs," said Sir
+Galahad, "what adventure brought you hither?" "Sir," said they,
+"it is told us that within this place is a shield, which no man
+may bear unless he be worthy; and if one unworthy should attempt
+to bear it, it shall surely do him a mischief." Then King
+Bagdemagus said, "I fear not to bear it, and that shall ye see to-
+morrow."
+
+So on the morrow they arose, and heard mass; then King Bagdemagus
+asked where the adventurous shield was. Anon a monk led him behind
+an altar, where the shield hung, as white as snow; but in the
+midst there was a red cross. Then King Bagdemagus took the shield,
+and bare it out of the minster; and he said to Sir Galahad, "If it
+please you, abide here till ye know how I shall speed."
+
+Then King Bagdemagus and his squire rode forth: and when they had
+ridden a mile or two, they saw a goodly knight come towards them,
+in white armor, horse and all; and he came as fast as his horse
+might run, with his spear in the rest; and King Bagdemagus
+directed his spear against him, and broke it upon the white
+knight, but the other struck him so hard that he broke the mails,
+and thrust him through the right shoulder, for the shield covered
+him not, and so he bare him from his horse. Then the white knight
+turned his horse and rode away.
+
+Then the squire went to King Bagdemagus, and asked him whether he
+were sore wounded or not. "I am sore wounded," said he, "and full
+hardly shall I escape death." Then the squire set him on his
+horse, and brought him to an abbey; and there he was taken down
+softly, and unarmed, and laid in a bed, and his wound was looked
+to, for he lay there long, and hardly escaped with his life. And
+the squire brought the shield back to the abbey.
+
+The next day Sir Galahad took the shield, and within a while he
+came to the hermitage, where he met the white knight, and each
+saluted the other courteously. "Sir," said Sir Galahad, "can you
+tell me the marvel of the shield?" "Sir," said the white knight,
+"that shield belonged of old to the gentle knight, Joseph of
+Arimathea; and when he came to die he said, 'Never shall man bear
+this shield about his neck but he shall repent it, unto the time
+that Sir Galahad the good knight bear it, the last of my lineage,
+the which shall do many marvellous deeds.'" And then the white
+knight vanished away.
+
+SIR GAWAIN
+
+After Sir Gawain departed, he rode many days, both toward and
+forward, and at last he came to the abbey where Sir Galahad took
+the white shield. And they told Sir Gawain of the marvellous
+adventure that Sir Galahad had done. "Truly," said Sir Gawain, "I
+am not happy that I took not the way that he went, for, if I may
+meet with him, I will not part from him lightly, that I may
+partake with him all the marvellous adventures which he shall
+achieve." "Sir," said one of the monks, "he will not be of your
+fellowship." "Why?" said Sir Gawain. "Sir," said he, "because ye
+be sinful, and he is blissful." Then said the monk, "Sir Gawain,
+thou must do penance for thy sins." "Sir, what penance shall I
+do?" "Such as I will show," said the good man. "Nay," said Sir
+Gawain, "I will do no penance, for we knights adventurous often
+suffer great woe and pain." "Well," said the good man; and he held
+his peace. And Sir Gawain departed.
+
+Now it happened, not long after this, that Sir Gawain and Sir
+Hector rode together, and they came to a castle where was a great
+tournament. And Sir Gawain and Sir Hector joined themselves to the
+party that seemed the weaker, and they drove before them the other
+party. Then suddenly came into the lists a knight, bearing a white
+shield with a red cross, and by adventure he came by Sir Gawain,
+and he smote him so hard that he clave his helm and wounded his
+head, so that Sir Gawain fell to the earth. When Sir Hector saw
+that, he knew that the knight with the white shield was Sir
+Galahad, and he thought it no wisdom to abide him, and also for
+natural love, that he was his uncle. Then Sir Galahad retired
+privily, so that none knew where he had gone. And Sir Hector
+raised up Sir Gawain, and said, "Sir, me seemeth your quest is
+done." "It is done," said Sir Gawain; "I shall seek no further."
+Then Gawain was borne into the castle, and unarmed, and laid in a
+rich bed, and a leech found to search his wound. And Sir Gawain
+and Sir Hector abode together, for Sir Hector would not away till
+Sir Gawain were whole.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE SANGREAL (Continued)
+
+SIR LAUNCELOT
+
+
+Sir Launcelot rode overthwart and endlong in a wide forest, and
+held no path but as wild adventure lee him.
+
+    "My golden spurs now bring to me,
+       And bring to me my richest mail,
+     For to-morrow I go over land and sea
+       In search of the Holy, Holy Grail
+
+    Shall never a bed for me be spread,
+    Nor shall a pillow be under my head,
+    Till I begin my vow to keep.
+    Here on the rushes will I sleep,
+    And perchance there may come a vision true
+    Ere day create the world anew"
+
+                             --Lowell's Holy Grail.
+
+And at last he came to a stone cross. Then Sir Launcelot looked
+round him, and saw an old chapel. So he tied his horse to a tree,
+and put off his shield, and hung it upon a tree; and then he went
+into the chapel, and looked through a place where the wall was
+broken. And within he saw a fair altar, full richly arrayed with
+cloth of silk; and there stood a fair candlestick, which bare six
+great candles, and the candlestick was of silver. When Sir
+Launcelot saw this sight, he had a great wish to enter the chapel,
+but he could find no place where he might enter. Then was he
+passing heavy and dismayed. And he returned and came again to his
+horse, and took off his saddle and his bridle, and let him
+pasture; and unlaced his helm, and ungirded his sword, and laid
+him down to sleep upon his shield before the cross.
+
+And as he lay, half waking and half sleeping, he saw come by him
+two palfreys, both fair and white, which bare a litter, on which
+lay a sick knight. And when he was nigh the cross, he there abode
+still. And Sir Launcelot heard him say, "O sweet Lord, when shall
+this sorrow leave me, and when shall the holy vessel come by me
+whereby I shall be healed?" And thus a great while complained the
+knight, and Sir Launcelot heard it. Then Sir Launcelot saw the
+candlestick, with the lighted tapers, come before the cross, but
+he could see nobody that brought it. Also there came a salver of
+silver and the holy vessel of the Sangreal; and therewithal the
+sick knight sat him upright, and held up both his hands, and said,
+"Fair, sweet Lord, which is here within the holy vessel, take heed
+to me, that I may be whole of this great malady." And therewith,
+upon his hands and upon his knees, he went so nigh that he touched
+the holy vessel and kissed it. And anon he was whole. Then the
+holy vessel went into the chapel again, with the candlestick and
+the light, so that Sir Launcelot wist not what became of it.
+
+Then the sick knight rose up and kissed the cross; and anon his
+squire brought him his arms and asked his lord how he did. "I
+thank God right heartily," said he, "for, through the holy vessel,
+I am healed. But I have great marvel of this sleeping knight, who
+hath had neither grace nor power to awake during the time that the
+holy vessel hath been here present." "I dare it right well say,"
+said the squire, "that this same knight is stained with some
+manner of deadly sin, whereof he was never confessed." So they
+departed.
+
+Then anon Sir Launcelot waked, and set himself upright, and
+bethought him of what he had seen and whether it were dreams or
+not. And he was passing heavy, and wist not what to do. And he
+said: "My sin and my wretchedness hath brought me into great
+dishonor. For when I sought worldly adventures and worldly
+desires, I ever achieved them, and had the better in every place,
+and never was I discomfited in any quarrel, were it right or
+wrong. And now I take upon me the adventure of holy things, I see
+and understand that mine old sin hindereth me, so that I had no
+power to stir nor to speak when the holy blood appeared before
+me." So thus he sorrowed till it was day, and heard the fowls of
+the air sing. Then was he somewhat comforted.
+
+Then he departed from the cross into the forest. And there he
+found a hermitage, and a hermit therein, who was going to mass. So
+when mass was done Sir Launcelot called the hermit to him, and
+prayed him for charity to hear his confession. "With a good will,"
+said the good man. And then he told that good man all his life,
+and how he had loved a queen unmeasurably many years. "And all my
+great deeds of arms that I have done I did the most part for the
+queen's sake, and for her sake would I do battle, were it right or
+wrong, and never did I battle all only for God's sake, but for to
+win worship, and to cause me to be better beloved; and little or
+naught I thanked God for it. I pray you counsel me."
+
+"I will counsel you," said the hermit, "if ye will insure me that
+ye will never come in that queen's fellowship as much as ye may
+forbear." And then Sir Launcelot promised the hermit, by his
+faith, that he would no more come in her company. "Look that your
+heart and your mouth accord," said the good man, "and I shall
+insure you that ye shall have more worship than ever ye had."
+
+Then the good man enjoined Sir Launcelot such penance as he might
+do, and he assailed Sir Launcelot and made him abide with him all
+that day. And Sir Launcelot repented him greatly.
+
+SIR PERCEVAL
+
+Sir Perceval departed and rode till the hour of noon; and he met
+in a valley about twenty men of arms. And when they saw Sir
+Perceval, they asked him whence he was; and he answered: "Of the
+court of King Arthur." Then they cried all at once, "Slay him."
+But Sir Perceval smote the first to the earth, and his horse upon
+him. Then seven of the knights smote upon his shield all at once,
+and the remnant slew his horse, so that he fell to the earth. So
+had they slain him or taken him, had not the good knight Sir
+Galahad, with the red cross, come there by adventure. And when he
+saw all the knights upon one, he cried out, "Save me that knight's
+life." Then he rode toward the twenty men of arms as fast as his
+horse might drive, with his spear in the rest, and smote the
+foremost horse and man to the earth. And when his spear was
+broken, he set his hand to his sword, and smote on the right hand
+and on the left, that it was marvel to see; and at every stroke he
+smote down one, or put him to rebuke, so that they would fight no
+more, but fled to a thick forest, and Sir Galahad followed them.
+And when Sir Perceval saw him chase them so, he made great sorrow
+that his horse was slain. And he wist well it was Sir Galahad.
+Then he cried aloud, "Ah, fair knight, abide, and suffer me to do
+thanks unto thee; for right well have ye done for me." But Sir
+Galahad rode so fast that at last he passed out of his sight. When
+Sir Perceval saw that he would not turn, he said, "Now am I a very
+wretch, and most unhappy above all other knights." So in his
+sorrow he abode all that day till it was night; and then he was
+faint, and laid him down and slept till midnight; and then he
+awaked and saw before him a woman, who said unto him, "Sir
+Perceval, what dost thou here?" He answered, "I do neither good,
+nor great ill." "If thou wilt promise me," said she, "that thou
+wilt fulfil my will when I summon thee, I will lend thee my own
+horse, which shall bear thee whither thou wilt." Sir Perceval was
+glad of her proffer, and insured her to fulfil all her desire.
+"Then abide me here, and I will go fetch you a horse." And so she
+soon came again, and brought a horse with her that was inky black.
+When Perceval beheld that horse he marvelled, it was so great and
+so well apparelled. And he leapt upon him and took no heed of
+himself. And he thrust him with his spurs, and within an hour and
+less he bare him four days' journey thence, until he came to a
+rough water, which roared, and his horse would have borne him into
+it. And when Sir Perceval came nigh the brim and saw the water so
+boisterous he doubted to overpass it. And then he made the sign of
+the cross on his forehead. When the fiend felt him so charged, he
+shook off Sir Perceval, and went into the water crying and
+roaring; and it seemed unto him that the water burned. Then Sir
+Perceval perceived it was a fiend that would have brought him unto
+his perdition. Then he commended himself unto God, and prayed our
+Lord to keep him from all such temptations; and so he prayed all
+that night till it was day. Then he saw that he was in a wild
+place, that was closed with the sea nigh all about. And Sir
+Perceval looked forth over the sea, and saw a ship come sailing
+towards him; and it came and stood still under the rock. And when
+Sir Perceval saw this, he hied him thither, and found the ship
+covered with silk; and therein was a lady of great beauty, and
+clothed so richly that none might be better.
+
+And when she saw Sir Perceval, she saluted him, and Sir Perceval
+returned her salutation. Then he asked her of her country and her
+lineage. And she said, "I am a gentlewoman that am disinherited,
+and was once the richest woman of the world." "Damsel," said Sir
+Perceval, "who hath disinherited you? for I have great pity of
+you." "Sir," said she, "my enemy is a great and powerful lord, and
+aforetime he made much of me, so that of his favor and of my
+beauty I had a little pride more than I ought to have had. Also I
+said a word that pleased him not. So he drove me from his company
+and from mine heritage. Therefore I know no good knight nor good
+man, but I get him on my side if I may. And for that I know that
+thou art a good knight, I beseech thee to help me."
+
+Then Sir Perceval promised her all the help that he might, and she
+thanked him.
+
+And at that time the weather was hot, and she called to her a
+gentlewoman, and bade her bring forth a pavilion. And she did so,
+and pitched it upon the gravel. "Sir," said she, "now may ye rest
+you in this heat of the day." Then he thanked her, and she put off
+his helm and his shield, and there he slept a great while. Then he
+awoke, and asked her if she had any meat, and she said yea, and so
+there was set upon the table all manner of meats that he could
+think on. Also he drank there the strongest wine that ever he
+drank, and therewith he was a little chafed more than he ought to
+be. With that he beheld the lady, and he thought she was the
+fairest creature that ever he saw. And then Sir Perceval proffered
+her love, and prayed her that she would be his. Then she refused
+him in a manner, for the cause he should be the more ardent on
+her, and ever he ceased not to pray her of love. And when she saw
+him well enchafed, then she said, "Sir Perceval, wit you well I
+shall not give ye my love, unless you swear from henceforth you
+will be my true servant, and do no thing but that I shall command
+you. Will you insure me this, as ye be a true knight?" "Yea," said
+he, "fair lady, by the faith of my body." And as he said this, by
+adventure and grace, he saw his sword lie on the ground naked, in
+whose pommel was a red cross, and the sign of the crucifix
+thereon. Then he made the sign of the cross on his forehead, and
+therewith the pavilion shrivelled up, and changed into a smoke and
+a black cloud. And the damsel cried aloud, and hasted into the
+ship, and so she went with the wind roaring and yelling that it
+seemed all the water burned after her. Then Sir Perceval made
+great sorrow, and called himself a wretch, saying, "How nigh was I
+lost!" Then he took his arms, and departed thence.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE SANGREAL (Continued)
+
+SIR BOHORT
+
+
+When Sir Boliort departed from Camelot he met with a religious
+man, riding upon an ass; and Sir Bohort saluted him. "What are
+ye?" said the good man. "Sir," said Sir Bohort, "I am a knight
+that fain would be counselled in the quest of the Sangreal." So
+rode they both together till they came to a hermitage; and there
+he prayed Sir Bohort to dwell that night with him. So he alighted,
+and put away his armor, and prayed him that he might be confessed.
+And they went both into the chapel, and there he was clean
+confessed. And they ate bread and drank water together. "Now,"
+said the good man, "I pray thee that thou eat none other till thou
+sit at the table where the Sangreal shall be." "Sir," said Sir
+Bohort, "but how know ye that I shall sit there?" "Yea," said the
+good man, "that I know well; but there shall be few of your
+fellows with you." Then said Sir Bohort, "I agree me thereto" And
+the good man when he had heard his confession found him in so pure
+a life and so stable that he marvelled thereof.
+
+On the morrow, as soon as the day appeared, Sir Bohort departed
+thence, and rode into a forest unto the hour of midday. And there
+befell him a marvellous adventure. For he met, at the parting of
+two ways, two knights that led Sir Lionel, his brother, all naked,
+bound upon a strong hackney, and his hands bound before his
+breast; and each of them held in his hand thorns wherewith they
+went beating him, so that he was all bloody before and behind; but
+he said never a word, but, as he was great of heart, he suffered
+all that they did to him as though he had felt none anguish. Sir
+Bohort prepared to rescue his brother. But he looked on the other
+side of him, and saw a knight dragging along a fair gentlewoman,
+who cried out, "Saint Mary! succor your maid!" And when she saw
+Sir Bohort, she called to him, and said, "By the faith that ye owe
+to knighthood, help me!" When Sir Bohort heard her say thus he had
+such sorrow that he wist not what to do. "For if I let my brother
+be he must be slain, and that would I not for all the earth; and
+if I help not the maid I am shamed for ever." Then lift he up his
+eyes and said, weeping, "Fair Lord, whose liegeman I am, keep Sir
+Lionel, my brother, that none of these knights slay him, and for
+pity of you, and our Lady's sake, I shall succor this maid."
+
+Then he cried out to the knight, "Sir knight, lay your hand off
+that maid, or else ye be but dead." Then the knight set down the
+maid, and took his shield, and drew out his sword. And Sir Bohort
+smote him so hard that it went through his shield and habergeon,
+on the left shoulder, and he fell down to the earth. Then came Sir
+Bohort to the maid, "Ye be delivered of this knight this time."
+"Now," said she, "I pray you lead me there where this knight took
+me." "I shall gladly do it," said Sir Bohort. So he took the horse
+of the wounded knight, and set the gentlewoman upon it, and
+brought her there where she desired to be. And there he found
+twelve knights seeking after her; and when she told them how Sir
+Bohort had delivered her, they made great joy, and besought him to
+come to her father, a great lord, and he should be right welcomed.
+"Truly," said Sir Bohort, "that may not be; for I have a great
+adventure to do." So he commended them to God and departed.
+
+Then Sir Bohort rode after Sir Lionel, his brother, by the trace
+of their horses. Thus he rode seeking, a great while. Then he
+overtook a man clothed in a religious clothing, who said, "Sir
+Knight, what seek ye?" "Sir," said Sir Bohort, "I seek my brother,
+that I saw within a little space beaten of two knights." "Ah, Sir
+Bohort, tiouble not thyself to seek for him, for truly he is
+dead." Then he showed him a new-slain body, lying in a thick bush;
+and it seemed him that it was the body of Sir Lionel. And then he
+made such sorrow that he fell to the ground in a swoon, and lay
+there long. And when he came to himself again, he said, "Fair
+brother, since the fellowship of you and me is sundered, shall I
+never have joy again; and now He that I have taken for my Master,
+He be my help!" And when he had said thus he took up the body in
+his arms, and put it upon the horse. And then he said to the man,
+"Canst thou tell me the way to some chapel, where I may bury this
+body?" "Come on," said the man, "here is one fast by." And so they
+rode till they saw a fair tower, and beside it a chapel. Then they
+alighted both, and put the body into a tomb of marble.
+
+Then Sir Bohort commended the good man unto God, and departed. And
+he rode all that day, and harbored with an old lady. And on the
+morrow he rode unto the castle in a valley, and there he met with
+a yeoman. "Tell me," said Sir Bohort, "knowest thou of any
+adventure?" "Sir," said he, "here shall be, under this castle, a
+great and marvellous tournament." Then Sir Bohort thought to be
+there, if he might meet with any of the fellowship that were in
+quest of the Sangreal; so he turned to a hermitage that was on the
+border of the forest. And when he was come hither, he found there
+Sir Lionel his brother, who sat all armed at the entry of the
+chapel door. And when Sir Bohort saw him, he had great joy, and he
+alighted off his horse, and said. "Fair brother, when came ye
+hither?" As soon as Sir Lionel saw him he said, "Ah, Sir Bohort,
+make ye no false show, for, as for you, I might have been slain,
+for ye left me in peril of death to go succor a gentlewoman; and
+for that misdeed I now assure you but death, for ye have right
+well deserved it." When Sir Bohort perceived his brother's wrath
+he kneeled down to the earth and cried him mercy, holding up both
+his hands, and prayed him to forgive him. "Nay," said Sir Lionel,
+"thou shalt have but death for it, if I have the upper hand;
+therefore leap upon thy horse and keep thyself, and if thou do not
+I will run upon thee there as thou standest on foot, and so the
+shame shall be mine, and the harm thine, but of that I reck not."
+When Sir Bohort saw that he must fight with his brother or else
+die, he wist not what to do. Then his heart counselled him not so
+to do, inasmuch as Sir Lionel was his elder brother, wherefore he
+ought to bear him reverence. Yet kneeled he down before Sir
+Lionel's horse's feet, and said, "Fair brother, have mercy upon me
+and slay me not." But Sir Lionel cared not, for the fiend had
+brought him in such a will that he should slay him. When he saw
+that Sir Bohort would not rise to give him battle, he rushed over
+him, so that he smote him with his horse's feet to the earth, and
+hurt him sore, that he swooned of distress. When Sir Lionel saw
+this he alighted from his horse for to have smitten off his head;
+and so he took him by the helm, and would have rent it from his
+head. But it happened that Sir Colgrevance, a knight of the Round
+Table, came at that time thither, as it was our Lord's will; and
+then he beheld how Sir Lionel would have slain his brother, and he
+knew Sir Bohort, whom he loved right well.
+
+Then leapt he down from his horse and took Sir Lionel by the
+shoulders, and drew him strongly back from Sir Bohort, and said,
+"Sir Lionel, will ye slay your brother?" "Why," said Sir Lionel,
+"will ye stay me? If ye interfere in this I will slay you, and him
+after." Then he ran upon Sir Bohort, and would have smitten him;
+but Sir Colgrevance ran between them, and said, "If ye persist to
+do so any more, we two shall meddle together." Then Sir Lionel
+defied him, and gave him a great stroke through the helm. Then he
+drew his sword, for he was a passing good knight, and defended
+himself right manfully. So long endured the battle, that Sir
+Bohort rose up all anguishly, and beheld Sir Colgrevance, the good
+knight, fight with his brother for his quarrel. Then was he full
+sorry and heavy, and thought that if Sir Colgrevance slew him that
+was his brother he should never have joy, and if his brother slew
+Sir Colgrevance the shame should ever be his.
+
+Then would he have risen for to have parted them, but he had not
+so much strength to stand on his feet; so he staid so long that
+Sir Colgrevance had the worse; for Sir Lionel was of great
+chivalry and right hardy. Then cried Sir Colgrevance, "Ah, Sir
+Bohort, why come ye not to bring me out of peril of death, wherein
+I have put me to succor you?" With that, Sir Lionel smote off his
+helm and bore him to the earth. And when he had slain Sir
+Colgrevance he ran upon his brother as a fiendly man, and gave him
+such a stroke that he made him stoop. And he that was full of
+humility prayed him, "for God's sake leave this battle, for if it
+befell, fair brother, that I slew you, or ye me, we should be dead
+of that sin." "Pray ye not me for mercy," said Sir Lionel. Then
+Sir Bohort, all weeping, drew his sword, and said, "Now God have
+mercy upon me, though I defend my life against my brother." With
+that Sir Bohort lifted up his sword, and would have smitten his
+brother. Then he heard a voice that said, "Flee, Sir Bohort, and
+touch him not." Right so alighted a cloud between them, in the
+likeness of a fire and a marvellous flame, so that they both fell
+to the earth, and lay there a great while in a swoon. And when
+they came to themselves, Sir Bohort saw that his brother had no
+harm; and he was right glad, for he dread sore that God had taken
+vengeance upon him. Then Sir Lionel said to his brother, "Brother,
+forgive me, for God's sake, all that I have trespassed against
+you." And Sir Bohort answered, "God forgive it thee, and I do."
+
+With that Sir Bohort heard a voice say, "Sir Bohort, take thy way
+anon, right to the sea, for Sir Perceval abideth thee there." So
+Sir Bohort departed, and rode the nearest way to the sea. And at
+last he came to an abbey that was nigh the sea. That night he
+rested him there, and in his sleep there came a voice unto him and
+bade him go to the sea-shore. He started up, and made a sign of
+the cross on his forehead, and armed himself, and made ready his
+horse and mounted him, and at a broken wall he rode out, and came
+to the sea-shore. And there he found a ship, covered all with
+white samite. And he entered into the ship; but it was anon so
+dark that he might see no man, and he laid him down and slept till
+it was day. Then he awaked, and saw in the middle of the ship a
+knight all armed, save his helm. And then he knew it was Sir
+Perceval de Galis, and each made of other right great joy. Then
+said Sir Perceval, "We lack nothing now but the good knight Sir
+Galahad."
+
+SIR LAUNCELOT (Resumed)
+
+It befell upon a night Sir Launcelot arrived before a castle,
+which was rich and fair. And there was a postern that was opened
+toward the sea, and was open without any keeping, save two lions
+kept the entry; and the moon shined clear. Anon Sir Launcelot
+heard a voice that said, "Launcelot, enter into the castle, where
+thou shalt see a great part of thy desire." So he went unto the
+gate, and saw the two lions; then he set hands to his sword, and
+drew it. Then there came suddenly as it were a stroke upon the
+arm, so sore that the sword fell out of his hand, and he heard a
+voice that said, "O man of evil faith, wherefore believest thou
+more in thy armor than in thy Maker?" Then said Sir Launcelot,
+"Fair Lord, I thank thee of thy great mercy, that thou reprovest
+me of my misdeed; now see I well that thou holdest me for thy
+servant." Then he made a cross on his forehead, and came to the
+lions; and they made semblance to do him harm, but he passed them
+without hurt, and entered into the castle, and he found no gate
+nor door but it was open. But at the last he found a chamber
+whereof the door was shut; and he set his hand thereto, to have
+opened it, but he might not. Then he listened, and heard a voice
+which sung so sweetly that it seemed none earthly thing; and the
+voice said, "Joy and honor be to the Father of heaven." Then Sir
+Launcelot kneeled down before the chamber, for well he wist that
+there was the Sangreal in that chamber. Then said he, "Fair, sweet
+Lord, if ever I did anything that pleased thee, for thy pity show
+me something of that which I seek." And with that he saw the
+chamber door open, and there came out a great clearness, that the
+house was as bright as though all the torches of the world had
+been there. So he came to the chamber door, and would have
+entered; and anon a voice said unto him, "Stay, Sir Launcelot, and
+enter not." And he withdrew him back, and was right heavy in his
+mind. Then looked he in the midst of the chamber, and saw a table
+of silver, and the holy vessel, covered with red samite, and many
+angels about it; whereof one held a candle of wax burning, and
+another held a cross, and the ornaments of the altar.
+
+    "O, yet methought I saw the Holy Grail,
+    All pall'd in crimson samite, and around
+    Great angels, awful shapes, and wings and eyes"
+
+                                      --The Holy Grail.
+
+Then for very wonder and thankfulness Sir Launcelot forgot himself
+and he stepped forward and entered the chamber. And suddenly a
+breath that seemed intermixed with fire smote him so sore in the
+visage that therewith he fell to the ground, and had no power to
+rise. Then felt he many hands about him, which took him up and
+bare him out of the chamber, without any amending of his swoon,
+and left him there, seeming dead to all the people. So on the
+morrow, when it was fair daylight, and they within were arisen,
+they found Sir Launcelot lying before the chamber door. And they
+looked upon him and felt his pulse, to know if there were any life
+in him. And they found life in him, but he might neither stand nor
+stir any member that he had. So they took him and bare him into a
+chamber, and laid him upon a bed, far from all folk, and there he
+lay many days. Then the one said he was alive, and the others said
+nay. But said an old man, "He is as full of life as the mightiest
+of you all, and therefore I counsel you that he be well kept till
+God bring him back again." And after twenty-four days he opened
+his eyes; and when he saw folk he made great sorrow, and said,
+"Why have ye wakened me? for I was better at ease than I am now."
+"What have ye seen?" said they about him. "I have seen," said he,
+"great marvels that no tongue can tell, and more than any heart
+can think." Then they said, "Sir, the quest of the Sangreal is
+achieved right now in you, and never shall ye see more of it than
+ye have seen." "I thank God," said Sir Launcelot, "of his great
+mercy, for that I have seen, for it sufficeth me." Then he rose up
+and clothed himself; and when he was so arrayed they marvelled
+all, for they knew it was Sir Launcelot the good knight. And after
+four days he took his leave of the lord of the castle, and of all
+the fellowship that were there, and thanked them for their great
+labor and care of him. Then he departed, and turned to Camelot,
+where he found King Arthur and Queen Guenever; but many of the
+knights of the Round Table were slain and destroyed, more than
+half. Then all the court was passing glad of Sir Launcelot; and he
+told the king all his adventures that had befallen him since he
+departed.
+
+SIR GALAHAD
+
+Now, when Sir Galahad had rescued Perceval from the twenty
+knights, he rode into a vast forest, wherein he abode many days.
+Then he took his way to the sea, and it befell him that he was
+benighted in a hermitage. And the good man was glad when he saw he
+was a knight-errant. And when they were at rest, there came a
+gentlewoman knocking at the door; and the good man came to the
+door to wit what she would. Then she said, "I would speak with the
+knight which is with you." Then Galahad went to her, and asked her
+what she would. "Sir Galahad," said she, "I will that ye arm you,
+and mount upon your horse, and follow me; for I will show you the
+highest adventure that ever knight saw." Then Galahad armed
+himself and commended himself to God, and bade the damsel go
+before, and he would follow where she led.
+
+So she rode as fast as her palfrey might bear her, till she came
+to the sea; and there they found the ship where Sir Bohort and Sir
+Perceval were, who cried from the ship, "Sir Galahad, you are
+welcome; we have waited you long." And when he heard them, he
+asked the damsel who they were. "Sir," said she, "leave your horse
+here, and I shall leave mine, and we will join ourselves to their
+company." So they entered into the ship, and the two knights
+received them both with great joy. For they knew the damsel, that
+she was Sir Perceval's sister. Then the wind arose and drove them
+through the sea all that day and the next, till the ship arrived
+between two rocks, passing great and marvellous; but there they
+might not land, for there was a whirlpool; but there was another
+ship, and upon it they might go without danger. "Go we thither,"
+said the gentlewoman, "and there we shall see adventures, for such
+is our Lord's will." Then Sir Galahad blessed him, and entered
+therein, and then next the gentlewoman, and then Sir Bohort and
+Sir Perceval. And when they came on board they found there the
+table of silver, and the Sangreal, which was covered with red
+samite. And they made great reverence thereto, and Sir Galahad
+prayed a long time to our Lord, that at what time he should ask to
+pass out of this world he should do so; and a voice said to him,
+"Galahad, thou shalt have thy request; and when thou askest the
+death of thy body, thou shalt have it, and then shalt thou find
+the life of thy soul."
+
+And anon the wind drove them across the sea, till they came to the
+city of Sarras. Then took they out of the ship the table of
+silver, and Sir Perceval and Sir Bohort took it before, and Sir
+Galahad came behind, and right so they went to the city. And at
+the gate of the city they saw an old man, a cripple.
+
+    "And Sir Launfal said, 'I behold in thee
+    An image of Him who died on the tree
+    Thou also hast had thy crown of thorns,
+    Thou also hast had the world's buffets and scorns;
+    And to thy life were not denied
+    The wounds in thy hands and feet and side
+    Mild Mary's son, acknowledge me;
+    Behold, through Him I give to thee!'"
+
+                                 --Lowell's Holy Grail.
+
+Then Galahad called him, and bade him help to bear this heavy
+thing. "Truly," said the old man, "it is ten years since I could
+not go but with crutches." "Care thou not," said Sir Galahad, "but
+arise up, and show thy good will." Then the old man rose up, and
+assayed, and found himself as whole as ever he was; and he ran to
+the table, and took one part with Sir Galahad.
+
+When they came to the city it chanced that the king was just dead,
+and all the city was dismayed, and wist not who might be their
+king. Right so, as they were in counsel, there came a voice among
+them, and bade them choose the youngest knight of those three to
+be their king. So they made Sir Galahad king, by all the assent of
+the city. And when he was made king, he commanded to make a chest
+of gold and of precious stones to hold the holy vessel. And every
+day the three companions would come before it and make their
+prayers.
+
+Now at the year's end, and the same day of the year that Sir
+Galahad received the crown, he got up early, and, with his
+fellows, came to where the holy vessel was; and they saw one
+kneeling before it that had about him a great fellowship of
+angels; and he called Sir Galahad, and said, "Come, thou servant
+of the Lord, and thou shalt see what thou hast much desired to
+see." And Sir Galahad's mortal flesh trembled right hard when he
+began to behold the spiritual things. Then said the good man, "Now
+wottest thou who I am?" "Nay," said Sir Galahad. "I am Joseph of
+Arimathea, whom our Lord hath sent here to thee, to bear thee
+fellowship." Then Sir Galahad held up his hands toward heaven, and
+said, "Now, blessed Lord, would I not longer live, if it might
+please thee." And when he had said these words, Sir Galahad went
+to Sir Perceval and to Sir Bohort and kissed them, and commended
+them to God. And then he kneeled down before the table, and made
+his prayers, and suddenly his soul departed, and a great multitude
+of angels bare his soul up to heaven, so as the two fellows could
+well behold it. Also they saw come from heaven a hand, but they
+saw not the body; and the hand came right to the vessel and bare
+it up to heaven. Since then was there never one so hardy as to say
+that he had seen the Sangreal on earth any more.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+SIR AGRIVAIN'S TREASON
+
+
+When Sir Perceval and Sir Bohort saw Sir Galahad dead they made as
+much sorrow as ever did two men. And if they had not been good men
+they might have fallen into despair. As soon as Sir Galahad was
+buried Sir Perceval retired to a hermitage out of the city, and
+took a religious clothing; and Sir Bohort was always with him, but
+did not change his secular clothing, because he purposed to return
+to the realm of Loegria. Thus a year and two months lived Sir
+Perceval in the hermitage a full holy life, and then passed out of
+this world, and Sir Bohort buried him by his sister and Sir
+Galahad. Then Sir Bohort armed himself and departed from Sarras,
+and entered into a ship, and sailed to the kingdom of Loegria, and
+in due time arrived safe at Camelot, where the king was. Then was
+there great joy made of him in the whole court, for they feared he
+had been dead. Then the king made great clerks to come before him,
+that they should chronicle of the high adventures of the good
+knights. And Sir Bohort told him of the adventures that had
+befallen him, and his two fellows, Sir Perceval and Sir Galahad.
+And Sir Launcelot told the adventures of the Sangreal that he had
+seen. All this was made in great books, and put up in the church
+at Salisbury.
+
+So King Arthur and Queen Guenever made great joy of the remnant
+that were come home, and chiefly of Sir Launcelot and Sir Bohort.
+Then Sir Launcelot began to resort unto Queen Guenever again, and
+forgot the promise that he made in the quest: so that many in the
+court spoke of it, and in especial Sir Agrivain, Sir Gawain's
+brother, for he was ever open-mouthed. So it happened Sir Gawain
+and all his brothers were in King Arthur's chamber, and then Sir
+Agrivain said thus openly, "I marvel that we all are not ashamed
+to see and to know so noble a knight as King Arthur so to be
+shamed by the conduct of Sir Launcelot and the queen. "Then spoke
+Sir Gawain, and said, "Brother, Sir Agrivain, I pray you and
+charge you move not such matters any more before me, for be ye
+assured I will not be of your counsel." "Neither will we," said
+Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth. "Then will I," said Sir Modred. "I
+doubt you not," said Sir Gawain, "for to all mischief ever were ye
+prone; yet I would that ye left all this, for I know what will
+come of it."
+
+            "Modred's narrow foxy face,
+    Heart-hiding smile, and gray persistent eye:
+    Henceforward, too, the Powers that tend the soul
+    To help it from the death that cannot die,
+    And save it even in extremes, began
+    To vex and plague."
+
+                                --Guinevere.
+
+"Fall of it what fall may," said Sir Agrivain, "I will disclose it
+to the king." With that came to them King Arthur. "Now, brothers,
+hold your peace," said Sir Gawain. "We will not," said Sir
+Agrivain. Then said Sir Gawain, "I will not hear your tales nor be
+of your counsel." "No more will I," said Sir Gareth and Sir
+Gaheris, and therewith they departed, making great sorrow.
+
+Then Sir Agrivain told the king all that was said in the court of
+the conduct of Sir Launcelot and the queen, and it grieved the
+king very much. But he would not believe it to be true without
+proof. So Sir Agrivain laid a plot to entrap Sir Launcelot and the
+queen, intending to take them together unawares. Sir Agrivain and
+Sir Modred led a party for this purpose, but Sir Launcelot escaped
+from them, having slain Sir Agrivain and wounded Sir Modred. Then
+Sir Launcelot hastened to his friends, and told them what had
+happened, and withdrew with them to the forest; but he left spies
+to bring him tidings of whatever might be done.
+
+So Sir Launcelot escaped, but the queen remained in the king's
+power, and Arthur could no longer doubt of her guilt. And the law
+was such in those days that they who committed such crimes, of
+what estate or condition soever they were, must be burned to
+death, and so it was ordained for Queen Guenever. Then said King
+Arthur to Sir Gawain, "I pray you make you ready, in your best
+armor, with your brethren, Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, to bring my
+queen to the fire, there to receive her death." "Nay, my most
+noble lord," said Sir Gawain, "that will I never do; for know thou
+well, my heart will never serve me to see her die, and it shall
+never be said that I was of your counsel in her death." Then the
+king commanded Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth to be there, and they
+said, "We will be there, as ye command us, sire, but in peaceable
+wise, and bear no armor upon us."
+
+So the queen was led forth, and her ghostly father was brought to
+her to shrive her, and there was weeping and wailing of many lords
+and ladies. And one went and told Sir Launcelot that the queen was
+led forth to her death. Then Sir Launcelot and the knights that
+were with him fell upon the troop that guarded the queen, and
+dispersed them, and slew all who withstood them. And in the
+confusion Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris were slain, for they were
+unarmed and defenceless. And Sir Launcelot carried away the queen
+to his castle of La Joyeuse Garde.
+
+Then there came one to Sir Gawain and told him how that Sir
+Launcelot had slain the knights and carried away the queen. "O
+Lord, defend my brethren!" said Sir Gawain. "Truly," said the man,
+"Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris are slain." "Alas!" said Sir Gawain,
+"now is my joy gone." And then he fell down and swooned, and long
+he lay there as he had been dead.
+
+When he arose out of his swoon Sir Gawain ran to the king, crying,
+"O King Arthur, mine uncle, my brothers are slain." Then the king
+wept and he both. "My king, my lord, and mine uncle," said Sir
+Gawain, "bear witness now that I make you a promise that I shall
+hold by my knighthood, and from this day I will never fail Sir
+Launcelot until the one of us have slain the other. I will seek
+Sir Launcelot throughout seven kings' realms, but I shall slay him
+or he shall slay me." "Ye shall not need to seek him," said the
+king, "for as I hear, Sir Launcelot will abide me and you in the
+Joyeuse Garde; and much people draweth unto him, as I hear say."
+"That may I believe," said Sir Gawain; "but, my lord, summon your
+friends, and I will summon mine." "It shall be done," said the
+king. So then the king sent letters and writs throughout all
+England, both in the length and breadth, to summon all his
+knights. And unto Arthur drew many knights, dukes, and earls, so
+that he had a great host. Thereof heard Sir Launcelot, and
+collected all whom he could; and many good knights held with him,
+both for his sake and for the queen's sake. But King Arthur's host
+was too great for Sir Launcelot to abide him in the field; and he
+was full loath to do battle against the king. So Sir Launcelot
+drew him to his strong castle, with all manner of provisions. Then
+came King Arthur with Sir Gawain, and laid siege all about La
+Joyeuse Garde, both the town and the castle; but in no wise would
+Sir Launcelot ride out of his castle, neither suffer any of his
+knights to issue out, until many weeks were past.
+
+Then it befell upon a day in harvest-time, Sir Launcelot looked
+over the wall, and spoke aloud to King Arthur and Sir Gawain, "My
+lords both, all is in vain that ye do at this siege, for here ye
+shall win no worship, but only dishonor; for if I list to come
+out, and my good knights, I shall soon make an end of this war."
+"Come forth," said Arthur, "if thou darest, and I promise thee I
+shall meet thee in the midst of the field." "God forbid me," said
+Sir Launcelot, "that I should encounter with the most noble king
+that made me knight." "Fie upon thy fair language," said the king,
+"for know thou well I am thy mortal foe, and ever will be to my
+dying day." And Sir Gawain said, "What cause hadst thou to slay my
+brother, Sir Gaheris, who bore no arms against thee, and Sir
+Gareth, whom thou madest knight, and who loved thee more than all
+my kin? Therefore know thou well I shall make war to thee all the
+while that I may live."
+
+When Sir Bohort, and Sir Hector de Marys, and Sir Lionel heard
+this outcry, they called to them Sir Palamedes, and Sir Saffire
+his brother, and Sir Lawayn, with many more, and all went to Sir
+Launcelot. And they said, "My lord, Sir Launcelot, we pray you, if
+you will have our service keep us no longer within these walls,
+for know well all your fair speech and forbearance will not avail
+you." "Alas!" said Sir Launcelot, "to ride forth and to do battle
+I am full loath." Then he spake again unto the king and Sir
+Gawain, and willed them to keep out of the battle; but they
+despised his words. So then Sir Launcelot's fellowship came out of
+the castle in full good array. And always Sir Launcelot charged
+all his knights, in any wise, to save King Arthur and Sir Gawain.
+
+Then came forth Sir Gawain from the king's host and offered
+combat, and Sir Lionel encountered with him, and there Sir Gawain
+smote Sir Lionel through the body, that he fell to the earth as if
+dead. Then there began a great conflict, and much people were
+slain; but ever Sir Launcelot did what he might to save the people
+on King Arthur's party, and ever King Arthur followed Sir
+Launcelot to slay him; but Sir Launcelot suffered him, and would
+not strike again. Then Sir Bohort encountered with King Arthur,
+and smote him down; and he alighted and drew his sword, and said
+to Sir Launcelot, "Shall I make an end of this war?" for he meant
+to have slain King Arthur. "Not so," said Sir Launcelot, "touch
+him no more, for I will never see that most noble king that made
+me knight either slain or shamed;" and therewith Sir Launcelot
+alighted off his horse, and took up the king, and horsed him
+again, and said thus: "My lord Arthur, for God's love, cease this
+strife." And King Arthur looked upon Sir Launcelot, and the tears
+burst from his eyes, thinking on the great courtesy that was in
+Sir Launcelot more than in any other man; and therewith the king
+rode his way. Then anon both parties withdrew to repose them, and
+buried the dead.
+
+But the war continued, and it was noised abroad through all
+Christendom, and at last it was told afore the pope; and he,
+considering the great goodness of King Arthur, and of Sir
+Launcelot, called unto him a noble clerk, which was the Bishop of
+Rochester, who was then in his dominions, and sent him to King
+Arthur, charging him that he take his queen, dame Guenever, unto
+him again, and make peace with Sir Launcelot.
+
+So, by means of this bishop, peace was made for the space of one
+year; and King Arthur received back the queen, and Sir Launcelot
+departed from the kingdom with all his knights, and went to his
+own country. So they shipped at Cardiff, and sailed unto Benwick,
+which some men call Bayonne. And all the people of those lands
+came to Sir Launcelot, and received him home right joyfully. And
+Sir Launcelot stablished and garnished all his towns and castles,
+and he greatly advanced all his noble knights, Sir Lionel and Sir
+Bohort, and Sir Hector de Marys, Sir Blamor, Sir Lawayne, and many
+others, and made them lords of lands and castles; till he left
+himself no more than any one of them.
+
+      "Then Arthur made vast banquets, and strange knights
+    From the four winds came in: and each one sat,
+    Tho' served with choice from air, land, stream and sea,
+    Oft in mid-banquet measuring with his eyes
+    His neighbor's make and might."
+
+                                    --Pelleas and Ettarre.
+
+But when the year was passed, King Arthur and Sir Gawain came with
+a great host, and landed upon Sir Launcelot's lands, and burned
+and wasted all that they might overrun. Then spake Sir Bohort and
+said, "My lord, Sir Launcelot, give us leave to meet them in the
+field, and we shall make them rue the time that ever they came to
+this country." Then said Sir Launcelot, "I am full loath to ride
+out with my knights for shedding of Christian blood; so we will
+yet a while keep our walls, and I will send a messenger unto my
+lord Arthur, to propose a treaty; for better is peace than always
+war." So Sir Launcelot sent forth a damsel, and a dwarf with her,
+requiring King Arthur to leave his warring upon his lands; and so
+she started on a palfrey, and the dwarf ran by her side. And when
+she came to the pavilion of King Arthur, she alighted, and there
+met her a gentle knight, Sir Lucan, the butler, and said, "Fair
+damsel, come ye from Sir Launcelot du Lac?" "Yea, sir," she said,
+"I come hither to speak with the king." "Alas!" said Sir Lucan,
+"my lord Arthur would be reconciled to Sir Launcelot, but Sir
+Gawain will not suffer him." And with this Sir Lucan led the
+damsel to the king, where he sat with Sir Gawain, to hear what she
+would say. So when she had told her tale, the tears ran out of the
+king's eyes; and all the lords were forward to advise the king to
+be accorded with Sir Launcelot, save only Sir Gawain; and he said,
+"My lord, mine uncle, what will ye do? Will you now turn back, now
+you are so far advanced upon your journey? If ye do all the world
+will speak shame of you." "Nay," said King Arthur, "I will do as
+ye advise me; but do thou give the damsel her answer, for I may
+not speak to her for pity."
+
+Then said Sir Gawain, "Damsel, say ye to Sir Launcelot, that it is
+waste labor to sue to mine uncle for peace, and say that I, Sir
+Gawain, send him word that I promise him, by the faith I owe unto
+God and to knighthood, I shall never leave him till he have slain
+me or I him." So the damsel returned; and when Sir Launcelot had
+heard this answer the tears ran down his cheeks.
+
+Then it befell on a day Sir Gawain came before the gates, armed at
+all points, and cried with a loud voice, "Where art thou now, thou
+false traitor, Sir Launcelot? Why hidest thou thyself within holes
+and walls like a coward? Look out now, thou traitor knight, and I
+will avenge upon thy body the death of my three brethren." All
+this language heard Sir Launcelot, and the knights which were
+about him; and they said to him, "Sir Launcelot, now must ye
+defend you like a knight, or else be shamed for ever, for you have
+slept overlong and suffered overmuch." Then Sir Launcelot spake on
+high unto King Arthur, and said, "My lord Arthur, now I have
+forborne long, and suffered you and Sir Gawain to do what ye
+would, and now must I needs defend myself, inasmuch as Sir Gawain
+hath appealed me of treason." Then Sir Launcelot armed him and
+mounted upon his horse, and the noble knights came out of the
+city, and the host without stood all apart; and so the covenant
+was made that no man should come near the two knights, nor deal
+with them, till one were dead or yielded.
+
+Then Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawain departed a great way asunder,
+and then they came together with all their horses' might, and each
+smote the other in the middle of their shields, but neither of
+them was unhorsed, but their horses fell to the earth. And then
+they leapt from their horses, and drew their swords, and gave many
+sad strokes, so that the blood burst out in many places. Now Sir
+Gawain had this gift from a holy man, that every day in the year,
+from morning to noon, his strength was increased threefold, and
+then it fell again to its natural measure. Sir Launcelot was aware
+of this, and therefore, during the three hours that Sir Gawain's
+strength was at the height, Sir Launcelot covered himself with his
+shield, and kept his might in reserve. And during that time Sir
+Gawain gave him many sad brunts, that all the knights that looked
+on marvelled how Sir Launcelot might endure them. Then, when it
+was past noon, Sir Gawain had only his own might; and when Sir
+Launcelot felt him so brought down he stretched himself up, and
+doubled his strokes, and gave Sir Gawain such a buffet that he
+fell down on his side; and Sir Launcelot drew back and would
+strike no more. "Why withdrawest thou, false traitor?" then said
+Sir Gawain; "now turn again and slay me, for if thou leave me thus
+when I am whole again, I shall do battle with thee again." "I
+shall endure you, sir, by God's grace," said Sir Launcelot, "but
+know thou well Sir Gawain, I will never smite a felled knight."
+And so Sir Launcelot went into the city, and Sir Gawain was borne
+into King Arthur's pavilion, and his wounds were looked to.
+
+Thus the siege endured, and Sir Gawain lay helpless near a month;
+and when he was near recovered came tidings unto King Arthur that
+made him return with all his host to England.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+MORTE D'ARTHUR
+
+
+Sir Modred was left ruler of all England, and he caused letters to
+be written, as if from beyond sea, that King Arthur was slain in
+battle. So he called a Parliament, and made himself be crowned
+king; and he took the queen Guenever, and said plainly that he
+would wed her, but she escaped from him and took refuge in the
+Tower of London. And Sir Modred went and laid siege about the
+Tower of London, and made great assaults thereat, but all might
+not avail him. Then came word to Sir Modred that King Arthur had
+raised the siege of Sir Launcelot, and was coming home. Then Sir
+Modred summoned all the barony of the land; and much people drew
+unto Sir Modred, and said they would abide with him for better and
+for worse; and he drew a great host to Dover, for there he heard
+say that King Arthur would arrive.
+
+    "I hear the steps of Modred in the west,
+    And with him many of thy people, and knights
+    Once thine, whom thou hast loved, but grosser grown
+    Than heathen, spitting at their vows and thee"
+
+                                 --The Passing of Arthur.
+
+And as Sir Modred was at Dover with his host, came King Arthur,
+with a great number of ships and galleys, and there was Sir Modred
+awaiting upon the landing. Then was there launching of great boats
+and small, full of noble men of arms, and there was much slaughter
+of gentle knights on both parts. But King Arthur was so
+courageous, there might no manner of knights prevent him to land,
+and his knights fiercely followed him; and so they landed, and put
+Sir Modred aback so that he fled, and all his people. And when the
+battle was done, King Arthur commanded to bury his people that
+were dead. And then was noble Sir Gawain found, in a great boat,
+lying more than half dead. And King Arthur went to him, and made
+sorrow out of measure. "Mine uncle," said Sir Gawain, "know thou
+well my death-day is come, and all is through mine own hastiness
+and wilfulness, for I am smitten upon the old wound which Sir
+Launcelot gave me, of which I feel I must die. And had Sir
+Launcelot been with you as of old, this war had never begun, and
+of all this I am the cause." Then Sir Gawain prayed the king to
+send for Sir Launcelot, and to cherish him above all other
+knights. And so at the hour of noon Sir Gawain yielded up his
+spirit, and then the king bade inter him in a chapel within Dover
+Castle; and there all men may see the skull of him, and the same
+wound is seen that Sir Launcelot gave him in battle.
+
+Then was it told the king that Sir Modred had pitched his camp
+upon Barrendown; and the king rode thither, and there was a great
+battle betwixt them, and King Arthur's party stood best, and Sir
+Modred and his party fled unto Canterbury.
+
+And there was a day assigned betwixt King Arthur and Sir Modred
+that they should meet upon a down beside Salisbury, and not far
+from the sea-side, to do battle yet again. And at night, as the
+king slept, he dreamed a wonderful dream. It seemed him verily
+that there came Sir Gawain unto him, with a number of fair ladies
+with him. And when King Arthur saw him, he said, "Welcome, my
+sister's son; I weened thou hadst been dead; and now I see thee
+alive great is my joy. But, O fair nephew, what be these ladies
+that hither be come with you?" "Sir," said Sir Gawain, "all these
+be ladies for whom I have fought when I was a living man; and
+because I did battle for them in righteous quarrel they have given
+me grace to bring me hither unto you to warn you of your death, if
+ye fight to-morrow with Sir Modred. Therefore take ye treaty, and
+proffer you largely for a month's delay; for within a month shall
+come Sir Launcelot and all his noble knights, and rescue you
+worshipfully, and slay Sir Modred and all that hold with him." And
+then Sir Gawain and all the ladies vanished. And anon the king
+called to fetch his noble lords and wise bishops unto him. And
+when they were come, the king told them his vision, and what Sir
+Gawain had told him. Then the king sent Sir Lucan, the butler, and
+Sir Bedivere, with two bishops, and charged them in any wise to
+take a treaty for a month and a day with Sir Modred. So they
+departed, and came to Sir Modred; and so, at the last, Sir Modred
+was agreed to have Cornwall and Kent during Arthur's life, and all
+England after his death.
+
+    "Sir Modred; he the nearest to the king,
+    His nephew, ever like a subtle beast
+    Lay couchant with his eyes upon the throne,
+    Ready to spring, waiting a chance."
+
+                                     --Guinevere
+
+Then was it agreed that King Arthur and Sir Modred should meet
+betwixt both their hosts, and each of them should bring fourteen
+persons, and then and there they should sign the treaty. And when
+King Arthur and his knights were prepared to go forth, he warned
+all his host, "If so be ye see any sword drawn, look ye come on
+fiercely, and slay whomsoever withstandeth, for I in no wise trust
+that traitor, Sir Modred." In like wise Sir Modred warned his
+host. So they met, and were agreed and accorded thoroughly. And
+wine was brought, and they drank. Right then came an adder out of
+a little heath-bush, and stung a knight on the foot. And when the
+knight felt him sting, he looked down and saw the adder, and then
+he drew his sword to slay the adder, and thought of no other harm.
+And when the host on both sides saw that sword drawn, they blew
+trumpets and horns, and shouted greatly. And King Arthur took his
+horse, and rode to his party, saying, "Alas, this unhappy day!"
+And Sir Modred did in like wise. And never was there a more
+doleful battle in Christian land. And ever King Arthur rode
+throughout the battle, and did full nobly, as a worthy king
+should, and Sir Modred that day did his devoir, and put himself in
+great peril. And thus they fought all the long day, till the most
+of all the noble knights lay dead upon the ground. Then the king
+looked about him, and saw of all his host were left alive but two
+knights, Sir Lucan, the butler, and Sir Bedivere, his brother, and
+they were full sore wounded. Then King Arthur saw where Sir Modred
+leaned upon his sword among a great heap of dead men. "Now give me
+my spear," said Arthur unto Sir Lucan; "for yonder I espy the
+traitor that hast wrought all this woe." "Sir, let him be," said
+Sir Lucan; "for if ye pass this unhappy day, ye shall be right
+well revenged upon him. Remember what the sprite of Sir Gawain
+told you, and leave off now, for ye have won the field; and if ye
+leave off now this evil day of destiny is past." "Betide me life,
+betide me death," said King Arthur, "he shall not now escape my
+hands." Then the king took his spear in both hands, and ran toward
+Sir Modred, crying, "Traitor, now is thy death-day come." And
+there King Arthur smote Sir Modred under the shield, with a thrust
+of his spear through the body. And when Sir Modred felt that he
+had his death-wound, with the might that he had he smote King
+Arthur, with his sword holden in both his hands, on the side of
+the head, that the sword pierced the helmet and the brain-pan; and
+then Sir Modred fell stark dead upon the earth. And the noble
+Arthur fell in a swoon to the earth. And Sir Lucan, the butler,
+and Sir Bedivere raised him up, and gently led him betwixt them
+both to a little chapel not far from the sea-side. And when the
+king was there he thought him well eased. Then heard they people
+cry in the field. And Sir Lucan went to see what that cry
+betokened; and he saw by the moonlight that pillers and robbers
+were come to rob the dead. And he returned, and said to the king,
+"By my rede, it is best that we bring you to some town." "I would
+it were so," said the king. And when the king tried to go he
+fainted. Then Sir Lucan took up the king on the one part, and Sir
+Bedivere on the other part; and in the lifting, Sir Lucan fell in
+a swoon to the earth, for he was grievously wounded. And then the
+noble knight's heart burst. And when the king awoke he beheld Sir
+Lucan how he lay foaming at the mouth, and speechless. "Alas!"
+said the king, "this is to me a full heavy sight, to see this
+noble duke so die for my sake; for he would have holpen me that
+had more need of help than I, and he would not complain, his heart
+was so set to help me." Then Sir Bedivere wept for his brother.
+"Leave this mourning and weeping," said the king, "for wilt thou
+well, if I might live myself, the death of Sir Lucan would grieve
+me evermore; but my time hieth fast. Therefore," said Arthur unto
+Sir Bedivere, "take thou Excalibar, my good sword, and go with it
+to yonder water-side; and when thou comest there I charge thee
+throw my sword in that water, and come again and tell me what thou
+there seest." "My lord," said Sir Bedivere, "your commandment
+shall be done." So Sir Bedivere departed, and by the way he beheld
+that noble sword, that the pommel and the haft were all of
+precious stones; and then he said to himself, "If I throw this
+rich sword into the water no good shall come thereof, but only
+harm and loss." And then Sir Bedivere hid Excalibar under a tree.
+And so, as soon as he might, he came again to the king. "What
+sawest thou there?" said the king. "Sir," he said, "I saw
+nothing." "Alas! thou hast deceived me," said the king. "Go thou
+lightly again, and as thou love me, spare not to throw it in."
+Then Sir Bedivere went again, and took the sword in his hand to
+throw it; but again it beseemed him but sin and shame to throw
+away that noble sword, and he hid it away again, and returned, and
+told the king he had done his commandment. "What sawest thou
+there?" said the king. "Sir," he said, "I saw nothing but waters
+deep and waves wan." "Ah, traitor untrue!" said King Arthur, "now
+hast thou betrayed me twice. And yet thou art named a noble
+knight, and hast been lief and dear to me. But now go again, and
+do as I bid thee, for thy long tarrying putteth me in jeopardy of
+my life." Then Sir Bedivere went to the sword, and lightly took it
+up, and went to the water-side, and he bound the girdle about the
+hilt, and then he threw the sword as far into the water as he
+might. And there came an arm and a hand out of the water, and met
+it, and caught it, and shook it thrice and brandished it, and then
+vanished away the hand with the sword in the water.
+
+Then Sir Bedivere came again to the king, and told him what he
+saw. "Help me hence," said the king, "for I fear I have tarried
+too long." Then Sir Bedivere took the king on his back, and so
+went with him to that water-side; and when they came there, even
+fast by the bank there rode a little barge with many fair ladies
+in it, and among them was a queen; and all had black hoods, and
+they wept and shrieked when they saw King Arthur.
+
+"Now put me in the barge," said the king. And there received him
+three queens with great mourning, and in one of their laps King
+Arthur laid his head. And the queen said, "Ah, dear brother, why
+have ye tarried so long? Alas! this wound on your head hath caught
+over-much cold." And then they rowed from the land, and Sir
+Bedivere beheld them go from him. Then he cried: "Ah, my lord
+Arthur, will ye leave me here alone among mine enemies?" "Comfort
+thyself," said the king, "for in me is no further help; for I will
+to the Isle of Avalon, to heal me of my grievous wound." And as
+soon as Sir Bedivere had lost sight of the barge, he wept and
+wailed; then he took the forest, and went all that night, and in
+the morning he was ware of a chapel and a hermitage.
+
+Then went Sir Bedivere thither; and when he came into the chapel,
+he saw where lay an hermit on the ground, near a tomb that was
+newly graven. "Sir," said Sir Bedivere, "what man is there buried
+that ye pray so near unto?" "Fair son," said the hermit, "I know
+not verily. But this night there came a number of ladies, and
+brought hither one dead, and prayed me to bury him." "Alas!" said
+Sir Bedivere, "that was my lord, King Arthur." Then Sir Bedivere
+swooned; and when he awoke he prayed the hermit he might abide
+with him, to live with fasting and prayers. "Ye are welcome," said
+the hermit. So there bode Sir Bedivere with the hermit; and he put
+on poor clothes, and served the hermit full lowly in fasting and
+in prayers.
+
+Thus of Arthur I find never more written in books that be
+authorized, nor more of the very certainty of his death; but thus
+was he led away in a ship, wherein were three queens; the one was
+King Arthur's sister, Queen Morgane le Fay; the other was Viviane,
+the Lady of the Lake; and the third was the queen of North Galis.
+And this tale Sir Bedivere, knight of the Table Round, made to be
+written.
+
+Yet some men say that King Arthur is not dead, but hid away into
+another place, and men say that he shall come again and reign over
+England. But many say that there is written on his tomb this
+verse:
+
+    "Hie facet Arthurus, Rex quondam, Rexque futurus."
+        Here Arthur lies, King once and King to be.
+
+And when Queen Guenever understood that King Arthur was slain, and
+all the noble knights with him, she stole away, and five ladies
+with her; and so she went to Almesbury, and made herself a nun,
+and ware white clothes and black, and took great penance as ever
+did sinful lady, and lived in fasting, prayers, and alms-deeds.
+And there she was abbess and ruler of the nuns.
+
+     "And when she came to Almesbury she spake
+    There to the nuns, and said, 'Mine enemies
+    Pursue me, but, O peaceful Sisterhood,
+    Receive, and yield me sanctuary, nor ask
+    Her name to whom ye yield it, till her time
+    To tell you;' and her beauty, grace and power
+    Wrought as a charm upon them, and they spared
+    To ask it."
+
+                                        --Guinevere.
+
+Now turn we from her, and speak of Sir Launcelot of the Lake.
+
+When Sir Launcelot heard in his country that Sir Modred was
+crowned king of England, and made war against his own uncle, King
+Arthur, then was Sir Launcelot wroth out of measure, and said to
+his kinsmen: "Alas, that double traitor, Sir Modred! now it
+repenteth me that ever he escaped out of my hands." Then Sir
+Launcelot and his fellows made ready in all haste, with ships and
+galleys, to pass into England; and so he passed over till he came
+to Dover, and there he landed with a great army. Then Sir
+Launcelot was told that King Arthur was slain. "Alas!" said Sir
+Launcelot, "this is the heaviest tidings that ever came to me."
+Then he called the kings, dukes, barons, and knights, and said
+thus: "My fair lords, I thank you all for coming into this country
+with me, but we came too late, and that shall repent me while I
+live. But since it is so," said Sir Launcelot, "I will myself ride
+and seek my lady, Queen Guenever, for I have heard say she hath
+fled into the west; therefore ye shall abide me here fifteen days,
+and if I come not within that time, then take your ships and your
+host, and depart into your country."
+
+So Sir Launcelot departed and rode westerly, and there he sought
+many days; and at last he came to a nunnery, and was seen of Queen
+Guenever as he walked in the cloister; and when she saw him she
+swooned away. And when she might speak she bade him to be called
+to her. And when Sir Launcelot was brought to her she said: "Sir
+Launcelot, I require thee and beseech thee, for all the love that
+ever was betwixt us, that thou never see me more, but return to
+thy kingdom and take thee a wife, and live with her with joy and
+bliss; and pray for me to my Lord, that I may get my soul's
+health." "Nay, madam," said Sir Launcelot, "wit you well that I
+shall never do; but the same destiny that ye have taken you to
+will I take me unto, for to please and serve God." And so they
+parted, with tears and much lamentation; and the ladies bare the
+queen to her chamber, and Sir Launcelot took his horse and rode
+away, weeping.
+
+And at last Sir Launcelot was ware of a hermitage and a chapel,
+and then he heard a little bell ring to mass; and thither he rode
+and alighted, and tied his horse to the gate, and heard mass. And
+he that sang the mass was the hermit with whom Sir Bedivere had
+taken up his abode; and Sir Bedivere knew Sir Launcelot, and they
+spake together after mass. But when Sir Bedivere had told his
+tale, Sir Launcelot's heart almost burst for sorrow. Then he
+kneeled down, and prayed the hermit to shrive him, and besought
+that he might be his brother. Then the hermit said, "I will
+gladly;" and then he put a habit upon Sir Launcelot, and there he
+served God day and night, with prayers and fastings.
+
+And the great host abode at Dover till the end of the fifteen days
+set by Sir Launcelot, and then Sir Bohort made them to go home
+again to their own country; and Sir Bohort, Sir Hector de Marys,
+Sir Blamor, and many others, took on them to ride through all
+England to seek Sir Launcelot. So Sir Bohort by fortune rode until
+he came to the same chapel where Sir Launcelot was; and when he
+saw Sir Launcelot in that manner of clothing he, prayed the hermit
+that he might be in that same. And so there was an habit put upon
+him, and there he lived in prayers and fasting. And within half a
+year came others of the knights, their fellows, and took such a
+habit as Sir Launcelot and Sir Bohort had. Thus they endured in
+great penance six years.
+
+And upon a night there came a vision to Sir Launcelot, and charged
+him to haste toward Almesbury, and "by the time thou come there,
+thou shalt find Queen Guenever dead." Then Sir Launcelot rose up
+early and told the hermit thereof. Then said the hermit, "It were
+well that ye disobey not this vision." And Sir Launcelot took his
+seven companions with him, and on foot they went from Glastonbury
+to Almesbury, which is more than thirty miles. And when they were
+come to Almesbury, they found that Queen Guenever died but half an
+hour before. Then Sir Launcelot saw her visage, but he wept not
+greatly, but sighed. And so he did all the observance of the
+service himself, both the "dirige" at night, and at morn he sang
+mass. And there was prepared an horse-bier, and Sir Launcelot and
+his fellows followed the bier on foot from Almesbury until they
+came to Glastonbury; and she was wrapped in cered clothes, and
+laid in a coffin of marble. And when she was put in the earth Sir
+Launcelot swooned, and lay long as one dead.
+
+And Sir Launcelot never after ate but little meat, nor drank; but
+continually mourned. And within six weeks Sir Launcelot fell sick;
+and he sent for the hermit and all his true fellows, and said,
+"Sir hermit, I pray you give me all my rights that a Christian man
+ought to have." "It shall not need," said the hermit and all his
+fellows; "it is but heaviness of your blood, and to-morrow morn
+you shall be well" "My fair lords," said Sir Launcelot, "my
+careful body will into the earth; I have warning more than now I
+will say; therefore give me my rights." So when he was houseled
+and aneled, and had all that a Christian man ought to have, he
+prayed the hermit that his fellows might bear his body to Joyous
+Garde. (Some men say it was Alnwick, and some say it was
+Bamborough.) "It repenteth me sore," said Sir Launcelot, "but I
+made a vow aforetime that in Joyous Garde I would be buried." Then
+there was weeping and wringing of hands among his fellows. And
+that night Sir Launcelot died; and when Sir Bohort and his fellows
+came to his bedside the next morning they found him stark dead;
+and he lay as if he had smiled, and the sweetest savor all about
+him that ever they knew.
+
+And they put Sir Launcelot into the same horse-bier that Queen
+Guenever was laid in, and the hermit and they altogether went with
+the body till they came to Joyous Garde. And there they laid his
+corpse in the body of the quire, and sang and read many psalms and
+prayers over him. And ever his visage was laid open and naked,
+that all folks might behold him. And right thus, as they were at
+their service, there came Sir Hector de Maris, that had seven
+years sought Sir Launcelot, his brother, through all England,
+Scotland and Wales. And when Sir Hector heard such sounds in the
+chapel of Joyous Garde he alighted and came into the quire. And
+all they knew Sir Hector. Then went Sir Bohort, and told him how
+there lay Sir Launcelot, his brother, dead. Then Sir Hector threw
+his shield, his sword, and helm from him. And when he beheld Sir
+Launcelot's visage it were hard for any tongue to tell the doleful
+complaints he made for his brother. "Ah, Sir Launcelot!" he said,
+"there thou liest. And now I dare to say thou wert never matched
+of none earthly knight's hand. And thou wert the courteousest
+knight that ever bare shield; and thou wert the truest friend to
+thy lover that ever bestrode horse; and thou wert the truest
+lover, of a sinful man, that ever loved woman; and thou wert the
+kindest man that ever struck with sword. And thou wert the
+goodliest person that ever came among press of knights. And thou
+wert the meekest man, and the gentlest, that ever ate in hall
+among ladies. And thou wert the sternest knight to thy mortal foe
+that ever put spear in the rest." Then there was weeping and dolor
+out of measure. Thus they kept Sir Launcelot's corpse fifteen
+days, and then they buried it with great devotion.
+
+Then they went back with the hermit to his hermitage. And Sir
+Bedivere was there ever still hermit to his life's end. And Sir
+Bohort, Sir Hector, Sir Blamor, and Sir Bleoberis went into the
+Holy Land. And these four knights did many battles upon the
+miscreants, the Turks; and there they died upon a Good Friday, as
+it pleased God.
+
+Thus endeth this noble and joyous book, entitled "La Morte
+d'Arthur;" notwithstanding it treateth of the birth, life, and
+acts of the said King Arthur, and of his noble Knights of the
+Round Table, their marvellous enquests and adventures, the
+achieving of the Sangreal, and, in the end, le Morte d'Arthur,
+with the dolorous death and departing out of this world of them
+all. Which book was reduced into English by Sir Thomas Mallory,
+Knight, and divided into twenty-one books, chaptered and imprinted
+and finished in the Abbey Westmestre, the last day of July, the
+year of our Lord MCCCCLXXXV.
+
+Caxton me fieri fecit.
+
+
+
+
+
+THE MABINOGEON
+
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTORY NOTE
+
+
+It has been well known to the literati and antiquarians of Europe
+that there exist in the great public libraries voluminous
+manuscripts of romances and tales once popular, but which on the
+invention of printing had already become antiquated, and fallen
+into neglect. They were therefore never printed, and seldom
+perused even by the learned, until about half a century ago, when
+attention was again directed to them, and they were found very
+curious monuments of ancient manners, habits, and modes of
+thinking. Several have since been edited, some by individuals, as
+Sir Walter Scott and the poet Southey, others by antiquarian
+societies. The class of readers which could be counted on for such
+publications was so small that no inducement of profit could be
+found to tempt editors and publishers to give them to the world.
+It was therefore only a few, and those the most accessible, which
+were put in print. There was a class of manuscripts of this kind
+which were known, or rather suspected, to be both curious and
+valuable, but which it seemed almost hopeless to expect ever to
+see in fair printed English. These were the Welsh popular tales
+called Mabinogeon, a plural word, the singular being Mabinogi, a
+tale. Manuscripts of these were contained in the Bodleian Library
+at Oxford and elsewhere, but the difficulty was to find
+translators and editors. The Welsh is a spoken language among the
+peasantry of Wales, but is entirely neglected by the learned,
+unless they are natives of the principality. Of the few Welsh
+scholars none were found who took sufficient interest in this
+branch of learning to give these productions to the English
+public. Southey and Scott, and others, who like them, loved the
+old romantic legends of their country, often urged upon the Welsh
+literati the duty of reproducing the Mabinogeon. Southey, in the
+preface of his edition of "Moted'Arthur," says: "The specimens
+which I have seen are exceedingly curious; nor is there a greater
+desideratum in British literature than an edition of these tales,
+with a literal version, and such comments as Mr. Davies of all men
+is best qualified to give. Certain it is that many of the round
+table fictions originated in Wales, or in Bretagne, and probably
+might still be traced there."
+
+Again, in a letter to Sir Charles W. W. Wynn, dated 1819, he says:
+
+"I begin almost to despair of ever seeing more of the Mabinogeon;
+and yet if some competent Welshman could be found to edit it
+carefully, with as literal a version as possible, I am sure it
+might be made worth his while by a subscription, printing a small
+edition at a high price, perhaps two hundred at five guineas. I
+myself would gladly subscribe at that price per volume for such an
+edition of the whole of your genuine remains in prose and verse.
+Till some such collection is made, the 'gentlemen of Wales' ought
+to be prohibited from wearing a leek; ay, and interdicted from
+toasted cheese also. Your bards would have met with better usage
+if they had been Scotchmen."
+
+Sharon Turner and Sir Walter Scott also expressed a similar wish
+for the publication of the Welsh manuscripts. The former took part
+in an attempt to effect it, through the instrumentality of a Mr.
+Owen, a Welshman, but, we judge, by what Southey says of him,
+imperfectly acquainted with English. Southey's language is
+"William Owen lent me three parts of the Mabinogeon, delightfully
+translated into so Welsh an idiom and syntax that such a
+translation is as instructive as an original." In another letter
+he adds, "Let Sharon make his language grammatical, but not alter
+their idiom in the slightest point."
+
+It is probable Mr. Owen did not proceed far in an undertaking
+which, so executed, could expect but little popular patronage. It
+was not till an individual should appear possessed of the
+requisite knowledge of the two languages, of enthusiasm sufficient
+for the task, and of pecuniary resources sufficient to be
+independent of the booksellers and of the reading public, that
+such a work could be confidently expected. Such an individual has,
+since Southey's day and Scott's, appeared in the person of Lady
+Charlotte Guest, an English lady united to a gentleman of property
+in Wales, who, having acquired the language of the principality,
+and become enthusiastically fond of its literary treasures, has
+given them to the English reader, in a dress which the printer's
+and the engraver's arts have done their best to adorn. In four
+royal octavo volumes containing the Welsh originals, the
+translation, and ample illustrations from French, German, and
+other contemporary and affiliated literature, the Mabinogeon is
+spread before us. To the antiquarian and the student of language
+and ethnology an invaluable treasure, it yet can hardly in such a
+form win its way to popular acquaintance. We claim no other merit
+than that of bringing it to the knowledge of our readers, of
+abridging its details, of selecting its most attractive portions,
+and of faithfully preserving throughout the style in which Lady
+Guest has clothed her legends. For this service we hope that our
+readers will confess we have laid them under no light obligation.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE BRITONS
+
+
+The earliest inhabitants of Britain are supposed to have been a
+branch of that great family known in history by the designation of
+Celts. Cambria, which is a frequent name for Wales, is thought to
+be derived from Cymri, the name which the Welsh traditions apply
+to an immigrant people who entered the island from the adjacent
+continent. This name is thought to be identical with those of
+Cimmerians and Cimbri, under which the Greek and Roman historians
+describe a barbarous people, who spread themselves from the north
+of the Euxine over the whole of Northwestern Europe.
+
+The origin of the names Wales and Welsh has been much canvassed.
+Some writers make them a derivation from Gael or Gaul, which names
+are said to signify "woodlanders;" others observe that Walsh, in
+the northern languages, signifies a stranger, and that the
+aboriginal Britons were so called by those who at a later era
+invaded the island and possessed the greater part of it, the
+Saxons and Angles.
+
+The Romans held Britain from the invasion of Julius Caesar till
+their voluntary withdrawal from the island, A.D. 420,--that is,
+about five hundred years. In that time there must have been a wide
+diffusion of their arts and institutions among the natives. The
+remains of roads, cities, and fortifications show that they did
+much to develop and improve the country, while those of their
+villas and castles prove that many of the settlers possessed
+wealth and taste for the ornamental arts. Yet the Roman sway was
+sustained chiefly by force, and never extended over the entire
+island. The northern portion, now Scotland, remained independent,
+and the western portion, constituting Wales and Cornwall, was only
+nominally subjected.
+
+Neither did the later invading hordes succeed in subduing the
+remoter sections of the island. For ages after the arrival of the
+Saxons under Hengist and Horsa, A.D. 449, the whole western coast
+of Britain was possessed by the aboriginal inhabitants, engaged in
+constant warfare with the invaders.
+
+It has, therefore, been a favorite boast of the people of Wales
+and Cornwall that the original British stock flourishes in its
+unmixed purity only among them. We see this notion flashing out in
+poetry occasionally, as when Gray, in "The Bard," prophetically
+describing Queen Elizabeth, who was of the Tudor, a Welsh race,
+says:
+
+    "Her eye proclaims her of the Briton line;"
+
+and, contrasting the princes of the Tudor with those of the Norman
+race, he exclaims:
+
+    "All hail, ye genuine kings, Britannia's issue, hail!"
+
+THE WELSH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
+
+The Welsh language is one of the oldest in Europe. It possesses
+poems the origin of which is referred with probability to the
+sixth century. The language of some of these is so antiquated that
+the best scholars differ about the interpretation of many
+passages; but, generally speaking, the body of poetry which the
+Welsh possess, from the year 1000 downwards, is intelligible to
+those who are acquainted with the modern language.
+
+Till within the last half-century these compositions remained
+buried in the libraries of colleges or of individuals, and so
+difficult of access that no successful attempt was made to give
+them to the world. This reproach was removed after ineffectual
+appeals to the patriotism of the gentry of Wales, by Owen Jones, a
+furrier of London, who at his own expense collected and published
+the chief productions of Welsh literature, under the title of the
+Myvyrian Archaeology of Wales. In this task he was assisted by Dr.
+Owen and other Welsh scholars.
+
+After the cessation of Jones' exertions the old apathy returned,
+and continued till within a few years. Dr. Owen exerted himself to
+obtain support for the publication of the Mabinogeon or Prose
+Tales of the Welsh, but died without accomplishing his purpose,
+which has since been carried into execution by Lady Charlotte
+Guest. The legends which fill the remainder of this volume are
+taken from this work, of which we have already spoken more fully
+in the introductory chapter to the First Part.
+
+THE WELSH BARDS
+
+The authors to whom the oldest Welsh poems are attributed are
+Aneurin, who is supposed to have lived A.D. 500 to 550, and
+Taliesin, Llywarch Hen (Llywarch the Aged), and Myrddin or Merlin,
+who were a few years later. The authenticity of the poems which
+bear their names has been assailed, and it is still an open
+question how many and which of them are authentic, though it is
+hardly to be doubted that some are so. The poem of Aneurin
+entitled the "Gododin" bears very strong marks of authenticity.
+Aneurin was one of the Northern Britons of Strath-Clyde, who have
+left to that part of the district they inhabited the name of
+Cumberland, or Land of the Cymri. In this poem he laments the
+defeat of his countrymen by the Saxons at the battle of Cattraeth,
+in consequence of having partaken too freely of the mead before
+joining in combat. The bard himself and two of his fellow-warriors
+were all who escaped from the field. A portion of this poem has
+been translated by Gray, of which the following is an extract:
+
+    "To Cattraeth's vale, in glittering row,
+    Twice two hundred warriors go;
+    Every warrior's manly neck
+    Chains of regal honor deck,
+    Wreathed in many a golden link;
+    From the golden cup they drink
+    Nectar that the bees produce,
+    Or the grape's exalted juice.
+    Flushed with mirth and hope they burn,
+    But none to Cattraeth's vale return,
+    Save Aeron brave, and Conan strong,
+    Bursting through the bloody throng,
+    And I, the meanest of them all,
+    That live to weep, and sing their fall."
+
+The works of Taliesin are of much more questionable authenticity.
+There is a story of the adventures of Taliesin so strongly marked
+with mythical traits as to cast suspicion on the writings
+attributed to him. This story will be found in the subsequent
+pages.
+
+THE TRIADS
+
+The Triads are a peculiar species of poetical composition, of
+which the Welsh bards have left numerous examples. They are
+enumerations of a triad of persons, or events, or observations,
+strung together in one short sentence. This form of composition,
+originally invented, in all likelihood, to assist the memory, has
+been raised by the Welsh to a degree of elegance of which it
+hardly at first sight appears susceptible. The Triads are of all
+ages, some of them probably as old as anything in the language.
+Short as they are individually, the collection in the Myvyrian
+Archaeology occupies more than one hundred and seventy pages of
+double columns. We will give some specimens, beginning with
+personal triads, and giving the first place to one of King
+Arthur's own composition:
+
+   "I have three heroes in battle:
+    Mael the tall, and Llyr, with his army,
+    And Caradoc, the pillar of Wales."
+
+"The three principal bards of the island of Britain:--
+  Merlin Ambrose
+  Merlin the son of Mprfyn, called also Merlin the Wild,
+  And Taliesin, the chief of the bards."
+
+"The three golden-tongued knights of the court of Arthur:--
+  Gawain, son of Gwyar,
+  Drydvas, son of Tryphin,
+  And Ehwlod, son of Madag, ap Uther."
+
+"The three honorable feasts of the island of Britain:--
+The feast of Caswallaun, after repelling Julius Caesar from this
+    isle;
+The feast of Aurelius Ambrosius, after he had conquered the
+    Saxons;
+And the feast of King Arthur, at Carleon upon Usk."
+
+    "Guenever, the daughter of Laodegan the giant,
+     Bad when little, worse when great."
+
+Next follow some moral triads:
+
+    "Hast thou heard what Dremhidydd sung,
+     An ancient watchman on the castle walls?
+     A refusal is better than a promise unperformed."
+
+    "Hast thou heard what Llenleawg sung,
+     The noble chief wearing the golden torques?
+     The grave is better than a life of want."
+
+    "Hast thou heard what Garselit sung,
+     The Irishman whom it is safe to follow?
+     Sin is bad, if long pursued."
+
+    "Hast thou heard what Avaon sung,
+     The son of Taliesin, of the recording verse?
+     The cheek will not conceal the anguish of the heart."
+
+    "Didst thou hear what Llywarch sung,
+     The intrepid and brave old man?
+     Greet kindly, though there be no acquaintance."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN
+
+KYNON'S ADVENTURE
+
+
+King Arthur was at Caerleon upon Usk; and one day he sat in his
+chamber, and with him were Owain, the son of Urien, and Kynon, the
+son of Clydno, and Kay, the son of Kyner, and Guenever and her
+handmaidens at needlework by the window. In the centre of the
+chamher King Arthur sat, upon a seat of green rushes, [Footnote:
+The use of green rushes in apartments was by no means peculiar to
+the court of Carleon upon Usk. Our ancestors had a great
+predilection for them, and they seem to have constituted an
+essential article, not only of comfort, but of luxury. The custom
+of strewing the floor with rushes is well known to have existed in
+England during the Middle Ages, and also in France.] over which
+was spread a covering of flame-covered satin, and a cushion of red
+satin was under his elbow.
+
+Then Arthur spoke. "If I thought you would not disparage me," said
+he, "I would sleep while I wait for my repast; and you can
+entertain one another with relating tales, and can obtain a flagon
+of mead and some meat from Kay." And the king went to sleep. And
+Kynon the son of Clydno asked Kay for that which Arthur had
+promised them. "I too will have the good tale which he promised
+me," said Kay. "Nay," answered Kynon; "fairer will it be for thee
+to fulfil Arthur's behest in the first place, and then we will
+tell thee the best tale that we know." So Kay went to the kitchen
+and to the mead-cellar, and returned, bearing a flagon of mead,
+and a golden goblet, and a handful of skewers, upon which were
+broiled collops of meat. Then they ate the collops, and began to
+drink the mead. "Now," said Kay, "it is time for you to give me my
+story." "Kynon," said Owain, "do thou pay to Kay the tale that is
+his due." "I will do so," answered Kynon.
+
+"I was the only son of my mother and father, and I was exceedingly
+aspiring, and my daring was very great. I thought there was no
+enterprise in the world too mighty for me: and after I had
+achieved all the adventures that were in my own country, I
+equipped myself, and set forth to journey through deserts and
+distant regions. And at length it chanced that I came to the
+fairest valley in the world, wherein were trees all of equal
+growth; and a river ran through the valley, and a path was by the
+side of the river. And I followed the path until midday, and
+continued my journey along the remainder of the valley until the
+evening; and at the extremity of the plain I came to a large and
+lustrous castle, at the foot of which was a torrent. And I
+approached the castle, and there I beheld two youths with yellow
+curling hair, each with a frontlet of gold upon his head, and clad
+in a garment of yellow satin; and they had gold clasps upon their
+insteps. In the hand of each of them was an ivory bow, strung with
+the sinews of the stag, and their arrows and their shafts were of
+the bone of the whale, and were winged with peacock's feathers.
+The shafts also had golden heads. And they had daggers with blades
+of gold, and with hilts of the bone of the whale. And they were
+shooting at a mark.
+
+"And a little away from them I saw a man in the prime of life,
+with his beard newly shorn, clad in a robe and mantle of yellow
+satin, and round the top of his mantle was a band of gold lace. On
+his feet were shoes of variegated leather, [Footnote: Cordwal is
+the word in the original, and from the manner in which it is used
+it is evidently intended for the French Cordouan or Cordovan
+leather, which derived its name from Cordova, where it was
+manufactured. From this comes also our English word cordwainer.]
+fastened by two bosses of gold. When I saw him I went towards him
+and saluted him; and such was his courtesy, that he no sooner
+received my greeting than he returned it. And he went with me
+towards the castle. Now there were no dwellers in the castle,
+except those who were in one hall. And there I saw four and twenty
+damsels, embroidering satin at a window. And this I tell thee,
+Kay, that the least fair of them was fairer than the fairest maid
+thou didst ever behold in the island of Britain; and the least
+lovely of them was more lovely than Guenever, the wife of Arthur,
+when she appeared loveliest, at the feast of Easter. They rose up
+at my coming, and six of them took my horse, and divested me of my
+armor, and six others took my arms and washed them in a vessel
+till they were perfectly bright. And the third six spread cloths
+upon the tables and prepared meat. And the fourth six took off my
+soiled garments and placed others upon me, namely, an under vest
+and a doublet of fine linen, and a robe and a surcoat, and a
+mantle of yellow satin, with a broad gold band upon the mantle.
+And they placed cushions both beneath and around me, with
+coverings of red linen, and I sat down. Now the six maidens who
+had taken my horse unharnessed him as well as if they had been the
+best squires in the island of Britain.
+
+"Then behold they brought bowls of silver, wherein was water to
+wash and towels of linen, some green and some white; and I washed.
+And in a little while the man sat down at the table. And I sat
+next to him, and below me sat all the maidens, except those who
+waited on us. And the table was of silver, and the cloths upon the
+table were of linen. And no vessel was served upon the table that
+was not either of gold or of silver or of buffalo horn. And our
+meat was brought to us. And verily, Kay, I saw there every sort of
+meat, and every sort of liquor that I ever saw elsewhere; but the
+meat and the liquor were better served there than I ever saw them
+in any other place.
+
+"Until the repast was half over, neither the man nor any one of
+the damsels spoke a single word to me; but when the man perceived
+that it would be more agreeable for me to converse than to eat any
+more, he began to inquire of me who I was. Then I told the man who
+I was and what was the cause of my journey, and said that I was
+seeking whether any one was superior to me, or whether I could
+gain mastery over all. The man looked upon me, and he smiled and
+said, 'If I did not fear to do thee a mischief, I would show thee
+that which thou seekest.' Then I desired him to speak freely. And
+he said: 'Sleep here to-night, and in the morning arise early, and
+take the road upwards through the valley, until thou readiest the
+wood. A little way within the wood thou wilt come to a large
+sheltered glade, with a mound in the centre. And thou wilt see a
+black man of great stature on the top of the mound. He has but one
+foot, and one eye in the middle of his forehead. He is the wood-
+ward of that wood. And thou wilt see a thousand wild animals
+grazing around him. Inquire of him the way out of the glade, and
+he will reply to thee briefly, and will point out the road by
+which thou shalt find that which thou art in quest of.'
+
+"And long seemed that night to me. And the next morning I arose
+and equipped myself, and mounted my horse, and proceeded straight
+through the valley to the wood, and at length I arrived at the
+glade. And the black man was there, sitting upon the top of the
+mound; and I was three times more astonished at the number of wild
+animals that I beheld than the man had said I should be. Then I
+inquired of him the way and he asked me roughly whither I would
+go. And when I had told him who I was and what I sought, 'Take,'
+said he, 'that path that leads toward the head of the glade, and
+there thou wilt find an open space like to a large valley, and in
+the midst of it a tall tree. Under this tree is a fountain, and by
+the side of the fountain a marble slab, and on the marble slab a
+silver bowl, attached by a chain of silver, that it may not be
+carried away. Take, the bowl and throw a bowlful of water on the
+slab. And if thou dost not find trouble in that adventure, thou
+needest not seek it during the rest of thy life.'
+
+"So I journeyed on until I reached the summit of the steep. And
+there I found everything as the black man had described it to me.
+And I went up to the tree, and beneath it I saw the fountain, and
+by its side the marble slab, and the silver bowl fastened by the
+chain. Then I took the bowl, and cast a bowlful of water upon the
+slab, and immediately I heard a mighty peal of thunder, so that
+heaven and earth seemed to tremble with its fury. And after the
+thunder came a, shower; and of a truth I tell thee, Kay, that it
+was such a shower as neither man nor beast could endure and live.
+I turned my horse's flank toward the shower, and placed the beak
+of my shield over his head and neck, while I held the upper part
+of it over my own neck. And thus I withstood the shower. And
+presently the sky became clear, and with that, behold, the birds
+lighted upon the tree, and sang. And truly, Kay, I never heard any
+melody equal to that, either before or since. And when I was most
+charmed with listening to the birds, lo! a chiding voice was heard
+of one approaching me and saying: 'O knight, what has brought thee
+hither? What evil have I done to thee that thou shouldst act
+towards me and my possessions as thou hast this day? Dost thou not
+know that the shower to-day has left in my dominions neither man
+nor beast alive that was exposed to it?' And thereupon, behold, a
+knight on a black horse appeared, clothed in jet-black velvet, and
+with a tabard of black linen about him. And we charged each other,
+and, as the onset was furious, it was not long before I was
+overthrown. Then the knight passed the shaft of his lance through
+the bridle-rein of my horse, and rode off with the two horses,
+leaving me where I was. And he did not even bestow so much notice
+upon me as to imprison me, nor did he despoil me of my arms. So I
+returned along the road by which I had come. And when I reached
+the glade where the black man was, I confess to thee, Kay, it is a
+marvel that I did not melt down into a liquid pool, through the
+shame that I felt at the black man's derision. And that night I
+came to the same castle where I had spent the night preceding. And
+I was more agreeably entertained that night than I had been the
+night before. And I conversed freely with the inmates of the
+castle; and none of them alluded to my expedition to the fountain,
+neither did I mention it to any. And I remained there that night.
+When I arose on the morrow I found ready saddled a dark bay
+palfrey, with nostrils as red as scarlet. And after putting on my
+armor, and leaving there my blessing, I returned to my own court.
+And that horse I still possess, and he is in the stable yonder.
+And I declare that I would not part with him for the best palfrey
+in the island of Britain.
+
+"Now, of a truth, Kay, no man ever before confessed to an
+adventure so much to his own discredit; and verily it seems
+strange to me that neither before nor since have I heard of any
+person who knew of this adventure, and that the subject of it
+should exist within King Arthur's dominions without any other
+person lighting upon it."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN (Continued)
+
+OWAIN'S ADVENTURE
+
+
+[Footnote: Amongst all the characters of early British history
+none is the more interesting, or occupies more conspicuous place,
+than the hero of this tale. Urien, his father, was prince of
+Rheged, a district comprising the present Cumberland and part of
+the adjacent country. His valor, and the consideration in which he
+was held, are a frequent theme of Bardic song, and form the
+subject of several very spirited odes by Taliesin. Among the
+Triads there is one relating to him; it is thus translated:
+
+"Three Knights of Battle were in court of Arthur Cadwr, the Earl
+of Cornwall, Launcelot du Lac, and Owain, the son of Urien. And
+this was their characteristic--that they would not retreat from
+battle, neither for spear, nor for arrow, nor for sword. And
+Arthur never had shame in battle the day he saw their faces there.
+And they were called the Knights of Battle."]
+
+"Now," quoth Owain, "would it not be well to go and endeavor to
+discover that place?"
+
+"By the hand of my friend," said Kay, "often dost thou utter that
+with thy tongue which thou wouldest not make good with thy deeds."
+
+"In very truth," said Guenever, "it were better thou wert hanged,
+Kay, than to use such uncourteous speech towards a man like
+Owain."
+
+"By the hand of my friend, good lady," said Kay, "thy praise of
+Owain is not greater than mine."
+
+With that Arthur awoke, and asked if he had not been sleeping a
+little.
+
+"Yes, lord," answered Owain, "thou hast slept awhile."
+
+"Is it time for us to go to meat?"
+
+"It is, lord," said Owain.
+
+Then the horn for washing was sounded, and the king and all his
+household sat down to eat. And when the meal was ended Owain
+withdrew to his lodging, and made ready his horse and his arms.
+
+On the morrow with the dawn of day he put on his armor, and
+mounted his charger, and travelled through distant lands, and over
+desert mountains. And at length he arrived at the valley which
+Kynon had described to him, and he was certain that it was the
+same that he sought. And journeying along the valley, by the side
+of the river, he followed its course till he came to the plain,
+and within sight of the castle. When he approached the castle he
+saw the youths shooting with their bows, in the place where Kynon
+had seen them, and the yellow man, to whom the castle belonged,
+standing hard by. And no sooner had Owain saluted the yellow man,
+than he was saluted by him in return.
+
+And he went forward towards the castle, and there he saw the
+chamber; and when he had entered the chamber, he beheld the
+maidens working at satin embroidery, in chains of gold. And their
+beauty and their comeliness seemed to Owain far greater than Kynon
+had represented to him. And they arose to wait upon Owain, as they
+had done to Kynon. And the meal which they set before him gave
+even more satisfaction to Owain than it had done to Kynon.
+
+About the middle of the repast the yellow man asked Owain the
+object of his journey. And Owain made it known to him, and said,
+"I am in quest of the knight who guards the fountain." Upon this
+the yellow man smiled, and said that he was as loth to point out
+that adventure to him as he had been to Kynon. However, he
+described the whole to Owain, and they retired to rest.
+
+The next morning Owain found his horse made ready for him by the
+damsels, and he set forward and came to the glade where the black
+man was. And the stature of the black man seemed more wonderful to
+Owain than it had done to Kynon; and Owain asked of him his road,
+and he showed it to him. And Owain followed the road till he came
+to the green tree; and he beheld the fountain, and the slab beside
+the fountain, with the bowl upon it. And Owain took the bowl and
+threw a bowlful of water upon the slab. And, lo! the thunder was
+heard, and after the thunder came the shower, more violent than
+Kynon had described, and after the shower the sky became bright.
+And immediately the birds came and settled upon the tree and sang.
+And when their song was most pleasing to Owain he beheld a knight
+coming towards him through the valley; and he prepared to receive
+him, and encountered him violently. Having broken both their
+lances, they drew their swords and fought blade to blade. Then
+Owain struck the knight a blow through his helmet, head-piece, and
+visor, and through the skin, and the flesh, and the bone, until it
+wounded the very brain. Then the black knight felt that he had
+received a mortal wound, upon which he turned his horse's head and
+fled. And Owain pursued him and followed close upon him, although
+he was not near enough to strike him with his sword. Then Owain
+descried a vast and resplendent castle; and they came to the
+castle gate. And the black knight was allowed to enter, and the
+portcullis was let fall upon Owain; and it struck his horse behind
+the saddle, and cut him in two, and carried away the rowels of the
+spurs that were upon Owains' heels. And the portcullis descended
+to the floor. And the rowels of the spurs and part of the horse
+were without, and Owain with the other part of the horse remained
+between the two gates, and the inner gate was closed, so that
+Owain could not go thence; and Owain was in a perplexing
+situation. And while he was in this state, he could see through an
+aperture in the gate a street facing him, with a row of houses on
+each side. And he beheld a maiden, with yellow, curling hair, and
+a frontlet of gold upon her head; and she was clad in a dress of
+yellow satin, and on her feet were shoes of variegated leather.
+And she approached the gate, and desired that it should be opened.
+"Heaven knows, lady," said Owain, "it is no more possible for me
+to open to thee from hence, than it is for thee to set me free."
+And he told her his name, and who he was. "Truly," said the
+damsel, "it is very sad that thou canst not be released; and every
+woman ought to succor thee, for I know there is no one more
+faithful in the service of ladies than thou. Therefore," quoth
+she, "whatever is in my power to do for thy release, I will do it.
+Take this ring and put it on thy finger, with the stone inside thy
+hand, and close thy hand upon the stone. And as long as thou
+concealest it, it will conceal thee. When they come forth to fetch
+thee, they will be much grieved that they cannot find thee. And I
+will await thee on the horseblock yonder, and thou wilt be able to
+see me, though I cannot see thee. Therefore come and place thy
+hand upon my shoulder, that I may know that thou art near me. And
+by the way that I go hence do thou accompany me."
+
+Then the maiden went away from Owain, and he did all that she had
+told him. And the people of the castle came to seek Owain to put
+him to death; and when they found nothing but the half of his
+horse, they were sorely grieved.
+
+And Owain vanished from among them, and went to the maiden, and
+placed his hand upon her shoulder; whereupon she set off, and
+Owain followed her, until they came to the door of a large and
+beautiful chamber, and the maiden opened it, and they went in. And
+Owain looked around the chamber, and behold there was not a single
+nail in it that was not painted with gorgeous colors, and there
+was not a single panel that had not sundry images in gold
+portrayed upon it.
+
+The maiden kindled a fire, and took water in a silver bowl, and
+gave Owain water to wash. Then she placed before him a silver
+table, inlaid with gold; upon which was a cloth of yellow linen,
+and she brought him food. And, of a truth, Owain never saw any
+kind of meat that was not there in abundance, but it was better
+cooked there than he had ever found it in any other place. And
+there was not one vessel from which he was served that was not of
+gold or of silver. And Owain eat and drank until late in the
+afternoon, when lo! they heard a mighty clamor in the castle, and
+Owain asked the maiden what it was. "They are administering
+extreme unction," said she, "to the nobleman who owns the castle."
+And she prepared a couch for Owain which was meet for Arthur
+himself, and Owain went to sleep.
+
+And a little after daybreak he heard an exceeding loud clamor and
+wailing, and he asked the maiden what was the cause of it. "They
+are bearing to the church the body of the nobleman who owned the
+castle."
+
+And Owain rose up, and clothed himself, and opened a window of the
+chamber, and looked towards the castle; and he could see neither
+the bounds nor the extent of the hosts that filled the streets.
+And they were fully armed; and a vast number of women were with
+them, both on horseback and on foot, and all the ecclesiastics in
+the city singing. In the midst of the throng he beheld the bier,
+over which was a veil of white linen; and wax tapers were burning
+beside and around it; and none that supported the bier was lower
+in rank than a powerful baron.
+
+Never did Owain see an assemblage so gorgeous with silk [Footnote:
+Before the sixth century all the silk used by Europeans had been
+brought to them by the Seres, the ancestors of the present
+Boukharians, whence it derived its Latin name of Serica. In 551
+the silkworm was brought by two monks to Constantinople, but the
+manufacture of silk was confined to the Greek empire till the year
+1130, when Roger, king of Sicily, returning from a crusade,
+collected some manufacturers from Athens and Corinth, and
+established them at Palermo, whence the trade was gradually
+disseminated over Italy. The varieties of silk stuffs known at
+this time were velvet, satin (which was called samite), and
+taffety (called cendal or sendall), all of which were occasionally
+stitched with gold and silver.] and satin. And, following the
+train, he beheld a lady with yellow hair falling over her
+shoulders, and stained with blood; and about her a dress of yellow
+satin, which was torn. Upon her feet were shoes of variegated
+leather. And it was a marvel that the ends of her fingers were not
+bruised from the violence with which she smote her hands together.
+Truly she would have been the fairest lady Owain ever saw, had she
+been in her usual guise. And her cry was louder than the shout of
+the men or the clamor of the trumpets. No sooner had he beheld the
+lady than he became inflamed with her love, so that it took entire
+possession of him.
+
+Then he inquired of the maiden who the lady was. "Heaven knows,"
+replied the maiden, "she is the fairest and the most chaste, and
+the most liberal, and the most noble of women. She is my mistress,
+and she is called the Countess of the Fountain, the wife of him
+whom thou didst slay yesterday." "Verily," said Owain, "she is the
+woman that I love best." "Verily," said the maiden, "she shall
+also love thee, not a little."
+
+Then the maiden prepared a repast for Owain, and truly he thought
+he had never before so good a meal, nor was he ever so well
+served. Then she left him, and went towards the castle. When she
+came there, she found nothing but mourning and sorrow; and the
+Countess in her chamber could not bear the sight of any one
+through grief. Luned, for that was the name of the maiden, saluted
+her, but the Countess answered her not. And the maiden bent down
+towards her, and said, "What aileth thee, that thou answereth no
+one to-day?" "Luned," said the Countess, "what change hath
+befallen thee, that thou hast not come to visit me in my grief. It
+was wrong in thee, and I so sorely afflicted." "Truly," said
+Luned, "I thought thy good sense was greater than I find it to be.
+Is it well for thee to mourn after that good man, or for anything
+else that thou canst not have?" "I declare to Heaven," said the
+Countess, "that in the whole world there is not a man equal to
+him." "Not so," said Luned, "for an ugly man would be as good as
+or better than he." "I declare to Heaven," said the Countess,
+"that were it not repugnant to me to put to death one whom I have
+brought up, I would have thee executed for making such a
+comparison to me. As it is, I will banish thee." "I am glad," said
+Luned, "that thou hast no other cause to do so than that I would
+have been of service to thee, where thou didst not know what was
+to thine advantage. Henceforth, evil betide whichever of us shall
+make the first advance towards reconciliation to the other,
+whether I should seek an invitation from thee, or thou of thine
+own accord should send to invite."
+
+With that Luned went forth; and the Countess arose and followed
+her to the door of the chamber, and began coughing loudly. And
+when Luned looked back, the Countess beckoned to her, and she
+returned to the Countess. "In truth," said the Countess, "evil is
+thy disposition; but if thou knowest what is to my advantage,
+declare it to me." "I will do so," said she.
+
+"Thou knowest that, except by warfare and arms, it is impossible
+for thee to preserve thy possessions; delay not, therefore, to
+seek some one who can defend them." "And how can I do that?" said
+the Countess. "I will tell thee," said Luned; "unless thou canst
+defend the fountain, thou canst not maintain thy dominions; and no
+one can defend the fountain except it be a knight of Arthur's
+household. I will go to Arthur's court, and ill betide me if I
+return not thence with a warrior who can guard the fountain as
+well as, or even better than, he who defended it formerly." "That
+will be hard to perform," said the Countess. "Go, however, and
+make proof of that which thou hast promised,"
+
+Luned set out under the pretence of going to Arthur's court; but
+she went back to the mansion where she had left Owain, and she
+tarried there as long as it might have taken her to travel to the
+court of King Arthur and back. And at the end of that time she
+apparelled herself, and went to visit the Countess. And the
+Countess was much rejoiced when she saw her, and inquired what
+news she brought from the court. "I bring thee the best of news,"
+said Luned, "for I have compassed the object of my mission. When
+wilt thou that I should present to thee the chieftain who has come
+with me hither?" "Bring him here to visit me to-morrow," said the
+Countess, "and I will cause the town to be assembled by that
+time."
+
+And Luned returned home. And the next day at noon, Owain arrayed
+himself in a coat and a surcoat, and a mantle of yellow satin,
+upon which was a broad band of gold lace; and on his feet were
+high shoes of variegated leather, which were fastened by golden
+clasps, in the form of lions. And they proceeded to the chamber of
+the Countess.
+
+Right glad was the Countess of their coming. And she gazed
+steadfastly upon Owain, and said, "Luned, this knight has not the
+look of a traveller." "What harm is there in that, lady?" said
+Luned. "I am certain," said the Countess, "that no other man than
+this chased the soul from the body of my lord." "So much the
+better for thee, lady," said Luned, "for had he not been stronger
+than thy lord, he could not have deprived him of life. There is no
+remedy for that which is past, be it as it may." "Go back to thine
+abode," said the Countess, "and I will take counsel."
+
+The next day the Countess caused all her subjects to assemble, and
+showed them that her earldom was left defenceless, and that it
+could not be protected but with horse and arms, and military
+skill. "Therefore," said she, "this is what I offer for your
+choice: either let one of you take me, or give your consent for me
+to take a husband from elsewhere, to defend my dominions."
+
+So they came to the determination that it was better that she
+should have permission to marry some one from elsewhere; and
+thereupon she sent for the bishops and archbishops, to celebrate
+her nuptials with Owain. And the men of the earldom did Owain
+homage.
+
+And Owain defended the fountain with lance and sword. And this is
+the manner in which he defended it. Whensoever a knight came
+there, he overthrew him, and sold him for his full worth. And what
+he thus gained he divided among his barons and his knights, and no
+man in the whole world could be more beloved than he was by his
+subjects. And it was thus for the space of three years.
+
+[Footnote: There exists an ancient poem, printed among those of
+Taliesin, called the "Elegy of Owain ap Urien," and containing
+several very beautiful and spirited passages It commences
+
+   "The soul of Owain ap Urien,
+   May its Lord consider its exigencies'
+   Reged's chief the green turf covers."
+
+In the course of this Elegy the bard, alluding to the incessant
+warfare with which this chieftain harassed his Saxon foes,
+exclaims,
+
+"Could England sleep with the light upon her eyes'"]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN (Continued)
+
+GAWAIN'S ADVENTURE
+
+
+It befell that, as Gawain went forth one day with King Arthur, he
+perceived him to be very sad and sorrowful. And Gawain was much
+grieved to see Arthur in his state, and he questioned him, saying,
+"O my lord, what has befallen thee?" "In sooth, Gawain," said
+Arthur, "I am grieved concerning Owain, whom I have lost these
+three years; and I shall certainly die if the fourth year pass
+without my seeing him. Now I am sure that it is through the tale
+which Kynon, the son of Clydno, related, that I have lost Owain."
+"There is no need for thee," said Gawain, "to summon to arms thy
+whole dominions on this account, for thou thyself, and the men of
+thy household, will be able to avenge Owain if he be slain or to
+set him free if he be in prison; and, if alive, to bring him back
+with thee." And it was settled according to what Gawain had said.
+
+Then Arthur and the men of his household prepared to go and seek
+Owain. And Kynon, the son of Clydno, acted as their guide. And
+Arthur came to the castle where Kynon had been before. And when he
+came there, the youths were shooting in the same place, and the
+yellow man was standing hard by. When the yellow man saw Arthur,
+he greeted him, and invited him to the castle. And Arthur accepted
+his invitation, and they entered the castle together. And great as
+was the number of his retinue, their presence was scarcely
+observed in the castle, so vast was its extent. And the maidens
+rose up to wait on them. And the service of the maidens appeared
+to them all to excel any attendance they had ever met with; and
+even the pages, who had charge of the horses, were no worse served
+that night than Arthur himself would have been in his own palace.
+
+The next morning Arthur set out thence, with Kynon for his guide,
+and came to the place where the black man was. And the stature of
+the black man was more surprising to Arthur than it had been
+represented to him. And they came to the top of the wooded steep,
+and traversed the valley, till they reached the green tree, where
+they saw the fountain and the bowl and the slab. And upon that Kay
+came to Arthur, and spoke to him. "My lord," said he, "I know the
+meaning of all this, and my request is that thou wilt permit me to
+throw the water on the slab, and to receive the first adventure
+that may befall." And Arthur gave him leave.
+
+Then Kay threw a bowlful of water upon the slab, and immediately
+there came the thunder, and after the thunder the shower. And such
+a thunder-storm they had never known before. After the shower had
+ceased, the sky became clear, and on looking at the tree, they
+beheld it completely leafless. Then the birds descended upon the
+tree. And the song of the birds was far sweeter than any strain
+they had ever heard before. Then they beheld a knight, on a coal-
+black horse, clothed in black satin, coming rapidly towards them.
+And Kay met him and encountered him, and it was not long before
+Kay was overthrown. And the knight withdrew. And Arthur and his
+host encamped for the night.
+
+And when they arose in the morning, they perceived the signal of
+combat upon the lance of the knight. Then, one by one, all the
+household of Arthur went forth to combat the knight, until there
+was not one that was not overthrown by him, except Arthur and
+Gawain. And Arthur armed himself to encounter the knight. "O my
+lord," said Gawain, "permit me to fight with him first." And
+Arthur permitted him. And he went forth to meet the knight, having
+over himself and his horse a satin robe of honor, which had been
+sent him by the daughter of the Earl of Rhangyr, and in this dress
+he was not known by any of the host. And they charged each other,
+and fought all that day until the evening. And neither of them was
+able to unhorse the other. And so it was the next day; they broke
+their lances in the shock, but neither of them could obtain the
+mastery.
+
+And the third day they fought with exceeding strong lances. And
+they were incensed with rage, and fought furiously, even until
+noon. And they gave each other such a shock that the girths of
+their horses were broken, so that they fell over their horses'
+cruppers to the ground. And they rose up speedily and drew their
+swords, and resumed the combat. And all they that witnessed their
+encounter felt assured that they had never before seen two men so
+valiant or so powerful. And had it been midnight, it would have
+been light, from the fire that flashed from their weapons. And the
+knight gave Gawain a blow that turned his helmet from off his
+face, so that the knight saw that it was Gawain. Then Owain said,
+"My lord Gawain, I did not know thee for my cousin, owing to the
+robe of honor that enveloped thee; take my sword and my arms."
+Said Gawain, "Thou, Owain, art the victor; take thou my sword."
+And with that Arthur saw that they were conversing, and advanced
+toward them. "My lord Arthur," said Gawam, "here is Owain who has
+vanquished me, and will not take my arms." "My lord," said Owain,
+"it is he that has vanquished me, and he will not take my sword."
+"Give me your swords," said Arthur, "and then neither of you has
+vanquished the other." Then Owain put his arms around Arthur's
+neck, and they embraced. And all the host hurried forward to see
+Owain, and to embrace him. And there was nigh being a loss of
+life, so great was the press.
+
+And they retired that night, and the next day Arthur prepared to
+depart. "My lord," said Owain, "this is not well of thee. For I
+have been absent from thee these three years, and during all that
+time, up to this very day, I have been preparing a banquet for
+thee, knowing that thou wouldst come to seek me. Tarry with me,
+therefore, until thou and thy attendants have recovered the
+fatigues of the journey, and have been anointed."
+
+And they all proceeded to the castle of the Countess of the
+Fountain, and the banquet which had been three years preparing was
+consumed in three months. Never had they a more delicious or
+agreeable banquet. And Arthur prepared to depart. Then he sent an
+embassy to the Countess to beseech her to permit Owain to go with
+him, for the space of three months, that he might show him to the
+nobles and the fair dames of the island of Britain. And the
+Countess gave her consent, although it was very painful to her. So
+Owain came with Arthur to the island of Britain. And when he was
+once more amongst his kindred and friends, he remained three
+years, instead of three months, with them.
+
+THE ADVENTURE OF THE LION
+
+And as Owain one day sat at meat, in the city of Caerleon upon
+Usk, behold a damsel entered the hall, upon a bay horse, with a
+curling mane, and covered with foam; and the bridle, and as much
+as was seen of the saddle, were of gold. And the damsel was
+arrayed in a dress of yellow satin. And she came up to Owain, and
+took the ring from off his hand. "Thus," said she, "shall be
+treated the deceiver, the traitor, the faithless, the disgraced,
+and the beardless." And she turned her horse's head and departed.
+
+[Footnote: The custom of riding into a hall while the lord and his
+guests sat at meat might be illustrated by numerous passages of
+ancient romance and history. But a quotation from Chaucer's
+beautiful and half-told tale of "Cambuscan" is sufficient:
+
+    "And so befell that after the thridde cours,
+    While that this king sat thus in his nobley,
+    Herking his minstralles thir thinges play,
+    Beforne him at his bord deliciously,
+    In at the halle door all sodenly
+    Ther came a knight upon a stede of bras,
+    And in his hond a brod mirrour of glas;
+    Upon his thombe he had of gold a ring,
+    And by his side a naked sword hanging;
+    And up he rideth to the highe bord.
+    In all the halle ne was ther spoke a word,
+    For meryaille of this knight; him to behold
+    Full besily they waiten, young and old."]
+
+Then his adventure came to Owain's remembrance, and he was
+sorrowful. And having finished eating, he went to his own abode,
+and made preparations that night. And the next day he arose, but
+did not go to the court, nor did he return to the Countess of the
+Fountain, but wandered to the distant parts of the earth and to
+uncultivated mountains. And he remained there until all his
+apparel was worn out, and his body was wasted away, and his hair
+was grown long. And he went about with the wild beasts, and fed
+with them, until they became familiar with him. But at length he
+became so weak that he could no longer bear them company. Then he
+descended from the mountains to the valley, and came to a park,
+that was the fairest in the world, and belonged to a charitable
+lady.
+
+One day the lady and her attendants went forth to walk by a lake
+that was in the middle of the park. And they saw the form of a
+man, lying as if dead. And they were terrified. Nevertheless they
+went near him, and touched him, and they saw that there was life
+in him. And the lady returned to the castle, and took a flask full
+of precious ointment and gave it to one of her maidens. "Go with
+this," said she, "and take with thee yonder horse, and clothing,
+and place them near the man we saw just now; and anoint him with
+this balsam near his heart; and if there is life in him, he will
+revive, through the efficiency of this balsam. Then watch what he
+will do."
+
+And the maiden departed from her, and went and poured of the
+balsam upon Owain, and left the horse and the garments hard by,
+and went a little way off and hid herself to watch him. In a short
+time, she saw him begin to move; and he rose up, and looked at his
+person, and became ashamed of the unseemliness of his appearance.
+Then he perceived the horse and the garments that were near him.
+And he clothed himself, and with difficulty mounted the horse.
+Then the damsel discovered herself to him, and saluted him. And he
+and the maiden proceeded to the castle, and the maiden conducted
+him to a pleasant chamber, and kindled a fire, and left him.
+
+And he stayed at the castle three months, till he was restored to
+his former guise, and became even more comely than he had ever
+been before. And Owain rendered signal service to the lady, in a
+controversy with a powerful neighbor, so that he made ample
+requital to her for her hospitality; and he took his departure.
+
+And as he journeyed he heard a loud yelling in a wood. And it was
+repeated a second and a third time. And Owain went towards the
+spot, and beheld a huge craggy mound, in the middle of the wood,
+on the side of which was a gray rock. And there was a cleft in the
+rock, and a serpent was within the cleft. And near the rock stood
+a black lion, and every time the lion sought to go thence the
+serpent darted towards him to attack him. And Owain unsheathed his
+sword, and drew near to the rock; and as the serpent sprung out he
+struck him with his sword and cut him in two. And he dried his
+sword, and went on his way as before. But behold the lion followed
+him, and played about him, as though it had been a greyhound that
+he had reared.
+
+They proceeded thus throughout the day, until the evening. And
+when it was time for Owain to take his rest he dismounted, and
+turned his horse loose in a flat and wooded meadow. And he struck
+fire, and when the fire was kindled, the lion brought him fuel
+enough to last for three nights. And the lion disappeared. And
+presently the lion returned, bearing a fine large roebuck. And he
+threw it down before Owain, who went towards the fire with it.
+
+And Owain took the roebuck, and skinned it, and placed collops of
+its flesh upon skewers round the fire. The rest of the buck he
+gave to the lion to devour. While he was so employed, he heard a
+deep groan near him, and a second, and a third. And the place
+whence the groans proceeded was a cave in the rock; and Owain went
+near, and called out to know who it was that groaned so piteously.
+And a voice answered, "I am Luned, the hand-maiden of the Countess
+of the Fountain." "And what dost thou here?" said he. "I am
+imprisoned," said she, "on account of the knight who came from
+Arthur's court, and married the Countess. And he staid a short
+time with her, but he afterwards departed for the court of Arthur,
+and has not returned since. And two of the Countess's pages
+traduced him, and called him a deceiver. And because I said I
+would vouch for it he would come before long and maintain his
+cause against both of them, they imprisoned me in this cave, and
+said that I should be put to death, unless he came to deliver me,
+by a certain day; and that is no further off than to-morrow, and I
+have no one to send to seek him for me. His name is Owain, the son
+of Urien." "And art thou certain that if that knight knew all
+this, he would come to thy rescue?" "I am most certain of it,"
+said she.
+
+When the collops were cooked, Owain divided them into two parts,
+between himself and the maiden, and then Owain laid himself down
+to sleep; and never did sentinel keep stricter watch over his lord
+than the lion that night over Owain.
+
+And the next day there came the two pages with a great troop of
+attendants to take Luned from her cell, and put her to death. And
+Owain asked them what charge they had against her. And they told
+him of the compact that was between them; as the maiden had done
+the night before. "And," said they, "Owain has failed her,
+therefore we are taking her to be burnt." "Truly," said Owain, "he
+is a good knight; and if he knew that the maiden was in such
+peril, I marvel that he came not to her rescue. But if you will
+accept me in his stead, I will do battle with you." "We will,"
+said the youth.
+
+And they attacked Owain, and he was hard beset by them. And with
+that, the lion came to Owain's assistance, and they two got the
+better of the young men And they said to him, "Chieftain, it was
+not agreed that we should fight save with thyself alone, and it is
+harder for us to contend with yonder animal than with thee." And
+Owain put the lion in the place where Luned had been imprisoned,
+and blocked up the door with stones. And he went to fight with the
+young men as before. But Owain had not his usual strength, and the
+two youths pressed hard upon him. And the lion roared incessantly
+at seeing Owain in trouble. And he brust through the wall, until
+he found a way out, and rushed upon the young men and instantly
+slew them. So Luned was saved from being burned.
+
+Then Owain returned with Luned to the castle of the Lady of the
+Fountain. And when he went thence, he took the Countess with him
+to Arthur's court, and she was his wife as long as she lived.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+GERAINT, THE SON OF ERBIN
+
+
+Arthur was accustomed to hold his court at Caerleon upon Usk. And
+there he held it seven Easters and five Christmases. And once upon
+a time he held his court there at Whitsuntide. For Caerleon was
+the place most easy of access in his dominions, both by sea and by
+land. And there were assembled nine crowned kings, who were his
+tributaries, and likewise earls and barons. For they were his
+invited guests at all the high festivals, unless they were
+prevented by any great hinderatice. And when he was at Caerleon
+holding his court, thirteen churches were set apart for mass. And
+thus they were appointed: one church for Arthur and his kings, and
+his guests; and the second for Guenever and her ladies; and the
+third for the steward of the household and the suitors; and the
+fourth for the Franks and the other officers; and the other nine
+churches were for the nine masters of the household, and chiefly
+for Gawain, for he, from the eminence of his warlike fame, and
+from the nobleness of his birth, was the most exalted of the nine.
+And there was no other arrangement respecting the churches than
+that which we have here mentioned.
+
+And on Whit-Tuesday, as the king sat at the banquet, lo, there
+entered a tall, fair-headed youth, clad in a coat and surcoat of
+satin, and a golden-hilted sword about his neck, and low shoes of
+leather upon his feet. And he came and stood before Arthur. "Hail
+to thee, lord," said he. "Heaven prosper thee," he answered, "and
+be thou welcome. Dost thou bring any new tidings?" "I do, lord,"
+he said. "I am one of thy foresters, lord, in the forest of Dean,
+and my name is Madoc, son of Turgadarn. In the forest I saw a
+stag, the like of which beheld I never yet." "What is there about
+him," asked Arthur, "that thou never yet didst see his like?" "He
+is of pure white, lord, and he does not herd with any other
+animal, through stateliness and pride, so royal is his bearing.
+And I come to seek thy counsel, lord, and to know thy will
+concerning him." "It seems best to me," said Arthur, "to go and
+hunt him to-morrow at break of day, and to cause general notice
+thereof to be given to-night, in all quarters of the court."
+
+   "For Arthur on the Whitsuntide before
+   Held court at old Caerleon upon Usk.
+   There on a day, he sitting high in hall,
+   Before him came a forester of Dean,
+   Wet from the woods, with notice of a hart
+
+   Taller than all his fellows, milky-white,
+   First seen that day: these things he told the king.
+   Then the good king gave order to let blow
+   His horns for hunting on the morrow morn."
+
+    --Enid.
+
+And Arryfuerys was Arthur's chief huntsman, and Arelivri his chief
+page. And all received notice; and thus it was arranged.
+
+Then Guenever said to Arthur, "Wilt thou permit me, lord, to go
+to-morrow to see and hear the hunt of the stag of which the young
+man spoke?" "I will gladly," said Arthur. And Gawain said to
+Arthur, "Lord, if it seem well to thee, permit that into whose
+hunt soever the stag shall come, that one, be he a knight or one
+on foot, may cut off his head, and give it to whom he pleases,
+whether to his own lady-love, or to the lady of his friend." "I
+grant it gladly," said Arthur, "and let the steward of the
+household be chastised, if all things are not ready to-morrow for
+the chase."
+
+And they passed the night with songs, and diversions, and
+discourse, and ample entertainment. And when it was time for them
+all to go to sleep, they went. And when the next day came, they
+arose. And Arthur called the attendants who guarded his couch. And
+there were four pages whose names were Cadyrnerth, the son of
+Gandwy, and Ambreu, the son of Bedwor and Amhar, the son of Arthur
+and Goreu, the son of Custennin. And these men came to Arthur and
+saluted him, and arrayed him in his garments. And Arthur wondered
+that Guenever did not awake, and the attendants wished to awaken
+her. "Disturb her not," said Arthur, "for she had rather sleep
+than go to see the hunting."
+
+Then Arthur went forth, and he heard two horns sounding, one from
+near the lodging of the chief huntsman, and the other from near
+that of the chief page. And the whole assembly of the multitudes
+came to Arthur, and they took the road to the forest.
+
+And after Arthur had gone forth from the palace, Guenever awoke,
+and called to her maidens, and apparalled herself. "Maidens," said
+she, "I had leave last night to go and see the hunt. Go one of you
+to the stable, and order hither a horse such as a woman may ride."
+And one of them went, and she found but two horses in the stable;
+and Guenever and one of her maidens mounted them, and went through
+the Usk, and followed the track of the men and the horses. And as
+they rode thus, they heard a loud and rushing sound; and they
+looked behind them, and beheld a knight upon a hunter foal of
+mighty size. And the rider was a fairhaired youth, bare-legged,
+and of princely mien; and a golden-hilted sword was at his side,
+and a robe and a surcoat of satin were upon him, and two low shoes
+of leather upon his feet; and around him was a scarf of blue
+purple, at each corner of which was a golden apple.
+
+      "For Prince Geraint,
+   Late also, wearing neither hunting-dress
+   Nor weapon, save a golden-hilted brand,
+   Came quickly flashing through the shallow ford."
+         --Enid.
+
+And his horse stepped stately, and swift, and proud; and he
+overtook Guenever, and saluted her. "Heaven prosper thee,
+Geraint," said she; "and why didst thou not go with thy lord to
+hunt?" "Because I knew not when he went," said he. "I marvel too,"
+said she, "how he could go, unknown to me. But thou, O young man,
+art the most agreeable companion I could have in the whole
+kingdom; and it may be I shall be more amused with the hunting
+than they; for we shall hear the horns when they sound and we
+shall hear the dogs when they are let loose and begin to cry."
+
+So they went to the edge of the forest, and there they stood.
+"From this place," said she, "we shall hear when the dogs are let
+loose." And thereupon they heard a loud noise; and they looked
+towards the spot whence it came, and they beheld a dwarf riding
+upon a horse, stately and foaming and prancing and strong and
+spirited. And in the hand of the dwarf was a whip. And near the
+dwarf they saw a lady upon a beautiful white horse, of steady and
+stately pace; and she was clothed in a garment of gold brocade.
+And near her was a knight upon a war-horse of large size, with
+heavy and bright armor both upon himself and upon his horse. And
+truly they never before saw a knight, or a horse, or armor, of
+such remarkable size.
+
+"Geraint," said Guenever, "knowest thou the name of that tall
+knight yonder?" "I know him not," said he, "and the strange armor
+that he wears prevents my either seeing his face or his features."
+"Go, maiden," said Guenever, "and ask the dwarf who that knight
+is." Then the maiden went up to the dwarf; and she inquired of the
+dwarf who the knight was. "I will not tell thee," he answered.
+"Since thou art so churlish," said she, "I will ask him, himself."
+"Thou shalt not ask him, by my faith," said he. "Wherefore not?"
+said she. "Because thou art not of honor sufficient to befit thee
+to speak to my lord." Then the maiden turned her horse's head
+towards the knight, upon which the dwarf struck her with the whip
+that was in his hand across the face and the eyes, so that the
+blood flowed forth. And the maiden returned to Guenever,
+complaining of the hurt she had received. "Very rudely has the
+dwarf treated thee," said Geraint, and he put his hand upon the
+hilt of his sword. But he took counsel with himself, and
+considered that it would be no vengeance for him to slay the
+dwarf, and to be attacked unarmed by the armed knight; so he
+refrained.
+
+"Lady," said he, "I will follow him, with thy permission, and at
+last he will come to some inhabited place, where I may have arms,
+either as a loan or for a pledge, so that I may encounter the
+knight." "Go," said she, "and do not attack him until thou hast
+good arms; and I shall be very anxious concerning thee, until I
+hear tidings of thee." "If I am alive," said he, "thou shalt hear
+tidings of me by to-morrow afternoon;" and with that he departed.
+
+And the road they took was below the palace of Caerleon, and
+across the ford of the Usk; and they went along a fair and even
+and lofty ridge of ground, until they came to a town, and at the
+extremity of the town they saw a fortress and a castle. And as the
+knight passed through the town all the people arose and saluted
+him, and bade him welcome. And when Geraint came into the town, he
+looked at every house to see if he knew any of those whom he saw.
+But he knew none, and none knew him, to do him the kindness to let
+him have arms, either as a loan or for a pledge. And every house
+he saw was full of men, and arms, and horses. And they were
+polishing shields, and burnishing swords, and washing armor, and
+shoeing horses. And the knight and the lady and the dwarf rode up
+to the castle, that was in the town, and every one was glad in the
+castle. And from the battlements and the gates they risked their
+necks, through their eagerness to greet them, and to show their
+joy.
+
+Geraint stood there to see whether the knight would remain in the
+castle; and when he was certain that he would do so, he looked
+around him. And at a little distance from the town he saw an old
+palace in ruins, wherein was a hall that was falling to decay.
+
+   "And high above a piece of turret-stair,
+   Worn by the feet that now were silent, wound
+   Bare to the sun"
+
+    --Enid.
+
+And as he knew not any one in the town, he went towards the old
+palace. And when he came near to the palace, he saw a hoary-headed
+man, standing by it, in tattered garments. And Geraint gazed
+steadfastly upon him. Then the hoary-headed man said to him,
+"Young man, wherefore art thou thoughtful?" "I am thoughtful,"
+said he, "because I know not where to pass the night." "Wilt thou
+come forward this way, chieftain," said he, "and thou shalt have
+of the best that can be procured for thee." So Geraint went
+forward. And the hoary-headed man led the way into the hall. And
+in the hall he dismounted, and he left there his horse. Then he
+went on to the upper chamber with the hoary-headed man. And in the
+chamber he beheld an old woman, sitting on a cushion, with old,
+worn-out garments upon her; yet it seemed to him that she must
+have been comely when in the bloom of youth. And beside her was a
+maiden, upon whom were a vest and a veil that were old and
+beginning to be worn out. And truly he never saw a maiden more
+full of comeliness and grace and beauty than she. And the hoary-
+headed man said to the maiden, "There is no attendant for the
+horse of this youth but thyself." "I will render the best service
+I am able," said she, "both to him and to his horse." And the
+maiden disarrayed the youth, and then she furnished his horse with
+straw and corn; and then she returned to the chamber. And the
+hoary-headed man said to the maiden, "Go to the town and bring
+hither the best that thou canst find, both of food and of liquor."
+"I will gladly, lord," said she. And to the town went the maiden.
+And they conversed together while the maiden was at the town. And,
+behold, the maiden came back, and a youth with her, bearing on his
+back a costrel full of good purchased mead, and a quarter of a
+young bullock. And in the hands of the maiden was a quantity of
+white bread, and she had some manchet bread in her veil, and she
+came into the chamber. "I would not obtain better than this," said
+she, "nor with better should I have been trusted." "It is good
+enough," said Geraint. And they caused the meat to be boiled; and
+when their food was ready, they sat down. And it was in this wise.
+Geraint sat between the hoary-headed man and his wife, and the
+maiden served them. And they ate and drank.
+
+And when they had finished eating, Geraint talked with the hoary-
+headed man, and he asked him in the first place to whom belonged
+the palace that he was in. "Truly," said he, "it was I that built
+it, and to me also belonged the city and the castle which thou
+sawest." "Alas!" said Geraint, "how is it that thou hast lost them
+now?" "I lost a great earldom as well as these," said he, "and
+this is how I lost them. I had a nephew, the son of my brother,
+and I took care of his possessions; but he was impatient to enter
+upon them, so he made war upon me, and wrested from me not only
+his own, but also my estates, except this castle." "Good sir,"
+said Geraint, "wilt thou tell me wherefore came the knight and the
+lady and the dwarf just now into the town, and what is the
+preparation which I saw, and the putting of arms in order?" "I
+will do so," said he. "The preparations are for the game that is
+to be held to-morrow by the young earl, which will be on this
+wise. In the midst of a meadow which is here, two forks will be
+set up, and upon the two forks a silver rod, and upon the silver
+rod a sparrow-hawk, and for the sparrow-hawk there will be a
+tournament. And to the tournament will go all the array thou didst
+see in the city, of men and of horses and of arms. And with each
+man will go the lady he loves best; and no man can joust for the
+sparrow-hawk, except the lady he loves best be with him. And the
+knight that thou sawest has gained the sparrow-hawk these two
+years; and if he gains it the third year, he will be called the
+Knight of the Sparrow-hawk from that time forth." "Sir," said
+Geraint, "what is thy counsel to me concerning this knight, on
+account of the insult which the maiden of Guenever received from
+the dwarf?" And Geraint told the hoary-headed man what the insult
+was that the maiden had received. "It is not easy to counsel thee,
+inasmuch as thou hast neither dame nor maiden belonging to thee,
+for whom thou canst joust. Yet I have arms here, which thou
+couldst have, and there is my horse also, if he seem to thee
+better than thine own." "Ah, sir," said he, "Heaven reward thee!
+But my own horse to which I am accustomed, together with thine
+arms, will suffice me. And if, when the appointed time shall come
+to-morrow thou wilt permit me, sir, to challenge for yonder maiden
+that is thy daughter, I will engage, if I escape from the
+tournament, to love the maiden as long as I live." "Gladly will I
+permit thee," said the hoary-headed man; "and since thou dost thus
+resolve, it is necessary that thy horse and arms should be ready
+to-morrow at break of day. For then the Knight of the Sparrow-hawk
+will make proclamation, and ask the lady he loves best to take the
+sparrow-hawk; and if any deny it to her, by force will he defend
+her claim. And therefore," said the hoary-headed man, "it is
+needful for thee to be there at daybreak, and we three will be
+with thee." And thus was it settled.
+
+And at night they went to sleep. And before the dawn they arose
+and arrayed themselves; and by the time that it was day, they were
+all four in the meadow. And there was the Knight of the Sparrow-
+hawk making the proclamation, and asking his lady-love to take the
+sparrow-hawk. "Take it not," said Geraint, "for here is a maiden
+who is fairer, and more noble, and more comely, and who has a
+better claim to it than thou." Then said the knight, "If thou
+maintainest the sparrow-hawk to be due to her, come forward and do
+battle with me." And Geraint went forward to the top of the
+meadow, having upon himself and upon his horse armor which was
+heavy and rusty, and of uncouth shape. Then they encountered each
+other, and they broke a set of lances; and they broke a second
+set, and a third. And when the earl and his company saw the Knight
+of the Sparrow-hawk gaining the mastery, there was shouting and
+joy and mirth amongst them; and the hoary-headed man and his wife
+and his daughter were sorrowful. And the hoary-headed man served
+Geraint with lances as often as he broke them, and the dwarf
+served the Knight of the Sparrow-hawk. Then the hoary-headed man
+said to Geraint, "O chieftain, since no other will hold with thee,
+behold, here is the lance which was in my hand on the day when I
+received the honor of knighthood, and from that time to this I
+never broke it, and it has an excellent point." Then Geraint took
+the lance, thanking the hoary-headed man. And thereupon the dwarf
+also brought a lance to his lord. "Behold, here is a lance for
+thee, not less good than his," said the dwarf. "And bethink thee
+that no knight ever withstood thee so long as this one has done."
+"I declare to Heaven," said Geraint, "that unless death takes me
+quickly hence, he shall fare never the better for thy service."
+And Geraint pricked his horse towards him from afar, and, warning
+him, he rushed upon him, and gave him a blow so severe, and
+furious, and fierce, upon the face of his shield, that he cleft it
+in two, and broke his armor, and burst his girths, so that both he
+and his saddle were borne to the ground over the horse's crupper.
+And Geraint dismounted quickly. And he was wroth, and he drew his
+sword, and rushed fiercely upon him. Then the knight also arose,
+and drew his sword against Geraint. And they fought on foot with
+their swords until their arms struck sparks of fire like stars
+from one another; and thus they continued fighting until the blood
+and sweat obscured the light from their eyes. At length Geraint
+called to him all his strength, and struck the knight upon the
+crown of his head, so that he broke all his head-armor, and cut
+through all the flesh and the skin, even to the skull, until he
+wounded the bone.
+
+Then the knight fell upon his knees, and cast his sword from his
+hand, and besought mercy from Geraint. "Of a truth," said he, "I
+relinquish my overdaring and my pride, and crave thy mercy; and
+unless I have time to commit myself to Heaven for my sins, and to
+talk with a priest, thy mercy will avail me little." "I will grant
+thee grace upon this condition," said Geraint, "that thou go to
+Guenever, the wife of Arthur, to do her satisfaction for the
+insult which her maiden received from thy dwarf. Dismount not from
+the time thou goest hence until thou comest into the presence of
+Guenever, to make her what atonement shall be adjudged at the
+court of Arthur." "This will I do gladly; and who art thou?" "I am
+Geraint, the son of Erbin; and declare thou also who thou art." "I
+am Edeym, the son of Nudd." Then he threw himself upon his horse,
+and went forward to Arthur's court; and the lady he loved best
+went before him, and the dwarf, with much lamentation.
+
+Then came the young earl and his hosts to Geraint, and saluted
+him, and bade him to his castle. "I may not go," said Geraint;
+"but where I was last night, there will I be to-night also."
+"Since thou wilt none of my inviting, thou shalt have abundance of
+all that I can command for thee; and I will order ointment for
+thee, to recover thee from thy fatigues, and from the weariness
+that is upon thee." "Heaven reward thee," said Geraint, "and I
+will go to my lodging." And thus went Geraint and Earl Ynywl, and
+his wife and his daughter. And when they reached the old mansion,
+the household servants and attendants of the young earl had
+arrived, and had arranged all the apartments, dressing them with
+straw and with fire; and in a short time the ointment was ready,
+and Geraint came there, and they washed his head. Then came the
+young earl, with forty honorable knights from among his
+attendants, and those who were bidden to the tournament. And
+Geraint came from the anointing. And the earl asked him to go to
+the hall to eat. "Where is the Earl Ynywl," said Geraint, "and his
+wife and his daughter?" "They are in the chamber yonder," said the
+earl's chamberlain, "arraying themselves in garments which the
+earl has caused to be brought for them." "Let not the damsel array
+herself," said he, "except in her vest and her veil, until she
+come to the court of Arthur, to be clad by Guenever in such
+garments as she may choose." So the maiden did not array herself.
+
+Then they all entered the hall, and they washed, and sat down to
+meat. And thus were they seated. On one side of Geraint sat the
+young earl, and Earl Ynywl beyond him, and on the other side of
+Geraint was the maiden and her mother. And after these all sat
+according to their precedence in honor. And they ate. And they
+were served abundantly, and they received a profusion of divers
+kinds of gifts. Then they conversed together. And the young earl
+invited Geraint to visit him next day. "I will not, by Heaven,"
+said Geraint. "To the court of Arthur will I go with this maiden
+to-morrow. And it is enough for me, as long as Earl Ynywl is in
+poverty and trouble; and I go chiefly to seek to add to his
+maintenance." "Ah, chieftain," said the young earl, "it is not by
+my fault that Earl Ynywl is without his possessions." "By my
+faith," said Geraint, "he shall not remain without them, unless
+death quickly takes me hence." "O chieftain," said he, "with
+regard to the disagreement between me and Ynywl, I will gladly
+abide by thy counsel, and agree to what thou mayest judge right
+between us." "I but ask thee," said Geraint, "to restore to him
+what is his, and what he should have received from the time he
+lost his possessions even until this day." "That will I do,
+gladly, for thee," answered he. "Then," said Geraint, "whosoever
+is here who owes homage to Ynywl, let him come forward, and
+perform it on the spot." And all the men did so; and by that
+treaty they abided. And his castle and his town, and all his
+possessions, were restored to Ynywl. And he received back all that
+he had lost, even to the smallest jewel.
+
+Then spoke Earl Ynywl to Geraint. "Chieftain," said he, "behold
+the maiden for whom thou didst challenge at the tournament; I
+bestow her upon thee." "She shall go with me," said Geraint, "to
+the court of Arthur, and Arthur and Guenever, they shall dispose
+of her as they will." And the next day they proceeded to Arthur's
+court. So far concerning Geraint.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+GERAINT, THE SON OF ERBIN (Continued)
+
+
+Now this is how Arthur hunted the stag. The men and the dogs were
+divided into hunting-parties, and the dogs were let loose upon the
+stag. And the last dog that was let loose was the favorite dog of
+Arthur; Cavall was his name. And he left all the other dogs behind
+him and turned the stag. And at the second turn the stag came
+toward the hunting-party of Arthur. And Arthur set upon him; and
+before he could be slain by any other, Arthur cut off his head.
+Then they sounded the death-horn for slaying and they all gathered
+round.
+
+They came Kadyriath to Arthur and spoke to him. "Lord," said he,
+"behold, yonder is Guenever, and none with her save only one
+maiden." "Command Gildas, the son of Caw, and all the scholars of
+the court," said Arthur, "to attend Guenever to the palace." And
+they did so.
+
+Then they all set forth, holding converse together concerning the
+head of the stag, to whom it should be given. One wished that it
+should be given to the lady best beloved by him, and another to
+the lady whom he loved best. And so they came to the palace. And
+when Arthur and Guenever heard them disputing about the head of
+the stag, Guenever said to Arthur: "My lord, this is my counsel
+concerning the stag's head; let it not be given away until
+Geraint, the son of Erbin, shall return from the errand he is
+upon." And Guenever told Arthur what that errand was. "Right
+gladly shall it be so," said Arthur. And Guenever caused a watch
+to be set upon the ramparts for Geraint's coming. And after midday
+they beheld an unshapely little man upon a horse, and after him a
+dame or a damsel, also on horseback, and after her a knight of
+large stature, bowed down, and hanging his head low and
+sorrowfully, and clad in broken and worthless armor.
+
+And before they came near to the gate one of the watch went to
+Guenever, and told her what kind of people they saw, and what
+aspect they bore. "I know not who they are," said he, "But I
+know," said Guenever; "this is the knight whom Geraint pursued,
+and methinks that he comes not here by his own free will. But
+Geraint has overtaken him, and avenged the insult to the maiden to
+the uttermost." And thereupon, behold, a porter came to the spot
+where Guenever was. "Lady," said he, "at the gate there is a
+knight, and I saw never a man of so pitiful an aspect to look upon
+as he. Miserable and broken is the armor that he wears, and the
+hue of blood is more conspicuous upon it than its own color."
+"Knowest thou his name?" said she. "I do," said he; "he tells me
+that he is Edeyrn, the son of Nudd." Then she replied, "I know him
+not."
+
+So Guenever went to the gate to meet him and he entered. And
+Guenever was sorry when she saw the condition he was in, even
+though he was accompanied by the churlish dwarf. Then Edeyrn
+saluted Guenever. "Heaven protect thee," said she. "Lady," said
+he, "Geraint, the son of Erbin, thy best and most valiant servant,
+greets thee." "Did he meet with thee?" she asked. "Yes," said he,
+"and it was not to my advantage; and that was not his fault, but
+mine, lady. And Geraint greets thee well; and in greeting thee he
+compelled me to come hither to do thy pleasure for the insult
+which thy maiden received from the dwarf." "Now where did he
+overtake thee?" "At the place where we were jousting and
+contending for the sparrow-hawk, in the town which is now called
+Cardiff. And it was for the avouchment of the love of the maiden,
+the daughter of Earl Ynywl, that Geraint jousted at the
+tournament. And thereupon we encountered each other, and he left
+me, lady, as thou seest." "Sir," said she, "when thinkest thou
+that Geraint will be here?" "To-morrow, lady, I think he will be
+here with the maiden."
+
+Then Arthur came to them. And he saluted Arthur, and Arthur gazed
+a long time upon him and was amazed to see him thus. And thinking
+that he knew him, he inquired of him, "Art thou Edeyrn, the son of
+Nudd?" "I am, lord," said he, "and I have met with much trouble
+and received wounds unsupportable." Then he told Arthur all his
+adventure. "Well," said Arthur, "from what I hear it behooves
+Guenever to be merciful towards thee." "The mercy which thou
+desirest, lord," said she. "will I grant to him, since it is as
+insulting to thee that an insult should be offered to me as to
+thyself." "Thus will it be best to do," said Arthur; "let this man
+have medical care until it be known whether he may live. And if he
+live, he shall do such satisfaction as shall be judged best by the
+men of the court. And if he die, too much will be the death of
+such a youth as Edeyrn for an insult to a maiden." "This pleases
+me," said Guenever. And Arthur caused Morgan Tud to be called to
+him. He was the chief physician. "Take with thee Edeyrn, the son
+of Nudd, and cause a chamber to be prepared for him, and let him
+have the aid of medicine as thou wouldst do unto myself, if I were
+wounded, and let none into his chamber to molest him, but thyself
+and thy disciples, to administer to him remedies." "I will do so,
+gladly, lord," said Morgan Tud. Then said the steward of the
+household, "Whither is it right, lord, to order the maiden?" "To
+Guenever and her handmaidens," said he. And the steward of the
+household so ordered her.
+
+    "And rising up, he rode to Arthur's court,
+    And there the queen forgave him easily.
+    And being young, he changed himself, and grew
+    To hate the sin that seem'd so like his own
+    Of Modred, Arthur's nephew, and fell at last
+    In the great battle fighting for the king."
+
+    --Enid.
+
+The next day came Geraint towards the court; and there was a watch
+set on the ramparts by Guenever, lest he should arrive unawares.
+And one of the watch came to Guenever. "Lady," said he, "methinks
+that I see Geraint, and a maiden with him. He is on horseback, but
+he has his walking gear upon him, and the maiden appears to be in
+white, seeming to be clad in a garment of linen." "Assemble all
+the women," said Guenever, "and come to meet Geraint, to welcome
+him, and wish him joy." And Guenever went to meet Geraint and the
+maiden. And when Geraint came to the place where Guenever was, he
+saluted her. "Heaven prosper thee," said she, "and welcome to
+thee." "Lady," said he, "I earnestly desired to obtain thee
+satisfaction, according to thy will; and, behold, here is the
+maiden through whom thou hadst thy revenge." "Verily," said
+Guenever, "the welcome of Heaven be unto her; and it is fitting
+that we should receive her joyfully." Then they went in and
+dismounted. And Geraint came to where Arthur was, and saluted him.
+"Heaven protect thee," said Arthur, "and the welcome of Heaven be
+unto thee. And inasmuch as thou hast vanquished Edeyrn, the son of
+Nudd, thou hast had a prosperous career." "Not upon me be the
+blame," said Geraint; "it was through the arrogance of Edeyrn, the
+son of Nudd, himself, that we were not friends." "Now," said
+Arthur, "where is the maiden for whom I heard thou didst give
+challenge?" "She is gone with Guenever to her chamber." Then went
+Arthur to see the maiden. And Arthur, and all his companions, and
+his whole court, were glad concerning the maiden. And certain were
+they all, that, had her array been suitable to her beauty, they
+had never seen a maid fairer than she. And Arthur gave away the
+maiden to Geraint. And the usual bond made between two persons was
+made between Geraint and the maiden, and the choicest of all
+Guenever's apparel was given to the maiden; and thus arrayed, she
+appeared comely and graceful to all who beheld her. And that day
+and the night were spent in abundance of minstrelsy, and ample
+gifts of liquor, and a multiude of games. And when it was time for
+them to go to sleep they went. And in the chamber where the couch
+of Arthur and Guenever was, the couch of Geraint and Enid was
+prepared. And from that time she became his wife. And the next day
+Arthur satisfied all the claimants upon Geraint with bountiful
+gifts. And the maiden took up her abode in the palace, and she had
+many companions, both men and women, and there was no maiden more
+esteemed than she in the island of Britain.
+
+Then spake Guenever. "Rightly did I judge," said she, "concerning
+the head of the stag, that it should not be given to any until
+Geraint's return; and behold, here is a fit occasion for bestowing
+it. Let it be given to Enid, the daughter of Ynywl, the most
+illustrious maiden. And I do not believe that any will begrudge it
+her, for between her and every one here there exists nothing but
+love and friendship." Much applauded was this by them all, and by
+Arthur also. And the head of the stag was given to Enid. And
+thereupon her fame increased, and her friends became more in
+number than before. And Geraint from that time forth loved the
+hunt, and the tournament, and hard encounters; and he came
+victorious from them all. And a year, and a second, and a third,
+he proceeded thus, until his fame had flown over the face of the
+kingdom.
+
+And, once upon a time, Arthur was holding his court at Caerleon
+upon Usk; and behold, there came to him ambassadors, wise and
+prudent, full of knowledge and eloquent of speech, and they
+saluted Arthur. "Heaven prosper you!" said Arthur; "and whence do
+you come?" "We come, lord," said they, "from Cornwall; and we are
+ambassadors from Erbin, the son of Custennin, thy uncle, and our
+mission is unto thee. And he greets thee well, as an uncle should
+greet his nephew, and as a vassal should greet his lord. And he
+represents unto thee that he waxes heavy and feeble, and is
+advancing in years. And the neighboring chiefs, knowing this, grow
+insolent towards him, and covet his land and possessions. And he
+earnestly beseeches thee, lord, to permit Geraint, his son, to
+return to him, to protect his possessions, and to become
+acquainted with his boundaries. And unto him he represents that it
+were better for him to spend the flower of his youth and the prime
+of his age in preserving his own boundaries, than in tournaments
+which are productive of no profit, although he obtains glory in
+them."
+
+"Well," said Arthur, "go and divest yourselves of your
+accoutrements, and take food, and refresh yourselves after your
+fatigues; and before you go from hence you shall have an answer."
+And they went to eat. And Arthur considered that it would go hard
+with him to let Geraint depart from him, and from his court;
+neither did he think it fair that his cousin should be restrained
+from going to protect his dominions and his boundaries, seeing
+that his father was unable to do so. No less was the grief and
+regret of Guenever, and all her women, and all her damsels,
+through fear that the maiden would leave them. And that day and
+that night were spent in abundance of feasting. And Arthur told
+Geraint the cause of the mission, and of the coming of the
+ambassadors to him out of Cornwall. "Truly," said Geraint, "be it
+to my advantage or disadvantage, lord, I will do according to thy
+will concerning this embassy." "Behold," said Arthur, "though it
+grieves me to part with thee, it is my counsel that thou go to
+dwell in thine own dominions, and to defend thy boundaries, and
+take with thee to accompany thee as many as thou wilt of those
+thou lovest best among my faithful ones, and among thy friends,
+and among thy companions in arms." "Heaven reward thee! and this
+will I do," said Geraint. "What discourse," said Guenever, "do I
+hear between you? Is it of those who are to conduct Geraint to his
+country?" "It is," said Arthur. "Then is it needful for me to
+consider," said she, "concerning companions and a provision for
+the lady that is with me." "Thou wilt do well," said Arthur.
+
+And that night they went to sleep. And the next day the
+ambassadors were permitted to depart, and they were told that
+Geraint should follow them. And on the third day Geraint set
+forth, and many went with him--Gawain, the son of Gwyar, and
+Riogoned, the son of the king of Ireland, and Ondyaw, the son of
+the Duke of Burgundy, Gwilim, the son of the ruler of the Franks,
+Howel, the son of the Earl of Brittany, Perceval, the son of
+Evrawk, Gwyr, a judge in the court of Arthur, Bedwyr, the son of
+Bedrawd, Kai, the son of Kyner, Odyar, the Frank, and Ederyn, the
+son of Nudd. Said Geraint, "I think I shall have enough of
+knighthood with me." And they set forth. And never was there seen
+a fairer host journeying towards the Severn. And on the other side
+of the Severn were the nobles of Erbin, the son of Custennin, and
+his foster-father at their head, to welcome Geraint with gladness;
+and many of the women of the court, with his mother, came to
+receive Enid, the daughter of Ynywl, his wife. And there was great
+rejoicing and gladness throughout the whole court, and through all
+the country, concerning Geraint, because of the greatness of their
+love to him, and of the greatness of the fame which he had gained
+since he went from amongst them, and because he was come to take
+possession of his dominions, and to preserve his boundaries. And
+they came to the court. And in the court they had ample
+entertainment, and a multitude of gifts, and abundance of liquor,
+and a sufficiency of service, and a variety of games. And to do
+honor to Geraint, all the chief men of the country were invited
+that night to visit him. And they passed that day and that night
+in the utmost enjoyment. And at dawn next day Erbin arose and
+summoned to him Geraint, and the noble persons who had borne him
+company. And he said to Geraint: "I am a feeble and an aged man,
+and whilst I was able to maintain the dominion for thee and for
+myself, I did so. But thou art young, and in the flower of thy
+vigor and of thy youth. Henceforth do thou preserve thy
+possessions." "Truly," said Geraint, "with my consent thou shalt
+not give the power over thy dominions at this time into my hands,
+and thou shalt not take me from Arthur's court." "Into thy hands
+will I give them," said Erbin, "and this day also shalt thou
+receive the homage of thy subjects."
+
+Then said Gawain, "It were better for thee to satisfy those who
+have boons to ask, to-day, and to-morrow thou canst receive the
+homage of thy dominions." So all that had boons to ask were
+summoned into one place. And Kadyriath came to them to know what
+were their requests. And every one asked that which he desired.
+And the followers of Arthur began to make gifts, and immediately
+the men of Cornwall came, and gave also. And they were not long in
+giving, so eager was every one to bestow gifts, and of those who
+came to ask gifts, none departed unsatisfied. And that day and
+that night were spent in the utmost enjoyment.
+
+And the next day at dawn, Erbin desired Geraint to send messengers
+to the men to ask them whether it was displeasing to them that he
+should come to receive their homage, and whether they had anything
+to object to him. Then Geraint sent ambassadors to the men of
+Cornwall to ask them this. And they all said that it would be the
+fulness of joy and honor to them for Geraint to come and receive
+their homage. So he received the homage of such as were there. And
+the day after the followers of Arthur intended to go away. "It is
+too soon for you to go away yet," said he; "stay with me until I
+have finished receiving the homage of my chief men, who have
+agreed to come to me." And they remained with him until he had
+done so. Then they set forth towards the court of Arthur. And
+Geraint went to bear them company, and Enid also, as far as
+Diganwy; there they parted. And Ondyaw, the son of the Duke of
+Burgundy, said to Geraint, "Go, now, and visit the uttermost parts
+of thy dominions, and see well to the boundaries of thy
+territories; and if thou hast any trouble respecting them, send
+unto thy companions." "Heaven reward thee!" said Geraint; "and
+this will I do." And Geraint journeyed to the uttermost parts of
+his dominions. And experienced guides, and the chief men of his
+country, went with him. And the furthermost point that they showed
+him he kept possession of.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+GERAINT, THE SON OF ERBIN (Continued)
+
+
+Geraint, as he had been used to do when he was at Arthur's court,
+frequented tournaments. And he became acquainted with valiant and
+mighty men, until he had gained as much fame there as he had
+formerly done elsewhere. And he enriched his court, and his
+companions, and his nobles, with the best horses and the best
+arms, and with the best and most valuable jewels, and he ceased
+not until his fame had flown over the face of the whole kingdom.
+
+   "Before Geraint, the scourge of the enemy,
+    I saw steeds white with foam,
+    And after the shout of battle a fearful torrent."
+
+    --Hen.
+
+When he knew that it was thus, he began to love ease and pleasure,
+for there was no one who was worth his opposing. And he loved his
+wife, and liked to continue in the palace with minstrelsy and
+diversions. So he began to shut himself up in the chamber of his
+wife, and he took no delight in anything besides, insomuch that he
+gave up the friendship of his nobles, together with his hunting
+and his amusements, and lost the hearts of all the host in his
+court. And there was murmuring and scoffing concerning him among
+the inhabitants of the palace, on account of his relinquishing so
+completely their companionship for the love of his wife.
+
+                                     "They
+    Began to scoff and jeer and babble of him
+    As of a prince whose manhood was all gone,
+    And molten down in mere uxoriousness."
+
+These tidings came to Erbin. And when Erbin had heard these
+things, he spoke unto Enid, and inquired of her whether it was she
+that had caused Geraint to act thus, and to forsake his people and
+his hosts. "Not I, by my confession unto Heaven," said she; "there
+is nothing more hateful unto me than this." And she knew not what
+she should do, for, although it was hard for her to own this to
+Geraint, yet was it not more easy for her to listen to what she
+heard, without warning Geraint concerning it. And she was very
+sorrowful.
+
+One morning in the summer-time they were upon their couch, and
+Geraint lay upon the edge of it. And Enid was without sleep in the
+apartment, which had windows of glass; [Footnote: The terms of
+admiration in which the older writers invariably speak of GLASS
+WINDOWS would be sufficient proof, if other evidence were wanting,
+how rare an article of luxury they were in the houses of our
+ancestors. They were first introduced in ecclesiastical
+architecture, to which they were for a long time confined. Glass
+is said not to have been employed in domestic architecture before
+the fourteenth century.] and the sun shone upon the couch. And the
+clothes had slipped from off his arms and his breast, and he was
+asleep. Then she gazed upon the marvellous beauty of his
+appearance, and she said, "Alas! and am I the cause that these
+arms and this breast have lost their glory, and the warlike fame
+which they once so richly enjoyed!" As she said this the tears
+dropped from her eyes, and they fell upon his breast. And the
+tears she shed and the words she had spoken, awoke him. And
+another thing contributed to awaken him, and that was the idea
+that it was not in thinking of him that she spoke thus, but that
+it was because she loved some other man more than him, and that
+she wished for other society. Thereupon Geraint was troubled in
+his mind, and he called his squire; and when he came to him, "Go
+quickly," said he, "and prepare my horse and my arms, and make
+them ready. And do thou rise," said he to Enid, "and apparel
+thyself; and cause thy horse to be accoutred, and clothe thee in
+the worst riding-dress that thou hast in thy possession. And evil
+betide me," said he, "if thou returnest here until thou knowest
+whether I have lost my strength so completely as thou didst say.
+And if it be so, it will then be easy for thee to seek the society
+thou didst wish for of him of whom thou wast thinking." So she
+arose, and clothed herself in her meanest garments. "I know
+nothing, lord," said she, "of thy meaning." "Neither wilt thou
+know at this time," said he.
+
+Then Geraint went to see Erbin. "Sir," said he, "I am going upon a
+quest, and I am not certain when I may come back. Take heed,
+therefore, unto thy possessions until my return." "I will do so,"
+said he; "but it is strange to me that thou shouldst go so
+suddenly. And who will proceed with thee, since thou art not
+strong enough to traverse the land of Loegyr alone?" "But one
+person only will go with me." "Heaven counsel thee, my son," said
+Erbin, "and may many attach themselves to thee in Loegyr." Then
+went Geraint to the place where his horse was, and it was equipped
+with foreign armor, heavy and shining. And he desired Enid to
+mount her horse, and to ride forward, and to keep a long way
+before him. "And whatever thou mayst see, and whatever thou mayst
+hear concerning me," said he, "do thou not turn back. And unless I
+speak unto thee, say not thou one word, either." So they set
+forward. And he did not choose the pleasantest and most frequented
+road, but that which was the wildest and most beset by thieves and
+robbers and venomous animals.
+
+And they came to a high road, which they followed till they saw a
+vast forest; and they saw four armed horsemen come forth from the
+forest. When the armed men saw them, they said one to another.
+"Here is a good occasion for us to capture two horses and armor,
+and a lady likewise; for this we shall have no difficulty in doing
+against yonder single knight who hangs his head so pensively and
+heavily." Enid heard this discourse, and she knew not what she
+should do through fear of Geraint, who had told her to be silent.
+"The vengeance of Heaven be upon me," said she, "if I would not
+rather receive my death from his hand than from the hand of any
+other; and though he should slay me, yet will I speak to him, lest
+I should have the misery to witness his death." So she waited for
+Geraint until he came near to her. "Lord," said she, "didst thou
+hear the words of those men concerning thee?" Then he lifted up
+his eyes, and looked at her angrily. "Thou hadst only," said he,
+"to hold thy peace as I bade thee. I wish but for silence, and not
+for warning. And though thou shouldst desire to see my defeat and
+my death by the hands of those men, yet do I feel no dread." Then
+the foremost of them couched his lance, and rushed upon Geraint.
+And he received him, and that not feebly. But he let the thrust go
+by him, while he struck the horseman upon the centre of his
+shield, in such a manner that his shield was split, and his armor
+broken, so that a cubit's length of the shaft of Geraint's lance
+passed through his body, and sent him to the earth, the length of
+the lance over his horse's crupper. Then the second horseman
+attacked him furiously, being wroth at the death of his companion.
+But with one thrust Geraint overthrew him also, and killed him as
+he had done the other. Then the third set upon him, and he killed
+him in like manner. And thus also he slew the fourth. Sad and
+sorrowful was the maiden as she saw all this. Geraint dismounted
+his horse, and took the arms of the men he had slain, and placed
+them upon their saddles, and tied together the reins of their
+horses; and he mounted his horse again. "Behold what thou must
+do," said he; "take the four horses and drive them before thee,
+and proceed forward as I bade thee just now. And say not one word
+unto me, unless I speak first unto thee. And I declare unto
+Heaven," said he, "if thou doest not thus, it will be to thy
+cost." "I will do as far as I can, lord," said she, "according to
+thy desire."
+
+So the maiden went forward, keeping in advance of Geraint, as he
+had desired her; and it grieved him as much as his wrath would
+permit, to see a maiden so illustrious as she having so much
+trouble with the care of the horses. Then they reached a wood, and
+it was both deep and vast, and in the wood night overtook them.
+"Ah, maiden," said he, "it is vain to attempt proceeding forward."
+"Well, lord," said she, "whatever thou wishest, we will do." "It
+will be best for us," he answered, "to rest and wait for the day,
+in order to pursue our journey." "That we will, gladly," said she.
+And they did so. Having dismounted himself, he took her down from
+her horse. "I cannot by any means refrain from sleep, through
+weariness," said he; "do thou therefore watch the horses, and
+sleep not." "I will, lord," said she. Then he went to sleep in his
+armor, and thus passed the night, which was not long at that
+season. And when she saw the dawn of day appear, she looked around
+her to see if he were waking, and thereupon he woke. Then he
+arose, and said unto her, "Take the horses and ride on, and keep
+straight on as thou didst yesterday." And they left the wood, and
+they came to an open country, with meadows on one hand, and mowers
+mowing the meadows. And there was a river before them, and the
+horses bent down and drank of the water. And they went up out of
+the river by a lofty steep; and there they met a slender stripling
+with a satchel about his neck, and they saw that there was
+something in the satchel, but they knew not what it was. And he
+had a small blue pitcher in his hand, and a bowl on the mouth of
+the pitcher. And the youth saluted Geraint. "Heaven prosper thee!"
+said Geraint; "and whence dost thou come?" "I come," said he,
+"from the city that lies before thee. My lord," he added, "will it
+be displeasing to thee if I ask whence thou comest also?" "By no
+means; through yonder wood did I come." "Thou camest not through
+the wood to-day." "No," he replied, "we were in the wood last
+night." "I warrant," said the youth, "that thy condition there
+last night was not the most pleasant, and that thou hadst neither
+meat nor drink." "No, by my faith," said he. "Wilt thou follow my
+counsel," said the youth, "and take thy meal from me?" "What sort
+of meal?" he inquired. "The breakfast which is sent for yonder
+mowers, nothing less than bread and meat and wine, and if thou
+wilt, sir, they shall have none of it." "I will," said he, "and
+Heaven reward thee for it."
+
+So Geraint alighted, and the youth took the maiden from off her
+horse. Then they washed, and took their repast. And the youth cut
+the bread in slices, and gave them drink, and served them withal.
+And when they had finished, the youth arose and said to Geraint,
+"My lord, with thy permission, I will now go and fetch some food
+for the mowers." "Go first to the town," said Geraint, "and take a
+lodging for me in the best place that thou knowest, and the most
+commodious one for the horses; and take thou whichever horse and
+arms thou choosest, in payment for thy service and thy gift."
+"Heaven reward thee, lord!" said the youth; "and this would be
+ample to repay services much greater than those I have rendered
+unto thee." And to the town went the youth, and he took the best
+and the most pleasant lodgings that he knew; and after that he
+went to the palace, having the horse and armor with him, and
+proceeded to the place where the earl was, and told him all his
+adventure. "I go now, lord," said he, "to meet the knight, and to
+conduct him to his lodging." "Go, gladly," said the earl; "and
+right joyfully shall he be received here, if he so come." And the
+youth went to meet Geraint, and told him that he would be received
+gladly by the earl in his own palace; but he would go only to his
+lodgings. And he had a goodly chamber, in which was plenty of
+straw and drapery, and a spacious and commodious place he had for
+the horses; and the youth prepared for them plenty of provender.
+After they had disarrayed themselves, Geraint spoke thus to Enid:
+"Go," said he, "to the other side of the chamber, and come not to
+this side of the house; and thou mayst call to thee the woman of
+the house, if thou wilt." "I will do, lord," said she, "as thou
+sayest." Thereupon the man of the house came to Geraint and
+welcomed him. And after they had eaten and drank, Geraint went to
+sleep, and so did Enid also.
+
+In the evening, behold, the earl came to visit Geraint, and his
+twelve honorable knights with him. And Geraint rose up and
+welcomed him. Then they all sat down according to their precedence
+in honor. And the earl conversed with Geraint, and inquired of him
+the object of his journey. "I have none," he replied, "but to seek
+adventures and to follow mine own inclination." Then the earl cast
+his eye upon Enid, and he looked at her steadfastly. And he
+thought he had never seen a maiden fairer or more comely than she.
+And he set all his thoughts and his affections upon her. Then he
+asked of Geraint, "Have I thy permission to go and converse with
+yonder maiden, for I see that she is apart from thee?" "Thou hast
+it gladly," said he. So the earl went to the place where the
+maiden was, and spake with her. "Ah! maiden," said he, "it cannot
+be pleasant to thee to journey with yonder man." "It is not
+unpleasant to me," said she. "Thou hast neither youths nor maidens
+to serve thee," said he. "Truly," she replied, "it is more
+pleasant for me to follow yonder man, than to be served by youths
+and maidens." "I will give thee good counsel," said he: "all my
+earldom will I place in thy possession, if thou wilt dwell with
+me."
+
+   "Enid, the pilot star of my lone life,
+    Enid, my early and my only love."
+
+    --Enid.
+
+"That will I not, by Heaven," she said; "yonder man was the first
+to whom my faith was ever pledged; and shall I prove inconstant to
+him?" "Thou art in the wrong," said the earl; "if I slay the man
+yonder, I can keep thee with me as long as I choose; and when thou
+no longer pleasest me, I can turn thee away. But if thou goest
+with me by thy own good-will, I protest that our union shall
+continue as long as I remain alive." Then she pondered those words
+of his, and she considered that it was advisable to encourage him
+in his request. "Behold then, chieftain, this is most expedient
+for thee to do to save me from all reproach; come here to-morrow
+and take me away as though I knew nothing thereof." "I will do
+so," said he. So he arose and took his leave, and went forth with
+his attendants. And she told not then to Geraint any of the
+conversation which she had had with the earl, lest it should rouse
+his anger, and cause him uneasiness and care.
+
+And at the usual hour they went to sleep. And at the beginning of
+the night Enid slept a little; and at midnight she arose, and
+placed all Geraint's armor together so that it might be ready to
+put on. And although fearful of her errand, she came to the side
+of Geraint's bed; and she spoke to him softly and gently, saying,
+"My lord, arise, and clothe thyself, for these were the words of
+the earl to me and his intention concerning me." So she told
+Geraint all that had passed. And although he was wroth with her,
+he took warning, and clothed himself. And she lighted a candle,
+that he might have light to do so. "Leave there the candle," said
+he, "and desire the man of the house to come here." Then she went,
+and the man of the house came to him. "Dost thou know how much I
+owe thee?" asked Geraint. "I think thou owest but little." "Take
+the three horses and the three suits of armor." "Heaven reward
+thee, lord," said he, "but I spent not the value of one suit of
+armor upon thee." "For that reason," said he, "thou wilt be the
+richer. And now, wilt thou come to guide me out of the town?" "I
+will gladly," said he; "and in which direction dost thou intend to
+go?" "I wish to leave the town by a different way from that by
+which I entered it." So the man of the lodgings accompanied him as
+far as he desired. Then he bade the maiden to go on before him,
+and she did so, and went straight forward, and his host returned
+home.
+
+And Geraint and the maiden went forward along the high-road. And
+as they journeyed thus, they heard an exceeding loud wailing near
+to them. "Stay thou here," said he, "and I will go and see what is
+the cause of this wailing." "I will," said she. Then he went
+forward into an open glade that was near the road. And in the
+glade he saw two horses, one having a man's saddle, and the other
+a woman's saddle upon it. And behold there was a knight lying dead
+in his armor, and a young damsel in a riding-dress standing over
+him lamenting. "Ah, lady," said Geraint, "what hath befallen
+thee?" "Behold," she answered, "I journeyed here with my beloved
+husband, when lo! three giants came upon us, and without any cause
+in the world, they slew him." "Which way went they hence?" said
+Geraint. "Yonder by the high-road," she replied. So he returned to
+Enid. "Go," said he, "to the lady that is below yonder, and await
+me there till I come." She was sad when he ordered her to do thus,
+but nevertheless she went to the damsel, whom it was ruth to hear,
+and she felt certain that Geraint would never return.
+
+Meanwhile Geraint followed the giants, and overtook them. And each
+of them was greater in stature than three other men, and a huge
+club was on the shoulder of each. Then he rushed upon one of them,
+and thrust his lance through his body. And having drawn it forth
+again, he pierced another of them through likewise. But the third
+turned upon him and struck him with his club so that he split his
+shield and crushed his shoulder. But Geraint drew his sword and
+gave the giant a blow on the crown of his head, so severe, and
+fierce, and violent, that his head and his neck were split down to
+his shoulders, and he fell dead. So Geraint left him thus and
+returned to Enid. And when he reached the place where she was he
+fell down lifeless from his horse. Piercing and loud and thrilling
+was the cry that Enid uttered. And she came and stood over him
+where he had fallen. And at the sound of her cries came the Earl
+of Limours, and they who journeyed with him, whom her lamentations
+brought out of their road. And the earl said to Enid, "Alas, lady,
+what hath befallen thee?" "Ah, good sir," said she, "the only man
+I have loved, or ever shall love, is slain." Then he said to the
+other, "And what is the cause of thy grief?" "They have slain my
+beloved husband also," said she. "And who was it that slew them?"
+"Some giants," she answered, "slew my best-beloved, and the other
+knight went in pursuit of them, and came back in the state thou
+seest." The earl caused the knight that was dead to be buried, but
+he thought that there still remained some life in Geraint; and to
+see if he yet would live, he had him carried with him in the
+hollow of his shield, and upon a bier. And the two damsels went to
+the court; and when they arrived there, Geraint was placed upon a
+little couch in front of the table that was in the hall. Then they
+all took off their traveling-gear, and the earl besought Enid to
+do the same, and to clothe herself in other garments. "I will not,
+by Heaven," said she. "Ah, lady," said he, "be not so sorrowful
+for this matter." "It were hard to persuade me to be otherwise,"
+said she. "I will act towards thee in such wise that thou needest
+not be sorrowful, whether yonder knight live or die. Behold, a
+good earldom, together with myself, will I bestow upon thee; be
+therefore happy and joyful." "I declare to Heaven," said she,
+"that henceforth I shall never be joyful while I live." "Come,"
+said he, "and eat." "No, by Heaven, I will not." "But, by Heaven,
+thou shalt," said he. So he took her with him to the table against
+her will, and many times desired her to eat. "I call Heaven to
+witness," said she, "that I will not until the man that is upon
+yonder bier shall eat likewise." "Thou canst not fulfil that,"
+said the earl, "yonder man is dead already." "I will prove that I
+can," said she. Then he offered her a goblet of liquor. "Drink
+this goblet," he said, "and it will cause thee to change thy
+mind." "Evil betide me," she answered, "if I drink aught until he
+drink also." "Truly," said the earl, "it is of no more avail for
+me to be gentle with thee than ungentle." And he gave her a box in
+the ear. Thereupon she raised a loud and piercing shriek, and her
+lamentations were much greater than they had been before; for she
+considered in her mind, that, had Geraint been alive, he durst not
+have struck her thus. But, behold, at the sound of her cry,
+Geraint revived from his swoon, and he sat upon the bier; and
+finding his sword in the hollow of his shield, he rushed to the
+place where the earl was, and struck him a fiercely-wounding,
+severely-venomous, and sternly-smiting blow upon the crown of his
+head, so that he clove him in twain, until his sword was staid by
+the table. Then all left the board and fled away. And this was not
+so much through fear of the living, as through the dread they felt
+at seeing the dead man rise up to slay them. And Geraint looked
+upon Enid, and he was grieved for two causes; one was to see that
+Enid had lost her color and her wonted aspect; and the other, to
+know that she was in the right. "Lady," said he, "knowest thou
+where our horses are?" "I know, lord, where thy horse is," she
+replied, "but I know not where is the other. Thy horse is in the
+house yonder." So he went to the house, and brought forth his
+horse, and mounted him, and took up Enid, and placed her upon the
+horse with him. And he rode forward. And their road lay between
+two hedges; and the night was gaining on the day. And lo! they saw
+behind them the shafts of spears betwixt them and the sky, and
+they heard the tramping of horses, and the noise of a host
+approaching. "I hear something following us," said he, "and I will
+put thee on the other side of the hedge." And thus he did. And
+thereupon, behold a knight pricked towards him, and couched his
+lance. When Enid saw this, she cried out, saying, "O chieftain,
+whoever thou art, what renown wilt thou gain by slaying a dead
+man?" "O Heaven!" said he, "is it Geraint?" "Yes, in truth," said
+she; "and who art thou?" "I am Gwiffert Petit," said he, "thy
+husband's ally, coming to thy assistance, for I heard that thou
+wast in trouble. Come with me to the court of a son-in-law of my
+sister, which is near here, and thou shalt have the best medical
+assistance in the kingdom." "I will do so gladly," said Geraint.
+And Enid was placed upon the horse of one of Gwiffert's squires,
+and they went forward to the baron's palace. And they were
+received there with gladness, and they met with hospitality and
+attention. The next morning they went to seek physicians; and it
+was not long before they came, and they attended Geraint until he
+was perfectly well. And while Geraint was under medical care
+Gwiffert caused his armor to be repaired, until it was as good as
+it had ever been. And they remained there a month and a fortnight.
+Then they separated, and Geraint went towards his own dominions,
+and thenceforth he reigned prosperously, and his warlike fame and
+splendor lasted with renown and honor, both to him and to Enid,
+from that time forward.
+
+[Footnote: Throughout the broad and varied region of romance it
+would be difficult to find a character of greater simplicity and
+truth than that of Enid, the daughter of Earl Ynywl. Conspicuous
+for her beauty and noble bearing, we are at a loss whether more to
+admire the patience with which she bore all the hardships she was
+destined to undergo or the constancy and affection which finally
+achieved the truimph she so richly deserved.
+
+The character of Enid is admirably sustained through the whole
+tale; and as it is more natural, because less overstrained, so
+perhaps it is even more touching than that of Griselda, over
+which, however, Chaucer has thrown a charm that leads us to forget
+the improbability of her story.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+PWYLL, PRINCE OF DYVED
+
+
+Once upon a time Pwyll was at Narberth, his chief palace, where a
+feast had been prepared for him, and with him was a great host of
+men. And after the first meal Pwyll arose to walk; and he went to
+the top of a mound that was above the palace, and was called
+Gorsedd Arberth. "Lord," said one of the court, "it is peculiar to
+the mound that whosoever sits upon it cannot go thence without
+either receiving wounds or blows, or else seeing a wonder." "I
+fear not to receive wounds or blows," said Pwyll; "but as to the
+wonder, gladly would I see it. I will therefore go and sit upon
+the mound."
+
+And upon the mound he sat. And while he sat there, they saw a
+lady, on a pure white horse of large size, with a garment of
+shining gold around her, coming along the highway that led from
+the mound. "My men," said Pwyll, "is there any among you who knows
+yonder lady?" "There is not, lord," said they. "Go one of you and
+meet her, that we may know who she is." And one of them arose, and
+as he came upon the road to meet her, she passed by; and he
+followed as fast as he could, being on foot, and the greater was
+his speed, the further was she from him. And when he saw that it
+profited him nothing to follow her, he returned to Pwyll, and said
+unto him, "Lord, it is idle for any one in the world to follow her
+on foot." "Verily," said Pwyll, "go unto the palace, and take the
+fleetest horse that thou seest, and go after her."
+
+And he took a horse and went forward. And he came to an open,
+level plain, and put spurs to his horse; and the more he urged his
+horse, the further was she from him. And he returned to the place
+where Pwyll was, and said, "Lord, it will avail nothing for any
+one to follow yonder lady. I know of no horse in these realms
+swifter than this, and it availed me not to pursue her." "Of a
+truth," said Pwyll, "there must be some illusion here; let us go
+towards the palace." So to the palace they went, and spent the
+day.
+
+And the next day they amused themselves until it was time to go to
+meat. And when meat was ended, Pwyll said, "Where are the hosts
+that went yesterday to the top of the mound?" "Behold, lord, we
+are here," said they. "Let us go," said he, "to the mound, and sit
+there. And do thou," said he to the page who tended his horse,
+"saddle my horse well, and hasten with him to the road, and bring
+also my spurs with thee." And the youth did thus. And they went
+and sat upon the mound; and ere they had been there but a short
+time, they beheld the lady coming by the same road, and in the
+same manner, and at the same pace. "Young man," said Pwyll, "I see
+the lady coming; give me my horse." And before he had mounted his
+horse she passed him. And he turned after her and followed her.
+And he let his horse go bounding playfully, and thought that he
+should soon come up with her. But he came no nearer to her than at
+first. Then he urged his horse to his utmost speed, yet he found
+that it availed not. Then said Pwyll, "O maiden, for the sake of
+him whom thou best lovest, stay for me." "I will stay gladly,"
+said she; "and it were better for thy horse hadst thou asked it
+long since." So the maiden stopped; and she threw back that part
+of her head-dress which covered her face. Then he thought that the
+beauty of all the maidens and all the ladies that he had ever seen
+was as nothing compared to her beauty. "Lady," he said, "wilt thou
+tell me aught concerning thy purpose?" "I will tell thee," said
+she; "my chief quest was to see thee." "Truly," said Pwyll, "this
+is to me the most pleasing quest on which thou couldst have come;
+and wilt thou tell me who thou art?" "I will tell thee, lord,"
+said she. "I am Rhiannon, the daughter of Heveydd, and they sought
+to give me a husband against my will. But no husband would I have,
+and that because of my love for thee; neither will I yet have one,
+unless thou reject me; and hither have I come to hear thy answer."
+"By Heaven," said Pwyll, "behold this is my answer. If I might
+choose among all the ladies and damsels in the world, thee would I
+choose." "Verily," said she, "if thou art thus minded, make a
+pledge to meet me ere I am given to another." "The sooner I may do
+so, the more pleasing will it be to me," said Pwyll; "and
+wheresoever thou wilt, there will I meet with thee." "I will that
+thou meet me this day twelvemonth at the palace of Heveydd."
+"Gladly," said he, "will I keep this tryst." So they parted, and
+he went back to his hosts, and to them of his household. And
+whatsoever questions they asked him respecting the damsel, he
+always turned the discourse upon other matters.
+
+And when a year from that time was gone, he caused a hundred
+knights to equip themselves, and to go with him to the palace of
+Heveydd. And he came to the palace, and there was great joy
+concerning him, with much concourse of people, and great
+rejoicing, and vast preparations for his coming. And the whole
+court was placed under his orders.
+
+And the hall was garnished, and they went to meat, and thus did
+they sit: Heveydd was on one side of Pwyll, and Rhiannon on the
+other; and all the rest according to their rank. And they ate and
+feasted, and talked one with another. And at the beginning of the
+carousal after the meat, there entered a tall, auburn-haired
+youth, of royal bearing, clothed in a garment of satin. And when
+he came into the hall, he saluted Pwyll and his companions. "The
+greeting of Heaven be unto thee," said Pwyll; "come thou and sit
+down." "Nay," said he, "a suitor am I, and I will do my errand."
+"Do so willingly," said Pwyll. "Lord," said he, "my errand is unto
+thee, and it is to crave a boon of thee that I come." "What boon
+soever thou mayest ask of me, so far as I am able, thou shalt
+have." "Ah!" said Rhiannon, "wherefore didst thou give that
+answer?" "Has he not given it before the presence of these
+nobles?" asked the youth. "My soul," said Pwyll, "what is the boon
+thou askest?" "The lady whom best I love is to be thy bride this
+night; I come to ask her of thee, with the feast and the banquet
+that are in this place." And Pwyll was silent, because of the
+promise which he had given. "Be silent as long as thou wilt," said
+Rhiannon, "never did man make worse use of his wits than thou hast
+done." "Lady," said he, "I knew not who he was." "Behold, this is
+the man to whom they would have given me against my will," said
+she; "and he is Gawl, the son of Clud, a man of great power and
+wealth, and because of the word thou hast spoken, bestow me upon
+him, lest shame befall thee." "Lady," said he, "I understand not
+thy answer; never can I do as thou sayest." "Bestow me upon him,"
+said she, "and I will cause that I shall never be his." "By what
+means will that be?" asked Pwyll. Then she told him the thought
+that was in her mind. And they talked long together. Then Gawl
+said, "Lord, it is meet that I have an answer to my request." "As
+much of that thou hast asked as it is in my power to give, thou
+shalt have," replied Pwyll. "My soul," said Rhiannon unto Gawl,
+"as for the feast and the banquet that are here, I have bestowed
+them upon the men of Dyved, and the household and the warriors
+that are with us. These can I not suffer to be given to any. In a
+year from to-night, a banquet shall be prepared for thee in this
+palace, that I may become thy bride."
+
+So Gawl went forth to his possessions, and Pwyll went also back to
+Dyved. And they both spent that year until it was the time for the
+feast at the palace of Heveydd. Then Gawl, the son of Clud, set
+out to the feast that was prepared for him; and he came to the
+palace, and was received there with rejoicing. Pwyll, also, the
+chief of Dyved, came to the orchard with a hundred knights, as
+Rhiannon had commanded him. And Pwyll was clad in coarse and
+ragged garments, and wore large, clumsy old shoes upon his feet.
+And when he knew that the carousal after the meat had begun, he
+went toward the hall; and when he came into the hall he saluted
+Gawl, the son of Clud, and his company, both men and women.
+"Heaven prosper thee," said Gawl, "and friendly greeting be unto
+thee!" "Lord," said he, "may Heaven reward thee! I have an errand
+unto thee." "Welcome be thine errand, and if thou ask of me that
+which is right, thou shalt have it gladly." "It is fitting,"
+answered he; "I crave but from want, and the boon I ask is to have
+this small bag that thou seest filled with meat." "A request
+within reason is this," said he, "and gladly shalt thou have it.
+Bring him food." A great number of attendants arose and began to
+fill the bag; but for all they put into it, it was no fuller than
+at first. "My soul," said Gawl, "will thy bag ever be full?" "It
+will not, I declare to Heaven," said he, "for all that may be put
+into it, unless one possessed of lands, and domains, and treasure,
+shall arise and tread down with both his feet the food that is
+within the bag, and shall say, 'Enough has been put therein.'"
+Then said Rhiannon unto Gawl, the son of Clud, "Rise up quickly."
+"I will willingly arise," said he. So he rose up, and put his two
+feet into the bag. And Pwyll turned up the sides of the bag, so
+that Gawl was over his head in it. And he shut it up quickly, and
+slipped a knot upon the thongs, and blew his horn. And thereupon,
+behold, his knights came down upon the palace. And they seized all
+the host that had come with Gawl, and cast them into his own
+prison. And Pwyll threw off his rags, and his old shoes, and his
+tattered array. And as they came in, every one of Pwyll's knights
+struck a blow upon the bag, and asked, "What is here?" "A badger,"
+said they. And in this manner they played, each of them striking
+the bag, either with his foot or with a staff. And thus played
+they with the bag. And then was the game of Badger in the Bag
+first played.
+
+"Lord," said the man in the bag, "if thou wouldst but hear me, I
+merit not to be slain in a bag." Said Heveydd, "Lord, he speaks
+truth; it were fitting that thou listen to him, for he deserves
+not this." "Verily," said Pwyll, "I will do thy counsel concerning
+him." "Behold, this is my counsel then," said Rhiannon. "Thou art
+now in a position in which it behooves thee to satisfy suitors and
+minstrels. Let him give unto them in thy stead, and take a pledge
+from him that he will never seek to revenge that which has been
+done to him. And this will be punishment enough." "I will do this
+gladly," said the man in the bag. "And gladly will I accept it,"
+said Pwyll, "since it is the counsel of Heveydd and Rhiannon. Seek
+thyself sureties." "We will be for him," said Heveydd, "until his
+men be free to answer for him." And upon this he was let out of
+the bag, and his liegemen were liberated. "Verily, lord," said
+Gawl, "I am greatly hurt, and I have many bruises. With thy leave,
+I will go forth. I will leave nobles in my stead to answer for me
+in all that thou shalt require." "Willingly," said Pwyll, "mayest
+thou do this." So Gawl went to his own possessions.
+
+And the hall was set in order for Pwyll and the men of his host,
+and for them also of the palace, and they went to the tables and
+sat down. And as they had sat that time twelvemonth, so sat they
+that night. And they ate and feasted, and spent the night in mirth
+and tranquility. And the time came that they should sleep, and
+Pwyll and Rhiannon went to their chamber.
+
+And next morning at break of day, "My lord," said Rhiannon, "arise
+and begin to give thy gifts unto the minstrels. Refuse no one to-
+day that may claim thy bounty." "Thus shall it be gladly," said
+Pwyll, "both to-day and every day while the feast shall last." So
+Pwyll arose, and he caused silence to be proclaimed, and desired
+all the suitors and minstrels to show and to point out what gifts
+they desired. And this being done, the feast went on, and he
+denied no one while it lasted. And when the feast was ended, Pwyll
+said unto Heveydd, "My lord, with thy permission, I will set out
+for Dyved to-morrow." "Certainly," said Heveydd; "may Heaven
+prosper thee! Fix also a time when Rhiannon shall follow thee."
+"By Heaven," said Pwyll, "we will go hence together." "Willest
+thou this, lord?" said Heveydd. "Yes, lord," answered Pwyll.
+
+And the next, day they set forward towards Dyved, and journeyed to
+the palace of Narberth, where a feast was made ready for them. And
+there came to them great numbers of the chief men and the most
+noble ladies of the land, and of these there were none to whom
+Rhiannon did not give some rich gift, either a bracelet, or a
+ring, or a precious stone. And they ruled the land prosperously
+that year and the next.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+BRANWEN, THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR
+
+
+Bendigeid Vran, the son of Llyr, was the crowned king of this
+island, and he was exalted from the crown of London. And one
+afternoon he was at Harlech, in Ardudwy, at his court; and he sat
+upon the rock of Harlech, looking over the sea. And with him were
+his brother, Manawyddan, the son of Llyr, and his brothers by the
+mother's side, Nissyen and Evnissyen, and many nobles likewise, as
+was fitting to see around a king. His two brothers by the mother's
+side were the sons of Euroswydd, and one of these youths was a
+good youth, and of gentle nature, and would make peace between his
+kindred, and cause his family to be friends when their wrath was
+at the highest, and this one was Nissyen; but the other would
+cause strife between his two brothers when they were most at
+peace. And as they sat thus they beheld thirteen ships coming from
+the south of Ireland, and making towards them; and they came with
+a swift motion, the wind being behind them; and they neared them
+rapidly. "I see ships afar," said the king, "coming swiftly
+towards the land. Command the men of the court that they equip
+themselves, and go and learn their intent." So the men equipped
+themselves, and went down towards them. And when they saw the
+ships near, certain were they that they had never seen ships
+better furnished. Beautiful flags of satin were upon them. And,
+behold, one of the ships outstripped the others, and they saw a
+shield lifted up above the side of the ship, and the point of the
+shield was upwards, in token of peace. And the men drew near, that
+they might hold converse. Then they put out boats, and came toward
+the land. And they saluted the king. Now the king could hear them
+from the place where he was upon the rock above their heads.
+"Heaven prosper you." said he, "and be ye welcome! To whom do
+these ships belong, and who is the chief amongst you?" "Lord,"
+said they, "Matholch, king of Ireland, is here, and these ships
+belong to him." "Wherefore comes he?" asked the king, "and will he
+come to the land?" "He is a suitor unto thee, lord," said they,
+"and he will not land unless he have his boon." "And what may that
+be?" inquired the king. "He desires to ally himself, lord, with
+thee," said they, "and he comes to ask Branwen, the daughter of
+Llyr, that, if it seem well to thee, the Island of the Mighty
+[Footnote: The Island of the Mighty is one of the many names
+bestowed upon Britain by the Welsh.] may be leagued with Ireland,
+and both become more powerful." "Verily," said he, "let him come
+to land, and we will take counsel thereupon." And this answer was
+brought to Matholch. "I will go willingly," said he. So he landed,
+and they received him joyfully; and great was the throng in the
+palace that night, between his hosts and those of the court; and
+next day they took counsel, and they resolved to bestow Branwen
+upon Matholch. Now she was one of the three chief ladies of this
+island, and she was the fairest damsel in the world.
+
+And they fixed upon Aberfraw as the place where she should become
+his bride. And they went thence, and towards Aberfraw the hosts
+proceeded, Matholch and his host in their ships, Bendigeid Vran
+and his host by land, until they came to Aberfraw. And at Aberfraw
+they began the feast, and sat down. And thus sat they: the king of
+the Island of the Mighty and Manawyddan, the son of Llyr, on one
+side, and Matholch on the other side, and Branwen, the daughter of
+Llyr, beside him. And they were not within a house, but under
+tents. No house could ever contain Bendigeid Vran. And they began
+the banquet, and caroused and discoursed. And when it was more
+pleasing to them to sleep than to carouse, they went to rest, and
+Branwen became Matholch's bride.
+
+And next day they arose, and all they of the court, and the
+officers began to equip, and to range the horses and the
+attendants, and they ranged them in order as far as the sea.
+
+And, behold, one day Evnissyen, the quarrelsome man, of whom it is
+spoken above, came by chance into the place where the horses of
+Matholch were, and asked whose horses they might be. "They are the
+horses of Matholch, king of Ireland, who is married to Branwen,
+thy sister; his horses are they." "And is it thus they have done
+with a maiden such as she, and moreover my sister, bestowing her
+without my consent? They could have offered no greater insult to
+me than this," said he. And thereupon he rushed under the horses,
+and cut off their lips at the teeth, and their ears close to their
+heads, and their tails close to their backs; and he disfigured the
+horses, and rendered them useless.
+
+And they came with these tidings unto Matholch, saying that the
+horses were disfigured and injured, so that not one of them could
+ever be of any use again. "Verily, lord," said one, "it was an
+insult unto thee, and as such was it meant." "Of a truth, it is a
+marvel to me that, if they desire to insult me, they should have
+given me a maiden of such high rank, and so much beloved of her
+kindred, as they have done." "Lord," said another, "thou seest
+that thus it is, and there is nothing for thee to do but to go to
+thy ships." And thereupon towards his ships he set out.
+
+And tidings came to Bendigeid Vran that Matholch was quitting the
+court without asking leave, and messengers were sent to inquire of
+him wherefore he did so. And the messengers that went were Iddic,
+the son of Anarawd, and Heveyd Hir. And these overtook him, and
+asked of him what he designed to do, and wherefore he went forth.
+"Of a truth," said he, "if I had known, I had not come hither. I
+have been altogether insulted; no one had ever worse treatment
+than I have had here." "Truly, lord, it was not the will of any
+that are of the court," said they, "nor of any that are of the
+council, that thou shouldst have received this insult; and as thou
+hast been insulted, the dishonor is greater unto Bendigeid Vran
+than unto thee." "Verily," said he, "I think so. Nevertheless, he
+cannot recall the insult." These men returned with that answer to
+the place where Bendigeid Vran was, and they told him what reply
+Matholch had given them. "Truly," said he, "there are no means by
+which we may prevent his going away at enmity with us that we will
+not take." "Well, lord," said they, "send after him another
+embassy." "I will do so," said he. "Arise, Manawyddan, son of
+Llyr, and Heveyd Hir, and go after him, and tell him that he shall
+have a sound horse for every one that has been injured. And beside
+that, as an atonement for the insult, he shall have a staff of
+silver as large and as tall as himself, and a plate of gold of the
+breadth of his face. And show unto him who it was that did this,
+and that it was done against my will; but that he who did it is my
+brother, and therefore it would be hard for me to put him to
+death. And let him come and meet me," said he, "and we will make
+peace in any way he may desire."
+
+The embassy went after Matholch, and told him all these sayings in
+a friendly manner; and he listened thereunto. "Men," said he, "I
+will take counsel." So to the council he went. And in the council
+they considered that, if they should refuse this, they were likely
+to have more shame rather than to obtain so great an atonement.
+They resolved, therefore, to accept it, and they returned to the
+court in peace.
+
+Then the pavilions and the tents were set in order, after the
+fashion of a hall; and they went to meat, and as they had sat at
+the beginning of the feast so sat they there. And Matholch and
+Bendigeid Vran began to discourse; and, behold, it seemed to
+Bendigeid Vran, while they talked, that Matholch was not so
+cheerful as he had been before. And he thought that the chieftain
+might be sad because of the smallness of the atonement which he
+had for the wrong that had been done him. "O man," said Bendigeid
+Vran, "thou dost not discourse to-night so cheerfully as thou wast
+wont. And if it be because of the smallness of the atonement, thou
+shalt add thereunto whatsoever thou mayest choose, and to-morrow I
+will pay thee for the horses." "Lord," said he, "Heaven reward
+thee!" "And I will enhance the atonement," said Bendigeid Vran,
+"for I will give unto thee a caldron, the property of which is,
+that if one of thy men be slain to-day, and be cast therein, to-
+morrow he will be as well as ever he was at the best, except that
+he will not regain his speech." And thereupon he gave him great
+thanks, and very joyful was he for that cause.
+
+That night they continued to discourse as much as they would, and
+had minstrelsy and carousing; and when it was more pleasant to
+them to sleep than to sit longer, they went to rest. And thus was
+the banquet carried on with joyousness; and when it was finished,
+Matholch journeyed towards Ireland, and Branwen with him; and they
+went from Aber Menei with thirteen ships, and came to Ireland. And
+in Ireland was there great joy because of their coming. And not
+one great man nor noble lady visited Branwen unto whom she gave
+not either a clasp or a ring, or a royal jewel to keep, such as it
+was honorable to be seen departing with. And in these things she
+spent that year in much renown, and she passed her time
+pleasantly, enjoying honor and friendship. And in due time a son
+was born unto her, and the name that they gave him was Gwern, the
+son of Matholch, and they put the boy out to be nursed in a place
+where were the best men of Ireland.
+
+And, behold, in the second year a tumult arose in Ireland, on
+account of the insult which Matholch had received in Wales, and
+the payment made him for his horses. And his foster-brothers, and
+such as were nearest to him, blamed him openly for that matter.
+And he might have no peace by reason of the tumult, until they
+should revenge upon him this disgrace. And the vengeance which
+they took was to drive away Branwen from the same chamber with
+him, and to make her cook for the court; and they caused the
+butcher, after he had cut up the meat, to come to her and give her
+every day a blow on the ear; and such they made her punishment.
+
+"Verily, lord," said his men to Matholch, "forbid now the ships
+and the ferry-boats, and the coracles, that they go not into
+Wales, and such as come over from Wales hither, imprison them,
+that they go not back for this thing to be known there." And he
+did so; and it was thus for no less than three years.
+
+And Branwen reared a starling in the cover of the kneading-trough,
+and she taught it to speak, and she taught the bird what manner of
+man her brother was. And she wrote a letter of her woes, and the
+despite with which she was treated, and she bound the letter to
+the root of the bird's wing, and sent it toward Wales. And the
+bird came to that island; and one day it found Bendigeid Vran at
+Caer Seiont in Arvon, conferring there, and it alighted upon his
+shoulder, and ruffled its feathers, so that the letter was seen,
+and they knew that the bird had been reared in a domestic manner.
+
+Then Bendigeid Vran took the letter and looked upon it. And when
+he had read the letter, he grieved exceedingly at the tidings of
+Branwen's woes. And immediately he began sending messengers to
+summon the island together. And he caused seven-score and four of
+his chief men to come unto him, and he complained to them of the
+grief that his sister endured. So they took counsel. And in the
+counsel they resolved to go to Ireland, and to leave seven men as
+princes at home, and Caradoc, [Footnote: Caractacus.] the son of
+Bran, as the chief of them.
+
+Bendigeid Vran, with the host of which we spoke, sailed towards
+Ireland; and it was not far across the sea, and he came to shoal
+water. Now the swine-herds of Matholch were upon the sea-shore,
+and they came to Matholch. "Lord," said they, "greeting be unto
+thee." "Heaven protect you!" said he; "have you any news?" "Lord,"
+said they, "we have marvellous news. A wood have we seen upon the
+sea, in a place where we never yet saw a single tree." "This is
+indeed a marvel," said he; "saw you aught else?" "We saw, lord,"
+said they, "a vast mountain beside the wood, which moved, and
+there was a lofty ridge on the top of the mountain, and a lake on
+each side of the ridge. And the wood and the mountain, and all
+these things, moved." "Verily," said he, "there is none who can
+know aught concerning this unless it be Branwen."
+
+Messengers then went unto Branwen. "Lady," said they, "what
+thinkest thou that this is?" "The men of the Island of the Mighty,
+who have come hither on hearing of my ill-treatment and of my
+woes." "What is the forest that is seen upon the sea?" asked they.
+"The yards and the masts of ships," she answered. "Alas!" said
+they; "what is the mountain that is seen by the side of the
+ships?" "Bendigeid Vran, my brother," she replied, "coming to
+shoal water, and he is wading to the land." "What is the lofty
+ridge, with the lake on each side thereof?" "On looking towards
+this island he is wroth, and his two eyes on each side of his nose
+are the two lakes on each side of the ridge."
+
+The warriors and chief men of Ireland were brought together in
+haste, and they took counsel. "Lord," said the neighbors unto
+Matholch, "there is no other counsel than this alone. Thou shalt
+give the kingdom to Gwern, the son of Branwen his sister, as a
+compensation for the wrong and despite that have been done unto
+Branwen. And he will make peace with thee." And in the council it
+was resolved that this message should be sent to Bendigeid Vran,
+lest the country should be destroyed. And this peace was made. And
+Matholch caused a great house to be built for Bendigeid Vran, and
+his host. Thereupon came the hosts into the house. The men of the
+island of Ireland entered the house on the one side, and the men
+of the Island of the Mighty on the other. And as soon as they had
+sat down, there was concord between them; and the sovereignty was
+conferred upon the boy. When the peace was concluded, Bendigeid
+Vran called the boy unto him, and from Bendigeid Vran the boy went
+unto Manawyddan; and he was beloved by all that beheld him. And
+from Manawyddan the boy was called by Nissyen, the son of
+Euroswydd, and the boy went unto him lovingly. "Wherefore," said
+Evnissyen, "comes not my nephew, the son of my sister, unto me?
+Though he were not king of Ireland, yet willingly would I fondle
+the boy." "Cheerfully let him go to thee," said Bendigeid Vran;
+and the boy went unto him cheerfully. "By my confession to
+Heaven," said Evnissyen in his heart, "unthought of is the
+slaughter that I will this instant commit."
+
+Then he arose and took up the boy, and before any one in the house
+could seize hold of him he thrust the boy headlong into the
+blazing fire. And when Branwen saw her son burning in the fire,
+she strove to leap into the fire also, from the place where she
+sat between her two brothers. But Bendigeid Vran grasped her with
+one hand, and his shield with the other. Then they all hurried
+about the house, and never was there made so great a tumult by any
+host in one house as was made by them, as each man armed himself.
+And while they all sought their arms Bendigeid Vran supported
+Branwen between his shield and his shoulder. And they fought.
+
+Then the Irish kindled a fire under the caldron of renovation, and
+they cast the dead bodies into the caldron until it was full; and
+the next day they came forth fighting men, as good as before,
+except that they were not able to speak. Then when Evnissyen saw
+the dead bodies of the men of the Island of the Mighty nowhere
+resuscitated, he said in his heart, "Alas! woe is me, that I
+should have been the cause of bringing the men of the Island of
+the Mighty into so great a strait. Evil betide me if I find not a
+deliverance therefrom." And he cast himself among the dead bodies
+of the Irish; and two unshod Irishmen came to him, and, taking him
+to be one of the Irish, flung him into the caldron. And he
+stretched himself out in the caldron, so that he rent the caldron
+into four pieces, and burst his own heart also.
+
+In consequence of this, the men of the Island of the Mighty
+obtained such success as they had; but they were not victorious,
+for only seven men of them all escaped, and Bendigeid Vran himself
+was wounded in the foot with a poisoned dart. Now the men that
+escaped were Pryderi, Manawyddan, Taliesin, and four others.
+
+And Bendigeid Vran commanded them that they should cut off his
+head. "And take you my head," said he, "and bear it even unto the
+White Mount in London, and bury it there with the face towards
+France. And so long as it lies there, no enemy shall ever land on
+the island." So they cut off his head, and these seven went
+forward therewith. And Branwen was the eighth with them. And they
+came to land on Aber Alaw, and they sat down to rest. And Branwen
+looked towards Ireland, and towards the Island of the Mighty, to
+see if she could descry them. "Alas!" said she, "woe is me that I
+was ever born; two islands have been destroyed because of me."
+Then she uttered a groan, and there broke her heart. And they made
+her a four-sided grave, and buried her upon the banks of the Alaw.
+
+Then the seven men journeyed forward, bearing the head with them;
+and as they went, behold there met them a multitude of men and
+women. "Have you any tidings?" said Manawyddan. "We have none,"
+said they, "save that Caswallawn, [Footnote: Cassivellaunus.] the
+son of Beli, has conquered the Island of the Mighty, and is
+crowned king in London." "What has become," said they, "of
+Caradoc, the son of Bran, and the seven men who were left with him
+in this island?" "Caswallawn came upon them, and slew six of the
+men, and Caradoc's heart broke for grief thereof." And the seven
+men journeyed on towards London, and they buried the head in the
+White Mount, as Bendigeid Vran had directed them. [Footnote: There
+is a Triad upon the story of the head buried under the White Tower
+of London, as a charm against invasion. Arthur, it seems, proudly
+disinterred the head, preferring to hold the island by his own
+strength alone.]
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+MANAWYDDAN
+
+
+Pwyll and Rhiannon had a son, whom they named Pryderi. And when he
+was grown up, Pwyll, his father, died. And Pryderi married Kicva,
+the daughter of Gwynn Gloy.
+
+Now Manawyddan returned from the war in Ireland, and he found that
+his cousin had seized all his possessions, and much grief and
+heaviness came upon him. "Alas! woe is me!" he exclaimed; "there
+is none save myself without a home and a resting-place." "Lord,"
+said Pryderi, "be not so sorrowful. Thy cousin is king of the
+Island of the Mighty, and though he has done thee wrong, thou hast
+never been a claimant of land or possessions." "Yea," answered he,
+"but although this man is my cousin, it grieveth me to see any one
+in the place of my brother, Bendigeid Vran; neither can I be happy
+in the same dwelling with him." "Wilt thou follow the counsel of
+another?" said Pryderi. "I stand in need of counsel," he answered,
+"and what may that counsel be?" "Seven cantrevs belong unto me,"
+said Pryderi, "wherein Rhiannon, my mother, dwells. I will bestow
+her upon thee, and the seven cantrevs with her; and though thou
+hadst no possessions but those cantrevs only, thou couldst not
+have any fairer than they. Do thou and Rhiannon enjoy them, and if
+thou desire any possessions thou wilt not despise these." "I do
+not, chieftain," said he. "Heaven reward thee for the friendship!
+I will go with thee to seek Rhiannon, and to look at thy
+possessions." "Thou wilt do well," he answered; "and I believe
+that thou didst never hear a lady discourse better than she, and
+when she was in her prime, none was ever fairer. Even now her
+aspect is not uncomely."
+
+They set forth, and, however long the journey, they came at last
+to Dyved; and a feast was prepared for them by Rhiannon and Kicva.
+Then began Manawyddan and Rhiannon to sit and to talk together;
+and his mind and his thoughts became warmed towards her, and he
+thought in his heart he had never beheld any lady more fulfilled
+of grace and beauty than she. "Pryderi," said he, "I will that it
+be as thou didst say." "What saying was that?" asked Rhiannon.
+"Lady," said Pryderi, "I did offer thee as a wife to Manawyddan,
+the son of Llyr." "By that will I gladly abide," said Rhiannon.
+"Right glad am I also," said Manawyddan, "may Heaven reward him
+who hath shown unto me friendship so perfect as this!"
+
+And before the feast was over she became his bride. Said Pryderi,
+"Tarry ye here the rest of the feast, and I will go into England
+to tender my homage unto Caswallawn, the son of Beli." "Lord,"
+said Rhiannon, "Caswallawn is in Kent; thou mayest therefore tarry
+at the feast, and wait until he shall be nearer." "We will wait,"
+he answered. So they finished the feast. And they began to make
+the circuit of Dyved, and to hunt, and to take their pleasure. And
+as they went through the country, they had never seen lands more
+pleasant to live in, nor better hunting grounds, nor greater
+plenty of honey and fish. And such was the friendship between
+these four, that they would not be parted from each other by night
+nor by day.
+
+And in the midst of all this he went to Caswallawn at Oxford, and
+tendered his homage; and honorable was his reception there, and
+highly was he praised for offering his homage.
+
+And after his return Pryderi and Manawyddan feasted and took their
+ease and pleasure. And they began a feast at Narberth, for it was
+the chief palace. And when they had ended the first meal, while
+those who served them ate, they arose and went forth, and
+proceeded to the Gorsedd, that is, the Mount of Narberth, and
+their retinue with them. And as they sat thus, behold a peal of
+thunder, and with the violence of the thunder-storm, lo! there
+came a fall of mist, so thick that not one of them could see the
+other. And after the mist it became light all around. And when
+they looked towards the place where they were wont to see the
+cattle and herds and dwellings, they saw nothing now, neither
+house, nor beast, nor smoke, nor fire, nor man, nor dwelling, but
+the buildings of the court empty, and desert, and uninhabited,
+without either man or beast within them. And truly all their
+companions were lost to them, without their knowing aught of what
+had befallen them, save those four only.
+
+"In the name of Heaven," said Manawyddan, "where are they of the
+court, and all my host beside? Let us go and see."
+
+So they came to the castle, and saw no man, and into the hall, and
+to the sleeping-place, and there was none; and in the mead-cellar
+and in the kitchen there was naught but desolation. Then they
+began to go through the land, and all the possessions that they
+had; and they visited the houses and dwellings, and found nothing
+but wild beasts. And when they had consumed their feast and all
+their provisions, they fed upon the prey they killed in hunting,
+and the honey of the wild swans.
+
+And one morning Pryderi and Manawyddan rose up to hunt, and they
+ranged their dogs and went forth. And some of the dogs ran before
+them, and came to a bush which was near at hand; but as soon as
+they were come to the bush, they hastily drew back, and returned
+to the men, their hair bristling up greatly. "Let us go near to
+the bush," said Pryderi, "and see what is in it." And as they came
+near, behold, a wild boar of a pure white color rose up from the
+bush. Then the dogs, being set on by the men, rushed towards him;
+but he left the bush, and fell back a little way from the men, and
+made a stand against the dogs, without retreating from them, until
+the men had come near. And when the men came up, he fell back a
+second time, and betook him to flight. Then they pursued the boar
+until they beheld a vast and lofty castle, all newly built, in a
+place where they had never before seen either stone or building.
+And the boar ran swiftly into the castle, and the dogs after him.
+Now when the boar and the dogs had gone into the castle, the men
+began to wonder at finding a castle in a place where they had
+never before seen any building whatsoever. And from the top of the
+Gorsedd they looked and listened for the dogs. But so long as they
+were there, they heard not one of the dogs, nor aught concerning
+them.
+
+"Lord," said Pryderi, "I will go into the castle to get tidings of
+the dogs." "Truly," he replied, "thou wouldst be unwise to go into
+this castle, which thou hast never seen till now. If thou wouldst
+follow my counsel, thou wouldst not enter therein. Whosoever has
+cast a spell over this land, has caused this castle to be here."
+"Of a truth," answered Pryderi, "I cannot thus give up my dogs."
+And for all the counsel that Manawyddan gave him, yet to the
+castle he went.
+
+When he came within the castle, neither man nor beast, nor boar,
+nor dogs, nor house, nor dwelling, saw he within it. But in the
+centre of the castle-floor he beheld a fountain with marble-work
+around it, and on the margin of the fountain a golden bowl upon a
+marble slab, and chains hanging from the air, to which he saw no
+end.
+
+And he was greatly pleased with the beauty of the gold, and with
+the rich workmanship of the bowl; and he went up to the bowl, and
+laid hold of it. And when he had taken hold of its his hands stuck
+to the bowl, and his feet to the slab on which the bowl was
+placed; and all his joyousness forsook him, so that he could not
+utter a word. And thus he stood.
+
+And Manawyddan waited for him till near the close of the day. And
+late in the evening, being certain that he should have no tidings
+of Pryderi or the dogs, he went back to the palace. And as he
+entered, Rhiannon looked at him. "Where," said she, "are thy
+companion and thy dogs?" "Behold," he answered, "the adventure
+that has befallen me." And he related it all unto her. "An evil
+companion hast thou been," said Rhiannon, "and a good companion
+hast thou lost." And with that word she went out, and proceeded
+towards the castle, according to the direction which he gave her.
+The gate of the castle she found open. She was nothing daunted,
+and she went in. And as she went in, she perceived Pryderi laying
+hold of the bowl, and she went towards him. "O my lord," said she,
+"what dost thou here?" And she took hold of the bowl with him; and
+as she did so, her hands also became fast to the bowl, and her
+feet to the slab, and she was not able to utter a word. And with
+that, as it became night, lo! there came thunder upon them, and a
+fall of mist; and thereupon the castle vanished, and they with it.
+
+When Kicva, the daughter of Gwynn Gloy, saw that there was no one
+in the palace but herself and Manawyddan, she sorrowed so that she
+cared not whether she lived or died. And Manawyddan saw this.
+"Thou art in the wrong," said he, "if through fear of me thou
+grievest thus. I call Heaven to witness that thou hast never seen
+friendship more pure than that which I will bear thee as long as
+Heaven will that thou shouldst be thus. I declare to thee, that,
+were I in the dawn of youth, I would keep my faith unto Pryderi,
+and unto thee also will I keep it. Be there no fear upon thee,
+therefore." "Heaven reward thee!" she said; "and that is what I
+deemed of thee." And the damsel thereupon took courage, and was
+glad.
+
+"Truly, lady," said Manawyddan, "it is not fitting for us to stay
+here; we have lost our dogs, and cannot get food. Let us go into
+England; it is easiest for us to find support there." "Gladly,
+lord," said she, "we will do so." And they set forth together to
+England.
+
+"Lord," said she, "what craft wilt thou follow? Take up one that
+is seemly." "None other will I take," answered he, "but that of
+making shoes." "Lord," said she, "such a craft becomes not a man
+so nobly born as thou." "By that however will I abide," said he.
+"I know nothing thereof," said Kicva. "But I know," answered
+Manawyddan, "and I will teach thee to stitch. We will not attempt
+to dress the leather, but we will buy it ready dressed, and will
+make the shoes from it."
+
+So they went into England, and went as far as Hereford; and they
+betook themselves to making shoes. And he began by buying the best
+cordwain that could be had in the town, and none other would buy.
+And he associated himself with the best goldsmith in the town, and
+caused him to make clasps for the shoes, and to gild the clasps;
+and he marked how it was done until he learned the method. And
+therefore is he called one of the three makers of gold shoes. And
+when they could be had from him, not a shoe nor hose was bought of
+any of the cordwainers in the town. But when the cordwainers
+perceived that their gains were failing (for as Manawyddan shaped
+the work, so Kicva stitched it), they came together and took
+counsel, and agreed that they would slay them. And he had warning
+thereof, and it was told him how the cordwainers had agreed
+together to slay him.
+
+"Lord," said Kicva, "wherefore should this be borne from these
+boors?" "Nay," said he, "we will go back unto Dyved." So towards
+Dyved they set forth.
+
+Now Manawyddan, when he set out to return to Dyved, took with him
+a burden of wheat. And he proceeded towards Narberth, and there he
+dwelt. And never was he better pleased than when he saw Narberth
+again, and the lands where he had been wont to hunt with Pryderi
+and with Rhiannon. And he accustomed himself to fish, and to hunt
+the deer in their covert. And then he began to prepare some
+ground, and he sowed a croft, and a second, and a third. And no
+wheat in the world ever sprung up better. And the three crofts
+prospered with perfect growth, and no man ever saw fairer wheat
+than it.
+
+And thus passed the seasons of the year until the harvest came.
+And he went to look at one of his crofts, and, behold, it was
+ripe. "I will reap this to-morrow," said he. And that night he
+went back to Narberth, and on the morrow, in the gray dawn, he
+went to reap the croft; and when he came there, he found nothing
+but the bare straw. Every one of the ears of the wheat was cut off
+from the stalk, and all the ears carried entirely away, and
+nothing but the straw left. And at this he marvelled greatly.
+
+Then he went to look at another croft, and, behold, that also was
+ripe. "Verily," said he, "this will I reap to-morrow." And on the
+morrow he came with the intent to reap it; and when he came there,
+he found nothing but the bare straw. "O gracious Heaven!" he
+exclaimed. "I know that whosoever has begun my ruin is completing
+it, and has also destroyed the country with me."
+
+Then he went to look at the third croft; and when he came there,
+finer wheat had there never been seen, and this also was ripe.
+"Evil betide me," said he, "if I watch not here to-night. Whoever
+carried off the other corn will come in like manner to take this,
+and I will know who it is." And he told Kicva all that had
+befallen. "Verily," said she, "what thinkest thou to do?" "I will
+watch the croft to-night," said he. And he went to watch the
+croft.
+
+And at midnight he heard something stirring among the wheat; and
+he looked, and behold, the mightiest host of mice in the world,
+which could neither be numbered nor measured. And he knew not what
+it was until the mice had made their way into the croft, and each
+of them, climbing up the straw, and bending it down with its
+weight, had cut off one of the ears of wheat, and had carried it
+away, leaving there the stalk; and he saw not a single straw there
+that had not a mouse to it. And they all took their way, carrying
+the ears with them.
+
+In wrath and anger did he rush upon the mice; but he could no more
+come up with them than if they had been gnats or birds of the air,
+except one only, which, though it was but sluggish, went so fast
+that a man on foot could scarce overtake it. And after this one he
+went, and he caught it, and put it in his glove, and tied up the
+opening of the glove with a string, and kept it with him, and
+returned to the palace. Then he came to the hall where Kicva was,
+and he lighted a fire, and hung the glove by the string upon a
+peg. "What hast thou there, lord?" said Kicva. "A thief," said he,
+"that I found robbing me." "What kind of a thief may it be, lord,
+that thou couldst put into thy glove?" said she. Then he told her
+how the mice came to the last of the fields in his sight. "And one
+of them was less nimble than the rest, and is now in my glove; to-
+morrow I will hang it." "My lord," said she, "this is marvellous;
+but yet it would be unseemly for a man of dignity like thee to be
+hanging such a reptile as this." "Woe betide me," said he, "if I
+would not hang them all, could I catch them, and such as I have I
+will hang." "Verily, lord," said she, "there is no reason that I
+should succor this reptile, except to prevent discredit unto thee.
+Do therefore, lord, as thou wilt."
+
+Then he went to the Mound of Narberth, taking the mouse with him.
+And he set up two forks on the highest part of the mound. And
+while he was doing this, behold, he saw a scholar coming towards
+him, in old and poor and tattered garments. And it was now seven
+years since he had seen in that place either man or beast, except
+those four persons who had remained together until two of them
+were lost.
+
+"My lord," said the scholar, "good-day to thee." "Heaven prosper
+thee, and my greeting be unto thee! And whence dost thou come,
+scholar?" asked he. "I come, lord, from singing in England; and
+wherefore dost thou inquire?" "Because for the last seven years,"
+answered he, "I have seen no man here save four secluded persons,
+and thyself this moment." "Truly, lord," said he, "I go through
+this land unto mine own. And what work art thou upon, lord?" "I am
+hanging a thief that I caught robbing me," said he. "What manner
+of thief is that?" asked the scholar. "I see a creature in thy
+hand like unto a mouse, and ill does it become a man of rank equal
+to thine to touch a reptile such as this. Let it go forth free."
+"I will not let it go free, by Heaven," said he; "I caught it
+robbing me, and the doom of a thief will I inflict upon it, and I
+will hang it." "Lord," said he, "rather than see a man of rank
+equal to thine at such a work as this, I would give thee a pound,
+which I have received as alms, to let the reptile go forth free."
+"I will not let it go free," said he, "neither will I sell it."
+"As thou wilt, lord," he answered; "I care naught." And the
+scholar went his way.
+
+And as he was placing the cross-beam upon the two forks, behold, a
+priest came towards him, upon a horse covered with trappings.
+"Good day to thee, lord," said he. "Heaven prosper thee!" said
+Manawyddan; "thy blessing." "The blessing of Heaven be upon thee!
+And what, lord, art thou doing?" "I am hanging a thief that I
+caught robbing me," said he. "What manner of thief, lord?" asked
+he. "A creature," he answered, "in form of a mouse. It has been
+robbing me, and I am inflicting upon it the doom of a thief."
+"Lord," said he, "rather than see thee touch this reptile, I would
+purchase its freedom." "By my confession to Heaven, neither will I
+sell it nor set it free." "It is true, lord, that it is worth
+nothing to buy; but rather than see thee defile thyself by
+touching such a reptile as this, I will give thee three pounds to
+let it go." "I will not, by Heaven," said he, "take any price for
+it. As it ought, so shall it be hanged." And the priest went his
+way.
+
+Then he noosed the string around the mouse's neck, and as he was
+about to draw it up, behold, he saw a bishop's retinue, with his
+sumpter-horses and his attendants. And the bishop himself came
+towards him. And he stayed his work. "Lord Bishop," said he, "thy
+blessing." "Heaven's blessing be unto thee!" said he. "What work
+art thou upon?" "Hanging a thief that I caught robbing me," said
+he. "Is not that a mouse that I see in thy hand?" "Yes," answered
+he, "and she has robbed me." "Ay," said he, "since I have come at
+the doom of this reptile I will ransom it of thee. I will give
+thee seven pounds for it, and that rather than see a man of rank
+equal to thine destroying so vile a reptile as this. Let it loose,
+and thou shalt have the money." "I declare to Heaven that I will
+not let it loose." "If thou wilt not loose it for this, I will
+give thee four and twenty pounds of ready money to set it free."
+"I will not set it free, by Heaven, for as much again," said he.
+"If thou wilt not set it free for this, I will give thee all the
+horses that thou seest in this plain, and the seven loads of
+baggage, and the seven horses that they are upon." "By Heaven, I
+will not," he replied. "Since for this thou wilt not set it free,
+do so at what price soever thou wilt." "I will that Rhiannon and
+Pryderi be free," said he. "That thou shalt have," he answered.
+"Not yet will I loose the mouse, by Heaven." "What then wouldst
+thou?" "That the charm and the illusion be removed from the seven
+cantrevs of Dyved." "This shalt thou have also; set therefore the
+mouse free." "I will not set it free, by Heaven," said he, "till I
+know who the mouse may be." "She is my wife." "Wherefore came she
+to me?" "To despoil thee," he answered. "I am Lloyd, the son of
+Kilwed, and I cast the charm over the seven cantrevs of Dyved. And
+it was to avenge Gawl, the son of Clud, from the friendship I had
+towards him, that I cast the charm. And upon Pryderi did I avenge
+Gawl, the son of Clud, for the game of Badger in the Bag, that
+Pwyll, the son of Auwyn, played upon him. And when it was known
+that thou wast come to dwell in the land, my household came and
+besought me to transform them into mice, that they might destroy
+thy corn. And they went the first and the second night, and
+destroyed thy two crops. And the third night came unto me my wife
+and the ladies of the court, and besought me to transform them.
+And I transformed them. Now she is not in her usual health. And
+had she been in her usual health, thou wouldst not have been able
+to overtake her; but since this has taken place, and she has been
+caught, I will restore to thee Pryderi and Rhiannon, and I will
+take the charm and illusion from off Dyved. Set her therefore
+free." "I will not set her free yet." "What wilt thou more?" he
+asked. "I will that there be no more charm upon the seven cantrevs
+of Dyved, and that none shall be put upon it henceforth; moreover,
+that vengeance be never taken for this, either upon Pryderi or
+Rhiannon, or upon me." "All this shalt thou have. And truly thou
+hast done wisely in asking this. Upon thy head would have lit all
+this trouble." "Yea," said he, "for fear thereof was it that I
+required this." "Set now my wife at liberty." "I will not," said
+he, "until I see Pryderi and Rhiannon with me free." "Behold, here
+they come," he answered.
+
+And thereupon behold Pryderi and Rhiannon. And he rose up to meet
+them, and greeted them, and sat down beside them. "Ah, chieftain,
+set now my wife at liberty," said the bishop. "Hast thou not
+received all thou didst ask?" "I will release her, gladly," said
+he. And thereupon he set her free.
+
+Then he struck her with a magic wand, and she was changed back
+into a young woman, the fairest ever seen. "Look round upon thy
+land," said he, "and thou wilt see it all tilled and peopled as it
+was in its best estate." And he rose up and looked forth. And when
+he looked he saw all the lands tilled, and full of herds and
+dwellings.
+
+And thus ends this portion of the Mabinogi.
+
+The following allusions to the preceding story are found in a
+letter of the poet Southey to John Rickman, Esq., dated June 6th,
+1802:
+
+"You will read the Mabinogeon, concerning which I ought to have
+talked to you. In the last, that most odd and Arabian-like story
+of the mouse, mention is made of a begging scholar, that helps to
+the date; but where did the Cymri get the imagination that could
+produce such a tale? That enchantment of the basin hanging by the
+chain from heaven is in the wildest spirit of the Arabian Nights.
+I am perfectly astonished that such fictions should exist in
+Welsh. They throw no light on the origin of romance, everything
+being utterly dissimilar to what we mean by that term, but they do
+open a new world of fiction; and if the date of their language be
+fixed about the twelfth or thirteenth century, I cannot but think
+the mythological substance is of far earlier date; very probably
+brought from the East by some of the first settlers or
+conquerors."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+KILWICH AND OLWEN
+
+
+Kilydd, a son of Prince Kelyddon, desired a wife as a helpmate,
+and the wife that he chose was Goleudid, the daughter of Prince
+Anlawd. And after their union the people put up prayers that they
+might have an heir. And they had a son through the prayers of the
+people; and called his name Kilwich.
+
+After this the boy's mother, Goleudid, the daughter of Prince
+Anlawd, fell sick. Then she called her husband to her, and said to
+him, "Of this sickness I shall die, and thou wilt take another
+wife. Now wives are the gift of the Lord, but it would be wrong
+for thee to harm thy son. Therefore I charge thee that thou take
+not a wife until thou see a briar with two blossoms upon my
+grave." And this he promised her. Then she besought him to dress
+her grave every year, that no weeds might grow thereon. So the
+queen died. Now the king sent an attendant every morning to see if
+anything were growing upon the grave. And at the end of the
+seventh year they neglected that which they had promised to the
+queen.
+
+One day the king went to hunt; and he rode to the place of burial,
+to see the grave, and to know if it were time that he should take
+a wife: and the King saw the briar. And when he saw it, the king
+took counsel where he should find a wife. Said one of his
+counsellors, "I know a wife that will suit thee well; and she is
+the wife of King Doged." And they resolved to go to seek her; and
+they slew the king, and brought away his wife. And they conquered
+the kings' lands. And he married the widow of King Doged, the
+sister of Yspadaden Penkawr.
+
+And one day his stepmother said to Kilwich, "It were well for thee
+to have a wife." "I am not yet of an age to wed," answered the
+youth. Then said she unto him, "I declare to thee that it is thy
+destiny not to be suited with a wife until thou obtain Olwen, the
+daughter of Yspadaden Penkawr." And the youth blushed, and the
+love of the maiden diffused itself through all his frame, although
+he had never seen her. And his father inquired of him, "What has
+come over thee, my son, and what aileth thee?" "My stepmother has
+declared to me that I shall never have a wife until I obtain
+Olwen, the daughter of Yspadaden Penkawr." "That will be easy for
+thee," answered his father. "Arthur is thy cousin. Go, therefore,
+unto Arthur, to cut thy hair, and ask this of him as a boon."
+
+And the youth pricked forth upon a steed with head dappled gray,
+four winters old, firm of limb, with shell-formed hoofs, having a
+bridle of linked gold on his head, and upon him a saddle of costly
+gold. And in the youth's hand were two spears of silver, sharp,
+well-tempered, headed with steel, three ells in length, of an
+edge to wound the wind, and cause blood to flow, and swifter than
+the fall of the dew-drop from the blade of reed-grass, when the
+dew of June is at the heaviest. A gold-hilted sword was upon his
+thigh, the blade of which was gilded, bearing a cross of inlaid
+gold of the hue of the lightning of heaven. His war-horn was of
+ivory. Before him were two brindled, white-breasted greyhounds,
+having strong collars of rubies about their necks, reaching from
+the shoulder to the ear. And the one that was upon the left side
+bounded across to the right side, and the one on the right to the
+left, and, like two sea-swallows, sported around him. And his
+courser cast up four sods, with his four hoofs, like four swallows
+in the air, about his head, now above, now below. About him was a
+four-cornered cloth of purple, and an apple of gold was at each
+corner, and every one of the apples was of the value of an hundred
+kine. And there was precious gold of the value of three hundred
+kine upon his shoes, and upon his stirrups, from his knee to the
+tip of his toe. And the blade of grass bent not beneath him, so
+light was his courser's tread, as he journeyed toward the gate of
+Arthur's palace.
+
+Spoke the youth: "Is there a porter?" "There is; and if thou
+holdest not thy peace, small will be thy welcome. I am Arthur's
+porter every first day of January." "Open the portal." "I will not
+open it." "Wherefore not?" "The knife is in the meat, and the
+drink is in the horn, and there is revelry in Arthur's hall; and
+none may enter therein but the son of a king of a privileged
+country, or a craftsman bringing his craft. But there will be
+refreshment for thy dogs and for thy horse; and for thee there
+will be collops cooked and peppered, and luscious wine, and
+mirthful songs; and food for fifty men shall be brought unto thee
+in the guest-chamber, where the stranger and the sons of other
+countries eat, who come not into the precincts of the palace of
+Arthur. Thou wilt fare no worse there than thou wouldst with
+Arthur in the court. A lady shall smooth thy couch, and shall lull
+thee with songs; and early to-morrow morning, when the gate is
+open for the multitude that came hither to-day, for thee shall it
+be opened first, and thou mayest sit in the place that thou shalt
+choose in Arthur's hall, from the upper end to the lower." Said
+the youth: "That will I not do. If thou openest the gate, it is
+well. If thou dost not open it, I will bring disgrace upon thy
+lord, and evil report upon thee. And I will set up three shouts at
+this very gate, than which none were ever heard more deadly."
+"What clamor soever thou mayest make," said Glewlwyd, the porter,
+"against the laws of Arthur's palace, shalt thou not enter
+therein, until I first go and speak with Arthur."
+
+Then Glewlwyd went into the hall. And Arthur said to him, "Hast
+thou news from the gate?" "Half of my life is passed," said
+Glewlwyd, "and half of thine. I was heretofore in Kaer Se and
+Asse, in Sach and Salach, in Lotor and Fotor, and I have been in
+India the Great and India the Lesser, and I have also been in
+Europe and Africa, and in the islands of Corsica, and I was
+present when thou didst conquer Greece in the East. Nine supreme
+sovereigns, handsome men, saw we there, but never did I behold a
+man of equal dignity with him who is now at the door of the
+portal." Then said Arthur: "If walking thou didst enter here,
+return thou running. It is unbecoming to keep such a man as thou
+sayest he is in the wind and the rain." Said Kay: "By the hand of
+my friend, if thou wouldst follow my counsel, thou wouldst not
+break through the laws of the court because of him." "Not so,
+blessed Kay," said Arthur; "it is an honor to us to be resorted
+to, and the greater our courtesy, the greater will be our renown
+and our fame and our glory."
+
+And Glewlwyd came to the gate, and opened the gate before Kilwich:
+and although all dismounted upon the horse-block at the gate, yet
+did he not dismount, but he rode in upon his charger. Then said
+he, "Greeting be unto thee, sovereign ruler of this island, and be
+this greeting no less unto the lowest than unto the highest, and
+be it equally unto thy guests, and thy warriors, and thy
+chieftains; let all partake of it as completely as thyself. And
+complete be thy favor, and thy fame, and thy glory, throughout all
+this island." "Greeting unto thee also," said Arthur; "sit thou
+between two of my warriors, and thou shalt have minstrels before
+thee, and thou shalt enjoy the privileges of a king born to a
+throne, as long as thou remainest here. And when I disperse my
+presents to the visitors and strangers in this court, they shall
+be in thy hand at my commencing." Said the youth, "I came not here
+to consume meat and drink; but if I obtain the boon that I seek, I
+will requite it thee, and extol thee; but if I have it not, I will
+bear forth thy dispraise to the four quarters of the world, as far
+as thy renown has extended." Then said Arthur, "Since thou wilt
+not remain here, chieftain, thou shalt receive the boon,
+whatsoever thy tongue may name, as far as the wind dries, and the
+rain moistens, and the sun revolves, and the sea encircles, and
+the earth extends; save only my ship Prydwen, and my mantle, and
+Caliburn, my sword, and Rhongomyant, my lance, and Guenever, my
+wife. By the truth of Heaven, thou shalt have it cheerfuly, name
+what thou wilt." "I would that thou bless my hair," said he. "That
+shall be granted thee."
+
+And Arthur took a golden comb, and scissors whereof the loops were
+of silver, and he combed his hair. And Arthur inquired of him who
+he was; "for my heart warms unto thee, and I know that thou art
+come of my blood. Tell me, therefore, who thou art." "I will tell
+thee," said the youth. "I am Kilwich, the son of Kilydd, the son
+of Prince Kelyddon, by Goleudyd, my mother, the daughter of Prince
+Anlawd." "That is true," said Arthur; "thou art my cousin.
+Whatsoever boon thou mayest ask, thou shalt receive, be it what it
+may that thy tongue shall name." "Pledge the truth of Heaven and
+the faith of thy kingdom thereof." "I pledge it thee gladly." "I
+crave of thee, then, that thou obtain for me Olwen, the daughter
+of Yspadaden Penkawr, to wife; and this boon I likewise seek at
+the hands of thy warriors. I seek it from Kay and from Bedwyr; and
+from Gwynn, the son of Nudd, and Gadwy, the son of Geraint, and
+Prince Flewddur Flam and Iona, king of France, and Sel, the son of
+Selgi, and Taliesin, the chief of the bards, and Geraint, the son
+of Erbin, Garanwyn, the son of Kay, and Amren, the son of Bedwyr,
+Ol, the son of Olwyd, Bedwin, the bishop, Guenever, the chief
+lady, and Guenhywach, her sister, Morved, the daughter of Urien,
+and Gwenlian Deg, the majestic maiden, Creiddylad, [Footnote:
+Creiddylad is no other than Shakspeare's Cordelia, whose father,
+King Lear, is by the Welsh authorities called indiscriminately
+Llyr or Lludd. All the old chronicles give the story of her
+devotion to her aged parent, but none of them seem to have been
+aware that she is destined to remain with him till the day of
+doom, whilst Gwyn ap Nudd, the king of the fairies, and Gwythyr op
+Greidiol, fight for her every first of May, and whichever of them
+may be fortunate enough to be the conqueror at that time will
+obtain her as a bride.] the daughter of Lludd, the constant
+maiden, and Ewaedah, the daughter of Kynvelyn, [Footnote: The
+Welsh have a fable on the subject of the half man, taken to be
+illustrative of the force of habit. In this allegory Arthur is
+supposed to be met by a sprite, who appears at first in a small
+and indistinct form, but who, on approaching nearer, increases in
+size, and, assuming the semblance of half a man, endeavors to
+provoke the king to wrestle. Despising his weakness, and
+considering that he should gain no credit by the encounter, Arthur
+refuses to do so, and delays the contest until at length the half
+man (Habit) becomes so strong that it requires his utmost efforts
+to overcome him.] the half-man." All these did Kilwich, the son of
+Kilydd, adjure to obtain his boon.
+
+Then said Arthur, "O chieftain, I have never heard of the maiden
+of whom thou speakest, nor of her kindred, but I will gladly send
+messengers in search of her. Give me time to seek her." And the
+youth said, "I will willingly grant from this night to that at the
+end of the year to do so." Then Arthur sent messengers to every
+land within his dominions to seek for the maiden, and at the end
+of the year Arthur's messengers returned without having gained any
+knowledge or intelligence concerning Olwen, more than on the first
+day. Then said Kilwich, "Every one has received his boon, and I
+yet lack mine. I will depart, and bear away thy honor with me."
+Then said Kay, "Rash chieftain! dost thou reproach Arthur? Go with
+us, and we will not part until thou dost either confess that the
+maiden exists not in the world, or until we obtain her." Thereupon
+Kay rose up. And Arthur called Bedwyr, who never shrank from any
+enterprise upon which Kay was bound. None were equal to him in
+swiftness throughout this island except Arthur alone; and although
+he was one handed; three warriors could not shed blood faster than
+he on the field of battle.
+
+And Arthur called to Kyndelig, the guide, "Go thou upon this
+expedition with the chieftain." For as good a guide was he in a
+land which he had never seen as he was in his own.
+
+He called Gurhyr Gwalstat, because he knew all tongues.
+
+He called Gawain, the son of Gwyar, because he never returned home
+without achieving the adventure of which he went in quest.
+
+And Arthur called Meneu, the son of Teirgwed, in order that, if
+they went into a savage country, he might cast a charm and an
+illusion over them, so that none might see them, whilst they could
+see every one.
+
+They journeyed until they came to a vast open plain, wherein they
+saw a great castle, which was the fairest of the castles of the
+world. And when they came before the castle, they beheld a vast
+flock of sheep. And upon the top of a mound there was a herdsman
+keeping the sheep. And a rug made of skins was upon him, and by
+his side was a shaggy mastiff, larger than a steed nine winters
+old.
+
+Then said Kay, "Gurhyr Gwalstat, go thou and salute yonder man."
+"Kay," said he, "I engaged not to go further than thou thyself."
+"Let us go then together." answered Kay. Said Meneu, "Fear not to
+go thither, for I will cast a spell upon the dog, so that he shall
+injure no one." And they went up to the mound whereon the herdsman
+was, and they said to him, "How dost thou fare, herdsman?" "Not
+less fair be it to you than to me." "Whose are the sheep that thou
+dost keep, and to whom does yonder castle belong?" "Stupid are ye,
+truly! not to know that this is the castle of Yspadaden Penkawr.
+And ye also, who are ye?" "We are an embassy from Arthur, come to
+seek Olwen, the daughter of Yspadaden Penkawr." "O men! the mercy
+of Heaven be upon you; do not that for all the world. None who
+ever came hither on this quest has returned alive." And the
+herdsman rose up. And as he rose Kilwich gave unto him a ring of
+gold. And he went home and gave the ring to his spouse to keep.
+And she took the ring when it was given her, and she said, "Whence
+came this ring, for thou art not wont to have good fortune." "O
+wife, him to whom this ring belonged thou shalt see here this
+evening." "And who is he?" asked the woman. "Kilwich, the son of
+Kilydd, by Goleudid, the daughter of Prince Anlawd, who is come to
+seek Olwen as his wife." And when she heard that, she had joy that
+her nephew, the son of her sister, was coming to her, and sorrow,
+because she had never known any one depart alive who had come on
+that quest.
+
+And the men went forward to the gate of the herdsman's dwelling.
+And when she heard their footsteps approaching, she ran out with
+joy to meet them. And Kay snatched a billet out of the pile. And
+when she met them, she sought to throw her arms about their necks.
+And Kay placed the log between her two hands, and she squeezed it
+so that it became a twisted coil. "O woman," said Kay, "if thou
+hadst squeezed me thus, none could ever again have set their
+affections on me. Evil love were this." They entered into the
+house and were served; and soon after, they all went forth to
+amuse themselves. Then the woman opened a stone chest that was
+before the chimney-corner, and out of it arose a youth with
+yellow, curling hair. Said Gurhyr, "It is a pity to hide this
+youth. I know that it is not his own crime that is thus visited
+upon him." "This is but a remnant," said the woman. "Three and
+twenty of my sons has Yspadaden Penkawr slain, and I have no more
+hope of this one than of the others." Then said Kay, "Let him come
+and be a companion with me, and he shall not be slain unless I
+also am slain with him." And they ate. And the woman asked them,
+"Upon what errand come you here?" "We come to seek Olwen for this
+youth." Then said the woman, "In the name of Heaven, since no one
+from the castle hath yet seen you, return again whence you came."
+"Heaven is our witness, that we will not return until we have seen
+the maiden. Does she ever come hither, so that she may be seen?"
+"She comes here every Saturday to wash her head, and in the vessel
+where she washes she leaves all her rings, and she never either
+comes herself or sends any messengers to fetch them." "Will she
+come here if she is sent to?" "Heaven knows that I will not
+destroy my soul, nor will I betray those that trust me; unless you
+will pledge me your faith that you will not harm her, I will not
+send to her." "We pledge it," said they. So a message was sent,
+and she came.
+
+The maiden was clothed in a robe of flame-colored silk, and about
+her neck was a collar of ruddy gold, on which were precious
+emeralds and rubies. More yellow was her head than the flower of
+the broom, [Footnote: The romancers dwell with great complacency
+on the fair hair and delicate complexion of their heroines. This
+taste continued for a long time, and to render the hair light was
+an object of education. Even when wigs came into fashion they were
+all flaxen. Such was the color of the hair of the Gauls and of
+their German conquerors. It required some centuries to reconcile
+their eyes to the swarthy beauties of their Spanish and Italian
+neighbors.] and her skin was whiter than the foam of the wave, and
+fairer were her hands and her fingers than the blossoms of the
+wood-anemone amidst the spray of the meadow fountain. The eye of
+the trained hawk was not brighter than hers. Her bosom was more
+snowy than the breast of the white swan, her cheek was redder than
+the reddest roses. Whoso beheld her was filled with her love. Four
+white trefoils sprung up wherever she trod. And therefore was she
+called Olwen.
+
+She entered the house and sat beside Kilwich upon the foremost
+bench; and as soon as he saw her, he knew her. And Kilwich said
+unto her, "Ah! maiden, thou art she whom I have loved; come away
+with me, lest they speak evil of thee and of me. Many a day have I
+loved thee." "I cannot do this, for I have pledged my faith to my
+father not to go without his counsel, for his life will last only
+until the time of my espousals. Whatever is to be, must be. But I
+will give thee advice, if thou wilt take it. Go, ask me of my
+father, and that which he shall require of thee, grant it, and
+thou wilt obtain me; but if thou deny him anything, thou wilt not
+obtain me, and it will be well for thee if thou escape with thy
+life." "I promise all this, if occasion offer," said he.
+
+She returned to her chamber, and they all rose up, and followed
+her to the castle. And they slew the nine porters, that were at
+the nine gates, in silence. And they slew the nine watch-dogs
+without one of them barking. And they went forward to the hall.
+
+"The greeting of Heaven and of man be unto thee, Yspadaden
+Penkawr," said they. "And you, wherefore come you?" "We come to
+ask thy daughter Olwen for Kilwich, the son of Kilydd, the son of
+Prince Kelyddon." "Where are my pages and my servants? Raise up
+the forks beneath my two eyebrows, which have fallen over my eyes,
+that I may see the fashion of my son-in-law." And they did so.
+"Come hither to-morrow, and you shall have an answer."
+
+They rose to go forth, and Yspadaden Penkawr seized one of the
+three poisoned darts that lay beside him, and threw it after them.
+And Bedwyr caught it, and flung it, and pierced Yspadaden Penkawr
+grievously with it through the knee. Then he said, "A cursed
+ungentle son-in-law, truly! I shall ever walk the worse for his
+rudeness, and shall ever be without a cure. This poisoned iron
+pains me like the bite of a gad-fly. Cursed be the smith who
+forged it, and the anvil on which it was wrought! So sharp is it!"
+
+That night also they took up their abode in the house of the
+herdsman. The next day, with the dawn, they arrayed themselves and
+proceeded to the castle, and entered the hall; and they said,
+"Yspadaden Penkawr, give us thy daughter in consideration of her
+dower and her maiden fee, which we will pay to thee, and to her
+two kinswomen likewise." Then he said, "Her four great-
+grandmothers and her four great-grandsires are yet alive; it is
+needful that I take counsel of them." "Be it so," they answered,
+"we will go to meat." As they rose up he took the second dart that
+was beside him, and cast it after them. And Meneu, the son of
+Gawedd, caught it, and flung it back at him, and wounded him in
+the centre of the breast. "A cursed ungentle son-in-law, truly!"
+said he; "the hard iron pains me like the bite of a horse-leech.
+Cursed be the hearth whereon it was heated, and the smith who
+formed it! So sharp is it! Henceforth, whenever I go up hill, I
+shall have a scant in my breath, and a pain in my chest, and I
+shall often loathe my food." And they went to meat.
+
+And the third day they returned to the palace. And Yspadaden
+Penkawr said to them, "Shoot not at me again unless you desire
+death. Where are my attendants? Lift up the forks of my eyebrows,
+which have fallen over my eyeballs, that I may see the fashion of
+my son-in-law." Then they arose, and, as they did so, Yspadaden
+Penkawr took the third poisoned dart and cast it at them. And
+Kilwich caught it, and threw it vigorously, and wounded him
+through the eyeball. "A cursed ungentle son-in-law, truly! As long
+as I remain alive, my eyesight will be the worse. Whenever I go
+against the wind, my eyes will water; and peradventure my head
+will burn, and I shall have a giddiness every new moon. Like the
+bite of a mad dog is the stroke of this poisoned iron. Cursed be
+the fire in which it was forged!" And they went to meat.
+
+And the next day they came again to the palace, and they said,
+"Shoot not at us any more, unless thou desirest such hurt and harm
+and torture as thou now hast, and even more." Said Kilwich, "Give
+me thy daughter; and if thou wilt not give her, thou shalt receive
+thy death because of her." "Where is he that seeks my daughter?
+Come hither where I may see thee." And they placed him a chair
+face to face with him.
+
+Said Yspadaden Penkawr, "Is it thou that seekest my daughter?"
+
+"It is I," answered Kilwich.
+
+"I must have thy pledge that thou wilt not do toward me otherwise
+than is just; and when I have gotten that which I shall name, my
+daughter thou shalt have."
+
+"I promise thee that willingly," said Kilwich; "name what thou
+wilt."
+
+"I will do so," said he. "Seest thou yonder red tilled ground?"
+
+"I see it."
+
+"When first I met the mother of this maiden, nine bushels of flax
+were sown therein, and none has yet sprung up, white nor black. I
+require to have the flax to sow in the new land yonder, that when
+it grows up it may make a white wimple for my daughter's head on
+the day of thy wedding."
+
+"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest
+think it will not be easy."
+
+"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get--
+the harp of Teirtu, to play to us that night. When a man desires
+that it should play, it does so of itself; and when he desires
+that it should cease, it ceases. And this he will not give of his
+own free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel him."
+
+"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest
+think it will not be easy."
+
+"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get.
+I require thee to get me for my huntsman Mabon, the son of Modron.
+He was taken from his mother when three nights old, and it is not
+known where he now is, nor whether he is living or dead."
+
+"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest
+think it will not be easy."
+
+"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get--
+the two cubs of the wolf Gast Rhymhi; no leash in the world will
+hold them, but a leash made from the beard of Dillus Varwawc, the
+robber. And the leash will be of no avail unless it be plucked
+from his beard while he is alive. While he lives he will not
+suffer this to be done to him, and the leash will be of no use
+should he be dead, because it will be brittle."
+
+"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest
+think it will not be easy."
+
+"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get--
+the sword of Gwernach the Giant; of his own free will he will not
+give it, and thou wilt never be able to compel him."
+
+"It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest
+think it will not be easy."
+
+"Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get.
+Difficulties shalt thou meet with, and nights without sleep, in
+seeking this, and if thou obtain it not, neither shalt thou obtain
+my daughter."
+
+"Horses shall I have, and chivalry; and my lord and kinsman,
+Arthur, will obtain for me all these things. And I shall gain thy
+daughter, and thou shalt lose thy life."
+
+"Go forward. And thou shalt not be chargeable for food or raiment
+for my daughter while thou art seeking these things; and when thou
+hast compassed all these marvels, thou shalt have my daughter for
+thy wife."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+KILWICH AND OLWEN (Continued)
+
+
+All that day they journeyed until the evening, and then they
+beheld a vast castle, which was the largest in the world. And lo!
+a black man, larger than three of the men of this world, came out
+from the castle. And they spoke unto him, and said, "O man, whose
+castle is that?" "Stupid are ye, truly, O men! There is no one in
+the world that does not know that this is the castle of Gwernach
+the Giant." "What treatment is there for guests and strangers that
+alight in that castle?" "O chieftain, Heaven protect thee! No
+guests ever returned thence alive, and no one may enter therein
+unless he brings with him his craft."
+
+Then they proceeded towards the gate. Said Gurhyr Gwalstat, "Is
+there a porter?" "There is; wherefore dost thou call?" "Open the
+gate." "I will not open it." "Wherefore wilt thou not?" "The knife
+is in the meat, and the drink is in the horn, and there is revelry
+in the hall of Gwernach the Giant; and except for a craftsman who
+brings his craft, the gate will not be opened to-night." "Verily,
+porter," then said Kay, "my craft bring I with me." "What is thy
+craft?" "The best burnisher of swords am I in the world." "I will
+go and tell this unto Gwernach the Giant, and I will bring thee an
+answer."
+
+So the porter went in, and Gwernach said to him, "Hast thou news
+from the gate?" "I have. There is a party at the door of the gate
+who desire to come in." "Didst thou inquire of them if they
+possessed any art?" "I did inquire," said he, "and one told me
+that he was well skilled in the burnishing of swords." "We have
+need of him then. For some time have I sought for some one to
+polish my sword, and could find no one. Let this man enter, since
+he brings with him his craft."
+
+The porter thereupon returned and opened the gate. And Kay went in
+by himself, and he saluted Gwernach the Giant. And a chair was
+placed for him opposite to Gwernach. And Gwernach said to him, "O
+man, is it true that is reported of thee, that thou knowest how to
+burnish swords?" "I know full well how to do so," answered Kay.
+Then was the sword of Gwernach brought to him. And Kay took a blue
+whetstone from under his arm, and asked whether he would have it
+burnished white or blue. "Do with it as it seems good to thee, or
+as thou wouldst if it were thine own." Then Kay polished one half
+of the blade, and put it in his hand. "Will this please thee?"
+asked he. "I would rather than all that is in my dominions that
+the whole of it were like this. It is a marvel to me that such a
+man as thou should be without a companion." "O noble sir, I have a
+companion, albeit he is not skilled in this art." "Who may he be?"
+"Let the porter go forth, and I will tell him whereby he may know
+him. The head of his lance will leave its shaft, and draw blood
+from the wind, and will descend upon its shaft again." Then the
+gate was opened, and Bedwyr entered. And Kay said, "Bedwyr is very
+skilful, though he knows not this art."
+
+And there was much discourse among those who were without, because
+that Kay and Bedwyr had gone in. And a young man who was with
+them, the only son of the herdsman, got in also; and he contrived
+to admit all the rest, but they kept themselves concealed.
+
+The sword was now polished, and Kay gave it unto the hand of
+Gwernach the Giant, to see if he were pleased with his work. And
+the giant said, "The work is good; I am content therewith." Said
+Kay, "It is thy scabbard that hath rusted thy sword; give it to
+me, that I may take out the wooden sides of it, and put in new
+ones." And he took the scabbard from him, and the sword in the
+other hand. And he came and stood over against the giant, as if he
+would have put the sword into the scabbard; and with it he struck
+at the head of the giant, and cut off his head at one blow. Then
+they despoiled the castle, and took from it what goods and jewels
+they would. And they returned to Arthur's court, bearing with them
+the sword of Gwernach the Giant.
+
+And when they told Arthur how they had sped, Arthur said, "It is a
+good beginning." Then they took counsel, and said, "Which of these
+marvels will it be best for us to seek next?" "It will be best,"
+said one, "to seek Mabon, the son of Modron; and he will not be
+found unless we first find Eidoel, the son of Aer, his kinsman."
+Then Arthur rose up, and the warriors of the island of Britain
+with him, to seek for Eidoel; and they proceeded until they came
+to the castle of Glivi, where Eidoel was imprisoned. Glivi stood
+on the summit of his castle, and he said, "Arthur, what requirest
+thou of me, since nothing remains to me in this fortress, and I
+have neither joy nor pleasure in it, neither wheat nor oats? Seek
+not, therefore, to do me harm." Said Arthur, "Not to injure thee
+came I hither, but to seek for the prisoner that is with thee." "I
+will give thee my prisoner, though I had not thought to give him
+up to any one, and therewith shalt thou have my support and my
+aid."
+
+His followers said unto Arthur, "Lord, go thou home, thou canst
+not proceed with thy host in quest of such small adventures as
+these." Then said Arthur, "It were well for thee, Gurhyr Gwalstat,
+to go upon this quest, for thou knowest all languages, and art
+familiar with those of the birds and the beasts. Thou, Eidoel,
+oughtest likewise to go with thy men in search of thy cousin. And
+as for you, Kay and Bedwyr, I have hope of whatever adventure ye
+are in quest of, that ye will achieve it. Achieve ye this
+adventure for me."
+
+They went forward until they came to the Ousel of Cilgwri. And
+Gurhyr adjured her, saying, "Tell me if thou knowest aught of
+Mabon, the son of Modron, who was taken when three nights old from
+between his mother and the wall?" And the Ousel answered, "When I
+first came here, there was a smith's anvil in this place, and I
+was then a young bird; and from that time no work has been done
+upon it, save the pecking of my beak every evening; and now there
+is not so much as the size of a nut remaining thereof; yet during
+all that time I have never heard of the man for whom you inquire.
+Nevertheless, I will do that which it is fitting that I should for
+an embassy from Arthur. There is a race of animals who were formed
+before me, and I will be your guide to them."
+
+So they proceeded to the place where was the Stag of Redynvre.
+"Stag of Redynvre, behold, we are come to thee, an embassy from
+Arthur, for we have not heard of any animal older than thou. Say,
+knowest thou aught of Mabon, the son of Modron, who was taken from
+his mother when three nights old?" The Stag said, "When first I
+came hither there was a plain all around me, without any trees
+save one oak sapling, which grew up to be an oak with an hundred
+branches; and that oak has since perished, so that now nothing
+remains of it but the withered stump; and from that day to this I
+have been here, yet have I never heard of the man for whom you
+inquire. Nevertheless, being an embassy from Arthur, I will be
+your guide to the place where there is an animal which was formed
+before I was, and the oldest animal in the world, and the one that
+has travelled most, the Eagle of Gwern Abwy."
+
+Gurhyr said, "Eagle of Gwern Abwy, we have come to thee, an
+embassy from Arthur, to ask thee if thou knowest aught of Mabon,
+the son of Modron, who was taken from his mother when he was three
+nights old?" The Eagle said, "I have been here for a great space
+of time, and when I first came hither, there was a rock here from
+the top of which I pecked at the stars every evening; and it has
+crumbled away, and now it is not so much as a span high. All that
+time I have been here, and I have never heard of the man for whom
+you inquire, except once when I went in search of food as far as
+Llyn Llyw. And when I came there, I struck my talons into a
+salmon, thinking he would serve me as food for a long time. But he
+drew me into the water, and I was scarcely able to escape from
+him. After that I made peace with him. And I drew fifty fish-
+spears out of his back, and relieved him. Unless he know something
+of him whom you seek, I cannot tell who may. However, I will guide
+you to the place where he is."
+
+So they went thither; and the Eagle said, "Salmon of Llyn Llyw, I
+have come to thee with an embassy from Arthur, to ask thee if thou
+knowest aught of Mabon, the son of Modron, who was taken away at
+three nights old from his mother." "As much as I know I will tell
+thee. With every tide I go along the river upward, until I come
+near to the walls of Gloucester, and there have I found such wrong
+as I never found elsewhere; and to the end that ye may give
+credence thereto, let one of you go thither upon each of my two
+shoulders." So Kay and Gurhyr Gwalstat went upon the two shoulders
+of the Salmon, and they proceeded until they came unto the wall of
+the prison; and they heard a great wailing and lamenting from the
+dungeon. Said Gurhyr, "Who is it that laments in this house of
+stone?" "Alas! it is Mabon, the son of Modron, who is here
+imprisoned; and no imprisonment was ever so grievous as mine."
+"Hast thou hope of being released for gold or for silver, or for
+any gifts of wealth, or through battle and fighting?" "By fighting
+will what ever I may gain be obtained."
+
+Then they went thence, and returned to Arthur, and they told him
+where Mabon, the son of Modron, was imprisoned. And Arthur
+summoned the warriors of the island, and they journeyed as far as
+Gloucester, to the place where Mabon was in prison. Kay and Bedwyr
+went upon the shoulders of the fish, whilst the warriors of Arthur
+attacked the castle. And Kay broke through the wall into the
+dungeon, and brought away the prisoner upon his back, whilst the
+fight was going on between the warriors. And Arthur returned home,
+and Mabon with him at liberty.
+
+On a certain day as Gurhyr Gwalstat was walking over a mountain,
+he heard a wailing and a grievous cry. And when he heard it, he
+sprang forward and went towards it. And when he came there, he saw
+a fire burning among the turf, and an ant-hill nearly surrounded
+with the fire. And he drew his sword, and smote off the ant-hill
+close to the earth, so that it escaped being burned in the fire.
+And the ants said to him, "Receive from us the blessing of Heaven,
+and that which no man can give, we give thee." Then they fetched
+the nine bushels of flax-seed which Yspadaden Penkawr had required
+of Kilwich, and they brought the full measure, without lacking
+any, except one flax-seed, and that the lame pismire brought in
+before night.
+
+Then said Arthur, "Which of the marvels will it be best for us to
+seek next?" "It will be best to seek for the two cubs of the wolf
+Gast Rhymhi."
+
+"Is it known," said Arthur, "where she is?" "She is in Aber
+Cleddyf," said one. Then Arthur went to the house of Tringad, in
+Aber Cleddyf, and he inquired of him whether he had heard of her
+there. "She has often slain my herds, and she is there below in a
+cave in Aber Cleddyf."
+
+Ther Arthur went in his ship Prydwen by sea, and the others went
+by land to hunt her. And they surrounded her and her two cubs, and
+took them and carried them away.
+
+As Kay and Bedwyr sat on a beacon-cairn on the summit of
+Plinlimmon, in the highest wind that ever was, they looked around
+them and saw a great smoke, afar off. Then said Kay, "By the hand
+of my friend, yonder is the fire of a robber." Then they hastened
+towards the smoke, and they came so near to it that they could see
+Dillus Varwawc scorching a wild boar. "Behold, yonder is the
+greatest robber that ever fled from Arthur," said Bedwyr to Kay.
+"Dost thou know him?" "I do know him," answered Kay; "he is Dillus
+Varwarc, and no leash in the world will be able to hold the cubs
+of Gast Rhymi, save a leash made from the beard of him thou seest
+yonder. And even that will be useless unless his beard be plucked
+out alive, with wooden tweezers; for if dead it will be brittle."
+"What thinkest thou that we should do concerning this?" said
+Bedwyr. "Let us suffer him." said Kay, "to eat as much as he will
+of the meat, and after that he will fall asleep." And during that
+time they employed themselves in making the wooden tweezers. And
+when Kay knew certainly that he was asleep, he made a pit under
+his feet, and he struck him a violent blow, and squeezed him into
+the pit. And there they twitched out his beard completely with the
+wooden tweezers, and after that they slew him altogether. And from
+thence they went, and took the leash made of Dillus Varwawc's
+beard, and they gave it into Arthur's hand.
+
+Thus they got all the marvels that Yspadaden Penkawr had required
+of Kilwich; and they set forward, and took the marvels to his
+court. And Kilwich said to Yspadaden Penkawr, "Is thy daughter
+mine now?" "She is thine," said he, "but therefore needest thou
+not thank me, but Arthur, who hath accomplished this for thee."
+Then Goreu, the son of Custennin, the herdsman, whose brothers
+Yspadaden Penkawr had slain, seized him by the hair of his head,
+and dragged him after him to the keep, and cut off his head, and
+placed it on a stake on the citadel. Then they took possession of
+his castle, and of his treasures. And that night Olwen became
+Kilwich's bride, and she continued to be his wife as long as she
+lived.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+TALIESIN
+
+
+Gwyddno Garanhir was sovereign of Gwaelod, a territory bordering
+on the sea. And he possessed a weir upon the strand between Dyvi
+and Aberystwyth, near to his own castle, and the value of an
+hundred pounds was taken in that weir every May eve. And Gwyddno
+had an only son named Elphin, the most hapless of youths, and the
+most needy. And it grieved his father sore, for he thought that he
+was born in an evil hour. By the advice of his council, his father
+had granted him the drawing of the weir that year, to see if good
+luck would ever befall him, and to give him something wherewith to
+begin the world. And this was on the twenty-ninth of April.
+
+The next day, when Elphin went to look, there was nothing in the
+weir but a leathern bag upon a pole of the weir. Then said the
+weir-ward unto Elphin, "All thy ill-luck aforetime was nothing to
+this; and now thou hast destroyed the virtues of the weir, which
+always yielded the value of an hundred pounds every May eve; and
+to-night there is nothing but this leathern skin within it." "How
+now," said Elphin, "there may be therein the value of a hundred
+pounds." Well! they took up the leathern bag, and he who opened it
+saw the forehead of an infant, the fairest that ever was seen; and
+he said, "Behold a radiant brow?" (In the Welsh language,
+taliesin.) "Taliesin be he called," said Elphin. And he lifted the
+bag in his arms, and, lamenting his bad luck, placed the boy
+sorrowfully behind him. And he made his horse amble gently, that
+before had been trotting, and he carried him as softly as if he
+had been sitting in the easiest chair in the world. And presently
+the boy made a Consolation, and praise to Elphin; and the
+Consolation was as you may here see:
+
+   "Fair Elphin, cease to lament!
+    Never in Gwyddno's weir
+    Was there such good luck as this night.
+    Being sad will not avail;
+    Better to trust in God than to forbode ill;
+    Weak and small as I am,
+    On the foaming beach of the ocean,
+    In the day of trouble I shall be
+    Of more service to thee than three hundred salmon."
+
+This was the first poem that Taliesin ever sung, being to console
+Elphin in his grief for that the produce of the weir was lost, and
+what was worse, that all the world would consider that it was
+through his fault and ill-luck. Then Elphin asked him what he
+was, whether man or spirit. And he sung thus:
+
+   "I have been formed a comely person;
+    Although I am but little, I am highly gifted;
+    Into a dark leathern bag I was thrown,
+    And on a boundless sea I was sent adrift.
+    From seas and from mountains
+    God brings wealth to the fortunate man."
+
+Then came Elphin to the house of Gwyddno, his father, and Taliesin
+with him. Gwyddno asked him if he had had a good haul at the weir,
+and he told him that he had got that which was better than fish.
+"What was that?" said Gwyddno. "A bard," said Elphin. Then said
+Gwyddno, "Alas! what will he profit thee?" And Taliesin himself
+replied and said, "He will profit him more than the weir ever
+profited thee." Asked Gwyddno, "Art thou able to speak, and thou
+so little?" And Taliesin answered him, "I am better able to speak
+than thou to question me." "Let me hear what thou canst say,"
+quoth Gwyddno. Then Taliesin sang:
+
+   "Three times have I been born, I know by meditation;
+   All the sciences of the world are collected in my breast,
+   For I know what has been, and what hereafter will occur."
+
+Elphin gave his haul to his wife, and she nursed him tenderly and
+lovingly. Thenceforward Elphin increased in riches more and more,
+day after day, and in love and favor with the king; and there
+abode Taliesin until he was thirteen years old, when Elphin, son
+of Gwyddno, went by a Christmas invitation to his uncle, Maelgan
+Gwynedd, who held open court at Christmas-tide in the castle of
+Dyganwy, for all the number of his lords of both degrees, both
+spiritual and temporal, with a vast and thronged host of knights
+and squires. And one arose and said, "Is there in the whole world
+a king so great as Maelgan, or one on whom Heaven has bestowed so
+many gifts as upon him;--form, and beauty, and meekness, and
+strength, besides all the powers of the soul?" And together with
+these they said that Heaven had given one gift that exceeded all
+the others, which was the beauty, and grace, and wisdom, and
+modesty of his queen, whose virtues surpassed those of all the
+ladies and noble maidens throughout the whole kingdom. And with
+this they put questions one to another, Who had braver men? Who
+had fairer or swifter horses or greyhounds? Who had more skilful
+or wiser bards than Maelgan?
+
+When they had all made an end of their praising the king and his
+gifts, it befell that Elphin spoke on this wise. "Of a truth, none
+but a king may vie with a king; but were he not a king, I would
+say that my wife was as virtuous as any lady in the kingdom, and
+also that I have a bard who is more skilful than all the king's
+bards." In a short space some of his fellows told the king all the
+boastings of Elphin; and the king ordered him to be thrown into a
+strong prison, until he might show the truth as to the virtues of
+his wife, and the wisdom of his bard.
+
+Now when Elphin had been put in a tower of the castle, with a
+thick chain about his feet (it is said that it was a silver chain,
+because he was of royal blood), the king, as the story relates,
+sent his son Rhun to inquire into the demeanor of Elphin's wife.
+Now Rhun was the most graceless man in the world, and there was
+neither wife nor maiden with whom he held converse but was evil
+spoken of. While Rhun went in haste towards Elphin's dwelling,
+being fully minded to bring disgrace upon his wife, Taliesin told
+his mistress how that the king had placed his master in durance in
+prison, and how that Rhun was coming in haste to strive to bring
+disgrace upon her. Wherefore he caused his mistress to array one
+of the maids of her kitchen in her apparel; which the noble lady
+gladly did, and she loaded her hands with the best rings that she
+and her husband possessed.
+
+In this guise Taliesin caused his mistress to put the maiden to
+sit at the board in her room at supper; and he made her to seem as
+her mistress, and the mistress to seem as the maid. And when they
+were in due time seated at their supper, in the manner that has
+been said, Rhun suddenly arrived at Elphin's dwelling, and was
+received with joy, for the servants knew him; and they brought him
+to the room of their mistress, in the semblance of whom the maid
+rose up from supper and welcomed him gladly. And afterwards she
+sat down to supper again, and Rhun with her. Then Rhun began
+jesting with the maid, who still kept the semblance of her
+mistress. And verily this story shows that the maiden became so
+intoxicated that she fell asleep; and the story relates that it
+was a powder that Rhun put into the drink, that made her sleep so
+soundly that she never felt it when he cut off from her hand her
+little finger, whereon was the signet ring of Elphin, which he had
+sent to his wife as a token a short time before. And Rhun returned
+to the king with the finger and the ring as a proof, to show that
+he had cut it off from her hand without her awaking from her sleep
+of intemperance.
+
+The king rejoiced greatly at these tidings, and he sent for his
+councillors, to whom he told the whole story from the beginning.
+And he caused Elphin to be brought out of prison, and he chided
+him because of his boast. And he spake on this wise: "Elphin, be
+it known to thee beyond a doubt, that it is but folly for a man to
+trust in the virtues of his wife further than he can see her; and
+that thou mayest be certain of thy wife's vileness, behold her
+finger, with thy signet ring upon it, which was cut from her hand
+last night, while she slept the sleep of intoxication." Then thus
+spake Elphin: "With thy leave, mighty king, I cannot deny my ring,
+for it is known of many; but verily I assert that the finger
+around which it is was never attached to the hand of my wife; for
+in truth and certainty there are three notable things pertaining
+to it, none of which ever belonged to any of my wife's fingers.
+The first of the three is, that it is certainly known to me that
+this ring would never remain upon her thumb, whereas you can
+plainly see that it is hard to draw it over the joint of the
+little finger of the hand whence this was cut. The second thing
+is, that my wife has never let pass one Saturday since I have
+known her, without paring her nails before going to bed, and you
+can see fully that the nail of this little finger has not been
+pared for a month. The third is, truly, that the hand whence this
+finger came was kneading rye dough within three days before the
+finger was cut therefrom, and I can assure your highness that my
+wife has never kneaded rye dough since my wife she has been."
+
+The king was mightily wroth with Elphin for so stoutly
+withstanding him, respecting the goodness of his wife; wherefore
+he ordered him to his prison a second time, saying that he should
+not be loosed thence until he had proved the truth of his boast,
+as well concerning the wisdom of his bard as the virtues of his
+wife.
+
+In the meantime his wife and Taliesin remained joyful at Elphin's
+dwelling. And Taliesin showed his mistress how that Elphin was in
+prison because of them; but he bade her be glad, for that he would
+go to Maelgan's court to free his master. So he took leave of his
+mistress, and came to the court of Maelgan, who was going to sit
+in his hall, and dine in his royal state, as it was the custom in
+those days for kings and princes to do at every chief feast. As
+soon as Taliesin entered the hall he placed himself in a quiet
+corner, near the place where the bards and the minstrels were wont
+to come, in doing their service and duty to the king, as is the
+custom at the high festivals, when the bounty is proclaimed. So,
+when the bards and the heralds came to cry largess, and to
+proclaim the power of the king, and his strength, at the moment
+when they passed by the corner wherein he was crouching, Taliesin
+pouted out his lips after them, and played "Blerwm, blerwm!" with
+his finger upon his lips. Neither took they much notice of him as
+they went by but proceeded forward till they came before the king,
+unto whom they made their obeisance with their bodies, as they
+were wont, without speaking a single word, but pouting out their
+lips, and making mouths at the king, playing, "Blerwm, blerwm!"
+upon their lips with their fingers, as they had seen the boy do.
+This sight caused the king to wonder, and to deem within himself
+that they were drunk with many liquors. Wherefore he commanded one
+of his lords, who served at the board, to go to them and desire
+them to collect their wits, and to consider where they stood, and
+what it was fitting for them to do. And this lord did so gladly.
+But they ceased not from their folly any more than before.
+Whereupon he sent to them a second time, and a third, desiring
+them to go forth from the hall. At the last the king ordered one
+of his squires to give a blow to the chief of them, named Heinin
+Vardd; and the squire took a broom and struck him on the head, so
+that he fell back in his seat. Then he arose, and went on his
+knees, and besought leave of the king's grace to show that this
+their fault was not through want of knowledge, neither through
+drunkenness, but by the influence of some spirit that was in the
+hall. And he spoke on this wise: "O honorable king, be it known to
+your grace that not from the strength of drink, or of too much
+liquor, are we dumb, but through the influence of a spirit that
+sits in the corner yonder, in the form of a child." Forthwith the
+king commanded the squire to fetch him; and he went to the nook
+where Taliesin sat, and brought him before the king, who asked him
+what he was, and whence he came. And he answered the king in
+verse:
+
+    "Primary chief bard am I to Elphin,
+     And my native country is the region of the summer stars;
+     I have been in Asia with Noah in the ark,
+     I have seen the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah,
+     I was in India when Rome was built,
+     I have now come here to the remnant of Troia."
+
+When the king and his nobles had heard the song, they wondered
+much, for they had never heard the like from a boy so young as he.
+And when the king knew that he was the bard of Elphin he bade
+Heinin, his first and wisest bard, to answer Taliesin, and to
+strive with him. But when he came he could do no other than play
+"Blerwm!" on his lips; and when he sent for the others of the four
+and twenty bards, they all did likewise, and could do no other.
+And Maelgan asked the boy Taliesin what was his errand, and he
+answered him in song:
+
+    "Elphin, the son of Gwyddno,
+    Is in the land of Artro,
+    Secured by thirteen locks,
+    For praising his instructor.
+    Therefore I, Taliesin,
+    Chief of the bards of the west,
+    Will loosen Elphin
+    Out of a golden fetter."
+
+Then he sang to them a riddle:
+
+    "Discover thou what is
+     The strong creature from before the flood,
+     Without flesh, without bone,
+     Without vein, without blood,
+     Without head, without feet;
+     It will neither be older nor younger
+    Than at the beginning.
+    Behold how the sea whitens
+    When first it comes,
+    When it comes from the south,
+    When it strikes on coasts
+    It is in the field, it is in the wood,
+    But the eye cannot perceive it.
+    One Being has prepared it,
+    By a tremendous blast,
+    To wreak vengeance
+    On Maelgan Gwynedd."
+
+While he was thus singing his verse, there arose a mighty storm of
+wind, so that the king and all his nobles thought that the castle
+would fall upon their heads. And the king caused them to fetch
+Elphin in haste from his dungeon, and placed him before Taliesin.
+And it is said that immediately he sung a verse, so that the
+chains opened from about his feet.
+
+After that Taliesin brought Elphin's wife before them, and showed
+that she had not one finger wanting. And in this manner did he set
+his master free from prison, and protect the innocence of his
+mistress, and silence the bards so that not one of them dared to
+say a word. Right glad was Elphin, right glad was Taliesin.
+
+
+
+
+
+HERO MYTHS OF THE BRITISH RACE
+
+
+
+
+
+BEOWULF
+
+
+Notable among the names of heroes of the British race is that of
+Beowulf, which appeals to all English-speaking people in a very
+special way, since he is the one hero in whose story we may see
+the ideals of our English forefathers before they left their
+Continental home to cross to the islands of Britain.
+
+Although this hero had distinguished himself by numerous feats of
+strength during his boyhood and early youth, it was as the
+deliverer of Hrothgar, king of Denmark, from the monster Grendel
+that he first gained wide renown. Grendel was half monster and
+half man, and had his abode in the fen-fastnesses in the vicinity
+of Hrothgar's residence. Night after night he would steal into the
+king's great palace called Heorot and slay sometimes as many as
+thirty at one time of the knights sleeping there.
+
+Beowulf put himself at the head of a selected band of warriors,
+went against the monster, and after a terrible fight slew it. The
+following night Grendel's mother, a fiend scarcely less terrible
+than her son, carried off one of Hrothgar's boldest thanes. Once
+more Beowulf went to the help of the Danish king, followed the
+she-monster to her lair at the bottom of a muddy lake in the midst
+of the swamp, and with his good sword Hrunting and his own
+muscular arms broke the sea-woman's neck.
+
+Upon his return to his own country of the Geats, loaded with
+honors bestowed upon him by Hrothgar, Beowulf served the king of
+Geatland as the latter's most trusted counsellor and champion.
+When, after many years, the king fell before an enemy, the Geats
+unanimously chose Beowulf for their new king. His fame as a
+warrior kept his country free from invasion, and his wisdom as a
+statesman increased its prosperity and happiness.
+
+In the fiftieth year of Beowulf's reign, however, a great terror
+fell upon the land in the way of a monstrous fire-dragon, which
+flew forth by night from its den in the rocks, lighting up the
+blackness with its blazing breath, and burning houses and
+homesteads, men and cattle, with the flames from its mouth. When
+the news came to Beowulf that his people were suffering and dying,
+and that no warrior dared to risk his life in an effort to deliver
+the country from this deadly devastation, the aged king took up
+his shield and sword and went forth to his last fight. At the
+entrance of the dragon's cave Beowulf raised his voice and shouted
+a furious defiance to the awesome guardian of the den. Roaring
+hideously and napping his glowing wings together, the dragon
+rushed forth and half flew, half sprang, on Beowulf. Then began a
+fearful combat, which ended in Beowulf's piercing the dragon's
+scaly armor and inflicting a mortal wound, but alas! in himself
+being given a gash in the neck by his opponent's poisoned fangs
+which resulted in his death. As he lay stretched on the ground,
+his head supported by Wiglaf, an honored warrior who had helped in
+the fight with the dragon, Beowulf roused himself to say, as he
+grasped Wiglaf's hand:
+
+   "Thou must now look to the needs of the nation;
+    Here dwell I no longer, for Destiny calleth me!
+    Bid thou my warriors after my funeral pyre
+    Build me a burial-cairn high on the sea-cliff's head;
+    So that the seafarers Beowulf's Barrow
+    Henceforth shall name it, they who drive far and wide
+    Over the mighty flood their foamy keels.
+    Thou art the last of all the kindred of Wagmund!
+    Wyrd has swept all my kin, all the brave chiefs away!
+    Now must I follow them!"
+
+These last words spoken, the king of the Geats, brave to seek
+danger and brave to look on death and Fate undaunted, fell back
+dead. According to his last desires, his followers gathered wood
+and piled it on the cliff-head. Upon this funeral pyre was laid
+Beowulf's body and consumed to ashes. Then, upon the same cliff of
+Hronesness, was erected a huge burial cairn, wide-spread and
+lofty, to be known thereafter as Beowulf's Barrow.
+
+
+
+
+
+CUCHULAIN, CHAMPION OF IRELAND
+
+
+Among all the early literatures of Europe, there are two which, at
+exactly opposite corners of the continent, display most strikingly
+similar characteristics. These are the Greek and the Irish, and
+the legend of the Irish champion Cuchulain, which well illustrates
+the similarity of the literatures, bears so close a resemblance to
+the story of Achilles as to win for this hero the title of "the
+Irish Achilles." Certainly in reckless courage, power of inspiring
+dread, sense of personal merit, and frankness of speech the Irish
+hero is fully equal to the mighty Greek.
+
+Cuchulain was the nephew of King Conor of Ulster, son of his
+sister Dechtire, and it is said that his father was no mortal man,
+but the great god Lugh of the Long Hand. Cuchulain was brought up
+by King Conor himself, and even while he was still a boy his fame
+spread all over Ireland. His warlike deeds were those of a proved
+warrior, not of a child of nursery age; and by the time Cuchulain
+was seventeen he was without peer among the champions of Ulster.
+
+Upon Cuchulain's marriage to Emer, daughter of Forgall the Wily, a
+Druid of great power, the couple took up their residence at
+Armagh, the capital of Ulster, under the protection of King Conor.
+Here there was one chief, Bricriu of the Bitter Tongue, who, like
+Thersites among the Grecian leaders, delighted in making mischief.
+Soon he had on foot plans for stirring up strife among the heroes
+of Ulster, leaders among whom were the mighty Laegaire, Conall
+Cearnach, cousin of Cuchulain, and Cuchulain himself. Inviting the
+members of King Conor's court to dinner, Bricriu arranged that a
+contest should arise over who should have the "champion's
+portion," and so successful was he that, to avoid a bloody fight,
+the three heroes mentioned decided to submit their claims to the
+championship of Ireland to King Ailill of Connaught.
+
+Ailill put the heroes to an unexpected test. Their dinner was
+served them in a separate room, into which three magic beasts, in
+the shape of monstrous cats, were sent by the king. When they saw
+them Laegire and Conall rose from their meal, climbed among the
+rafters, and stayed there all night. Cuchulain waited until one
+cat attacked him, and then, drawing his sword, struck the monster.
+It showed no further sign of fight, and at daybreak the magic
+beasts disappeared.
+
+As Laegire and Conall claimed that this test was an unfair one,
+Ailill sent the three rivals to Curoi of Kerry, a just and wise
+man, who set out to discover by wizardry and enchantments the best
+among the heroes. In turn they stood watch outside Curoi's castle,
+where Laegire and Conall were overcome by a huge giant, who hurled
+spears of mighty oak trees, and ended by throwing them over the
+wall into the courtyard. Cuchulain alone withstood the giant,
+whereupon he was attacked by other magic foes. Among these was a
+dragon, which flew on horrible wings from a neighboring lake, and
+seemed ready to devour everything in its way. Cuchulain sprang up,
+giving his wonderful hero-leap, thrust his arm into the dragon's
+mouth and down its throat, and tore out its heart. After the
+monster fell dead, he cut off its scaly head.
+
+As even yet Cuchulain's opponents would not admit his
+championship, they were all three directed to return to Armagh, to
+await Curoi's judgment. Here it happened that all the Ulster
+heroes were in the great hall one night, except Cuchulain and his
+cousin Conall. As they sat in order of rank, a terrible stranger,
+gigantic in stature, hideous of aspect, with ravening yellow eyes,
+entered. In his hand he bore an enormous axe, with keen and
+shining edge. Upon King Conor's inquiring his business there, the
+stranger replied:
+
+"Behold my axe! The man who will grasp it to-day may cut my head
+off with it, provided that I may, in like manner, cut off his head
+to-morrow. If you have no champion who dare face me, I will say
+that Ulster has lost her courage and is dishonored."
+
+At once Laegire accepted the challenge. The giant laid his head on
+a block, and at a blow the hero severed it from the body.
+Thereupon the giant arose, took the head and the axe, and thus,
+headless, strode from the hall. But the following night, when he
+returned, sound as ever, to claim the fulfilment of Laegire's
+promise, the latter's heart failed him and he did not come
+forward. The stranger then jeered at the men of Ulster because
+their great champion durst not keep his agreement, nor face the
+blow he should receive in return for the one he gave.
+
+The men of Ulster were utterly ashamed, but Conall Cearnach, who
+was present that night, made a new agreement with the stranger. He
+gave a blow which beheaded the giant, but again, when the latter
+returned whole and sound on the following evening, the champion
+was not to be found.
+
+Now it was the turn of Cuchulain, who, as the others had done, cut
+off the giant's head at one stroke. The next day the members of
+Conor's court watched Cuchulain to see what he would do. They
+would not have been surprised if he had failed like the others,
+who now were present. The champion, however, showed no signs of
+failing or retreat. He sat sorrowfully in his place, and with a
+sigh said to King Conor as they waited: "Do not leave this place
+till all is over. Death is coming to me very surely, but I must
+fulfil my agreement, for I would rather die than break my word."
+
+Towards the close of day the stranger strode into the hall
+exultant.
+
+"Where is Cuchulain?" he cried.
+
+"Here I am," was the reply.
+
+"Ah, poor boy! your speech is sad to-night, and the fear of death
+lies heavy on you; but at least you have redeemed your word and
+have not failed me."
+
+The youth rose from his seat and went towards him, as he stood
+with the great axe ready, and knelt to receive the blow.
+
+The hero of Ulster laid his head on the block; but the giant was
+not satisfied. "Stretch out your neck better," said he.
+
+"You are playing with me, to torment me," said Cuchulain. "Slay me
+now speedily, for I did not keep you waiting last night."
+
+However, he stretched out his neck as ordered, and the stranger
+raised his axe till it crashed upwards through the rafters of the
+hall, like the crash of trees falling in a storm. When the axe
+came down with a terrific sound all men looked fearfully at
+Cuchulain. The descending axe had not even touched him; it had
+come down with the blunt side on the ground, and the youth knelt
+there unharmed. Smiling at him, and leaning on his axe, stood no
+terrible and hideous stranger, but Curoi of Kerry, come to give
+his decision at last.
+
+"Rise up, Cuchulain," said Curoi. "There is none among all the
+heroes of Ulster to equal you in courage and loyalty and truth.
+The Championship of the Heroes of Ireland is yours from this day
+forth, and the Champion's Portion at all feasts; and to your wife
+I adjudge the first place among all the women of Ulster. Woe to
+him who dares to dispute this decision!" Thereupon Curoi vanished,
+and the warriors gathered around Cuchulain, and all with one voice
+acclaimed him the Champion of the Heroes of all Ireland--a title
+which has clung to him until this day.
+
+This is one of many stories told of the Irish champion, whose
+deeds of bravery would fill many pages. Cuchulain finally came to
+his end on the field of battle, after a fight in which he
+displayed all his usual gallantry but in which unfair means were
+used to overcome him.
+
+For Wales and for England during centuries Arthur has been the
+representative "very gentle perfect knight." In a similar way, in
+England's sister isle, Cuchulain stands ever for the highest
+ideals of the Irish Gaels.
+
+
+
+
+
+HEREWARD THE WAKE
+
+
+In Hereward the Wake (or "Watchful") is found one of those heroes
+whose date can be ascertained with a fair amount of exactness and
+yet in whose story occur mythological elements which seem to
+belong to all ages. The folklore of primitive races is a great
+storehouse whence a people can choose tales and heroic deeds to
+glorify its own national hero, careless that the same tales and
+deeds have done duty for other peoples and other heroes. Hence it
+happens that Hereward the Saxon, a patriot hero as real and actual
+as Nelson or George Washington, whose deeds were recorded in prose
+and verse within forty years of his death, was even then
+surrounded by a cloud of romance and mystery, which hid in
+vagueness his family, his marriage, and even his death.
+
+Briefly it may be stated that Hereward was a native of
+Lincolnshire, and was in his prime about 1070. In that year he
+joined a party of Danes who appeared in England, attacked
+Peterborough and sacked the abbey there, and afterward took refuge
+in the Isle of Ely. Here he was besieged by William the Conqueror,
+and was finally forced to yield to the Norman. He thus came to
+stand for the defeated Saxon race, and his name has been passed
+down as that of the darling hero of the Saxons. For his splendid
+defence of Ely they forgave his final surrender to Duke William;
+they attributed to him all the virtues supposed to be inherent in
+the free-born, and all the glorious valor on which the English
+prided themselves; and, lastly, they surrounded his death with a
+halo of desperate fighting, and made his last conflict as
+wonderful as that of Roland at Roncesvalles. If Roland is the
+ideal of Norman feudal chivalry, Hereward is equally the ideal of
+Anglo-Saxon sturdy manliness and knighthood.
+
+An account of one of Hereward's adventures as a youth will serve
+as illustration of the stories told of his prowess. On an enforced
+visit to Cornwall, he found that King Alef, a petty British chief,
+had betrothed his fair daughter to a terrible Pictish giant,
+breaking off, in order to do it, her troth-plight with Prince
+Sigtryg of Waterford, son of a Danish king in Ireland. Hereward,
+ever chivalrous, picked a quarrel with the giant and killed him in
+fair fight, whereupon the king threw him into prison. In the
+following night, however, the released princess arranged that the
+gallant Saxon should be freed and sent hot-foot for her lover,
+Prince Sigtryg. After many adventures Hereward reached the prince,
+who hastened to return to Cornwall with the young hero. But to the
+grief of both, they learned upon their arrival that the princess
+had just been betrothed to a wild Cornish hero, Haco, and the
+wedding feast was to be held that very day. Sigtryg at once sent a
+troop of forty Danes to King Alef demanding the fulfilment of the
+troth-plight between himself and his daughter, and threatening
+vengeance if it were broken. To this threat the king returned no
+answer, and no Dane came back to tell of their reception.
+
+Sigtryg would have waited till morning, trusting in the honor of
+the king, but Hereward disguised himself as a minstrel and
+obtained admission to the bridal feast, where he soon won applause
+by his beautiful singing. The bridegroom, Haco, in a rapture
+offered him any boon he liked to ask, but he demanded only a cup
+of wine from the hands of the bride. When she brought it to him he
+flung into the empty cup the betrothal ring, the token she had
+sent to Sigtryg, and said: "I thank thee, lady, and would reward
+thee for thy gentleness to a wandering minstrel; I give back the
+cup, richer than before by the kind thoughts of which it bears the
+token." The princess looked at him, gazed into the goblet, and saw
+her ring; then, looking again, she recognized her deliverer and
+knew that rescue was at hand.
+
+While men feasted Hereward listened and talked, and found out that
+the forty Danes were prisoners, to be released on the morrow when
+Haco was sure of his bride, but released useless and miserable,
+since they would be turned adrift blinded. Haco was taking his
+lovely bride back to his own land, and Hereward saw that any
+rescue, to be successful, must be attempted on the march.
+
+Returning to Sigtryg, the young Saxon told all that he had
+learned, and the Danes planned an ambush in the ravine where Haco
+had decided to blind and set free his captives. The whole was
+carried out exactly as Hereward arranged it. The Cornishmen, with
+the Danish captives, passed first without attack; next came Haco,
+riding grim and ferocious beside his silent bride, he exulting in
+his success, she looking eagerly for any signs of rescue. As they
+passed Hereward sprang from his shelter, crying, "Upon them,
+Danes, and set your brethren free!" and himself struck down Haco
+and smote off his head. There was a short struggle, but soon the
+rescued Danes were able to aid their deliverers, and the Cornish
+guards were all slain; the men of King Alef, never very zealous
+for the cause of Haco, fled, and the Danes were left masters of
+the field.
+
+Sigtryg had in the meantime seen to the safety of the princess,
+and now, placing her between himself and Hereward, he escorted her
+to the ship, which soon brought them to Waterford and a happy
+bridal. The Prince and Princess of Waterford always recognized in
+Hereward their deliverer and best friend, and in their gratitude
+wished him to dwell with them always; but the hero's roving and
+daring temper forbade his settling down, but rather urged him on
+to deeds of arms in other lands, where he quickly won a renown
+second to none.
+
+
+
+
+
+ROBIN HOOD
+
+
+Among the earliest heirlooms of the Anglo-Saxon tongue are the
+songs and legends of Robin Hood and his merry outlaws, which have
+charmed readers young and old for more than six hundred years.
+These entertaining stories date back to the time when Chaucer
+wrote his "Canterbury Tales," when the minstrel and scribe stood
+in the place of the more prim and precise modern printed book.
+
+The question of whether or not Robin Hood was a real person has
+been asked for many years, just as a similar question has been
+asked about William Tell and others whom everyone would much
+rather accept on faith. It cannot be answered by a brief "yes" or
+"no," even though learned men have pored over ancient records and
+have written books on the subject. According to the general belief
+Robin was an outlaw in the reign of Richard I, when in the depths
+of Sherwood Forest he entertained one hundred tall men, all good
+archers, with the spoil he took; but "he suffered no woman to be
+oppressed or otherwise molested; poore men's goods he spared,
+abundantlie relieving them with that which by theft he got from
+abbeys and houses of rich carles." Consequently Robin was an
+immense favorite with the common people.
+
+This popularity extended from the leader to all the members of his
+hardy band. "God save Robin Hood and all his good yeomanry" is the
+ending of many old ballads. The clever archer who could outshoot
+his fellows, the brave yeoman inured to blows, and the man who
+could be true to his friends through thick and thin were favorites
+for all time; and they have been idealized in the persons of Robin
+Hood and his merry outlaws.
+
+One of the best-known stories of this picturesque figure of early
+English times is that given by Sir Walter Scott in "Ivanhoe,"
+concerning the archery contest during the rule or misrule of
+Prince John, in the absence of Richard from the kingdom. Robin
+Hood, under the assumed name of Locksley, boldly presents himself
+at a royal tournament at Ashby, as competitor for the prize in
+shooting with the long-bow. From the eight or ten archers who
+enter the contest, the number finally narrows down to two,--
+Hubert, a forester in the service of one of the king's nobles, and
+Locksley or Robin Hood. Hubert takes the first shot in the final
+trial of skill, and lands his arrow within the inner ring of the
+target, but not exactly in the centre.
+
+"'You have not allowed for the wind, Hubert,' said Locksley, 'or
+that had been a better shot.'
+
+"So saying, and without showing the least anxiety to pause upon
+his aim, Locksley stepped to the appointed station, and shot his
+arrow as carelessly in appearance as if he had not even looked at
+the mark. He was speaking almost at the instant that the shaft
+left the bow-string, yet it alighted in the target two inches
+nearer to the white spot which marked the centre than that of
+Hubert.
+
+"'By the light of Heaven!' said Prince John to Hubert, 'an thou
+suffer that runagate knave to overcome thee, thou art worthy of
+the gallows!'
+
+"Hubert had but one set speech for all occasions. 'An your
+highness were to hang me,' he said, 'a man can but do his best.
+Nevertheless, my grandsire drew a good bow--'
+
+"'The foul fiend on thy grandsire and all his generation!'
+interrupted John; 'shoot, knave, and shoot thy best, or it shall
+be worse for thee!'
+
+"Thus exhorted, Hubert resumed his place, and not neglecting the
+caution which he had received from his adversary, he made the
+necessary allowance for a very light air of wind, which had just
+risen, and shot so successfully that his arrow alighted in the
+very centre of the target.
+
+"'A Hubert! a Hubert!' shouted the populace, more interested in a
+known person than in a stranger. 'In the clout!--in the clout!--a
+Hubert forever!'
+
+"'Thou canst not mend that shot, Locksley,' said the Prince, with
+an insulting smile.
+
+"'I will notch his shaft for him, however,' replied Locksley.
+
+"And letting fly his arrow with a little more precaution than
+before, it lighted right upon that of his competitor, which it
+split to shivers. The people who stood around were so astonished
+at his wonderful dexterity, that they could not even give vent to
+their surprise in their usual clamor. 'This must be the devil, and
+no man of flesh and blood,' whispered the yeomen to each other;
+'such archery was never seen since a bow was first bent in
+Britain.'
+
+"'And now,' said Locksley, 'I will crave your Grace's permission
+to plant such a mark as is used in the North Country; and welcome
+every brave yeoman who shall try a shot at it to win a smile from
+the bonny lass he loves best.'"
+
+Locksley thereupon sets up a willow wand, six feet long and as
+thick as a man's thumb. Hubert is forced to decline the honor of
+taking part in such a trial of archery skill, but his rival easily
+splits the wand at a distance of three hundred feet and carries
+off the prize.
+
+"Even Prince John, in admiration of Locksley's skill, lost for an
+instant his dislike to his person. 'These twenty nobles,' he said,
+'which, with the bugle, thou hast fairly won, are thine own; we
+will make them fifty, if thou wilt take livery and service with us
+as a yeoman of our bodyguard, and be near to our person. For never
+did so strong a hand bend a bow, or so true an eye direct a
+shaft.'" [Footnote: Ivanhoe, Vol. 1, chap. XIII.]
+
+Locksley, however, declares that it is impossible for him to enter
+the Prince's service, generously shares his prize with the worthy
+Hubert, and retires once more to his beloved haunts among the
+lights and shadows of the good greenwood.
+
+
+
+
+
+LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE
+
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+Those who have investigated the origin of the romantic fables
+relating to Charlemagne and his peers are of opinion that the
+deeds of Charles Martel, and perhaps of other Charleses, have been
+blended in popular tradition with those properly belonging to
+Charlemagne. It was indeed a most momentous era; and if our
+readers will have patience, before entering on the perusal of the
+fabulous annals which we are about to lay before them, to take a
+rapid survey of the real history of the times, they will find it
+hardly less romantic than the tales of the poets.
+
+In the century beginning from the year 600, the countries
+bordering upon the native land of our Saviour, to the east and
+south, had not yet received his religion. Arabia was the seat of
+an idolatrous religion resembling that of the ancient Persians,
+who worshipped the sun, moon, and stars. In Mecca, in the year
+571, Mahomet was born, and here, at the age of forty, he
+proclaimed himself the prophet of God, in dignity as superior to
+Christ as Christ had been to Moses. Having obtained by slow
+degrees a considerable number of disciples, he resorted to arms to
+diffuse his religion. The energy and zeal of his followers, aided
+by the weakness of the neighboring nations, enabled him and his
+successors to spread the sway of Arabia and the religion of
+Mahomet over the countries to the east as far as the Indus,
+northward over Persia and Asia Minor, westward over Egypt and the
+southern shores of the Mediterranean, and thence over the
+principal portion of Spain. All this was done within one hundred
+years from the Hegira, or flight of Mahomet from Mecca to Medina,
+which happened in the year 622, and is the era from which
+Mahometans reckon time, as we do from the birth of Christ.
+
+From Spain the way was open for the Saracens (so the followers of
+Mahomet were called) into France, the conquest of which, if
+achieved, would have been followed very probably by that of all
+the rest of Europe, and would have resulted in the banishment of
+Christianity from the earth. For Christianity was not at that day
+universally professed, even by those nations which we now regard
+as foremost in civilization. Great part of Germany, Britain,
+Denmark, and Russia were still pagan or barbarous.
+
+At that time there ruled in France, though without the title of
+king, the first of those illustrious Charleses of whom we have
+spoken, Charles Martel, the grandfather of Charlemagne. The
+Saracens of Spain had made incursions into France in 712 and 718,
+and had retired, carrying with them a vast booty. In 725, Anbessa,
+who was then the Saracen governor of Spain, crossed the Pyrenees
+with a numerous army, and took by storm the strong town of
+Carcassone. So great was the terror excited by this invasion, that
+the country for a wide extent submitted to the conqueror, and a
+Mahometan governor for the province was appointed and installed at
+Narbonne. Anbessa, however, received a fatal wound in one of his
+engagements, and the Saracens, being thus checked from further
+advance, retired to Narbonne.
+
+In 732 the Saracens again invaded France under Abdalrahman,
+advanced rapidly to the banks of the Garonne, and laid siege to
+Bordeaux. The city was taken by assault and delivered up to the
+soldiery. The invaders still pressed forward, and spread over the
+territories of Orleans, Auxerre and Sens. Their advanced parties
+were suddenly called in by their chief, who had received
+information of the rich abbey of St. Martin of Tours, and resolved
+to plunder and destroy it.
+
+Charles during all this time had done nothing to oppose the
+Saracens, for the reason that the portion of France over which
+their incursions had been made was not at that time under his
+dominion, but constituted an independent kingdom, under the name
+of Aquitaine, of which Eude was king. But now Charles became
+convinced of the danger, and prepared to encounter it. Abdalrahman
+was advancing toward Tours, when intelligence of the approach of
+Charles, at the head of an army of Franks, compelled him to fall
+back upon Poitiers, in order to seize an advantageous field of
+battle.
+
+Charles Martel had called together his warriors from every part of
+his dominions, and, at the head of such an army as had hardly ever
+been seen in France, crossed the Loire, probably at Orleans, and,
+being joined by the remains of the army of Aquitaine, came in
+sight of the Arabs in the month of October, 732. The Saracens seem
+to have been aware of the terrible enemy they were now to
+encounter, and for the first time these formidable conquerors
+hesitated. The two armies remained in presence during seven days
+before either ventured to begin the attack; but at length the
+signal for battle was given by Abdalrahman, and the immense mass
+of the Saracen army rushed with fury on the Franks. But the heavy
+line of the Northern warriors remained like a rock, and the
+Saracens, during nearly the whole day, expended their strength in
+vain attempts to make any impression upon them. At length, about
+four o'clock in the afternoon, when Abdalrahman was preparing for
+a new and desperate attempt to break the line of the Franks, a
+terrible clamor was heard in the rear of the Saracens. It was King
+Eude, who, with his Aquitanians, had attacked their camp, and a
+great part of the Saracen army rushed tumultuously from the field
+to protect their plunder. In this moment of confusion the line of
+the Franks advanced, and, sweeping the field before it, carried
+fearful slaughter amongst the enemy. Abdalrahman made desperate
+efforts to rally his troops, but when he himself, with the bravest
+of his officers, fell beneath the swords of the Christians, all
+order disappeared, and the remains of his army sought refuge in
+their immense camp, from which Eude and his Aquitanians had been
+repulsed. It was now late, and Charles, unwilling to risk an
+attack on the camp in the dark, withdrew his army, and passed the
+night in the plain, expecting to renew the battle in the morning.
+
+Accordingly, when daylight came, the Franks drew up in order of
+battle, but no enemy appeared; and when at last they ventured to
+approach the Saracen camp they found it empty. The invaders had
+taken advantage of the night to begin their retreat, and were
+already on their way back to Spain, leaving their immense plunder
+behind to fall into the hands of the Franks.
+
+This was the celebrated battle of Tours, in which vast numbers of
+the Saracens were slain, and only fifteen hundred of the Franks.
+Charles received the surname of Martel (the Hammer) in consequence
+of this victory.
+
+The Saracens, notwithstanding this severe blow, continued to hold
+their ground in the south of France; but Pepin, the son of Charles
+Martel, who succeeded to his father's power, and assumed the title
+of king, successively took from them the strong places they held;
+and in 759, by the capture of Narbonne, their capital,
+extinguished the remains of their power in France.
+
+Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, succeeded his father, Pepin, on
+the throne in the year 768. This prince, though the hero of
+numerous romantic legends, appears greater in history than in
+fiction. Whether we regard him as a warrior or as a legislator, as
+a patron of learning or as the civilizer of a barbarous nation, he
+is entitled to our warmest admiration. Such he is in history; but
+the romancers represent him as often weak and passionate, the
+victim of treacherous counsellors, and at the mercy of turbulent
+barons, on whose prowess he depends for the maintenance of his
+throne. The historical representation is doubtless the true one,
+for it is handed down in trustworthy records, and is confirmed by
+the events of the age. At the height of his power, the French
+empire extended over what we now call France, Germany,
+Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, and great part of Italy.
+
+In the year 800 Charlemagne, being in Rome, whither he had gone
+with a numerous army to protect the Pope, was crowned by the
+Pontiff Emperor of the West. On Christmas day Charles entered the
+Church of St. Peter, as if merely to take his part in the
+celebration of the mass with the rest of the congregation. When he
+approached the altar and stooped in the act of prayer the Pope
+stepped forward and placed a crown of gold upon his head; and
+immediately the Roman people shouted, "Life and victory to Charles
+the August, crowned by God the great and pacific Emperor of the
+Romans." The Pope then prostrated himself before him, and paid him
+reverence, according to the custom established in the times of the
+ancient Emperors, and concluded the ceremony by anointing him with
+consecrated oil.
+
+Charlemagne's wars were chiefly against the pagan and barbarous
+people, who, under the name of Saxons, inhabited the countries now
+called Hanover and Holland. He also led expeditions against the
+Saracens of Spain; but his wars with the Saracens were not carried
+on, as the romances assert, in France, but on the soil of Spain.
+He entered Spain by the Eastern Pyrenees, and made an easy
+conquest of Barcelona and Pampeluna. But Saragossa refused to open
+her gates to him, and Charles ended by negotiating and accepting a
+vast sum of gold as the price of his return over the Pyrenees.
+
+On his way back, he marched with his whole army through the gorges
+of the mountains by way of the valleys of Engui, Eno, and
+Roncesvalles. The chief of this region had waited upon
+Charlemagne, on his advance, as a faithful vassal of the monarchy;
+but now, on the return of the Franks, he had called together all
+the wild mountaineers who acknowledged him as their chief, and
+they occupied the heights of the mountains under which the army
+had to pass. The main body of the troops met with no obstruction,
+and received no intimation of danger; but the rear-guard, which
+was considerably behind, and encumbered with its plunder, was
+overwhelmed by the mountaineers in the pass of Roncesvalles, and
+slain to a man. Some of the bravest of the Prankish chiefs
+perished on this occasion, among whom is mentioned Roland or
+Orlando, governor of the marches or frontier of Brittany. His name
+became famous in after times, and the disaster of Roncesvalles and
+death of Roland became eventually the most celebrated episode in
+the vast cycle of romance.
+
+Though after this there were hostile encounters between the armies
+of Charlemagne and the Saracens, they were of small account, and
+generally on the soil of Spain. Thus the historical foundation for
+the stories of the romancers is but scanty, unless we suppose the
+events of an earlier and of a later age to be incorporated with
+those of Charlemagne's own time.
+
+There is, however, a pretended history, which for a long time was
+admitted as authentic, and attributed to Turpin, Archbishop of
+Rheims, a real personage of the time of Charlemagne. Its title is
+"History of Charles the Great and Orlando." It is now
+unhesitatingly considered as a collection of popular traditions,
+produced by some credulous and unscrupulous monk, who thought to
+give dignity to his romance by ascribing its authorship to a well-
+known and eminent individual. It introduces its pretended author,
+Bishop Turpin, in this manner:
+
+"Turpin, Archbishop of Rheims, the friend and secretary of Charles
+the Great, excellently skilled in sacred and profane literature,
+of a genius equally adapted to prose and verse, the advocate of
+the poor, beloved of God in his life and conversation, who often
+fought the Saracens, hand to hand, by the Emperor's side, he
+relates the acts of Charles the Great in one book, and flourished
+under Charles and his son Louis, to the year of our Lord eight
+hundred and thirty."
+
+The titles of some of Archbishop Turpin's chapters will show the
+nature of his history. They are these: "Of the Walls of Pampeluna,
+that fell of themselves." "Of the War of the holy Facundus, where
+the Spears grew." (Certain of the Christians fixed their spears in
+the evening, erect in the ground, before the castle; and found
+them, in the morning, covered with bark and branches.) "How the
+Sun stood still for Three Days, and of the Slaughter of Four
+Thousand Saracens."
+
+Turpin's history has perhaps been the source of the marvellous
+adventures which succeeding poets and romancers have accumulated
+around the names of Charlemagne and his Paladins, or Peers. But
+Ariosto and the other Italian poets have drawn from different
+sources, and doubtless often from their own invention, numberless
+other stories which they attribute to the same heroes, not
+hesitating to quote as their authority "the good Turpin," though
+his history contains no trace of them; and the more outrageous the
+improbability, or rather the impossibility, of their narrations,
+the more attentive are they to cite "the Archbishop," generally
+adding their testimonial to his unquestionable veracity.
+
+The principal Italian poets who have sung the adventures of the
+peers of Charlemagne are Pulci, Boiardo, and Ariosto. The
+characters of Orlando, Rinaldo, Astolpho, Gano, and others, are
+the same in all, though the adventures attributed to them are
+different. Boiardo tells us of the loves of Orlando, Ariosto of
+his disappointment and consequent madness, Pulci of his death.
+
+Ogier, the Dane, is a real personage. History agrees with romance
+in representing him as a powerful lord who, originally from
+Denmark and a Pagan, embraced Christianity, and took service under
+Charlemagne. He revolted from the Emperor, and was driven into
+exile. He afterwards led one of those bands of piratical Northmen
+which ravaged France under the reigns of Charlemagne's degenerate
+successors. The description which an ancient chronicler gives of
+Charlemagne, as described by Ogier, is so picturesque, that we are
+tempted to transcribe it. Charlemagne was advancing to the siege
+of Pavia. Didier, King of the Lombards, was in the city with
+Ogier, to whom he had given refuge. When they learned that the
+king was approaching they mounted a high tower, whence they could
+see far and wide over the country. "They first saw advancing the
+engines of war, fit for the armies of Darius or Julius Caesar.
+'There is Charlemagne,' said Didier. 'No,' said Ogier. The Lombard
+next saw a vast body of soldiers, who filled all the plain.
+'Certainly Charles advanced with that host,' said the king. 'Not
+yet,' replied Ogier. 'What hope for us,' resumed the king, 'if he
+brings with him a greater host than that?' At last Charles
+appeared, his head covered with an iron helmet, his hands with
+iron gloves, his breast and shoulders with a cuirass of iron, his
+left hand holding an iron lance, while his right hand grasped his
+sword. Those who went before the monarch, those who marched at his
+side, and those who followed him, all had similar arms. Iron
+covered the fields and the roads; iron points reflected the rays
+of the sun. This iron, so hard, was borne by a people whose hearts
+were harder still. The blaze of the weapons flashed terror into
+the streets of the city."
+
+This picture of Charlemagne in his military aspect would be
+incomplete without a corresponding one of his "mood of peace." One
+of the greatest of modern historians, M. Guizot, has compared the
+glory of Charlemagne to a brilliant meteor, rising suddenly out of
+the darkness of barbarism to disappear no less suddenly in the
+darkness of feudalism. But the light of this meteor was not
+extinguished, and reviving civilization owed much that was
+permanently beneficial to the great Emperor of the Franks. His
+ruling hand is seen in the legislation of his time, as well as in
+the administration of the laws. He encouraged learning; he upheld
+the clergy, who were the only peaceful and intellectual class,
+against the encroaching and turbulent barons; he was an
+affectionate father, and watched carefully over the education of
+his children, both sons and daughters. Of his encouragement of
+learning we will give some particulars.
+
+He caused learned men to be brought from Italy and from other
+foreign countries to revive the public schools of France, which
+had been prostrated by the disorders of preceding times. He
+recompensed these learned men liberally, and kept some of them
+near himself, honoring them with his friendship. Of these the most
+celebrated is Alcuin, an Englishman, whose writings still remain,
+and prove him to have been both a learned and a wise man. With the
+assistance of Alcuin, and others like him, he founded an academy
+or royal school, which should have the direction of the studies of
+all the schools of the kingdom. Charlemagne himself was a member
+of this academy on equal terms with the rest. He attended its
+meetings, and fulfilled all the duties of an academician. Each
+member took the name of some famous man of antiquity. Alcuin
+called himself Horace, another took the name of Augustin, a third
+of Pindar. Charlemagne, who knew the Psalms by heart, and who had
+an ambition to be, according to his conception, A KING AFTER GOD'S
+OWN HEART, received from his brother academicians the name of
+David.
+
+Of the respect entertained for him by foreign nations an
+interesting proof is afforded in the embassy sent to him by the
+Caliph of the Arabians, the celebrated Haroun al Raschid, a prince
+in character and conduct not unlike to Charlemagne. The
+ambassadors brought with them, besides other rich presents, a
+clock, the first that was seen in Europe, which excited universal
+admiration. It had the form of a twelve-sided edifice with twelve
+doors. These doors formed niches, in each of which was a little
+statue representing one of the hours. At the striking of the hour
+the doors, one for each stroke, was seen to open, and from the
+doors to issue as many of the little statues, which, following one
+another, marched gravely round the tower. The motion of the clock
+was caused by water, and the striking was effected by balls of
+brass equal to the number of the hours, which fell upon a cymbal
+of the same metal, the number falling being determined by the
+discharge of the water, which, as it sunk in the vessel, allowed
+their escape.
+
+Charlemagne was succeeded by his son Louis, a well-intentioned but
+feeble prince, in whose reign the fabric reared by Charles began
+rapidly to crumble. Louis was followed successively by two
+Charleses, incapable princes, whose weak and often tyrannical
+conduct is no doubt the source of incidents of that character
+ascribed in the romances to Charlemagne.
+
+The lawless and disobedient deportment of Charles's paladins,
+instances of which are so frequent in the romantic legends, was
+also a trait of the declining empire, but not of that of
+Charlemagne.
+
+THE PEERS, OR PALADINS
+
+The twelve most illustrious knights of Charlemagne were called
+Peers, for the equality that reigned among them; while the name of
+Paladins, also conferred on them, implies that they were inmates
+of the palace and companions of the king. Their names are always
+given alike by the romancers, yet we may enumerate the most
+distinguished of them as follows: Orlando or Roland (the former
+the Italian, the latter the French form of the name), favorite
+nephew of Charlemagne; Rinaldo of Montalban, cousin of Orlando;
+Namo, Duke of Bavaria; Salomon, king of Brittany; Turpin, the
+Archbishop; Astolpho, of England; Ogier, the Dane; Malagigi, the
+Enchanter; and Florismart, the friend of Orlando. There were
+others who are sometimes named as paladins, and the number cannot
+be strictly limited to twelve. Charlemagne himself must be counted
+one, and Ganelon, or Gano, of Mayence, the treacherous enemy of
+all the rest, was rated high on the list by his deluded sovereign,
+who was completely the victim of his arts.
+
+We shall introduce more particularly to our readers a few of the
+principal peers, leaving the others to make their own introduction
+as they appear in the course of our narrative. We begin with
+Orlando.
+
+ORLANDO
+
+Milon, or Milone, a knight of great family, and distantly related
+to Charlemagne, having secretly married Bertha, the Emperor's
+sister, was banished from France, and excommunicated by the Pope.
+After a long and miserable wandering on foot as mendicants Milon
+and his wife arrived at Sutri, in Italy, where they took refuge in
+a cave, and in that cave Orlando was born. There his mother
+continued, deriving a scanty support from the compassion of the
+neighboring peasants; while Milon, in quest of honor and fortune,
+went into foreign lands. Orlando grew up among the children of the
+peasantry, surpassing them all in strength and manly graces. Among
+his companions in age, though in station far more elevated, was
+Oliver, son of the governor of the town. Between the two boys a
+feud arose that led to a fight, in which Orlando thrashed his
+rival; but this did not prevent a friendship springing up between
+the two, which lasted through life.
+
+Orlando was so poor that he was sometimes half naked. As he was a
+favorite of the boys, one day four of them brought some cloth to
+make him clothes. Two brought white and two red; and from this
+circumstance Orlando took his coat-of-arms, or quarterings.
+
+When Charlemagne was on his way to Rome to receive the imperial
+crown he dined in public in Sutri. Orlando and his mother that day
+had nothing to eat, and Orlando coming suddenly upon the royal
+party, and seeing abundance of provisions, seized from the
+attendants as much as he could carry off, and made good his
+retreat in spite of their resistance. The Emperor, being told of
+this incident, was reminded of an intimation he had received in a
+dream, and ordered the boy to be followed. This was done by three
+of the knights, whom Orlando would have encountered with a cudgel
+on their entering the grotto, had not his mother restrained him.
+When they heard from her who she was they threw themselves at her
+feet, and promised to obtain her pardon from the Emperor. This was
+easily effected. Orlando was received into favor by the Emperor,
+returned with him to France, and so distinguished himself that he
+became the most powerful support of the throne and of
+Christianity. [Footnote: It is plain that Shakspeare borrowed from
+this source the similar incident in his "As you Like it." The
+names of characters in the play, Orlando, Oliver, Rowland indicate
+the same thing.]
+
+ROLAND AND FERRAGUS
+
+Orlando, or Roland, particularly distinguished himself by his
+combat with Ferragus. Ferragus was a giant, and moreover his skin
+was of such impenetrable stuff that no sword could make any
+impression upon it. The giant's mode of fighting was to seize his
+adversary in his arms and carry him off, in spite of all the
+struggles he could make. Roland's utmost skill only availed to
+keep him out of the giant's clutches, but all his efforts to wound
+him with the sword were useless. After long fighting Ferragus was
+so weary that he proposed a truce, and when it was agreed upon he
+lay down and immediately fell asleep. He slept in perfect
+security, for it was against all the laws of chivalry to take
+advantage of an adversary under such circumstances. But Ferragus
+lay so uncomfortably for the want of a pillow that Orlando took
+pity upon him, and brought a smooth stone and placed it under his
+head. When the giant woke up, after a refreshing nap, and
+perceived what Orlando had done, he seemed quite grateful, became
+sociable, and talked freely in the usual boastful style of such
+characters. Among other things he told Orlando that he need not
+attempt to kill him with a sword, for that every part of his body
+was invulnerable, except this; and as he spoke, he put his hand to
+the vital part, just in the middle of his breast. Aided by this
+information Orlando succeeded, when the fight was renewed, in
+piercing the giant in the very spot he had pointed out, and giving
+him a death-wound. Great was the rejoicing in the Christian camp,
+and many the praises showered upon the victorious paladin by the
+Emperor and all his host.
+
+On another occasion Orlando encountered a puissant Saracen
+warrior, and took from him, as the prize of victory, the sword
+Durindana. This famous weapon had once belonged to the illustrious
+prince Hector of Troy. It was of the finest workmanship, and of
+such strength and temper that no armor in the world could stand
+against it.
+
+A ROLAND FOR AN OLIVER
+
+Guerin de Montglave held the lordship of Vienne, subject to
+Charlemagne. He had quarrelled with his sovereign, and Charles
+laid siege to his city, having ravaged the neighboring country.
+Guerin was an aged warrior, but relied for his defence upon his
+four sons and two grandsons, who were among the bravest knights of
+the age. After the siege had continued two months Charlemagne
+received tidings that Marsilius, king of Spain, had invaded
+France, and, finding himself unopposed, was advancing rapidly in
+the Southern provinces. At this intelligence Charles listened to
+the counsel of his peers, and consented to put the quarrel with
+Guerin to the decision of Heaven, by single combat between two
+knights, one of each party, selected by lot. The proposal was
+acceptable to Guerin and his sons. The names of the four, together
+with Guerin's own, who would not be excused, and of the two
+grandsons, who claimed their lot, being put into a helmet,
+Oliver's was drawn forth, and to him, the youngest of the
+grandsons, was assigned the honor and the peril of the combat. He
+accepted the award with delight, exulting in being thought worthy
+to maintain the cause of his family. On Charlemagne's side Roland
+was the designated champion, and neither he nor Oliver knew who
+his antagonist was to be.
+
+They met on an island in the Rhone, and the warriors of both camps
+were ranged on either shore, spectators of the battle. At the
+first encounter both lances were shivered, but both riders kept
+their seats, immovable. They dismounted, and drew their swords.
+Then ensued a combat which seemed so equal, that the spectators
+could not form an opinion as to the probable issue. Two hours and
+more the knights continued to strike and parry, to thrust and
+ward, neither showing any sign of weariness, nor ever being taken
+at unawares. At length Orlando struck furiously upon Oliver's
+shield, burying Durindana in its edge so deeply that he could not
+draw it back, and Oliver, almost at the same moment, thrust so
+vigorously upon Orlando's breastplate that his sword snapped off
+at the handle. Thus were the two warriors left weaponless.
+Scarcely pausing a moment, they rushed upon one another, each
+striving to throw his adversary to the ground, and failing in
+that, each snatched at the other's helmet to tear it away. Both
+succeeded, and at the same moment they stood bare-headed face to
+face, and Roland recognized Oliver, and Oliver Roland. For a
+moment they stood still; and the next, with open arms, rushed into
+one another's embrace. "I am conquered," said Orlando. "I yield
+me." said Oliver.
+
+The people on the shore knew not what to make of all this.
+Presently they saw the two late antagonists standing hand in hand,
+and it was evident the battle was at an end. The knights crowded
+round them, and with one voice hailed them as equals in glory. If
+there were any who felt disposed to murmur that the battle was
+left undecided they were silenced by the voice of Ogier the Dane,
+who proclaimed aloud that all had been done that honor required,
+and declared that he would maintain that award against all
+gainsayers.
+
+The quarrel with Guerin and his sons being left undecided, a truce
+was made for four days, and in that time, by the efforts of Duke
+Namo on the one side, and of Oliver on the other, a reconciliation
+was effected. Charlemagne, accompanied by Guerin and his valiant
+family, marched to meet Marsilius, who hastened to retreat across
+the frontier.
+
+RINALDO
+
+Rinaldo was one of the four sons of Aymon, who married Aya, the
+sister of Charlemagne. Thus Rinaldo was nephew to Charlemagne and
+cousin of Orlando.
+
+When Rinaldo had grown old enough to assume arms Orlando had won
+for himself an illustrious name by his exploits against the
+Saracens, whom Charlemagne and his brave knights had driven out of
+France. Orlando's fame excited a noble emulation in Rinaldo. Eager
+to go in pursuit of glory, he wandered in the country near Paris,
+and one day saw at the foot of a tree a superb horse, fully
+equipped and loaded with a complete suit of armor. Rinaldo clothed
+himself in the armor and mounted the horse, but took not the
+sword. On the day when, with his brothers, he had received the
+honor of knighthood from the Emperor he had sworn never to bind a
+sword to his side till he had wrested one from some famous knight.
+
+Rinaldo took his way to the forest of Arden, celebrated for so
+many adventures. Hardly had he entered it when he met an old man,
+bending under the weight of years, and learned from him that the
+forest was infested with a wild horse, untamable, that broke and
+overturned everything that opposed his career. To attack him, he
+said, or even to meet him, was certain death. Rinaldo, far from
+being alarmed, showed the most eager desire to combat the animal.
+This was the horse Bayard, afterward so famous. He had formerly
+belonged to Amadis of Gaul. After the death of that hero he had
+been held under enchantment by the power of a magician, who
+predicted that, when the time came to break the spell, he should
+be subdued by a knight of the lineage of Amadis, and not less
+brave than he.
+
+To win this wonderful horse it was necessary to conquer him by
+force or skill; for from the moment when he should be thrown down
+he would become docile and manageable. His habitual resort was a
+cave on the borders of the forest; but woe be to any one who
+should approach him, unless gifted with strength and courage more
+than mortal. Having told this, the old man departed. He was not,
+in fact, an old man, but Malagigi, the enchanter, cousin of
+Rinaldo, who, to favor the enterprises of the young knight, had
+procured for him the horse and armor which he so opportunely
+found, and now put him in the way to acquire a horse unequalled in
+the world.
+
+Rinaldo plunged into the forest, and spent many days in seeking
+Bayard, but found no traces of him. One day he encountered a
+Saracen knight, with whom he made acquaintance, as often happened
+to knights, by first meeting him in combat. This knight, whose
+name was Isolier, was also in quest of Bayard. Rinaldo succeeded
+in the encounter, and so severe was the shock that Isolier was a
+long time insensible. When he revived, and was about to resume the
+contest, a peasant who passed by (it was Malagigi) interrupted
+them with the news that the terrible horse was near at hand,
+advising them to unite their powers to subdue him, for it would
+require all their ability.
+
+Rinaldo and Isolier, now become friends, proceeded together to the
+attack of the horse. They found Bayard, and stood a long time,
+concealed by the wood, admiring his strength and beauty.
+
+A bright bay in color (whence he was called Bayard), with a silver
+star in his forehead, and his hind feet white, his body slender,
+his head delicate, his ample chest filled out with swelling
+muscles, his shoulders broad and full, his legs straight and
+sinewy, his thick mane falling over his arching neck,--he came
+rushing through the forest, regardless of rocks, bushes, or trees,
+rending everything that opposed his way, and neighing defiance.
+
+He first descried Isolier, and rushed upon him. The knight
+received him with lance in rest, but the fierce animal broke the
+spear, and his course was not delayed by it for an instant. The
+Spaniard adroitly stepped aside, and gave way to the rushing
+tempest. Bayard checked his career, and turned again upon the
+knight, who had already drawn his sword. He drew his sword, for he
+had no hope of taming the horse; that, he was satisfied, was
+impossible.
+
+Bayard rushed upon him; fiercely rearing, now on this side, now on
+that. The knight struck him with his sword, where the white star
+adorned his forehead, but struck in vain, and felt ashamed,
+thinking that he had struck feebly, for he did not know that the
+skin of that horse was so tough that the keenest sword could make
+no impression upon it.
+
+Whistling fell the sword once more, and struck with greater force,
+and the fierce horse felt it, and drooped his head under the blow,
+but the next moment turned upon his foe with such a buffet that
+the Pagan fell stunned and lifeless to the earth.
+
+Rinaldo, who saw Isolier fall, and thought that his life was reft,
+darted towards the horse, and, with his fist gave him such a blow
+on the jaws that the blood tinged his mouth with vermilion.
+Quicker than an arrow leaves the bow the horse turned upon him,
+and tried to seize his arm with his teeth.
+
+The knight stepped back, and then, repeating his blow, struck him
+on the forehead. Bayard turned, and kicked with both his feet with
+a force that would have shattered a mountain. Rinaldo was on his
+guard, and evaded his attacks, whether made with head or heels. He
+kept at his side avoiding both; but, making a false step, he at
+last received a terrible blow from the horse's foot, and at the
+shock almost fainted away. A second such blow would have killed
+him, but the horse kicked at random, and a second blow did not
+reach Rinaldo, who in a moment recovered himself. Thus the contest
+continued until by chance Bayard's foot got caught between the
+branches of an oak. Rinaldo seized it and putting forth all his
+strength and address, threw him on the ground.
+
+No sooner had Bayard touched the ground than all his rage
+subsided. No longer an object of terror, he became gentle and
+quiet, yet with dignity in his mildness.
+
+The paladin patted his neck, stroked his breast, and smoothed his
+mane, while the animal neighed and showed delight to be caressed
+by his master. Rinaldo, seeing him now completely subdued, took
+the saddle and trappings from the other horse, and adorned Bayard
+with the spoils.
+
+Rinaldo became one of the most illustrious knights of
+Charlemagne's court,--indeed, the most illustrious, if we except
+Orlando. Yet he was not always so obedient to the Emperor's
+commands as he should have been, and every fault he committed was
+sure to be aggravated by the malice of Gan, Duke of Maganza, the
+treacherous enemy of Rinaldo and all his house.
+
+At one time Rinaldo had incurred the severe displeasure of
+Charlemagne, and been banished from court. Seeing no chance of
+being ever restored to favor, he went to Spain, and entered into
+the service of the Saracen king, Ivo. His brothers, Alardo,
+Ricardo, and Ricciardetto, accompanied him, and all four served
+the king so faithfully that they rose to high favor with him. The
+king gave them land in the mountains on the frontiers of France
+and Spain, and subjected all the country round to Rinaldo's
+authority. There was plenty of marble in the mountains, the king
+furnished workmen, and they built a castle for Rinaldo, surrounded
+with high walls, so as to be almost impregnable. Built of white
+stone, and placed on the brow of a marble promontory, the castle
+shone like a star, and Rinaldo gave it the name of Montalban. Here
+he assembled his friends, many of whom were banished men like
+himself, and the country people furnished them with provisions in
+return for the protection the castle afforded. Yet some of
+Rinaldo's men were lawless, and sometimes the supplies were not
+furnished in sufficient abundance, so that Rinaldo and his
+garrison got a bad name for taking by force what they could not
+obtain by gift; and we sometimes find Montalban spoken of as a
+nest of freebooters, and its defenders called a beggarly garrison.
+
+Charlemagne's displeasure did not last long, and, at the time our
+history commences, Rinaldo and his brothers were completely
+restored to the favor of the Emperor, and none of his cavaliers
+served him with greater zeal and fidelity than they, throughout
+all his wars with the Saracens and Pagans.
+
+THE TOURNAMENT
+
+It was the month of May, and the feast of Pentecost. Charlemagne
+had ordered magnificent festivities, and summoned to them, besides
+his paladins and vassals of the crown, all strangers, Christian or
+Saracen, then sojourning at Paris. Among the guests were King
+Grandonio, from Spain; and Ferrau, the Saracen, with eyes like an
+eagle; Orlando and Rinaldo, the Emperor's nephews; Duke Namo;
+Astolpho, of England, the handsomest man living; Malagigi, the
+Enchanter; and Gano, of Maganza, that wily traitor, who had the
+art to make the Emperor think he loved him, while he plotted
+against him.
+
+High sat Charlemagne at the head of his vassals and his paladins,
+rejoicing in the thought of their number and their might, while
+all were sitting and hearing music, and feasting, when suddenly
+there came into the hall four enormous giants, having between them
+a lady of incomparable beauty, attended by a single knight. There
+were many ladies present who had seemed beautiful till she made
+her appearance, but after that they all seemed nothing. Every
+Christian knight turned his eyes to her, and every Pagan crowded
+round her, while she, with a sweetness that might have touched a
+heart of stone, thus addressed the Emperor:
+
+"High-minded lord, the renown of your worthiness, and of the valor
+of these your knights, which echoes from sea to sea, encourages me
+to hope that two pilgrims, who have come from the ends of the
+world to behold you, will not have encountered their fatigue in
+vain. And, before I show the motive which has brought us hither,
+learn that this knight is my brother Uberto, and that I am his
+sister Angelica. Fame has told us of the jousting this day
+appointed, and so the prince my brother has come to prove his
+valor, and to say that, if any of the knights here assembled
+choose to meet him in the joust, he will encounter them, one by
+one, at the stair of Merlin, by the Fountain of the Pine. And his
+conditions are these: No knight who chances to be thrown shall be
+allowed to renew the combat, but shall remain prisoner to my
+brother; but if my brother be overthrown he shall depart out of
+the country, leaving me as the prize of the conqueror."
+
+Now it must be stated that this Angelica and her brother, who
+called himself Uberto, but whose real name was Argalia, were the
+children of Galafron, king of Cathay, who had sent them to be the
+destruction of the Christian host; for Argalia was armed with an
+enchanted lance, which unfailingly overthrew everything it
+touched, and he was mounted on a horse, a creature of magic, whose
+swiftness outstripped the wind. Angelica possessed also a ring
+which was a defence against all enchantments, and when put into
+the mouth rendered the bearer invisible. Thus Argalia was expected
+to subdue and take prisoners whatever knights should dare to
+encounter him; and the charms of Angelica were relied on to entice
+the paladins to make the fatal venture, while her ring would
+afford her easy means of escape.
+
+When Angelica ceased sneaking she knelt before the king and
+awaited his answer, and everybody gazed on her with admiration.
+Orlando especially felt irresistibly drawn towards her, so that he
+trembled and changed countenance. Every knight in the hall was
+infected with the same feeling, not excepting old white-headed
+Duke Namo and Charlemagne himself.
+
+All stood for a while in silence, lost in the delight of looking
+at her. The fiery youth Ferrau could hardly restrain himself from
+seizing her from the giants and carrying her away; Rinaldo turned
+as red as fire, while Malagigi, who had discovered by his art that
+the stranger was not speaking truth, muttered softly, as he looked
+at her, "Exquisite false creature! I will play thee such a trick
+for this, as will leave thee no cause to boast of thy visit."
+
+Charlemagne, to detain her as long as possible before him, delayed
+his assent till he had asked her a number of questions, all which
+she answered discreetly, and then the challenge was accepted.
+
+As soon as she was gone Malagigi consulted his book, and found out
+the whole plot of the vile, infidel king, Galafron, as we have
+explained it, so he determined to seek the damsel and frustrate
+her designs. He hastened to the appointed spot, and there found
+the prince and his sister in a beautiful pavilion, where they lay
+asleep, while the four giants kept watch. Malagigi took his book
+and cast a spell out of it, and immediately the four giants fell
+into a deep sleep. Drawing his sword (for he was a belted knight),
+he softly approached the young lady, intending to despatch her at
+once; but, seeing her look so lovely, he paused for a moment,
+thinking there was no need of hurry, as he believed his spell was
+upon her, and she could not wake. But the ring which she wore
+secured her from the effect of the spell, and some slight noise,
+or whatever else it was, caused her at that moment to awake. She
+uttered a great cry, and flew to her brother, and waked him. By
+the help of her knowledge of enchantment, they took and bound fast
+the magician, and, seizing his book, turned his arts against
+himself. Then they summoned a crowd of demons, and bade them seize
+their prisoner and bear him to King Galafron, at his great city of
+Albracca, which they did, and, on his arrival, he was locked up in
+a rock under the sea.
+
+While these things were going on all was uproar at Paris, since
+Orlando insisted upon being the first to try the adventure at the
+stair of Merlin. This was resented by the other pretenders to
+Angelica, and all contested his right to the precedence. The
+tumult was stilled by the usual expedient of drawing lots, and the
+first prize was drawn by Astolpho. Ferrau, the Saracen, had the
+second, and Grandonio the third. Next came Berlinghieri, and Otho;
+then Charles himself, and, as his ill-fortune would have it, after
+thirty more, the indignant Orlando.
+
+Astolpho, who drew the first lot, was handsome, brave, and rich.
+But, whether from heedlessness or want of skill, he was an unlucky
+jouster, and very apt to be thrown, an accident which he bore with
+perfect good-humor, always ready to mount again and try to mend
+his fortune, generally with no better success.
+
+Astolpho went forth upon his adventure with great gayety of dress
+and manner, encountered Argalia, and was immediately tilted out of
+the saddle. He railed at fortune, to whom he laid all the fault;
+but his painful feelings were somewhat relieved by the kindness of
+Angelica, who, touched by his youth and good looks, granted him
+the liberty of the pavilion, and caused him to be treated with all
+kindness and respect.
+
+The violent Ferrau had the next chance in the encounter, and was
+thrown no less speedily than Astolpho; but he did not so easily
+put up with his mischance. Crying out, "What are the emperor's
+engagements to me?" he rushed with his sword against Argalia, who,
+being forced to defend himself, dismounted and drew his sword, but
+got so much the worse of the fight that he made a signal of
+surrender, and, after some words, listened to a proposal of
+marriage from Ferrau to his sister. The beauty, however, feeling
+no inclination to match with such a rough and savage-looking
+person, was so dismayed at the offer, that, hastily bidding her
+brother to meet her in the forest of Arden, she vanished from the
+sight of both by means of the enchanted ring. Argalia, seeing
+this, took to his horse of swiftness, and dashed away in the same
+direction. Ferrau pursued him, and Astolpho, thus left to himself,
+took possession of the enchanted lance in place of his own, which
+was broken, not knowing the treasure he possessed in it, and
+returned to the tournament. Charlemagne, finding the lady and her
+brother gone, ordered the jousting to proceed as at first
+intended, in which Astolpho, by aid of the enchanted lance,
+unhorsed all comers against him, equally to their astonishment and
+his own.
+
+The paladin Rinaldo, on learning the issue of the combat of Ferrau
+and the stranger, galloped after the fair fugitive in an agony of
+love and impatience. Orlando, perceiving his disappearance, pushed
+forth in like manner; and, at length, all three are in the forest
+of Arden, hunting about for her who is invisible.
+
+Now in this forest there were two fountains, the one constructed
+by the sage Merlin, who designed it for Tristram and the fair
+Isoude; [Footnote: See their story in "King Arthur and His
+Knights."] for such was the virtue of this fountain, that a
+draught of its waters produced on oblivion of the love which the
+drinker might feel, and even produced aversion for the object
+formerly beloved. The other fountain was endowed with exactly
+opposite qualities, and a draught of it inspired love for the
+first living object that was seen after tasting it. Rinaldo
+happened to come to the first mentioned fountain, and, being
+flushed with heat, dismounted, and quenched in one draught both
+his thirst and his passion. So far from loving Angelica as before
+he hated her from the bottom of his heart, became disgusted with
+the search he was upon, and, feeling fatigued with his ride,
+finding a sheltered and flowery nook, laid himself down and fell
+asleep.
+
+Shortly after came Angelica, but, approaching in a different
+direction, she espied the other fountain, and there quenched her
+thirst. Then resuming her way, she came upon the sleeping Rinaldo.
+Love instantly seized her, and she stood rooted to the spot.
+
+The meadow round was all full of lilies of the valley and wild
+roses. Angelica, not knowing what to do, at length plucked a
+handful of these, and dropped them, one by one, on the face of the
+sleeper. He woke up, and, seeing who it was, received her
+salutations with averted countenance, remounted his horse, and
+galloped away. In vain the beautiful creature followed and called
+after him, in vain asked him what she had done to be so despised.
+Rinaldo disappeared, leaving her in despair, and she returned in
+tears to the spot where she had found him sleeping. There, in her
+turn, she herself lay down, pressing the spot of earth on which he
+had lain, and, out of fatigue and sorrow, fell asleep.
+
+As Angelica thus lay, fortune conducted Orlando to the same place.
+The attitude in which she was sleeping was so lovely that it is
+not to be conceived, much less expressed. Orlando stood gazing
+like a man who had been transported to another sphere. "Am I on
+earth," he exclaimed, "or am I in Paradise? Surely it is I that
+sleep, and this is my dream."
+
+But his dream was proved to be none in a manner which he little
+desired. Ferrau, who had slain Argalia, came up, raging with
+jealousy, and a combat ensued which awoke the sleeper.
+
+Terrified at what she beheld, she rushed to her palfrey, and,
+while the fighters were occupied with one another, fled away
+through the forest. The champions continued their fight till they
+were interrupted by a messenger, who brought word to Ferrau that
+king Marsilius, his sovereign, was in pressing need of his
+assistance, and conjured him to return to Spain. Ferrau, upon
+this, proposed to suspend the combat, to which Orlando, eager to
+pursue Angelica, agreed. Ferrau, on the other hand, departed with
+the messenger to Spain.
+
+Orlando's quest for the fair fugitive was all in vain. Aided by
+the powers of magic, she made a speedy return to her own country.
+
+But the thought of Rinaldo could not be banished from her mind,
+and she determined to set Malagigi at liberty, and to employ him
+to win Rinaldo, if possible, to make her a return of affection.
+She accordingly freed him from his dungeon, unlocking his fetters
+with her own hands, and restored him his book, promising him ample
+honors and rewards on condition of his bringing Rinaldo to her
+feet.
+
+Malagigi accordingly, with the aid of his book, called up a demon,
+mounted him, and departed. Arrived at his destination, he
+inveigled Rinaldo into an enchanted bark, which conveyed him,
+without any visible pilot, to an island where stood an edifice
+called Joyous Castle. The whole island was a garden. On the
+western side, close to the sea, was the palace, built of marble,
+so clear and polished that it reflected the landscape about it.
+Rinaldo leapt ashore, and soon met a lady, who invited him to
+enter. The house was as beautiful within as without, full of rooms
+adorned with azure and gold, and with noble paintings. The lady
+led the knight into an apartment painted with stories, and opening
+to the garden, through pillars of crystal, with golden capitals.
+Here he found a bevy of ladies, three of whom were singing in
+concert, while another played on an instrument of exquisite
+accord, and the rest danced round about them. When the ladies
+beheld him coming they turned the dance into a circuit round him,
+and then one of them, in the sweetest manner, said, "Sir knight,
+the tables are set, and the hour for the banquet is come;" and,
+with these words, still dancing, they drew him across the lawn in
+front of the apartment, to a table that was spread with cloth of
+gold and fine linen, under a bower of damask roses by the side of
+a fountain.
+
+Four ladies were already seated there, who rose, and placed
+Rinaldo at their head, in a chair set with pearls. And truly
+indeed was he astonished. A repast ensued, consisting of viands
+the most delicate, and wines as fragrant as they were fine, drunk
+out of jewelled cups; and, when it drew towards its conclusion,
+harps and lutes were heard in the distance, and one of the ladies
+said in the knight's ear: "This house and all that you see in it
+are yours; for you alone was it built, and the builder is a queen.
+Happy indeed must you think yourself, for she loves you, and she
+is the greatest beauty in the world! Her name is Angelica."
+
+The moment Rinaldo heard the name he so detested he started up,
+with a changed countenance, and, in spite of all that the lady
+could say, broke off across the garden, and never ceased hastening
+till he reached the place where he landed. The bark was still on
+the shore. He sprang into it, and pushed off, though he saw nobody
+in it but himself. It was in vain for him to try to control its
+movements, for it dashed on as if in fury, till it reached a
+distant shore covered with a gloomy forest. Here Rinaldo,
+surrounded by enchantments of a very different sort from those
+which he had lately resisted, was entrapped into a pit.
+
+The pit belonged to a castle called Altaripa, which was hung with
+human heads, and painted red with blood. As the paladin was
+viewing the scene with amazement a hideous old woman made her
+appearance at the edge of the pit, and told him that he was
+destined to be thrown to a monster, who was only kept from
+devastating the whole country by being supplied with living human
+flesh. Rinaldo said, "Be it so; let me but remain armed as I am,
+and I fear nothing." The old woman laughed in derision. Rinaldo
+remained in the pit all night, and the next morning was taken to
+the place where the monster had his den. It was a court surrounded
+by a high wall. Rinaldo was shut in with the beast, and a terrible
+combat ensued. Rinaldo was unable to make any impression on the
+scales of the monster, while he, on the contrary, with his
+dreadful claws, tore away plate and mail from the paladin. Rinaldo
+began to think his last hour was come, and cast his eyes around
+and above to see if there was any means of escape. He perceived a
+beam projecting from the wall at the height of some ten feet, and,
+taking a leap almost miraculous, he succeeded in reaching it, and
+in flinging himself up across it. Here he sat for hours, the
+hideous brute continually trying to reach him. All at once he
+heard the sound of something coming through the air like a bird,
+and suddenly Angelica herself alighted on the end of the beam. She
+held something in her hand towards him, and spoke to him in a
+loving voice. But the moment Rinaldo saw her he commanded her to
+go away, refused all her offers of assistance, and at length
+declared that, if she did not leave him, he would cast himself
+down to the monster, and meet his fate.
+
+Angelica, saying she would lose her life rather than displease
+him, departed; but first she threw to the monster a cake of wax
+she had prepared, and spread around him a rope knotted with
+nooses. The beast took the bait, and, finding his teeth glued
+together by the wax, vented his fury in bounds and leaps, and,
+soon getting entangled in the nooses, drew them tight by his
+struggles, so that he could scarcely move a limb.
+
+Rinaldo, watching his chance, leapt down upon his back, seized him
+round the neck, and throttled him, not relaxing his gripe till the
+beast fell dead.
+
+Another difficulty remained to be overcome. The walls were of
+immense height, and the only opening in them was a grated window
+of such strength that he could not break the bars. In his distress
+Rinaldo found a file, which Angelica had left on the ground, and,
+with the help of this, effected his deliverance.
+
+What further adventures he met with will be told in another
+chapter.
+
+THE SIEGE OF ALBRACCA
+
+At the very time when Charlemagne was holding his plenary court
+and his great tournament his kingdom was invaded by a mighty
+monarch, who was moreover so valiant and strong in battle that no
+one could stand against him. He was named Gradasso, and his
+kingdom was called Sericane. Now, as it often happens to the
+greatest and the richest to long for what they cannot have, and
+thus to lose what they already possess, this king could not rest
+content without Durindana, the sword of Orlando, and Bayard, the
+horse of Rinaldo. To obtain these he determined to war upon
+France, and for this purpose put in array a mighty army.
+
+He took his way through Spain, and, after defeating Marsilius, the
+king of that country, in several battles, was rapidly advancing on
+France. Charlemagne, though Marsilius was a Saracen, and had been
+his enemy, yet felt it needful to succor him in this extremity
+from a consideration of common danger, and, with the consent of
+his peers, despatched Rinaldo with a strong body of soldiers
+against Gradasso.
+
+There was much fighting, with doubtful results, and Gradasso was
+steadily advancing into France. But, impatient to achieve his
+objects, he challenged Rinaldo to single combat, to be fought on
+foot, and upon these conditions: If Rinaldo conquered, Gradasso
+agreed to give up all his prisoners and return to his own country;
+but if Gradasso won the day, he was to have Bayard.
+
+The challenge was accepted, and would have been fought had it not
+been for the arts of Malagigi, who just then returned from
+Angelica's kingdom with set purpose to win Rinaldo to look with
+favor upon the fair princess who was dying for love of him.
+Malagigi drew Rinaldo away from the army by putting on the
+semblance of Gradasso, and, after a short contest, pretending to
+fly before him, by which means Rinaldo was induced to follow him
+into a boat, in which he was borne away, and entangled in various
+adventures, as we have already related.
+
+The army, left under the command of Ricciardetto, Rinaldo's
+brother, was soon joined by Charlemagne and all his peerage, but
+experienced a disastrous rout, and the Emperor and many of his
+paladins were taken prisoners. Gradasso, however, did not abuse
+his victory; he took Charles by the hand, seated him by his side,
+and told him he warred only for honor. He renounced all conquests,
+on condition that the Emperor should deliver to him Bayard and
+Durindana, both of them the property of his vassals, the former of
+which, as he maintained, was already forfeited to him by Rinaldo's
+failure to meet him as agreed. To these terms Charlemagne readily
+acceded.
+
+Bayard, after the departure of his master, had been taken in
+charge by Ricciardetto, and sent back to Paris, where Astolpho was
+in command, in the absence of Charlemagne. Astolpho received with
+great indignation the message despatched for Bayard, and replied
+by a herald that "he would not surrender the horse of his kinsman
+Rinaldo without a contest. If Gradasso wanted the steed he might
+come and take him, and that he, Astolpho, was ready to meet him in
+the field."
+
+Gradasso was only amused at this answer, for Astolpho's fame as a
+successful warrior was not high, and Gradasso willingly renewed
+with him the bargain which he had made with Rinaldo. On these
+conditions the battle was fought. The enchanted lance, in the
+hands of Astolpho, performed a new wonder; and Gradasso, the
+terrible Gradasso, was unhorsed.
+
+He kept his word, set free his prisoners, and put his army on the
+march to return to his own country, renewing his oath, however,
+not to rest till he had taken from Rinaldo his horse, and from
+Orlando his sword, or lost his life in the attempt.
+
+Charlemagne, full of gratitude to Astolpho, would have kept him
+near his person and loaded him with honors, but Astolpho preferred
+to seek Rinaldo, with the view of restoring to him his horse, and
+departed from Paris with that design.
+
+Our story now returns to Orlando, whom we left fascinated with
+the sight of the sleeping beauty, who, however, escaped him while
+engaged in the combat with Ferrau. Having long sought her in vain
+through the recesses of the wood, he resolved to follow her to her
+father's court. Leaving, therefore, the camp of Charlemagne, he
+travelled long in the direction of the East, making inquiry
+everywhere, if, perchance, he might get tidings of the fugitive.
+After many adventures, he arrived one day at a place where many
+roads crossed, and meeting there a courier, he asked him for news.
+The courier replied that he had been despatched by Angelica to
+solicit the aid of Sacripant, king of Circassia, in favor of her
+father Galafron, who was besieged in his city, Albracca, by
+Agrican, king of Tartary. This Agrican had been an unsuccessful
+suitor to the damsel, whom he now pursued with arms. Orlando thus
+learned that he was within a day's journey of Albracca; and,
+feeling now secure of Angelica, he proceeded with all speed to her
+city.
+
+Thus journeying he arrived at a bridge, under which flowed a
+foaming river. Here a damsel met him with a goblet, and informed
+him that it was the usage of this bridge to present the traveller
+with a cup. Orlando accepted the offered cup and drank its
+contents. He had no sooner done so than his brain reeled, and he
+became unconscious of the object of his journey, and of everything
+else. Under the influence of this fascination he followed the
+damsel into a magnificent and marvellous palace. Here he found
+himself in company with many knights, unknown to him and to each
+other, though if it had not been for the Cup of Oblivion of which
+they all had partaken they would have found themselves brothers in
+arms.
+
+Astolpho, proceeding on his way to seek Rinaldo, splendidly
+dressed and equipped, as was his wont, arrived in Circassia, and
+found there a great army encamped under the command of Sacripant,
+the king of that country, who was leading it to the defence of
+Galafron, the father of Angelica. Sacripant, much struck by the
+appearance of Astolpho and his horse, accosted him courteously,
+and tried to enlist him in his service; but Astolpho, proud of his
+late victories, scornfully declined his offers, and pursued his
+way. King Sacripant was too much attracted by his appearance to
+part with him so easily, and having laid aside his kingly
+ornaments, set out in pursuit of him.
+
+Astolpho next day encountered on his way a stranger knight, named
+Sir Florismart, Lord of the Sylvan Tower, one of the bravest and
+best of knights, having as his guide a damsel, young, fair, and
+virtuous, to whom he was tenderly attached, whose name was
+Flordelis. Astolpho, as he approached, defied the knight, bidding
+him yield the lady, or prepare to maintain his right by arms.
+Florismart accepted the contest, and the knights encountered.
+Florismart was unhorsed and his steed fell dead, while Bayard
+sustained no injury by the shock.
+
+Florismart was so overwhelmed with despair at his own disgrace and
+the sight of the damsel's distress, that he drew his sword, and
+was about to plunge it into his own bosom. But Astolpho held his
+hand, told him that he contended only for glory, and was contented
+to leave him the lady.
+
+While Florismart and Flordelis were vowing eternal gratitude King
+Sacripant arrived, and coveting the damsel of the one champion as
+much as the horse and arms of the other, defied them to the joust.
+Astolpho met the challenger, whom he instantly overthrew, and
+presented his courser to Florismart, leaving the king to return to
+his army on foot.
+
+The friends pursued their route, and ere long Flordelis
+discovered, by signs which were known to her, that they were
+approaching the waters of Oblivion, and advised them to turn back,
+or to change their course. This the knights would not hear of,
+and, continuing their march, they soon arrived at the bridge where
+Orlando had been taken prisoner.
+
+The damsel of the bridge appeared as before with the enchanted
+cup, but Astolpho, forewarned, rejected it with scorn. She dashed
+it to the ground, and a fire blazed up which rendered the bridge
+unapproachable. At the same moment the two knights were assailed
+by sundry warriors, known and unknown, who, having no recollection
+of anything, joined blindly in defence of their prison-house.
+Among these was Orlando, at sight of whom Astolpho, with all his
+confidence not daring to encounter him, turned and fled, owing his
+escape to the strength and fleetness of Bayard.
+
+Florismart, meanwhile, overlaid by fearful odds, was compelled to
+yield to necessity, and comply with the usage of the fairy. He
+drank of the cup and remained prisoner with the rest. Flordelis,
+deprived of her two friends, retired from the scene, and devoted
+herself to untiring efforts to effect her lover's deliverance.
+Astolpho pursued his way to Albracca, which Agrican was about to
+besiege. He was kindly welcomed by Angelica, and enrolled among
+her defenders. Impatient to distinguish himself, he one night
+sallied forth alone, arrived in Agrican's camp, and unhorsed his
+warriors right and left by means of the enchanted lance. But he
+was soon surrounded and overmatched, and made prisoner to Agrican.
+
+Relief was, however, at hand; for as the citizens and soldiers
+were one day leaning over their walls they descried a cloud of
+dust, from which horsemen were seen to prick forth, as it rolled
+on towards the camp of the besiegers. This turned out to be the
+army of Sacripant, which immediately attacked that of Agrican,
+with the view of cutting a passage through his camp to the
+besieged city. But Agrican, mounted upon Bayard, taken from
+Astolpho, but not armed with the lance of gold, the virtues of
+which were unknown to him, performed wonders, and rallied his
+scattered troops, which had given way to the sudden and unexpected
+assault. Sacripant, on the other hand, encouraged his men by the
+most desperate acts of valor, having as an additional incentive to
+his courage the sight of Angelica, who showed herself upon the
+city walls.
+
+There she witnessed a single combat between the two leaders,
+Agrican and Sacripant. In this, at length, her defender appeared
+to be overmatched, when the Circassians broke the ring, and
+separated the combatants, who were borne asunder in the rush.
+Sacripant, severely wounded, profited by the confusion, and
+escaped into Albracca, where he was kindly received and carefully
+tended by Angelica.
+
+The battle continuing, the Circassians were at last put to flight,
+and, being intercepted between the enemy's lines and the town,
+sought for refuge under the walls. Angelica ordered the drawbridge
+to be let down, and the gates thrown open to the fugitives. With
+these Agrican, not distinguished in the crowd, entered the place,
+driving both Circassians and Cathayans before him, and the
+portcullis being dropped, he was shut in.
+
+For a time the terror which he inspired put to flight all
+opposers, but when at last it came to be known that few or none of
+his followers had effected an entrance with him, the fugitives
+rallied and surrounded him on all sides. While he was thus
+apparently reduced to the last extremities, he was saved by the
+very circumstance which threatened him with destruction. The
+soldiers of Angelica, closing upon him from all sides, deserted
+their defences; and his own besieging army entered the city in a
+part where the wall was broken down.
+
+In this way was Agrican rescued, the city taken, and the
+inhabitants put to the sword. Angelica, however, with some of the
+knights who were her defenders, among whom was Sacripant, saved
+herself in the citadel, which was planted upon a rock.
+
+The fortress was impregnable, but it was scantily victualled, and
+ill provided with other necessaries. Under these circumstances
+Angelica announced to those blockaded with her in the citadel her
+intention to go in quest of assistance, and, having plighted her
+promise of a speedy return, she set out, with the enchanted ring
+upon her finger. Mounted upon her palfrey, the damsel passed
+through the enemy's lines, and by sunrise was many miles clear of
+their encampment.
+
+It so happened that her road led her near the fatal bridge of
+Oblivion, and as she approached it she met a damsel weeping
+bitterly. It was Flordelis, whose lover, Florismart, as we have
+related, had met the fate of Orlando and many more, and fallen a
+victim to the enchantress of the cup. She related her adventures
+to Angelica, and conjured her to lend what aid she might to rescue
+her lord and his companions. Angelica, accordingly, watching her
+opportunity and aided by her ring, slipped into the castle unseen,
+when the door was opened to admit a new victim. Here she speedily
+disenchanted Orlando and the rest by a touch of her talisman. But
+Florismart was not there. He had been given up to Falerina, a more
+powerful enchantress, and was still in durance. Angelica conjured
+the rescued captives to assist her in the recovery of her kingdom,
+and all departed together for Albracca.
+
+The arrival of Orlando, with his companions, nine in all, and
+among the bravest knights of France, changed at once the fortunes
+of the war. Wherever the great paladin came, pennon and standard
+fell before him. Agrican in vain attempted to rally his troops.
+Orlando kept constantly in his front, forcing him to attend to
+nobody else. The Tartar king at length bethought him of a
+stratagem. He turned his horse, and made a show of flying in
+despair. Orlando dashed after him as he desired, and Agrican fled
+till he reached a green place in a wood, where there was a
+fountain.
+
+The place was beautiful, and the Tartar dismounted to refresh
+himself at the fountain, but without taking off his helmet, or
+laying aside any of his armor. Orlando was quickly at his back,
+crying out, "So bold, and yet a fugitive! How could you fly from a
+single arm and think to escape?"
+
+The Tartar king had leaped on his saddle the moment he saw his
+enemy, and when the paladin had done speaking, he said in a mild
+voice, "Without doubt you are the best knight I ever encountered,
+and fain would I leave you untouched for your own sake, if you
+would cease to hinder me from rallying my people. I pretended to
+fly, in order to bring you out of the field. If you insist upon
+fighting I must needs fight and slay you, but I call the sun in
+the heavens to witness I would rather not. I should be very sorry
+for your death."
+
+The Count Orlando felt pity for so much gallantry, and he said,
+"The nobler you show yourself the more it grieves me to think that
+in dying without a knowledge of the true faith you will be lost in
+the other world. Let me advise you to save body and soul at once.
+Receive baptism, and go your way in peace."
+
+Agrican replied: "I suspect you to be the paladin Orlando. If you
+are I would not lose this opportunity of fighting with you to be
+king of Paradise. Talk to me no more about your things of another
+world, for you will preach in vain. Each of us for himself, and
+let the sword be umpire."
+
+The Saracen drew his sword, boldly advancing upon Orlando, and a
+combat began, so obstinate and so long, each warrior being a
+miracle of prowess, that the story says it lasted from noon till
+night. Orlando then seeing the stars come out was the first to
+propose a respite.
+
+"What are we to do," said he, "now that daylight has left us?"
+
+Agrican answered readily enough, "Let us repose in this meadow,
+and renew the combat at dawn."
+
+The repose was taken accordingly. Each tied up his horse, and
+reclined himself on the grass, not far from the other, just as if
+they had been friends, Orlando by the fountain, Agrican beneath a
+pine. It was a beautiful clear night, and, as they talked together
+before addressing themselves to sleep, the champion of
+Christendom, looking up at the firmament, said, "That is a fine
+piece of workmanship, that starry spectacle; God made it all, that
+moon of silver, and those stars of gold, and the light of day, and
+the sun,--all for the sake of human kind."
+
+"You wish, I see, to talk of matters of faith," said the Tartar.
+"Now I may as well tell you at once that I have no sort of skill
+in such matters, nor learning of any kind. I never could learn
+anything when I was a boy. I hated it so that I broke the man's
+head who was commissioned to teach me; and it produced such an
+effect on others that nobody ever afterwards dared so much as show
+me a book. My boyhood was therefore passed, as it should be, in
+horsemanship and hunting, and learning to fight. What is the good
+of a gentleman's poring all day over a book? Prowess to the
+knight, and preaching to the clergyman, that is my motto."
+
+"I acknowledge," returned Orlando, "that arms are the first
+consideration of a gentleman; but not at all that he does himself
+dishonor by knowledge. On the contrary, knowledge is as great an
+embellishment of the rest of his attainments, as the flowers are
+to the meadow before us; and as to the knowledge of his Maker, the
+man that is without it is no better than a stock or a stone or a
+brute beast. Neither without study can he reach anything of a due
+sense of the depth and divineness of the contemplation."
+
+"Learned or not learned," said Agrican, "you might show yourself
+better bred than by endeavoring to make me talk on a subject on
+which you have me at a disadvantage. If you choose to sleep I wish
+you good night; but if you prefer talking I recommend you to talk
+of fighting or of fair ladies. And, by the way, pray tell me, are
+you not that Orlando who makes such a noise in the world? And what
+is it, pray, that brings you into these parts? Were you ever in
+love? I suppose you must have been; for to be a knight, and never
+to have been in love, would be like being a man without a heart in
+his breast."
+
+The count replied: "Orlando I am, and in love I am. Love has made
+me abandon everything, and brought me into these distant regions,
+and, to tell you all in one word, my heart is in the hands of the
+daughter of King Galafron. You have come against him with fire and
+sword, to get possession of his castles and his dominions; and I
+have come to help him, for no object in the world but to please
+his daughter and win her beautiful hand. I care for nothing else
+in existence."
+
+Now when the Tartar king, Agrican, heard his antagonist speak in
+this manner, and knew him to be indeed Orlando, and to be in love
+with Angelica, his face changed color for grief and jealousy,
+though it could not be seen for the darkness. His heart began
+beating with such violence that he felt as if he should have died.
+"Well," said he to Orlando, "we are to fight when it is daylight,
+and one or other is to be left here, dead on the ground. I have a
+proposal to make to you--nay, an entreaty. My love is so
+excessive for the same lady that I beg you to leave her to me. I
+will owe you my thanks, and give up the siege and put an end to
+the war. I cannot bear that any one should love her, and that I
+should live to see it. Why, therefore, should either of us perish?
+Give her up. Not a soul shall know it."
+
+"I never yet," answered Orlando, "made a promise which I did not
+keep, and nevertheless I own to you that, were I to make a promise
+like that, and even swear to keep it, I should not. You might as
+well ask me to tear away the limbs from my body, and the eyes out
+of my head. I could as well live without breath itself as cease
+loving Angelica."
+
+Agrican had hardly patience to let him finish speaking, ere he
+leapt furiously on horseback, though it was midnight. "Quit her,"
+said he, "or die!"
+
+Orlando seeing the infidel getting up, and not being sure that he
+would not add treachery to fierceness, had been hardly less quick
+in mounting for the combat. "Never," exclaimed he; "I never could
+have quitted her if I would, and now I would not if I could. You
+must seek her by other means than these."
+
+Fiercely dashed their horses together, in the nighttime, on the
+green mead. Despiteful and terrible were the blows they gave and
+took by the moonlight. Agrican fought in a rage, Orlando was
+cooler. And now the struggle had lasted more than five hours, and
+day began to dawn, when the Tartar king, furious to find so much
+trouble given him, dealt his enemy a blow sharp and violent beyond
+conception. It cut the shield in two as if it had been made of
+wood, and, though blood could not be drawn from Orlando, because
+he was fated, it shook and bruised him as if it had started every
+joint in his body.
+
+His body only, however, not a particle of his soul. So dreadful
+was the blow which the paladin gave in return, that not only
+shield, but every bit of mail on the body of Agrican was broken in
+pieces, and three of his ribs cut asunder.
+
+The Tartar, roaring like a lion, raised his sword with still
+greater vehemence than before, and dealt a blow on the paladin's
+helmet, such as he had never yet received from mortal man. For a
+moment it took away his senses. His sight failed, his ears
+tingled, his frightened horse turned about to fly; and he was
+falling from the saddle, when the very action of falling threw his
+head upwards, and thus recalled his recollection.
+
+"What a shame is this!" thought he; "how shall I ever again dare
+to face Angelica! I have been fighting hour after hour with this
+man, and he is but one, and I call myself Orlando! If the combat
+last any longer I will bury myself in a monastery, and never look
+on sword again."
+
+Orlando muttered with his lips closed and his teeth ground
+together; and you might have thought that fire instead of breath
+came out of his nose and mouth. He raised his sword Durindana with
+both his hands, and sent it down so tremendously on Agrican's
+shoulder that it cut through breastplate down to the very haunch,
+nay, crushed the saddle-bow, though it was made of bone and iron,
+and felled man and horse to the earth. Agrican turned as white as
+ashes, and felt death upon him. He called Orlando to come close to
+him, with a gentle voice, and said, as well as he could: "I
+believe on Him who died on the cross. Baptize me, I pray thee,
+with the fountain, before my senses are gone. I have lived an evil
+life, but need not be rebellious to God in death also. May He who
+came to save all the rest of the world save me!" And he shed
+tears, that great king, though he had been so lofty and fierce.
+
+Orlando dismounted quickly, with his own face in tears. He
+gathered the king tenderly in his arms, and took and laid him by
+the fountain, on a marble rim that it had, and then he wept in
+concert with him heartily, and asked his pardon, and so baptized
+him in the water of the fountain, and knelt and prayed to God for
+him with joined hands.
+
+He then paused and looked at him; and when he perceived his
+countenance changed, and that his whole person was cold, he left
+him there on the marble rim of the fountain, all armed as he was,
+with the sword by his side, and the crown upon his head.
+
+ADVENTURES OF RINALDO AND ORLANDO
+
+We left Rinaldo when, having overcome the monster, he quitted the
+castle of Altaripa, and pursued his way on foot. He soon met with
+a weeping damsel, who, being questioned as to the cause of her
+sorrow, told him she was in search of one to do battle to rescue
+her lover, who had been made prisoner by a vile enchantress,
+together with Orlando and many more. The damsel was Flordelis, the
+lady-love of Florismart, and Rinaldo promised his assistance,
+trusting to accomplish the adventure either by valor or skill.
+Flordelis insisted upon Rinaldo's taking her horse, which he
+consented to do, on condition of her mounting behind him.
+
+As they rode on through a wood, they heard strange noises, and
+Rinaldo, reassuring the damsel, pressed forward towards the
+quarter from which they proceeded. He soon perceived a giant
+standing under a vaulted cavern, with a huge club in his hand, and
+of an appearance to strike the boldest spirit with dread. By the
+side of the cavern was chained a griffin, which, together with the
+giant, was stationed there to guard a wonderful horse, the same
+which was once Argalia's. This horse was a creature of
+enchantment, matchless in vigor, speed, and form, which disdained
+to share the diet of his fellow-steeds,--corn or grass,--and fed
+only on air. His name was Rabican.
+
+This marvellous horse, after his master Argalia had been slain by
+Ferrau, finding himself at liberty, returned to his native cavern,
+and was here stabled under the protection of the giant and the
+griffin. As Rinaldo approached, the giant assailed him with his
+club. Rinaldo defended himself from the giant's blows, and gave
+him one in return, which, if his skin had not been of the
+toughest, would have finished the combat. But the giant, though
+wounded, escaped, and let loose the griffin. This monstrous bird
+towered in air, and thence pounced down upon Rinaldo, who,
+watching his opportunity, dealt her a desperate wound. She had,
+however, strength for another flight, and kept repeating her
+attacks, which Rinaldo parried as he could, while the damsel stood
+trembling by, witnessing the contest.
+
+The battle continued, rendered more terrible by the approach of
+night, when Rinaldo determined upon a desperate expedient to bring
+it to a conclusion. He fell, as if fainting from his wounds, and,
+on the close approach of the griffin, dealt her a blow which
+sheared away one of her wings. The beast, though sinking, griped
+him fast with her talons, digging through plate and mail; but
+Rinaldo plied his sword in utter desperation, and at last
+accomplished her destruction.
+
+Rinaldo then entered the cavern, and found there the wonderful
+horse, all caparisoned. He was coal-black, except for a star of
+white on his forehead, and one white foot behind. For speed he was
+unrivalled, though in strength he yielded to Bayard. Rinaldo
+mounted upon Rabican, and issued from the cavern.
+
+As he pursued his way he met a fugitive from Agrican's army, who
+gave such an account of the prowess of a champion who fought on
+the side of Angelica, that Rinaldo was persuaded this must be
+Orlando, though at a loss to imagine how he could have been freed
+from captivity. He determined to repair to the scene of the
+contest to satisfy his curiosity, and Flordelis, hoping to find
+Florismart with Orlando, consented to accompany him.
+
+While these things were doing, all was rout and dismay in the
+Tartarian army, from the death of Agrican. King Galafron, arriving
+at this juncture with an army for the relief of his capital,
+Albracca, assaulted the enemy's camp, and carried all before him.
+Rinaldo had now reached the scene of action, and was looking on as
+an unconcerned spectator, when he was espied by Galafron. The king
+instantly recognized the horse Rabican, which he had given to
+Argalia when he sent him forth on his ill-omened mission to Paris.
+Possessed with the idea that the rider of the horse was the
+murderer of Argalia, Galafron rode at Rinaldo, and smote him with
+all his force. Rinaldo was not slow to avenge the blow, and it
+would have gone hard with the king had not his followers instantly
+closed round him and separated the combatants.
+
+Rinaldo thus found himself, almost without his own choice,
+enlisted on the side of the enemies of Angelica, which gave him no
+concern, so completely had his draught from the fountain of hate
+steeled his mind against her.
+
+For several successive days the struggle continued, without any
+important results, Rinaldo meeting the bravest knights of
+Angelica's party, and defeating them one after the other. At
+length he encountered Orlando, and the two knights bitterly
+reproached one another for the cause they had each adopted, and
+engaged in a furious combat. Orlando was mounted upon Bayard,
+Rinaldo's horse, which Agrican had by chance become possessed of,
+and Orlando had taken from him as the prize of victory. Bayard
+would not fight against his master, and Orlando was getting the
+worse of the encounter, when suddenly Rinaldo, seeing Astolpho,
+who for love of him had arrayed himself on his side, hard beset by
+numbers, left Orlando to rush to the defence of his friend. Night
+prevented the combat from being renewed; but a challenge was given
+and accepted for their next meeting.
+
+But Angelica, sighing in her heart for Rinaldo, was not willing
+that he should be again exposed to so terrible a venture. She
+begged a boon of Orlando, promising she would be his if he would
+do her bidding. On receiving his promise, she enjoined him to set
+out without delay to destroy the garden of the enchantress
+Falerina, in which many valiant knights had been entrapped, and
+were imprisoned.
+
+Orlando departed on his horse Brigliadoro, leaving Bayard in
+disgrace for his bad deportment the day before. Angelica, to
+conciliate Rinaldo, sent Bayard to him; but Rinaldo remained
+unmoved by this as by all her former acts of kindness.
+
+When Rinaldo learned Orlando's departure, he yielded to the
+entreaties of the lady of Florismart, and prepared to fulfil his
+promise, and rescue her lover from the power of the enchantress.
+Thus both Rinaldo and Orlando were bound upon the same adventure,
+but unknown to one another.
+
+The castle of Falerina was protected by a river, which was crossed
+by a bridge, kept by a ruffian, who challenged all comers to the
+combat; and such was his strength that he had thus far prevailed
+in every encounter, as appeared by the arms of various knights
+which he had taken from them, and piled up as a trophy on the
+shore. Rinaldo attacked him, but with as bad success as the rest,
+for the bridge-ward struck him so violent a blow with an iron mace
+that he fell to the ground. But when the villain approached to
+strip him of his armor, Rinaldo seized him, and the bridge-ward,
+being unable to free himself, leapt with Rinaldo into the lake,
+where they both disappeared.
+
+Orlando, meanwhile, in discharge of his promise to Angelica,
+pursued his way in quest of the same adventure. In passing through
+a wood he saw a cavalier armed at all points, and mounted, keeping
+guard over a lady who was bound to a tree, weeping bitterly.
+Orlando hastened to her relief, but was exhorted by the knight not
+to interfere, for she had deserved her fate by her wickedness. In
+proof of which he made certain charges against her. The lady
+denied them all, and Orlando believed her, defied the knight,
+overthrew him, and, releasing the lady, departed with her seated
+on his horse's croup.
+
+While they rode another damsel approached on a white palfrey, who
+warned Orlando of impending danger, and informed him that he was
+near the garden of the enchantress. Orlando was delighted with the
+intelligence, and entreated her to inform him how he was to gain
+admittance. She replied that the garden could only be entered at
+sunrise and gave him such instructions as would enable him to gain
+admittance. She gave him also a book in which was painted the
+garden and all that it contained, together with the palace of the
+false enchantress, where she had secluded herself for the purpose
+of executing a magic work in which she was engaged. This was the
+manufacture of a sword capable of cutting even through enchanted
+substances The object of this labor, the damsel told him, was the
+destruction of a knight of the west, by name Orlando, who she had
+read in the book of Fate was coming to demolish her garden. Having
+thus instructed him, the damsel departed.
+
+Orlando, finding he must delay his enterprise till the next
+morning, now lay down and was soon asleep. Seeing this, the base
+woman whom he had rescued, and who was intent on making her escape
+to rejoin her paramour, mounted Brigliadoro, and rode off,
+carrying away Durindana.
+
+When Orlando awoke, his indignation, as may be supposed, was great
+on the discovery of the theft; but, like a good knight and true,
+he was not to be diverted from his enterprise. He tore off a huge
+branch of an elm to supply the place of his sword; and, as the sun
+rose, took his way towards the gate of the garden, where a dragon
+was on his watch. This he slew by repeated blows, and entered the
+garden, the gate of which closed behind him, barring retreat.
+Looking round him, he saw a fair fountain, which overflowed into a
+river, and in the centre of the fountain a figure, on whose
+forehead was written:
+
+    "The stream which waters violet and rose,
+     From hence to the enchanted palace goes."
+
+Following the banks of this flowing stream, and rapt in the
+delights of the charming garden, Orlando arrived at the palace,
+and entering it, found the mistress, clad in white, with a crown
+of gold upon her head, in the act of viewing herself in the
+surface of the magic sword. Orlando surprised her before she could
+escape, deprived her of the weapon, and holding her fast by her
+long hair, which floated behind, threatened her with immediate
+death if she did not yield up her prisoners, and afford him the
+means of egress. She, however, was firm of purpose, making no
+reply, and Orlando, unable to move her either by threats or
+entreaties, was under the necessity of binding her to a beech, and
+pursuing his quest as he best might.
+
+He then bethought him of his book, and, consulting it, found that
+there was an outlet to the south, but that to reach it a lake was
+to be passed, inhabited by a siren, whose song was so entrancing
+as to be quite irresistible to whoever heard it; but his book
+instructed him how to protect himself against this danger.
+According to its directions, while pursuing his path, he gathered
+abundance of flowers, which sprung all around, and filled his
+helmet and his ears with them; then listened if he heard the birds
+sing. Finding that, though he saw the gaping beak, the swelling
+throat, and ruffled plumes, he could not catch a note, he felt
+satisfied with his defence, and advanced toward the lake. It was
+small but deep, and so clear and tranquil that the eye could
+penetrate to the bottom.
+
+He had no, sooner arrived upon the banks than the waters were seen
+to gurgle, and the siren, rising midway out of the pool, sung so
+sweetly that birds and beasts came trooping to the water-side to
+listen. Of this Orlando heard nothing, but, feigning to yield to
+the charm, sank down upon the bank. The siren issued from the
+water with the intent to accomplish his destruction. Orlando
+seized her by the hair, and while she sang yet louder (song being
+her only defence) cut off her head. Then, following the directions
+of the book, he stained himself all over with her blood.
+
+Guarded by this talisman, he met successively all the monsters set
+for defence of the enchantress and her garden, and at length found
+himself again at the spot where he had made captive the
+enchantress, who still continued fastened to the beech. But the
+scene was changed. The garden had disappeared, and Falerina,
+before so haughty, now begged for mercy, assuring him that many
+lives depended upon the preservation of hers. Orlando promised her
+life upon her pledging herself for the deliverance of her
+captives.
+
+This, however, was no easy task. They were not in her possession,
+but in that of a much more powerful enchantress, Morgana, the Lady
+of the Lake, the very idea of opposing whom made Falerina turn
+pale with fear. Representing to him the hazards of the enterprise,
+she led him towards the dwelling of Morgana. To approach it he had
+to encounter the same uncourteous bridge-ward who had already
+defeated and made captive so many knights, and last of all,
+Rinaldo. He was a churl of the most ferocious character, named
+Arridano. Morgana had provided him with impenetrable armor, and
+endowed him in such a manner that his strength always increased in
+proportion to that of the adversary with whom he was matched. No
+one had ever yet escaped from the contest, since, such was his
+power of endurance, he could breathe freely under water. Hence,
+having grappled with a knight, and sunk with him to the bottom of
+the lake, he returned, bearing his enemy's arms in triumph to the
+surface.
+
+While Falerina was repeating her cautions and her counsels Orlando
+saw Rinaldo's arms erected in form of a trophy, among other spoils
+made by the villain, and, forgetting their late quarrel,
+determined upon revenging his friend. Arriving at the pass, the
+churl presuming to bar the way, a desperate contest ensued, during
+which Falerina escaped. The churl finding himself overmatched at a
+contest of arms, resorted to his peculiar art, grappled his
+antagonist, and plunged with him into the lake. When he reached
+the bottom Orlando found himself in another world, upon a dry
+meadow, with the lake overhead, through which shone the beams of
+our sun, while the water stood on all sides like a crystal wall.
+Here the battle was renewed, and Orlando had in his magic sword an
+advantage which none had hitherto possessed. It had been tempered
+by Falerina so that no spells could avail against it. Thus armed,
+and countervailing the strength of his adversary by his superior
+skill and activity, it was not long before he laid him dead upon
+the field.
+
+Orlando then made all haste to return to the upper air, and,
+passing through the water, which opened a way before him (such was
+the power of the magic sword), he soon regained the shore, and
+found himself in a field as thickly covered with precious stones
+as the sky is with stars.
+
+Orlando crossed the field, not tempted to delay his enterprise by
+gathering any of the brilliant gems spread all around him. He next
+passed into a flowery meadow planted with trees, covered with
+fruit and flowers, and full of all imaginable delights.
+
+In the middle of this meadow was a fountain, and fast by it lay
+Morgana asleep; a lady of a lovely aspect, dressed in white and
+vermilion garments, her forehead well furnished with hair, while
+she had scarcely any behind.
+
+While Orlando stood in silence contemplating her beauty he heard a
+voice exclaim: "Seize the fairy by the forelock, if thou hopest
+fair success." But his attention was arrested by another object,
+and he heeded not the warning. He saw on a sudden an array of
+towers, pinnacles and columns, palaces with balconies and windows,
+extended alleys with trees, in short a scene of architectural
+magnificence surpassing all he had ever beheld. While he stood
+gazing in silent astonishment the scene slowly melted away and
+disappeared. [Footnote: This is a poetical description of a
+phenomenon which is said to be really exhibited in the strait of
+Messina, between Sicily and Calabria. It is called Fata Morgana,
+or Mirage.]
+
+When he had recovered from his amazement he looked again toward
+the fountain. The fairy had awaked and risen, and was dancing
+round its border with the lightness of a leaf, timing her
+footsteps to this song:
+
+    "Who in this world would wealth and treasure share,
+     Honor, delight, and state, and what is best,
+     Quick let him catch me by the lock of hair
+     Which flutters from my forehead; and be blest.
+
+    "But let him not the proffered good forbear,
+     Nor till he seize the fleeting blessing rest;
+     For present loss is sought in vain to-morrow,
+     And the deluded wretch is left in sorrow."
+
+The fairy, having sung thus, bounded off, and fled from the
+flowery meadow over a high and inaccessible mountain. Orlando
+pursued her through thorns and rocks, while the sky gradually
+became overcast, and at last he was assailed by tempest,
+lightning, and hail.
+
+While he thus pursued, a pale and meagre woman issued from a cave,
+armed with a whip, and, treading close upon his steps, scourged
+him with vigorous strokes. Her name was Repentance, and she told
+him it was her office to punish those who neglected to obey the
+voice of Prudence, and seize the fairy Fortune when he might.
+
+Orlando, furious at this chastisement, turned upon his tormentor,
+but might as well have stricken the wind. Finding it useless to
+resist, he resumed his chase of the fairy, gained upon her, and
+made frequent snatches at her white and vermilion garments, which
+still eluded his grasp. At last, on her turning her head for an
+instant, he profited by the chance, and seized her by the
+forelock. In an instant the tempest ceased, the sky became serene,
+and Repentance retreated to her cave.
+
+Orlando now demanded of Morgana the keys of her prison, and the
+fairy, feigning a complacent aspect, delivered up a key of silver,
+bidding him to be cautious in the use of it, since to break the
+lock would be to involve himself and all in inevitable
+destruction; a caution which gave the Count room for long
+meditation, and led him to consider
+
+    How few amid the suitors who importune
+    The dame, know how to turn the keys of Fortune.
+
+Keeping the fairy still fast by the forelock, Orlando proceeded
+toward the prison, turned the key, without occasioning the
+mischiefs apprehended, and delivered the prisoners.
+
+Among these were Florismart, Rinaldo, and many others of the
+bravest knights of France. Morgana had disappeared, and the
+knights, under the guidance of Orlando, retraced the path by which
+he had come. They soon reached the field of treasure. Rinaldo,
+finding himself amidst this mass of wealth, remembered his needy
+garrison of Montalban, and could not resist the temptation of
+seizing part of the booty. In particular a golden chain, studded
+with diamonds, was too much for his self-denial, and he took it
+and was bearing it off, notwithstanding the remonstrances of
+Orlando, when a violent wind caught him and whirled him back, as
+he approached the gate. This happened a second and a third time,
+and Rinaldo at length yielded to necessity, rather than to the
+entreaties of his friends, and cast away his prize.
+
+They soon reached the bridge and passed over without hindrance to
+the other side, where they found the trophy decorated with their
+arms. Here each knight resumed his own, and all, except the
+paladins and their friends, separated as their inclinations or
+duty prompted. Dudon, the Dane, one of the rescued knights,
+informed the cousins that he had been made prisoner by Morgana
+while in the discharge of an embassy to them from Charlemagne, who
+called upon them to return to the defence of Christendom. Orlando
+was too much fascinated by Angelica to obey this summons, and,
+followed by the faithful Florismart, who would not leave him,
+returned towards Albracca. Rinaldo, Dudon, Iroldo, Prasildo, and
+the others took their way toward the west.
+
+THE INVASION OF FRANCE
+
+Agramant, King of Africa, convoked the kings, his vassals, to
+deliberate in council. He reminded them of the injuries he had
+sustained from France, that his father had fallen in battle with
+Charlemagne, and that his early years had hitherto not allowed him
+to wipe out the stain of former defeats. He now proposed to them
+to carry war into France.
+
+Sobrino, his wisest councillor, opposed the project, representing
+the rashness of it; but Rodomont, the young and fiery king of
+Algiers, denounced Sobrino's counsel as base and cowardly,
+declaring himself impatient for the enterprise. The king of the
+Garamantes, venerable for his age and renowned for his prophetic
+lore, interposed, and assured the King that such an attempt would
+be sure to fail, unless he could first get on his side a youth
+marked out by destiny as the fitting compeer of the most puissant
+knights of France, the young Rogero, descended in direct line from
+Hector of Troy. This prince was now a dweller upon the mountain
+Carena, where Atlantes, his foster-father, a powerful magician,
+kept him in retirement, having discovered by his art that his
+pupil would be lost to him if allowed to mingle with the world. To
+break the spells of Atlantes, and draw Rogero from his retirement,
+one only means was to be found. It was a ring possessed by
+Angelica, Princess of Cathay, which was a talisman against all
+enchantments. If this ring could be procured all would go well;
+without it the enterprise was desperate.
+
+Rodomont treated this declaration of the old prophet with scorn,
+and it would probably have been held of little weight by the
+council, had not the aged king, oppressed by the weight of years,
+expired in the very act of reaffirming his prediction. This made
+so deep an impression on the council that it was unanimously
+resolved to postpone the war until an effort should be made to win
+Rogero to the camp.
+
+King Agramant thereupon proclaimed that the sovereignty of a
+kingdom should be the reward of whoever should succeed in
+obtaining the ring of Angelica. Brunello the dwarf, the subtlest
+thief in all Africa, undertook to procure it.
+
+In prosecution of this design, he made the best of his way to
+Angelica's kingdom, and arrived beneath the walls of Albracca
+while the besieging army was encamped before the fortress. While
+the attention of the garrison was absorbed by the battle that
+raged below he scaled the walls, approached the Princess
+unnoticed, slipped the ring from her finger, and escaped
+unobserved. He hastened to the seaside, and, finding a vessel
+ready to sail, embarked, and arrived at Biserta, in Africa. Here
+he found Agramant impatient for the talisman which was to foil the
+enchantments of Atlantes and to put Rogero into his hands. The
+dwarf, kneeling before the king, presented him with the ring, and
+Agramant, delighted at the success of his mission, crowned him in
+recompense King of Tingitana.
+
+All were now anxious to go in quest of Rogero. The cavalcade
+accordingly departed, and in due time arrived at the mountain of
+Carena.
+
+At the bottom of this was a fruitful and well-wooded plain,
+watered by a large river, and from this plain was descried a
+beautiful garden on the mountain-top, which contained the mansion
+of Atlantes; but the ring, which discovered what was before
+invisible, could not, though it revealed this paradise, enable
+Agramant or his followers to enter it. So steep and smooth was the
+rock by nature, that even Brunello failed in every attempt to
+scale it. He did not, for this, despair of accomplishing the
+object; but, having obtained Agramant's consent, caused the
+assembled courtiers and knights to celebrate a tournament upon the
+plain below. This was done with the view of seducing Rogero from
+his fastness, and the stratagem was attended with success.
+
+Rogero joined the tourney, and was presented by Agramant with a
+splendid horse, Frontino, and a magnificent sword. Having learned
+from Agramant his intended invasion of France, he gladly consented
+to join the expedition.
+
+Rodomont, meanwhile, was too impatient to wait for Agramant's
+arrangements, and embarked with all the forces he could raise,
+made good his landing on the coast of France, and routed the
+Christians in several encounters. Previously to this, however,
+Gano, or Ganelon (as he is sometimes called), the traitor, enemy
+of Orlando and the other nephews of Charlemagne, had entered into
+a traitorous correspondence with Marsilius, the Saracen king of
+Spain, whom he invited into France. Marsilius, thus encouraged,
+led an army across the frontiers, and joined Rodomont. This was
+the situation of things when Rinaldo and the other knights who had
+obeyed the summons of Dudon set forward on their return to France.
+
+When they arrived at Buda in Hungary they found the king of that
+country about despatching his son, Ottachiero, with an army to the
+succor of Charlemagne. Delighted with the arrival of Rinaldo, he
+placed his son and troops under his command. In due time the army
+arrived on the frontiers of France, and, united with the troops of
+Desiderius, king of Lombardy, poured down into Provence. The
+confederate armies had not marched many days through this gay
+tract before they heard a crash of drums and trumpets behind the
+hills, which spoke the conflict between the paynims, led by
+Rodomont, and the Christian forces. Rinaldo, witnessing from a
+mountain the prowess of Rodomont, left his troops in charge of his
+friends, and galloped towards him with his lance in rest. The
+impulse was irresistible, and Rodomont was unhorsed. But Rinaldo,
+unwilling to avail himself of his advantage, galloped back to the
+hill, and having secured Bayard among the baggage, returned to
+finish the combat on foot.
+
+During this interval the battle had become general, the Hungarians
+were routed, and Rinaldo, on his return, had the mortification to
+find that Ottachiero was wounded, and Dudon taken prisoner. While
+he sought Rodomont in order to renew the combat a new sound of
+drums and trumpets was heard, and Charlemagne, with the main body
+of his army, was descried advancing in battle array.
+
+Rodomont, seeing this, mounted the horse of Dudon, left Rinaldo,
+who was on foot, and galloped off to encounter this new enemy.
+
+Agramant, accompanied by Rogero, had by this time made good his
+landing, and joined Rodomont with all his forces. Rogero eagerly
+embraced this first opportunity of distinguishing himself, and
+spread terror wherever he went, encountering in turn and
+overthrowing many of the bravest knights of France. At length he
+found himself opposite to Rinaldo, who, being interrupted, as we
+have said, in his combat with Rodomont, and unable to follow him,
+being on foot, was shouting to his late foe to return and finish
+their combat. Rogero also was on foot, and seeing the Christian
+knight so eager for a contest, proffered himself to supply the
+place of his late antagonist. Rinaldo saw at a glance that the
+Moorish prince was a champion worthy of his arm, and gladly
+accepted the defiance. The combat was stoutly maintained for a
+time; but now fortune declared decisively in favor of the infidel
+army, and Charlemagne's forces gave way at all points in
+irreparable confusion. The two combatants were separated by the
+crowd of fugitives and pursuers, and Rinaldo hastened to recover
+possession of his horse. But Bayard, in the confusion, had got
+loose, and Rinaldo followed him into a thick wood, thus becoming
+effectually separated from Rogero.
+
+Rogero, also seeking his horse in the medley, came where two
+warriors were engaged in mortal combat. Though he knew not who
+they were, he could distinguish that one was a paynim and the
+other a Christian; and moved by the spirit of courtesy he
+approached them and exclaimed, "Let him of the two who worships
+Christ pause, and hear what I have to say. The army of Charles is
+routed and in flight, so that if he wishes to follow his leader he
+has no time for delay." The Christian knight, who was none other
+than Bradamante, a female warrior, in prowess equal to the best of
+knights, was thunderstruck with the tidings, and would gladly
+leave the contest undecided, and retire from the field; but
+Rodomont, her antagonist, would by no means consent. Rogero,
+indignant at his discourtesy, insisted upon her departure, while
+he took up her quarrel with Rodomont.
+
+The combat, obstinately maintained on both sides, was interrupted
+by the return of Bradamante. Finding herself unable to overtake
+the fugitives, and reluctant to leave to another the burden and
+risk of a contest which belonged to herself, she had returned to
+reclaim the combat. She arrived, however, when her champion had
+dealt his enemy such a blow as obliged him to drop both his sword
+and bridle. Rogero, disdaining to profit by his adversary's
+defenceless situation, sat apart upon his horse, while that of
+Rodomont bore his rider, stunned and stupefied, about the field.
+
+Bradamante approached Rogero, conceiving a yet higher opinion of
+his valor on beholding such an instance of forbearance. She
+addressed him, excusing herself for leaving him exposed to an
+enemy from his interference in her cause; pleading her duty to her
+sovereign as the motive. While she spoke Rodomont, recovered from
+his confusion, rode up to them. His bearing was, however, changed;
+and he disclaimed all thoughts of further contest with one who, he
+said, "had already conquered him by his courtesy." So saying, he
+quitted his antagonist, picked up his sword, and spurred out of
+sight.
+
+Bradamante was now again desirous of retiring from the field, and
+Rogero insisted on accompanying her, though yet unaware of her
+sex.
+
+As they pursued their way, she inquired the name and quality of
+her new associate; and Rogero informed her of his nation and
+family. He told her that Astyanax, the son of Hector of Troy,
+established the kingdom of Messina in Sicily. From him were
+derived two branches, which gave origin to two families of renown.
+From one sprang the royal race of Pepin and Charlemagne, and from
+the other, that of Reggio, in Italy. "From that of Reggio am I
+derived," he continued. "My mother, driven from her home by the
+chance of war, died in giving me life, and I was taken in charge
+by a sage enchanter, who trained me to feats of arms amidst the
+dangers of the desert and the chase."
+
+Having thus ended his tale, Rogero entreated a similar return of
+courtesy from his companion, who replied, without disguise, that
+she was of the race of Clermont, and sister to Rinaldo, whose fame
+was perhaps known to him. Rogero, much moved by this intelligence,
+entreated her to take off her helmet, and at the discovery of her
+face remained transported with delight.
+
+While absorbed in this contemplation, an unexpected danger
+assailed them. A party which was placed in a wood, in order to
+intercept the retreating Christians, broke from its ambush upon
+the pair, and Bradamante, who was uncasqued, was wounded in the
+head. Rogero was in a fury at this attack; and Bradamante,
+replacing her helmet, joined him in taking speedy vengeance on
+their enemies. They cleared the field of them, but became
+separated in the pursuit, and Rogero, quitting the chase, wandered
+by hill and vale in search of her whom he had no sooner found than
+lost.
+
+While pursuing this quest he fell in with two knights, whom he
+joined, and engaged them to assist him in the search of his
+companion, describing her arms, but concealing, from a certain
+feeling of jealousy, her quality and sex.
+
+It was evening when they joined company, and having ridden
+together through the night the morning was beginning to break,
+when one of the strangers, fixing his eyes upon Rogero's shield,
+demanded of him by what right he bore the Trojan arms. Rogero
+declared his origin and race, and then, in his turn, interrogated
+the inquirer as to his pretensions to the cognizance of Hector,
+which he bore. The stranger replied, "My name is Mandricardo, son
+of Agrican, the Tartar king, whom Orlando treacherously slew. I
+say treacherously, for in fair fight he could not have done it. It
+is in search of him that I have come to France, to take vengeance
+for my father, and to wrest from him Durindana, that famous sword,
+which belongs to me, and not to him." When the knights demanded to
+know by what right he claimed Durindana, Mandricardo thus related
+his history:
+
+"I had been, before the death of my father, a wild and reckless
+youth. That event awakened my energies, and drove me forth to seek
+for vengeance. Determined to owe success to nothing but my own
+exertions, I departed without attendants or horse or arms.
+Travelling thus alone, and on foot, I espied one day a pavilion,
+pitched near a fountain, and entered it, intent on adventure. I
+found therein a damsel of gracious aspect, who replied to my
+inquiries that the fountain was the work of a fairy, whose castle
+stood beyond a neighboring hill, where she kept watch over a
+treasure which many knights had tried to win, but fruitlessly,
+having lost their life or liberty in the attempt. This treasure
+was the armor of Hector, prince of Troy, whom Achilles
+treacherously slew. Nothing was wanting but his sword, Durindana,
+and this had fallen into the possession of a queen named
+Penthesilea, from whom it passed through her descendants to
+Almontes, whom Orlando slew, and thus became possessed of the
+sword. The rest of Hector's arms were saved and carried off by
+Aeneas, from whom this fairy received them in recompense of
+service rendered. 'If you have the courage to attempt their
+acquisition,' said the damsel, 'I will be your guide.'"
+
+Mandricardo went on to say that he eagerly embraced the proposal,
+and being provided with horse and armor by the damsel, set forth
+on his enterprise, the lady accompanying him.
+
+As they rode she explained the dangers of the quest. The armor was
+defended by a champion, one of the numerous unsuccessful
+adventurers for the prize, all of whom had been made prisoners by
+the fairy, and compelled to take their turn, day by day, in
+defending the arms against all comers. Thus speaking they arrived
+at the castle, which was of alabaster, overlaid with gold. Before
+it, on a lawn, sat an armed knight on horseback, who was none
+other than Gradasso, king of Sericane, who, in his return home
+from his unsuccessful inroad into France, had fallen into the
+power of the fairy, and was held to do her bidding. Mandricardo,
+upon seeing him, dropt his visor, and laid his lance in rest. The
+champion of the castle was equally ready, and each spurred towards
+his opponent. They met one another with equal force, splintered
+their spears, and, returning to the charge, encountered with their
+swords. The contest was long and doubtful, when Mandricardo,
+determined to bring it to an end, threw his arms about Gradasso,
+grappled with him, and both fell to the ground. Mandricardo,
+however, fell uppermost, and, preserving his advantage, compelled
+Gradasso to yield himself conquered. The damsel now interfered,
+congratulating the victor, and consoling the vanquished as well as
+she might.
+
+Mandricardo and the damsel proceeded to the gate of the castle,
+which they found undefended. As they entered they beheld a shield
+suspended from a pilaster of gold. The device was a white eagle on
+an azure field, in memory of the bird of Jove, which bore away
+Ganymede, the flower of the Phrygian race. Beneath was engraved
+the following couplet:
+
+    "Let none with hand profane my buckler wrong
+     Unless he be himself as Hector strong."
+
+The damsel, alighting from her palfrey, made obeisance to the
+arms, bending herself to the ground. The Tartar king bowed his
+head with equal reverence; then advancing towards the shield,
+touched it with his sword. Thereupon an earthquake shook the
+ground, and the way by which he had entered closed. Another and an
+opposite gate opened, and displayed a field bristling with stalks
+and grain of gold. The damsel, upon this, told him that he had no
+means of retreat but by cutting down the harvest which was before
+him, and by uprooting a tree which grew in the middle of the
+field. Mandricardo, without replying, began to mow the harvest
+with his sword, but had scarce smitten thrice when he perceived
+that every stalk that fell was instantly transformed into some
+poisonous or ravenous animal, which prepared to assail him.
+Instructed by the damsel, he snatched up a stone and cast it among
+the pack. A strange wonder followed; for no sooner had the stone
+fallen among the beasts, than they turned their rage against one
+another, and rent each other to pieces. Mandricardo did not stop
+to marvel at the miracle, but proceeded to fulfil his task, and
+uproot the tree. He clasped it round the trunk, and made vigorous
+efforts to tear it up by the roots. At each effort fell a shower
+of leaves, that were instantly changed into birds of prey, which
+attacked the knight, flapping their wings in his face, with horrid
+screeching. But undismayed by this new annoyance, he continued to
+tug at the trunk till it yielded to his efforts. A burst of wind
+and thunder followed, and the hawks and vultures flew screaming
+away.
+
+But these only gave place to a new foe; for from the hole made by
+tearing up the tree issued a furious serpent, and, darting at
+Mandricardo, wound herself about his limbs with a strain that
+almost crushed him. Fortune, however, again stood his friend, for,
+writhing under the folds of the monster, he fell backwards into
+the hole, and his enemy was crushed beneath his weight.
+
+Mandricardo, when he was somewhat recovered, and assured himself
+of the destruction of the serpent, began to contemplate the place
+into which he had fallen, and saw that he was in a vault,
+incrusted with costly metals, and illuminated by a live coal. In
+the middle was a sort of ivory bier, and upon this was extended
+what appeared to be a knight in armor, but was in truth an empty
+trophy, composed of the rich and precious arms once Hector's, to
+which nothing was wanting but the sword. While Mandricardo stood
+contemplating the prize a door opened behind him, and a bevy of
+fair damsels entered, dancing, who, taking up the armor piece by
+piece, led him away to the place where the shield was suspended;
+where he found the fairy of the castle seated in state. By her he
+was invested with the arms he had won, first pledging his solemn
+oath to wear no other blade but Durindana, which he was to wrest
+from Orlando, and thus complete the conquest of Hector's arms.
+
+THE INVASION OF FRANCE (Continued)
+
+Mandricardo, having completed his story, now turned to Rogero, and
+proposed that arms should decide which of the two was most worthy
+to bear the symbol of the Trojan knight.
+
+Rogero felt no other objection to this proposal than the scruple
+which arose on observing that his antagonist was without a sword.
+Mandricardo insisted that this need be no impediment, since his
+oath prevented him from using a sword until he should have
+achieved the conquest of Durindana.
+
+This was no sooner said than a new antagonist started up in
+Gradasso, who now accompanied Mandricardo. Gradasso vindicated his
+prior right to Durindana, to obtain which he had embarked (as was
+related in the beginning) in that bold inroad upon France. A
+quarrel was thus kindled between the kings of Tartary and
+Sericane. While the dispute was raging a knight arrived upon the
+ground, accompanied by a damsel, to whom Rogero related the cause
+of the strife. The knight was Florismart, and his companion
+Flordelis. Florismart succeeded in bringing the two champions to
+accord, by informing them that he could bring them to the presence
+of Orlando, the master of Durindana.
+
+Gradasso and Mandricardo readily made truce, in order to accompany
+Florismart, nor would Rogero be left behind.
+
+As they proceeded on their quest they were met by a dwarf, who
+entreated their assistance in behalf of his lady, who had been
+carried off by an enchanter, mounted on a winged horse. However
+unwilling to leave the question of the sword undecided, it was not
+possible for the knights to resist this appeal. Two of their
+number, Gradasso and Rogero, therefore accompanied the dwarf.
+Mandricardo persisted in his search for Orlando, and Florismart,
+with Flordelis, pursued their way to the camp of Charlemagne.
+
+Atlantes, the enchanter, who had brought up Rogero, and cherished
+for him the warmest affection, knew by his art that his pupil was
+destined to be severed from him, and converted to the Christian
+faith through the influence of Bradamante, that royal maiden with
+whom chance had brought him acquainted. Thinking to thwart the
+will of Heaven in this respect, he now put forth all his arts to
+entrap Rogero into his power. By the aid of his subservient demons
+he reared a castle on an inaccessible height, in the Pyrenean
+mountains, and to make it a pleasant abode to his pupil, contrived
+to entrap and convey thither knights and damsels many a one, whom
+chance had brought into the vicinity of his castle. Here, in a
+sort of sensual paradise, they were but too willing to forget
+glory and duty, and to pass their time in indolent enjoyment
+
+It was by the enchanter that the dwarf had now been sent to tempt
+the knights into his power.
+
+But we must now return to Rinaldo, whom we left interrupted in his
+combat with Rodomont. In search of his late antagonist and intent
+on bringing their combat to a decision he entered the forest of
+Arden, whither he suspected Rodomont had gone. While engaged on
+this quest he was surprised by the vision of a beautiful child
+dancing naked, with three damsels as beautiful as himself. While
+he was lost in admiration at the sight the child approached him,
+and, throwing at him handfuls of roses and lilies, struck him from
+his horse. He was no sooner down than he was seized by the
+dancers, by whom he was dragged about and scourged with flowers
+till he fell into a swoon. When he began to revive one of the
+group approached him, and told him that his punishment was the
+consequence of his rebellion against that power before whom all
+things bend; that there was but one remedy to heal the wounds that
+had been inflicted, and that was to drink of the waters of Love.
+Then they left him.
+
+Rinaldo, sore and faint, dragged himself toward a fountain which
+flowed near by, and, being parched with thirst, drank greedily and
+almost unconsciously of the water, which was sweet to the taste,
+but bitter to the heart. After repeated draughts he recovered his
+strength and recollection, and found himself in the same place
+where Angelica had formerly awakened him with a rain of flowers,
+and whence he had fled in contempt of her courtesy.
+
+This remembrance of the scene was followed by the recognition of
+his crime; and, repenting bitterly his ingratitude, he leaped upon
+Bayard, with the intention of hastening to Angelica's country, and
+soliciting his pardon at her feet.
+
+Let us now retrace our steps, and revert to the time when the
+paladins having learned from Dudon the summons of Charlemagne to
+return to France to repel the invaders, had all obeyed the command
+with the exception of Orlando, whose passion for Angelica still
+held him in attendance on her. Orlando, arriving before Albracca,
+found it closely beleaguered. He, however, made his way into the
+citadel, and related his adventures to Angelica, from the time of
+his departure up to his separation from Rinaldo and the rest, when
+they departed to the assistance of Charlemagne. Angelica, in
+return, described the distresses of the garrison, and the force of
+the besiegers; and in conclusion prayed Orlando to favor her
+escape from the pressing danger, and escort her into France.
+Orlando, who did not suspect that love for Rinaldo was her secret
+motive, joyfully agreed to the proposal, and the sally was
+resolved upon.
+
+Leaving lights burning in the fortress, they departed at
+nightfall, and passed in safety through the enemy's camp. After
+encountering numerous adventures they reached the sea-side, and
+embarked on board a pinnace for France. The vessel arrived safely,
+and the travellers, disembarking in Provence, pursued their way by
+land. One day, heated and weary, they sought shelter from the sun
+in the forest of Arden, and chance directed Angelica to the
+fountain of Disdain, of whose waters she eagerly drank.
+
+Issuing thence, the Count and damsel encountered a stranger-
+knight. It was no other than Rinaldo, who was just on the point of
+setting off on a pilgrimage in search of Angelica, to implore her
+pardon for his insensibility, and urge his new found passion.
+Surprise and delight at first deprived him of utterance, but soon
+recovering himself, he joyfully saluted her, claiming her as his,
+and exhorting her to put herself under his protection. His
+presumption was repelled by Angelica with disdain, and Orlando,
+enraged at the invasion of his rights, challenged him to decide
+their claims by arms.
+
+Terrified at the combat which ensued, Angelica fled amain through
+the forest, and came out upon a plain covered with tents. This was
+the camp of Charlemagne, who led the army of reserve destined to
+support the troops which had advanced to oppose Marsilius. Charles
+having heard the damsel's tale, with difficulty separated the two
+cousins, and then consigned Angelica, as the cause of quarrel, to
+the care of Namo, Duke of Bavaria, promising that she should be
+his who should best deserve her in the impending battle.
+
+But these plans and hopes were frustrated. The Christian army,
+beaten at all points, fled from the Saracens; and Angelica,
+indifferent to both her lovers, mounted a swift palfrey and
+plunged into the forest, rejoicing, in spite of her terror, at
+having regained her liberty. She stopped at last in a tufted
+grove, where a gentle zephyr blew, and whose young trees were
+watered by two clear runnels, which came and mingled their waters,
+making a pleasing murmur. Believing herself far from Rinaldo, and
+overcome by fatigue and the summer heat, she saw with delight a
+bank covered with flowers so thick that they almost hid the green
+turf, inviting her to alight and rest. She dismounted from her
+palfrey, and turned him loose to recruit his strength with the
+tender grass which bordered the streamlets. Then, in a sheltered
+nook tapestried with moss and fenced in with roses and hawthorn-
+flowers, she yielded herself to grateful repose.
+
+She had not slept long when she was awakened by the noise made by
+the approach of a horse. Starting up, she saw an armed knight who
+had arrived at the bank of the stream. Not knowing whether he was
+to be feared or not, her heart beat with anxiety. She pressed
+aside the leaves to allow her to see who it was, but scarce dared
+to breathe for fear of betraying herself. Soon the knight threw
+himself on the flowery bank, and leaning his head on his hand fell
+into a profound reverie. Then arousing himself from his silence he
+began to pour forth complaints, mingled with deep sighs. Rivers of
+tears flowed down his cheeks, and his breast seemed to labor with
+a hidden flame. "Ah, vain regrets!" he exclaimed; "cruel fortune!
+others triumph, while I endure hopeless misery! Better a thousand
+times to lose life, than wear a chain so disgraceful and so
+oppressive!"
+
+Angelica by this time had recognized the stranger, and perceived
+that it was Sacripant, king of Circassia, one of the worthiest of
+her suitors. This prince had followed Angelica from his country,
+at the very gates of the day, to France, where he heard with
+dismay that she was under the guardianship of the Paladin Orlando,
+and that the Emperor had announced his decree to award her as the
+prize of valor to that one of his nephews who should best deserve
+her.
+
+As Sacripant continued to lament, Angelica, who had always opposed
+the hardness of marble to his sighs, thought with herself that
+nothing forbade her employing his good offices in this unhappy
+crisis. Though firmly resolved never to accept him as a spouse,
+she yet felt the necessity of giving him a gleam of hope in reward
+for the service she required of him. All at once, like Diana, she
+stepped forth from the arbor. "May the gods preserve thee," she
+said, "and put far from thee all hard thoughts of me!" Then she
+told him all that had befallen her since she parted with him at
+her father's court, and how she had availed herself of Orlando's
+protection to escape from the beleaguered city. At that moment the
+noise of horse and armor was heard as of one approaching; and
+Sacripant, furious at the interruption, resumed his helmet,
+mounted his horse, and placed his lance in rest. He saw a knight
+advancing, with scarf and plume of snowy whiteness. Sacripant
+regarded him with angry eyes, and, while he was yet some distance
+off, defied him to the combat. The other, not moved by his angry
+tone to make reply, put himself on his defence. Their horses,
+struck at the same moment with the spur, rushed upon one another
+with the impetuosity of a tempest. Their shields were pierced each
+with the other's lance, and only the temper of their breastplates
+saved their lives. Both the horses recoiled with the violence of
+the shock; but the unknown knight's recovered itself at the touch
+of the spur; the Saracen king's fell dead, and bore down his
+master with him. The white knight, seeing his enemy in this
+condition, cared not to renew the combat, but, thinking he had
+done enough for glory, pursued his way through the forest, and was
+a mile off before Sacripant had got free from his horse.
+
+As a ploughman, stunned by a thunder-clap which has stricken dead
+the oxen at his plough, stands motionless, sadly contemplating his
+loss, so Sacripant stood confounded and overwhelmed with
+mortification at having Angelica a witness of his defeat. He
+groaned, he sighed, less from the pain of his bruises than for the
+shame of being reduced to such a state before her. The princess
+took pity on him, and consoled him as well as she could. "Banish
+your regrets, my lord," she said, "this accident has happened
+solely in consequence of the feebleness of your horse, which had
+more need of rest and food than of such an encounter as this. Nor
+can your adversary gain any credit by it, since he has hurried
+away, not venturing a second trial." While she thus consoled
+Sacripant they perceived a person approach, who seemed a courier,
+with bag and horn. As soon as he came up, he accosted Sacripant,
+and inquired if he had seen a knight pass that way, bearing a
+white shield and with a white plume to his helmet. "I have,
+indeed, seen too much of him," said Sacripant, "it is he who has
+brought me to the ground; but at least I hope to learn from you
+who that knight is." "That I can easily inform you," said the man;
+"know then that, if you have been overthrown, you owe your fate to
+the high prowess of a lady as beautiful as she is brave. It is the
+fair and illustrious Bradamante who has won from you the honors of
+victory."
+
+At these words the courier rode on his way, leaving Sacripant more
+confounded and mortified than ever. In silence he mounted the
+horse of Angelica, taking the lady behind him on the croup, and
+rode away in search of a more secure asylum. Hardly had they
+ridden two miles when a new sound was heard in the forest, and
+they perceived a gallant and powerful horse, which, leaping the
+ravines and dashing aside the branches that opposed his passage,
+appeared before them, accoutred with a rich harness adorned with
+gold.
+
+"If I may believe my eyes, which penetrate with difficulty the
+underwood," said Angelica, "that horse that dashes so stoutly
+through the bushes is Bayard, and I marvel how he seems to know
+the need we have of him, mounted as we are both on one feeble
+animal." Sacripant, dismounting from the palfrey, approached the
+fiery courser, and attempted to seize his bridle, but the
+disdainful animal, turning from him, launched at him a volley of
+kicks enough to have shattered a wall of marble. Bayard then
+approached Angelica with an air as gentle and loving as a faithful
+dog could his master after a long separation. For he remembered
+how she had caressed him, and even fed him, in Albracca. She took
+his bridle in her left hand, while with her right she patted his
+neck. The beautiful animal, gifted with wonderful intelligence,
+seemed to submit entirely. Sacripant, seizing the moment to vault
+upon him, controlled his curvetings, and Angelica, quitting the
+croup of the palfrey, regained her seat.
+
+But, turning his eyes toward a place where was heard a noise of
+arms, Sacripant beheld Rinaldo. That hero now loves Angelica more
+than his life, and she flies him as the timid crane the falcon.
+
+The fountain of which Angelica had drunk produced such an effect
+on the beautiful queen that, with distressed countenance and
+trembling voice, she conjured Sacripant not to wait the approach
+of Rinaldo, but to join her in flight.
+
+"Am I, then," said Sacripant, "of so little esteem with you that
+you doubt my power to defend you? Do you forget the battle of
+Albracca, and how, in your defence, I fought single-handed against
+Agrican and all his knights?"
+
+Angelica made no reply, uncertain what to do; but already Rinaldo
+was too near to be escaped. He advanced menacingly to the
+Circassian king, for he recognized his horse.
+
+"Vile thief," he cried, "dismount from that horse, and prevent the
+punishment that is your due for daring to rob me of my property.
+Leave, also, the princess in my hands; for it would indeed be a
+sin to suffer so charming a lady and so gallant a charger to
+remain in such keeping."
+
+The king of Circassia, furious at being thus insulted, cried out,
+"Thou liest, villain, in giving me the name of thief, which better
+belongs to thyself than to me. It is true, the beauty of this lady
+and the perfection of this horse are unequalled; come on, then,
+and let us try which of us is most worthy to possess them."
+
+At these words the king of Circassia and Rinaldo attacked one
+another with all their force, one fighting on foot, the other on
+horseback. You need not, however, suppose that the Saracen king
+found any advantage in this; for a young page, unused to
+horsemanship, could not have failed more completely to manage
+Bayard than did this accomplished knight. The faithful animal
+loved his master too well to injure him, and refused his aid as
+well as his obedience to the hand of Sacripant, who could strike
+but ineffectual blows, the horse backing when he wished him to go
+forward, and dropping his head and arching his back, throwing out
+with his legs, so as almost to shake the knight out of the saddle.
+Sacripant, seeing that he could not manage him, watched his
+opportunity, rose on his saddle, and leapt lightly to the earth;
+then, relieved from the embarrassment of the horse, renewed the
+combat on more equal terms. Their skill to thrust and parry were
+equal; one rises, the other stoops; with one foot set firm they
+turn and wind, to lay on strokes or to dodge them. At last
+Rinaldo, throwing himself on the Circassian, dealt him a blow so
+terrible that Fusberta, his good sword, cut in two the buckler of
+Sacripant, although it was made of bone, and covered with a thick
+plate of steel well tempered. The arm of the Saracen was deprived
+of its defence, and almost palsied with the stroke. Angelica,
+perceiving how victory was likely to incline, and shuddering at
+the thought of becoming the prize of Rinaldo, hesitated no longer.
+Turning her horse's head, she fled with the utmost speed; and, in
+spite of the round pebbles which covered a steep descent, she
+plunged into a deep valley, trembling with the fear that Rinaldo
+was in pursuit. At the bottom of this valley she encountered an
+aged hermit, whose white beard flowed to his middle, and whose
+venerable appearance seemed to assure his piety.
+
+This hermit, who appeared shrunk by age and fasting, travelled
+slowly, mounted upon a wretched ass. The princess, overcome with
+fear, conjured him to save her life; and to conduct her to some
+port of the sea, whence she might embark and quit France, never
+more to hear the odious name of Rinaldo.
+
+The old hermit was something of a wizard. He comforted Angelica,
+and promised to protect her from all peril. Then he opened his
+scrip, and took from thence a book, and had read but a single page
+when a goblin, obedient to his incantations, appeared, under the
+form of a laboring man, and demanded his orders. He received them,
+transported himself to the place where the knights still
+maintained their conflict, and boldly stepped between the two.
+
+"Tell me, I pray you," he said, "what benefit will accrue to him
+who shall get the better in this contest? The object you are
+contending for is already disposed of; for the Paladin Orlando,
+without effort and without opposition, is now carrying away the
+princess Angelica to Paris. You had better pursue them promptly;
+for if they reach Paris you will never see her again."
+
+At these words you might have seen those rival warriors
+confounded, stupefied, silently agreeing that they were affording
+their rival a fair opportunity to triumph over them. Rinaldo,
+approaching Bayard, breathes a sigh of shame and rage, and swears
+a terrible oath that, if he overtakes Orlando, he will tear his
+heart out. Then mounting Bayard and pressing his flanks with his
+spurs, he leaves the king of Circassia on foot in the forest.
+
+Let it not appear strange that Rinaldo found Bayard obedient at
+last, after having so long prevented any one from even touching
+his bridle; for that fine animal had an intelligence almost human;
+he had fled from his master only to draw him on the track of
+Angelica, and enable him to recover her. He saw when the princess
+fled from the battle, and Rinaldo being then engaged in a fight on
+foot, Bayard found himself free to follow the traces of Angelica.
+Thus he had drawn his master after him, not permitting him to
+approach, and had brought him to the sight of the princess. But
+Bayard now, deceived like his master with the false intelligence
+of the goblin, submits to be mounted and to serve his master as
+usual, and Rinaldo, animated with rage, makes him fly toward
+Paris, more slowly than his wishes, though the speed of Bayard
+outstripped the winds. Full of impatience to encounter Orlando, he
+gave but a few hours that night to sleep. Early the next day he
+saw before him the great city, under the walls of which the
+Emperor Charles had collected the scattered remains of his army.
+Foreseeing that he would soon be attacked on all sides, the
+Emperor had caused the ancient fortifications to be repaired, and
+new ones to be built, surrounded by wide and deep ditches. The
+desire to hold the field against the enemy made him seize every
+means of procuring new allies. He hoped to receive from England
+aid sufficient to enable him to form a new camp, and as soon as
+Rinaldo rejoined him he selected him to go as his ambassador into
+England, to plead for auxiliaries. Rinaldo was far from pleased
+with his commission, but he obeyed the Emperor's commands, without
+giving himself time to devote a single day to the object nearest
+his heart. He hastened to Calais, and lost not a moment in
+embarking for England, ardently desiring a hasty despatch of his
+commission, and a speedy return to France.
+
+BRADAMANTE AND ROGERO
+
+Bradamante, the knight of the white plume and shield, whose
+sudden appearance and encounter with Sacripant we have already
+told, was in quest of Rogero, from whom chance had separated her,
+almost at the beginning of their acquaintance. After her encounter
+with Sacripant Bradamante pursued her way through the forest, in
+hopes of rejoining Rogero, and arrived at last on the brink of a
+fair fountain.
+
+This fountain flowed through a broad meadow. Ancient trees
+overshadowed it, and travellers, attracted by the sweet murmur of
+its waters, stopped there to cool themselves. Bradamante, casting
+her eyes on all sides to enjoy the beauties of the spot,
+perceived, under the shade of a tree, a knight reclining, who
+seemed to be oppressed with the deepest grief
+
+Bradamante accosted him, and asked to be informed of the cause of
+his distress. "Alas! my lord," said he, "I lament a young and
+charming friend, my affianced wife, who has been torn from me by a
+villain,--let me rather call him a demon,--who, on a winged horse,
+descended from the air, seized her, and bore her screaming to his
+den. I have pursued them over rocks and through ravines till my
+horse is no longer able to bear me, and I now wait only for
+death." He added that already a vain attempt on his behalf had
+been made by two knights, whom chance had brought to the spot.
+Their names were Gradasso, king of Sericane, and Rogero, the Moor.
+Both had been overcome by the wiles of the enchanter, and were
+added to the number of the captives, whom he held in an
+impregnable castle, situated on the height of the mountain. At the
+mention of Rogero's name Bradamante started with delight, which
+was soon changed to an opposite sentiment when she heard that her
+lover was a prisoner in the toils of the enchanter. "Sir Knight,"
+she said, "do not surrender yourself to despair; this day may be
+more happy for you than you think, if you will only lead me to the
+castle which enfolds her whom you deplore."
+
+The knight responded, "After having lost all that made life dear
+to me I have no motive to avoid the dangers of the enterprise, and
+I will do as you request; but I forewarn you of the perils you
+will have to encounter. If you fall impute it not to me."
+
+Having thus spoken, they took their way to the castle, but were
+overtaken by a messenger from the camp, who had been sent in quest
+of Bradamante to summon her back to the army, where her presence
+was needed to reassure her disheartened forces, and withstand the
+advance of the Moors.
+
+The mournful knight, whose name was Pinabel, thus became aware
+that Bradamante was a scion of the house of Clermont, between
+which and his own of Mayence there existed an ancient feud. From
+this moment the traitor sought only how he might be rid of the
+company of Bradamante, from whom he feared no good would come to
+him, but rather mortal injury, if his name and lineage became
+known to her. For he judged her by his own base model, and,
+knowing his ill deserts, he feared to receive his due.
+
+Bradamante, in spite of the summons to return to the army, could
+not resolve to leave her lover in captivity, and determined first
+to finish the adventure on which she was engaged. Pinabel leading
+the way, they at length arrived at a wood, in the centre of which
+rose a steep, rocky mountain. Pinabel, who now thought of nothing
+else but how he might escape from Bradamante, proposed to ascend
+the mountain to extend his view, in order to discover a shelter
+for the night, if any there might be within sight. Under this
+pretence he left Bradamante, and advanced up the side of the
+mountain till he came to a cleft in the rock, down which he
+looked, and perceived that it widened below into a spacious
+cavern. Meanwhile Bradamante, fearful of losing her guide, had
+followed close on his footsteps, and rejoined him at the mouth of
+the cavern. Then the traitor, seeing the impossibility of escaping
+her, conceived another design. He told her that before her
+approach he had seen in the cavern a young and beautiful damsel,
+whose rich dress announced her high birth, who with tears and
+lamentations implored assistance; that before he could descend to
+relieve her a ruffian had seized her, and hurried her away into
+the recesses of the cavern.
+
+Bradamante, full of truth and courage, readily believed this lie
+of the Mayencian traitor. Eager to succor the damsel, she looked
+round for the means of facilitating the descent, and seeing a
+large elm with spreading branches she lopped off with her sword
+one of the largest, and thrust it into the opening. She told
+Pinabel to hold fast to the larger end, while, grasping the
+branches with her hands, she let herself down into the cavern.
+
+The traitor smiled at seeing her thus suspended, and, asking her
+in mockery, "Are you a good leaper?" he let go the branch with
+perfidious glee, and saw Bradamante precipitated to the bottom of
+the cave. "I wish your whole race were there with you," he
+muttered, "that you might all perish together."
+
+But Pinabel's atrocious design was not accomplished. The twigs and
+foliage of the branch broke its descent, and Bradamante, not
+seriously injured, though stunned with her fall, was reserved for
+other adventures.
+
+As soon as she recovered from the shock Bradamante cast her eyes
+around and perceived a door, through which she passed into a
+second cavern, larger and loftier than the first. It had the
+appearance of a subterranean temple. Columns of the purest
+alabaster adorned it, and supported the roof; a simple altar rose
+in the middle; a lamp, whose radiance was reflected by the
+alabaster walls, cast a mild light around.
+
+Bradamante, inspired by a sense of religious awe, approached the
+altar, and, falling on her knees, poured forth her prayers and
+thanks to the Preserver of her life, invoking the protection of
+his power. At that moment a small door opened, and a female issued
+from it with naked feet, and flowing robe and hair, who called her
+by her name, and thus addressed her: "Brave and generous
+Bradamante, know that it is a power from above that has brought
+you hither. The spirit of Merlin, whose last earthly abode was in
+this place, has warned me of your arrival, and of the fate that
+awaits you. This famous grotto," she continued, "was the work of
+the enchanter Merlin; here his ashes repose. You have no doubt
+heard how this sage and virtuous enchanter ceased to be. Victim of
+the artful fairy of the lake, Merlin, by a fatal compliance with
+her request, laid himself down living in his tomb, without power
+to resist the spell laid upon him by that ingrate, who retained
+him there as long as he lived. His spirit hovers about this spot,
+and will not leave it, until the last trumpet shall summon the
+dead to judgment. He answers the questions of those who approach
+his tomb, where perhaps you may be privileged to hear his voice."
+
+Bradamante, astonished at these words, and the objects which met
+her view, knew not whether she was awake or asleep. Confused, but
+modest, she cast down her eyes, and a blush overspread her face.
+"Ah, what am I," said she, "that so great a prophet should deign
+to speak to me!" Still, with a secret satisfaction, she followed
+the priestess, who led her to the tomb of Merlin. This tomb was
+constructed of a species of stone hard and resplendent like fire.
+The rays which beamed from the stone sufficed to light up that
+terrible place, where the sun's rays never penetrated; but I know
+not whether that light was the effect of a certain phosphorescence
+of the stone itself, or of the many talismans and charms with
+which it was wrought over.
+
+Bradamante had hardly passed the threshold of this sacred place
+when the spirit of the enchanter saluted her with a voice firm and
+distinct: "May thy designs be prosperous, O chaste and noble
+maiden, the future mother of heroes, the glory of Italy, and
+destined to fill the whole world with their fame. Great captains,
+renowned knights, shall be numbered among your descendants, who
+shall defend the Church and restore their country to its ancient
+splendor. Princes, wise as Augustus and the sage Numa, shall bring
+back the age of gold. [Footnote: This prophecy is introduced by
+Ariosto in this place to compliment the noble house of Este, the
+princes of his native state, the dukedom of Ferrara.] To
+accomplish these grand destinies it is ordained that you shall wed
+the illustrious Rogero. Fly then to his deliverance, and lay
+prostrate in the dust the traitor who has snatched him from you,
+and now holds him in chains!"
+
+Merlin ceased with these words, and left to Melissa, the
+priestess, the charge of more fully instructing the maiden in her
+future course. "To-morrow," said she, "I will conduct you to the
+castle on the rock where Rogero is held captive. I will not leave
+you till I have guided you through this wild wood, and I will
+direct you on your way so that you shall be in no danger of
+mistaking it."
+
+The next morning Melissa conducted Bradamante between rocks and
+precipices, crossing rapid torrents, and traversing intricate
+passes, employing the time in imparting to her such information as
+was necessary to enable her to bring her design to a successful
+issue.
+
+"Not only would the castle, impenetrable by force, and that winged
+horse of his baffle your efforts, but know that he possesses also
+a buckler whence flashes a light so brilliant that the eyes of all
+who look upon it are blinded. Think not to avoid it by shutting
+your eyes, for how then will you be able to avoid his blows, and
+make him feel your own? But I will teach you the proper course to
+pursue.
+
+"Agramant, the Moorish prince, possesses a ring stolen from a
+queen of India, which has power to render of no avail all
+enchantments. Agramant, knowing that Rogero is of more importance
+to him than any one of his warriors, is desirous of rescuing him
+from the power of the enchanter, and has sent for that purpose
+Brunello, the most crafty and sagacious of his servants, provided
+with his wonderful ring, and he is even now at hand, bent on this
+enterprise. But, beautiful Bradamante, as I desire that no one but
+yourself shall have the glory of delivering from thraldom your
+future spouse, listen while I disclose the means of success.
+Following this path which leads by the seashore, you will come ere
+long to a hostelry, where the Saracen Brunello will arrive shortly
+before you. You will readily know him by his stature, under four
+feet, his great disproportioned head, his squint eyes, his livid
+hue, his thick eyebrows joining his tufted beard. His dress,
+moreover, that of a courier, will point him out to you.
+
+"It will be easy for you to enter into conversation with him,
+announcing yourself as a knight seeking combat with the enchanter,
+but let not the knave suspect that you know anything about the
+ring. I doubt not that he will be your guide to the castle of the
+enchanter. Accept his offer, but take care to keep behind him till
+you come in sight of the brilliant dome of the castle. Then
+hesitate not to strike him dead, for the wretch deserves no pity,
+and take from him the ring. But let him not suspect your
+intention, for by putting the ring into his mouth he will
+instantly become invisible, and disappear from your eyes."
+
+Saying thus, the sage Melissa and the fair Bradamante arrived near
+the city of Bordeaux, where the rich and wide river Garonne pours
+the tribute of its waves into the sea. They parted with tender
+embraces. Bradamante, intent wholly on her purpose, hastened to
+arrive at the hostelry, where Brunello had preceded her a few
+moments only. The young heroine knew him without difficulty. She
+accosted him, and put to him some slight questions, to which he
+replied with adroit falsehoods. Bradamante, on her part, concealed
+from him her sex, her religion, her country, and the blood from
+whence she sprung. While they talk together, sudden cries are
+heard from all parts of the hostelry. "O queen of heaven!"
+exclaimed Bradamante, "what can be the cause of this sudden
+alarm?" She soon learned the cause. Host, children, domestics,
+all, with upturned eyes, as if they saw a comet or a great
+eclipse, were gazing on a prodigy which seemed to pass the bounds
+of possibility. She beheld distinctly a winged horse, mounted with
+a cavalier in rich armor, cleaving the air with rapid flight. The
+wings of this strange courser were wide extended, and covered with
+feathers of various colors. The polished armor of the knight made
+them shine with rainbow tints. In a short time the horse and rider
+disappeared behind the summits of the mountains.
+
+"It is an enchanter," said the host, "a magician who often is seen
+traversing the air in that way. Sometimes he flies aloft as if
+among the stars, and at others skims along the land. He possesses
+a wonderful castle on the top of the Pyrenees. Many knights have
+shown their courage by going to attack him, but none have ever
+returned, from which it is to be feared they have lost either
+their life or their liberty."
+
+Bradamante, addressing the host, said, "Could you furnish me a
+guide to conduct me to the castle of this enchanter?" "By my
+faith," said Brunello, interrupting, "that you shall not seek in
+vain; I have it all in writing, and I will myself conduct you."
+Bradamante, with thanks, accepted him for her guide.
+
+The host had a tolerable horse to dispose of, which Bradamante
+bargained for, and the next day, at the first dawn of morning, she
+took her route by a narrow valley, taking care to have the Saracen
+Brunello lead the way.
+
+They reached the summit of the Pyrenees, whence one may look down
+on France, Spain, and the two seas. From this height they
+descended again by a fatiguing road into a deep valley. From the
+middle of this valley an isolated mountain rose, composed of rough
+and perpendicular rock, on whose summit was the castle, surrounded
+with a wall of brass. Brunello said, "Yonder is the stronghold
+where the enchanter keeps his prisoners; one must have wings to
+mount thither; it is easy to see that the aid of a flying horse
+must be necessary for the master of this castle, which he uses for
+his prison and for his abode."
+
+Bradamante, sufficiently instructed, saw that the time had now
+come to possess herself of the ring; but she could not resolve to
+slay a defenceless man. She seized Brunello before he was aware,
+bound him to a tree, and took from him the ring which he wore on
+one of his fingers. The cries and entreaties of the perfidious
+Saracen moved her not. She advanced to the foot of the rock
+whereon the castle stood, and, to draw the magician to the combat,
+sounded her horn, adding to it cries of defiance.
+
+The enchanter delayed not to present himself, mounted on his
+winged horse. Bradamante was struck with surprise mixed with joy
+when she saw that this person, described as so formidable, bore no
+lance nor club, nor any other deadly weapon. He had only on his
+arm a buckler, covered with a cloth, and in his hand an open book.
+As to the winged horse, there was no enchantment about him. He was
+a natural animal, of a species which exists in the Riphaean
+mountains. Like a griffin, he had the head of an eagle, claws
+armed with talons, and wings covered with feathers, the rest of
+his body being that of a horse. This strange animal is called a
+Hippogriff.
+
+The heroine attacked the enchanter on his approach, striking on
+this side and on that, with all the energy of a violent combat,
+but wounding only the wind; and after this pretended attack had
+lasted some time dismounted from her horse, as if hoping to do
+battle more effectually on foot. The enchanter now prepares to
+employ his sole weapon, by uncovering the magic buckler which
+never failed to subdue an enemy by depriving him of his senses.
+Bradamante, confiding in her ring, observed all the motions of her
+adversary, and, at the unveiling of the shield, cast herself on
+the ground, pretending that the splendor of the shield had
+overcome her, but in reality to induce the enchanter to dismount
+and approach her.
+
+It happened according to her wish. When the enchanter saw her
+prostrate he made his horse alight on the ground, and,
+dismounting, fixed the shield on the pommel of his saddle, and
+approached in order to secure the fallen warrior. Bradamante, who
+watched him intently, as soon as she saw him near at hand, sprang
+up, seized him vigorously, threw him down, and, with the same
+chain which the enchanter had prepared for herself, bound him
+fast, without his being able to make any effectual resistance.
+
+The enchanter, with the accents of despair, exclaimed, "Take my
+life, young man!" but Bradamante was far from complying with such
+a wish. Desirous of knowing the name of the enchanter, and for
+what purpose he had formed with so much art this impregnable
+fortress, she commanded him to inform her.
+
+"Alas!" replied the magician, while tears flowed down his cheeks,
+"it is not to conceal booty, nor for any culpable design that I
+have built this castle; it was only to guard the life of a young
+knight, the object of my tenderest affection, my art having taught
+me that he is destined to become a Christian, and to perish,
+shortly after, by the blackest of treasons.
+
+"This youth, named Rogero, is the most beautiful and most
+accomplished of knights. It is I, the unhappy Atlantes, who have
+reared him from his childhood. The call of honor and the desire of
+glory led him from me to follow Agramant, his prince, in his
+invasion of France, and I, more devoted to Rogero than the
+tenderest of parents, have sought the means of bringing him back
+to this abode, in the hope of saving him from the cruel fate that
+menaces him.
+
+"For this purpose I have got him in my possession by the same
+means as I attempted to employ against you; and by which I have
+succeeded in collecting a great many knights and ladies in my
+castle. My purpose was to render my beloved pupil's captivity
+light, by affording him society to amuse him, and keep his
+thoughts from running on subjects of war and glory. Alas! my cares
+have been in vain! Yet, take, I beseech you, whatever else I have,
+but spare me my beloved pupil. Take this shield, take this winged
+courser, deliver such of your friends as you may find among my
+prisoners, deliver them all if you will, but leave me my beloved
+Rogero; or if you will snatch him too from me, take also my life,
+which will cease then to be to me worth preserving."
+
+Bradamante replied: "Old man, hope not to move me by your vain
+entreaties. It is precisely the liberty of Rogero that I require.
+You would keep him here in bondage and in slothful pleasure, to
+save him from a fate which you foresee. Vain old man! how can you
+foresee his fate when you could not foresee your own? You desire
+me to take your life. No, my aim and my soul refuse the request."
+This said, she required the magician to go before, and guide her
+to the castle. The prisoners were set at liberty, though some, in
+their secret hearts, regretted the voluptuous life which was thus
+brought to an end. Bradamante and Rogero met one another with
+transports of joy.
+
+They descended from the mountain to the spot where the encounter
+had taken place. There they found the Hippogriff, with the magic
+buckler in its wrapper, hanging to his saddle-bow. Bradamante
+advanced to seize the bridle; the Hippogriff seemed to wait her
+approach, but before she reached him he spread his wings and flew
+away to a neighboring hill, and in the same manner, a second time,
+eluded her efforts. Rogero and the other liberated knights
+dispersed over the plain and hilltops to secure him, and at last
+the animal allowed Rogero to seize his rein. The fearless Rogero
+hesitated not to vault upon his back, and let him feel his spurs,
+which so roused his mettle that, after galloping a short distance,
+he suddenly spread his wings, and soared into the air. Bradamante
+had the grief to see her lover snatched away from her at the very
+moment of reunion. Rogero, who knew not the art of directing the
+horse, was unable to control his flight. He found himself carried
+over the tops of the mountains, so far above them that he could
+hardly distinguish what was land and what water. The Hippogriff
+directed his flight to the west, and cleaved the air as swiftly as
+a new-rigged vessel cuts the waves, impelled by the freshest and
+most favorable gales.
+
+ASTOLPHO AND THE ENCHANTRESS
+
+In the long flight which Rogero took on the back of the Hippogriff
+he was carried over land and sea, unknowing whither. As soon as he
+had gained some control over the animal he made him alight on the
+nearest land. When he came near enough to earth Rogero leapt
+lightly from his back, and tied the animal to a myrtle-tree. Near
+the spot flowed the pure waters of a fountain, surrounded by
+cedars and palm-trees. Rogero laid aside his shield, and, removing
+his helmet, breathed with delight the fresh air, and cooled his
+lips with the waters of the fountain. For we cannot wonder that he
+was excessively fatigued, considering the ride he had taken. He
+was preparing to taste the sweets of repose when he perceived that
+the Hippogriff, which he had tied by the bridle to a myrtle-tree,
+frightened at something, was making violent efforts to disengage
+himself. His struggle shook the myrtle-tree so that many of its
+beautiful leaves were torn off, and strewed the ground.
+
+A sound like that which issues from burning wood seemed to come
+from the myrtle-tree, at first faint and indistinct, but growing
+stronger by degrees, and at length was audible as a voice which
+spoke in this manner: "O knight, if the tenderness of your heart
+corresponds to the beauty of your person, relieve me, I pray you,
+from this tormenting animal. I suffer enough inwardly without
+having outward evils added to my lot."
+
+Rogero, at the first accents of this voice, turned his eyes
+promptly on the myrtle, hastened to it, and stood fixed in
+astonishment when he perceived that the voice issued from the tree
+itself. He immediately untied his horse, and, flushed with
+surprise and regret, exclaimed, "Whoever thou art, whether mortal
+or the goddess of these woods, forgive me, I beseech you, my
+involuntary fault. Had I imagined that this hard bark covered a
+being possessed of feeling, could I have exposed such a beautiful
+myrtle to the insults of this steed? May the sweet influences of
+the sky and air speedily repair the injury I have done! For my
+part, I promise by the sovereign lady of my heart to do everything
+you wish in order to merit your forgiveness."
+
+At these words the myrtle seemed to tremble from root to stem, and
+Rogero remarked that a moisture as of tears trickled down its
+bark, like that which exudes from a log placed on the fire. It
+then spoke:
+
+"The kindness which inspires your words compels me to disclose to
+you who I once was, and by what fatality I have been changed into
+this shape. My name was Astolpho, cousin of Orlando and Rinaldo,
+whose fame has filled the earth. I was myself reckoned among the
+bravest paladins of France, and was by birth entitled to reign
+over England, after Otho, my father. Returning from the distant
+East, with Rinaldo and many other brave knights, called home to
+aid with our arms the great Emperor of France, we reached a spot
+where the powerful enchantress Alcina possessed a castle on the
+borders of the sea. She had gone to the water-side to amuse
+herself with fishing, and we paused to see how, by her art,
+without hook or line, she drew from the water whatever she would.
+
+"Not far from the shore an enormous whale showed a back so broad
+and motionless that it looked like an island. Alcina had fixed her
+eyes on me, and planned to get me into her power. Addressing us,
+she said: 'This is the hour when the prettiest mermaid in the sea
+comes regularly every day to the shore of yonder island. She sings
+so sweetly that the very waves flow smoother at the sound. If you
+wish to hear her come with me to her resort.' So saying, Alcina
+pointed to the fish, which we all supposed to be an island. I, who
+was rash, did not hesitate to follow her; but swam my horse over,
+and mounted on the back of the fish. In vain Rinaldo and Dudon
+made signs to me to beware; Alcina, smiling, took me in charge,
+and led the way. No sooner were we mounted upon him than the whale
+moved off, spreading his great fins, and cleft rapidly the waters.
+I then saw my folly, but it was too late to repent. Alcina soothed
+my anger, and professed that what she had done was for love of me.
+Ere long we arrived at this island, where at first everything was
+done to reconcile me to my lot, and to make my days pass happily
+away. But soon Alcina, sated with her conquest, grew indifferent,
+then weary of me, and at last, to get rid of me, changed me into
+this form, as she had done to many lovers before me, making some
+of them olives, some palms, some cedars, changing others into
+fountains, rocks, or even into wild beasts. And thou, courteous
+knight, whom accident has brought to this enchanted isle, beware
+that she get not the power over thee, or thou shalt haply be made
+like us, a tree, a fountain, or a rock."
+
+Rogero expressed his astonishment at this recital. Astolpho added
+that the island was in great part subject to the sway of Alcina.
+By the aid of her sister Morgana, she had succeeded in
+dispossessing a third sister, Logestilla, of nearly the whole of
+her patrimony, for the whole isle was hers originally by her
+father's bequest. But Logestilla was temperate and sage, while the
+other sisters were false and voluptuous. Her empire was divided
+from theirs by a gulf and chain of mountains, which alone had thus
+far prevented her sister from usurping it.
+
+Astolpho here ended his tale, and Rogero, who knew that he was the
+cousin of Bradamante, would gladly have devised some way for his
+relief; but, as that was out of his power, he consoled him as well
+as he could, and then begged to be told the way to the palace of
+Logestilla, and how to avoid that of Alcina. Astolpho directed him
+to take the road to the left, though rough and full of rocks. He
+warned him that this road would present serious obstacles; that
+troops of monsters would oppose his passage, employed by the art
+of Alcina to prevent her subjects from escaping from her dominion.
+Rogero thanked the myrtle, and prepared to set out on his way.
+
+He at first thought he would mount the winged horse, and scale the
+mountain on his back; but he was too uncertain of his power to
+control him to wish to encounter the hazard of another flight
+through the air, besides that he was almost famished for the want
+of food. So he led the horse after him, and took the road on foot,
+which for some distance led equally to the dominions of both the
+sisters.
+
+He had not advanced more than two miles when he saw before him the
+superb city of Alcina. It was surrounded with a wall of gold,
+which seemed to reach the skies. I know that some think that this
+wall was not of real gold, but only the work of alchemy; it
+matters not; I prefer to think it gold, for it certainly shone
+like gold.
+
+A broad and level road led to the gates of the city, and from this
+another branched off, narrow and rough, which led to the mountain
+region. Rogero took without hesitation the narrow road; but he had
+no sooner entered upon it than he was assailed by a numerous troop
+which opposed his passage.
+
+You never have seen anything so ridiculous, so extraordinary, as
+this host of hobgoblins were. Some of them bore the human form
+from the neck to the feet, but had the head of a monkey or a cat;
+others had the legs and the ears of a horse; old men and women,
+bald and hideous, ran hither and thither as if out of their
+senses, half clad in the shaggy skins of beasts; one rode full
+speed on a horse without a bridle, another jogged along mounted on
+an ass or a cow; others, full of agility, skipped about, and clung
+to the tails and manes of the animals which their companions rode.
+Some blew horns, others brandished drinking-cups; some were armed
+with spits, and some with pitchforks. One, who appeared to be the
+captain, had an enormous belly and a gross fat head; he was
+mounted on a tortoise, that waddled, now this way, now that,
+without keeping any one direction.
+
+One of these monsters, who had something approaching the human
+form, though he had the neck, ears, and muzzle of a dog, set
+himself to bark furiously at Rogero, to make him turn off to the
+right, and reenter upon the road to the gay city; but the brave
+chevalier exclaimed, "That will I not, so long as I can use this
+sword,"--and he thrust the point directly at his face. The monster
+tried to strike him with a lance, but Rogero was too quick for
+him, and thrust his sword through his body, so that it appeared a
+hand's breadth behind his back. The paladin, now giving full vent
+to his rage, laid about him vigorously among the rabble, cleaving
+one to the teeth, another to the girdle; but the troop were so
+numerous, and in spite of his blows pressed around him so close,
+that, to clear his way, he must have had as many arms as Briareus.
+
+If Rogero had uncovered the shield of the enchanter, which hung at
+his saddle-bow, he might easily have vanquished this monstrous
+rout; but perhaps he did not think of it, and perhaps he preferred
+to seek his defence nowhere but in his good sword. At that moment,
+when his perplexity was at its height, he saw issue from the city
+gate two young beauties, whose air and dress proclaimed their rank
+and gentle nurture. Each of them was mounted on a unicorn, whose
+whiteness surpassed that of ermine. They advanced to the meadow
+where Rogero was contending so valiantly against the hobgoblins,
+who all retired at their approach. They drew near, they extended
+their hands to the young warrior, whose cheeks glowed with the
+flush of exercise and modesty. Grateful for their assistance, he
+expressed his thanks, and, having no heart to refuse them,
+followed their guidance to the gate of the city.
+
+This grand and beautiful entrance was adorned by a portico of four
+vast columns, all of diamond. Whether they were real diamond or
+artificial I cannot say. What matter is it, so long as they
+appeared to the eye like diamond, and nothing could be more gay
+and splendid.
+
+On the threshold, and between the columns, was seen a bevy of
+charming young women, who played and frolicked together. They all
+ran to receive Rogero, and conducted him into the palace, which
+appeared like a paradise.
+
+We might well call by that name this abode, where the hours flew
+by, without account, in ever-new delights. The bare idea of
+satiety, want, and, above all, of age, never entered the minds of
+the inhabitants. They experienced no sensations except those of
+luxury and gayety; the cup of happiness seemed for them ever-
+flowing and exhaustless. The two young damsels to whom Rogero owed
+his deliverance from the hobgoblins conducted him to the apartment
+of their mistress. The beautiful Alcina advanced, and greeted him
+with an air at once dignified and courteous. All her court
+surrounded the paladin, and rendered him the most flattering
+attentions. The castle was less admirable for its magnificence
+than for the charms of those who inhabited it. They were of either
+sex, well matched in beauty, youth, and grace; but among this
+charming group the brilliant Alcina shone, as the sun outshines
+the stars. The young warrior was fascinated. All that he had heard
+from the myrtle-tree appeared to him but a vile calumny. How could
+he suspect that falsehood and treason veiled themselves under
+smiles and the ingenuous air of truth? He doubted not that
+Astolpho had deserved his fate, and perhaps a punishment more
+severe; he regarded all his stories as dictated by a disappointed
+spirit, and a thirst for revenge. But we must not condemn Rogero
+too harshly, for he was the victim of magic power.
+
+They seated themselves at table, and immediately harmonious lyres
+and harps waked the air with the most ravishing notes. The charms
+of poetry were added in entertaining recitals; the magnificence of
+the feast would have done credit to a royal board. The traitress
+forgot nothing which might charm the paladin, and attach him to
+the spot, meaning, when she should grow tired of him, to
+metamorphose him as she had done others. In the same manner passed
+each succeeding day. Games of pleasant exercise, the chase, the
+dance, or rural sports, made the hours pass quickly; while they
+gave zest to the refreshment of the bath, or sleep.
+
+Thus Rogero led a life of ease and luxury, while Charlemagne and
+Agramant were struggling for empire. But I cannot linger with him
+while the amiable and courageous Bradamante is night and day
+directing her uncertain steps to every spot where the slightest
+chance invites her, in the hope of recovering Rogero.
+
+I will therefore say that, having sought him in vain in fields and
+in cities, she knew not whither next to direct her steps. She did
+not apprehend the death of Rogero. The fall of such a hero would
+have reechoed from the Hydaspes to the farthest river of the West;
+but, not knowing whether he was on the earth or in the air, she
+concluded, as a last resource, to return to the cavern which
+contained the tomb of Merlin, to ask of him some sure direction to
+the object of her search.
+
+While this thought occupied her mind, Melissa, the sage
+enchantress, suddenly appeared before her. This virtuous and
+beneficent magician had discovered by her spells that Rogero was
+passing his time in pleasure and idleness, forgetful of his honor
+and his sovereign. Not able to endure the thought that one who was
+born to be a hero should waste his years in base repose, and leave
+a sullied reputation in the memory of survivors, she saw that
+vigorous measures must be employed to draw him forth into the
+paths of virtue. Melissa was not blinded by her affection for the
+amiable paladin, like Atlantes, who, intent only on preserving
+Rogero's life, cared nothing for his fame. It was that old
+enchanter whose arts had guided the Hippogriff to the isle of the
+too charming Alcina, where he hoped his favorite would learn to
+forget honor, and lose the love of glory.
+
+At the sight of Melissa joy lighted up the countenance of
+Bradamante, and hope animated her breast. Melissa concealed
+nothing from her, but told her how Rogero was in the toils of
+Alcina. Bradamante was plunged in grief and terror; but the kind
+enchantress calmed her, dispelled her fears, and promised that
+before many days she would lead back the paladin to her feet.
+
+"My daughter," she said, "give me the ring which you wear, and
+which possesses the power to overcome enchantments. By means of it
+I doubt not but that I may enter the stronghold where the false
+Alcina holds Rogero in durance, and may succeed in vanquishing her
+and liberating him." Bradamante unhesitatingly delivered her the
+ring, recommending Rogero to her best efforts. Melissa then
+summoned by her art a huge palfrey, black as jet, excepting one
+foot, which was bay. Mounted upon this animal, she rode with such
+speed that by the next morning she had reached the abode of
+Alcina.
+
+She here transformed herself into the perfect resemblance of the
+old magician Atlantes, adding a palm-breadth to her height, and
+enlarging her whole figure. Her chin she covered with a long
+beard, and seamed her whole visage well with wrinkles. She assumed
+also his voice and manner, and watched her chance to find Rogero
+alone. At last she found him, dressed in a rich tunic of silk and
+gold, a collar of precious stones about his neck, and his arms,
+once so rough with exercise, decorated with bracelets. His air and
+his every motion indicated effeminacy, and he seemed to retain
+nothing of Rogero but the name; such power had the enchantress
+obtained over him.
+
+Melissa, under the form of his old instructor, presented herself
+before him, wearing a stern and serious visage. "Is this, then,"
+she said, "the fruit of all my labors? Is it for this that I fed
+you on the marrow of bears and lions, that I taught you to subdue
+dragons, and, like Hercules, strangle serpents in your youthful
+grasp, only to make you, by all my cares, a feeble Adonis? My
+nightly watchings of the stars, of the yet warm fibres of animals,
+the lots I have cast, the points of nativity that I have
+calculated, have they all falsely indicated that you were born for
+greatness? Who could have believed that you would become the slave
+of a base enchantress? O Rogero, learn to know this Alcina, learn
+to understand her arts and to countervail them. Take this ring,
+place it on your finger, return to her presence, and see for
+yourself what are her real charms."
+
+At these words, Rogero, confused, abashed, cast his eyes upon the
+ground, and knew not what to answer. Melissa seized the moment,
+slipped the ring on his finger, and the paladin was himself again.
+What a thunderclap to him! Overcome by shame, he dared not to
+encounter the looks of his instructor. When at last he raised his
+eyes he beheld not that venerable form, but the priestess Melissa,
+who in virtue of the ring now appeared in her true person. She
+told him of the motives which had led her to come to his rescue,
+of the griefs and regrets of Bradamante, and of her unwearied
+search for him. "That charming Amazon," she said, "sends you this
+ring, which is a sovereign antidote to all enchantments. She would
+have sent you her heart in my hands, if it would have had greater
+power to serve you."
+
+It was needless for Melissa to say more. Rogero's love for Alcina,
+being but the work of enchantment, vanished as soon as the
+enchantment was withdrawn, and he now hated her with an equal
+intensity, seeing no longer anything in her but her vices, and
+feeling only resentment for the shame that she had put upon him.
+
+His surprise when he again beheld Alcina was no less than his
+indignation. Fortified by his ring from her enchantments, he saw
+her as she was, a monster of ugliness. All her charms were
+artificial, and, truly viewed, were rather deformities. She was,
+in fact, older than Hecuba or the Sibyl of Cumae; but an art,
+which it is to be regretted our times have lost, enabled her to
+appear charming, and to clothe herself in all the attractions of
+youth. Rogero now saw all this, but, governed by the counsels of
+Melissa, he concealed his surprise, assumed under some pretext his
+armor, long neglected, and bound to his side Belisarda, his trusty
+sword, taking also the buckler of Atlantes, covered with its veil.
+
+He then selected a horse from the stables of Alcina, without
+exciting her suspicions; but he left the Hippogriff, by the advice
+of Melissa, who promised to take him in charge, and train him to a
+more manageable state. The horse he took was Rabican, which
+belonged to Astolpho. He restored the ring to Melissa.
+
+Rogero had not ridden far when he met one of the huntsmen of
+Alcina, bearing a falcon on his wrist, and followed by a dog. The
+huntsman was mounted on a powerful horse, and came boldly up to
+the paladin, demanding, in a somewhat imperious manner, whither he
+was going so rapidly. Rogero disdained to stop or to reply;
+whereupon the huntsman, not doubting that he was about making his
+escape, said, "What if I, with my falcon, stop your ride?" So
+saying, he threw off the bird, which even Rabican could not equal
+in speed. The huntsman then leapt from his horse, and the animal,
+open-mouthed, darted after Rogero with the swiftness of an arrow.
+The huntsman also ran as if the wind or fire bore him, and the dog
+was equal to Rabican in swiftness. Rogero, finding flight
+impossible, stopped and faced his pursuers; but his sword was
+useless against such foes. The insolent huntsman assailed him with
+words, and struck him with his whip, the only weapon he had; the
+dog bit his feet, and the horse drove at him with his hoofs. At
+the same time the falcon flew over his head and over Rabican's and
+attacked them with claws and wings, so that the horse in his
+fright began to be unmanageable. At that moment the sound of
+trumpets and cymbals was heard in the valley, and it was evident
+that Alcina had ordered out all her array to go in pursuit. Rogero
+felt that there was no time to be lost, and luckily remembered the
+shield of Atlantes, which he bore suspended from his neck. He
+unveiled it, and the charm worked wonderfully. The huntsman, the
+dog, the horse, fell flat; the trembling wings of the falcon could
+no longer sustain her, and she fell senseless to the ground.
+Rogero, rid of their annoyances, left them in their trance, and
+rode away.
+
+Meanwhile Alcina, with all the force she could muster, sallied
+forth from her palace in pursuit. Melissa, left behind, took
+advantage of the opportunity to ransack all the rooms, protected
+by the ring. She undid one by one all the talismans and spells
+which she found, broke the seals, burned the images, and untied
+the hagknots. Thence, hurrying through the fields, she
+disenchanted the victims changed into trees, fountains, stones, or
+brutes; all of whom recovered their liberty, and vowed eternal
+gratitude to their deliverer. They made their escape, with all
+possible despatch, to the realms of the good Logestilla, whence
+they departed to their several homes.
+
+Astolpho was the first whom Melissa liberated, for Rogero had
+particularly recommended him to her care. She aided him to recover
+his arms, and particularly that precious golden-headed lance which
+once was Argalia's. The enchantress mounted with him upon the
+winged horse, and in a short time arrived through the air at the
+castle of Logestilla, where Rogero joined them soon after.
+
+In this abode the friends passed a short period of delightful and
+improving intercourse with the sage Logestilla and her virtuous
+court; and then each departed, Rogero with the Hippogriff, ring,
+and buckler; Astolpho with his golden lance, and mounted on
+Rabican, the fleetest of steeds. To Rogero Logestilla gave a bit
+and bridle suited to govern the Hippogriff; and to Astolpho a horn
+of marvellous powers, to be sounded only when all other weapons
+were unavailing.
+
+THE ORC
+
+We left the charming Angelica at the moment when, in her flight
+from her contending lovers, Sacripant and Rinaldo, she met an aged
+hermit. We have seen that her request to the hermit was to furnish
+her the means of gaining the sea-coast, eager to avoid Rinaldo,
+whom she hated, by leaving France and Europe itself. The pretended
+hermit, who was no other than a vile magician, knowing well that
+it would not be agreeable to his false gods to aid Angelica in
+this undertaking, feigned to comply with her desire. He supplied
+her a horse, into which he had by his arts caused a subtle devil
+to enter, and, having mounted Angelica on the animal, directed her
+what course to take to reach the sea.
+
+Angelica rode on her way without suspicion, but when arrived at
+the shore, the demon urged the animal headlong into the water.
+Angelica in vain attempted to turn him back to the land; he
+continued his course till, as night approached, he landed with his
+burden on a sandy headland.
+
+Angelica, finding herself alone, abandoned in this frightful
+solitude, remained without movement, as if stupefied, with hands
+joined and eyes turned towards heaven, till at last, pouring forth
+a torrent of tears, she exclaimed: "Cruel fortune, have you not
+yet exhausted your rage against me? To what new miseries do you
+doom me? Alas! then finish your work! Deliver me a prey to some
+ferocious beast, or by whatever fate you choose bring me to an
+end. I will be thankful to you for terminating my life and my
+misery." At last, exhausted by her sorrows, she fell asleep, and
+sunk prostrate on the sand.
+
+Before recounting what next befell, we must declare what place it
+was upon which the unhappy lady was now thrown. In the sea that
+washes the coast of Ireland there is an island called Ebuda, whose
+inhabitants, once numerous, had been wasted by the anger of
+Proteus till there were now but few left. This deity was incensed
+by some neglect of the usual honors which he had in old times
+received from the inhabitants of the land, and, to execute his
+vengeance, had sent a horrid sea-monster, called an Orc, to devour
+them. Such were the terrors of his ravages that the whole people
+of the isle had shut themselves up in the principal town, and
+relied on their walls alone to protect them. In this distress they
+applied to the Oracle for advice, and were directed to appease the
+wrath of the sea-monster by offering to him the fairest virgin
+that the country could produce.
+
+Now it so happened that the very day when this dreadful oracle was
+announced, and when the fatal mandate had gone forth to seek among
+the fairest maidens of the land one to be offered to the monster,
+some sailors, landing on the beach where Angelica was, beheld that
+beauty as she lay asleep.
+
+O blind Chance! whose power in human affairs is but too great,
+canst thou then abandon to the teeth of a horrible monster those
+charms which different sovereigns took arms against one another to
+possess? Alas! the lovely Angelica is destined to be the victim of
+those cruel islanders.
+
+Still asleep, she was bound by the Ebudians, and it was not until
+she was carried on board the vessel that she came to a knowledge
+of her situation. The wind filled the sails and wafted the ship
+swiftly to the port, where all that beheld her agreed that she was
+unquestionably the victim selected by Proteus himself to be his
+prey. Who can tell the screams, the mortal anguish of this unhappy
+maiden, the reproaches she addressed even to the heavens
+themselves, when the dreadful information of her cruel fate was
+made known to her? I cannot; let me rather turn to a happier part
+of my story.
+
+Rogero left the palace of Logestilla, careering on his flying
+courser far above the tops of the mountains, and borne westward by
+the Hippogriff, which he guided with ease, by means of the bridle
+that Melissa had given him. Anxious as he was to recover
+Bradamante, he could not fail to be delighted at the view his
+rapid flight presented of so many vast regions and populous
+countries as he passed over in his career. At last he approached
+the shores of England, and perceived an immense army in all the
+splendor of military pomp, as if about to go forth flushed with
+hopes of victory. He caused the Hippogriff to alight not far from
+the scene, and found himself immediately surrounded by admiring
+spectators, knights and soldiers, who could not enough indulge
+their curiosity and wonder. Rogero learned, in reply to his
+questions, that the fine array of troops before him was the army
+destined to go to the aid of the French Emperor, in compliance
+with the request presented by the illustrious Rinaldo, as
+ambassador of King Charles, his uncle.
+
+By this time the curiosity of the English chevaliers was partly
+gratified in beholding the Hippogriff at rest, and Rogero, to
+renew their surprise and delight, remounted the animal, and,
+slapping spurs to his sides, made him launch into the air with the
+rapidity of a meteor, and directed his flight still westwardly,
+till he came within sight of the coasts of Ireland. Here he
+descried what seemed to be a fair damsel, alone, fast chained to a
+rock which projected into the sea. What was his astonishment when,
+drawing nigh, he beheld the beautiful princess Angelica! That day
+she had been led forth and bound to the rock, there to wait till
+the sea-monster should come to devour her. Rogero exclaimed as he
+came near, "What cruel hands, what barbarous soul, what fatal
+chance can have loaded thee with those chains?" Angelica replied
+by a torrent of tears, at first her only response; then, in a
+trembling voice, she disclosed to him the horrible destiny for
+which she was there exposed. While she spoke, a terrible roaring
+was heard far off on the sea. The huge monster soon came in sight,
+part of his body appearing above the waves and part concealed.
+Angelica, half dead with fear, abandoned herself to despair.
+
+Rogero, lance in rest, spurred his Hippogriff toward the Orc, and
+gave him a thrust. The horrible monster was like nothing that
+nature produces. It was but one mass of tossing and twisting body,
+with nothing of the animal but head, eyes, and mouth, the last
+furnished with tusks like those of the wild boar. Rogero's lance
+had struck him between the eyes; but rock and iron are not more
+impenetrable than were his scales. The knight, seeing the
+fruitlessness of the first blow, prepared to give a second. The
+animal, beholding upon the water the shadow of the great wings of
+the Hippogriff, abandoned his prey, and turned to seize what
+seemed nearer. Rogero took the opportunity, and dealt him furious
+blows on various parts of his body, taking care to keep clear of
+his murderous teeth; but the scales resisted every attack. The Orc
+beat the water with his tail till he raised a foam which enveloped
+Rogero and his steed, so that the knight hardly knew whether he
+was in the water or the air. He began to fear that the wings of
+the Hippogriff would be so drenched with water that they would
+cease to sustain him. At that moment Rogero bethought him of the
+magic shield which hung at his saddle-bow; but the fear that
+Angelica would also be blinded by its glare discouraged him from
+employing it. Then he remembered the ring which Melissa had given
+him, the power of which he had so lately proved. He hastened to
+Angelica and placed it on her finger. Then, uncovering the
+buckler, he turned its bright disk full in the face of the
+detestable Orc. The effect was instantaneous. The monster,
+deprived of sense and motion, rolled over on the sea, and lay
+floating on his back. Rogero would fain have tried the effect of
+his lance on the now exposed parts, but Angelica implored him to
+lose no time in delivering her from her chains before the monster
+should revive. Rogero, moved with her entreaties, hastened to do
+so, and, having unbound her, made her mount behind him on the
+Hippogriff. The animal, spurning the earth, shot up into the air,
+and rapidly sped his way through it. Rogero, to give time to the
+princess to rest after her cruel agitations, soon sought the earth
+again, alighting on the shore of Brittany. Near the shore a thick
+wood presented itself, which resounded with the songs of birds. In
+the midst, a fountain of transparent water bathed the turf of a
+little meadow. A gentle hill rose near by. Rogero, making the
+Hippogriff alight in the meadow, dismounted, and took Angelica
+from the horse.
+
+When the first tumults of emotion had subsided Angelica, casting
+her eyes downward, beheld the precious ring upon her finger, whose
+virtues she was well acquainted with, for it was the very ring
+which the Saracen Brunello had robbed her of. She drew it from her
+finger and placed it in her mouth, and, quicker than we can tell
+it, disappeared from the sight of the paladin.
+
+Rogero looked around him on all sides, like one frantic, but soon
+remembered the ring which he had so lately placed on her finger.
+Struck with the ingratitude which could thus recompense his
+services, he exclaimed: "Thankless beauty, is this then the reward
+you make me? Do you prefer to rob me of my ring rather than
+receive it as a gift? Willingly would I have given it to you, had
+you but asked it." Thus he said, searching on all sides with arms
+extended like a blind man, hoping to recover by the touch what was
+lost to sight; but he sought in vain. The cruel beauty was already
+far away.
+
+Though sensible of her obligations to her deliverer, her first
+necessity was for clothing, food, and repose. She soon reached a
+shepherd's hut, where, entering unseen, she found what sufficed
+for her present relief. An old herdsman inhabited the hut, whose
+charges consisted of a drove of mares. When recruited by repose
+Angelica selected one of the mares from the flock, and, mounting
+the animal, felt the desire revive in her mind of returning to her
+home in the East, and for that purpose would gladly have accepted
+the protection of Orlando or of Sacripant across those wide
+regions which divided her from her own country. In hopes of
+meeting with one or the other of them she pursued her way.
+
+Meanwhile Rogero, despairing of seeing Angelica again, returned to
+the tree where he had left his winged horse, but had the
+mortification to find that the animal had broken his bridle and
+escaped. This loss, added to his previous disappointment,
+overwhelmed him with vexation. Sadly he gathered up his arms,
+threw his buckler over his shoulders, and, taking the first path
+that offered, soon found himself within the verge of a dense and
+widespread forest.
+
+He had proceeded for some distance when he heard a noise on his
+right, and, listening attentively, distinguished the clash of
+arms. He made his way toward the place whence the sound proceeded,
+and found two warriors engaged in mortal combat. One of them was a
+knight of a noble and manly bearing, the other a fierce giant. The
+knight appeared to exert consummate address in defending herself
+against the massive club of the giant, evading his strokes, or
+parrying them with sword or shield. Rogero stood spectator of the
+combat, for he did not allow himself to interfere in it, though a
+secret sentiment inclined him strongly to take part with the
+knight. At length he saw with grief the massive club fall directly
+on the head of the knight, who yielded to the blow, and fell
+prostrate. The giant sprang forward to despatch him, and for that
+purpose unlaced his helmet, when Rogero, with dismay, recognized
+the face of Bradamante. He cried aloud, "Hold, miscreant!" and
+sprang forward with drawn sword. Whereupon the giant, as if he
+cared not to enter upon another combat, lifted Bradamante on his
+shoulders, and ran with her into the forest.
+
+Rogero plunged after him, but the long legs of the giant carried
+him forward so fast that the paladin could hardly keep him in
+sight. At length they issued from the wood, and Rogero perceived
+before him a rich palace, built of marble, and adorned with
+sculptures executed by a master hand. Into this edifice, through a
+golden door, the giant passed, and Rogero followed; but, on
+looking round, saw nowhere either the giant or Bradamante. He ran
+from room to room, calling aloud on his cowardly foe to turn and
+meet him; but got no response, nor caught another glimpse of the
+giant or his prey. In his vain pursuit he met, without knowing
+them, Ferrau, Florismart, King Gradasso, Orlando, and many others,
+all of whom had been entrapped like himself into this enchanted
+castle. It was a new stratagem of the magician Atlantes to draw
+Rogero into his power, and to secure also those who might by any
+chance endanger his safety. What Rogero had taken for Bradamante
+was a mere phantom. That charming lady was far away, full of
+anxiety for her Rogero, whose coming she had long expected.
+
+The Emperor had committed to her charge the city and garrison of
+Marseilles, and she held the post against the infidels with valor
+and discretion. One day Melissa suddenly presented herself before
+her. Anticipating her questions, she said, "Fear not for Rogero;
+he lives, and is as ever true to you; but he has lost his liberty.
+The fell enchanter has again succeeded in making him a prisoner.
+If you would deliver him, mount your horse and follow me." She
+told her in what manner Atlantes had deceived Rogero, in deluding
+his eyes with the phantom of herself in peril. "Such," she
+continued, "will be his arts in your own case, if you penetrate
+the forest and approach that castle. You will think you behold
+Rogero, when, in fact, you see only the enchanter himself. Be not
+deceived, plunge your sword into his body, and trust me when I
+tell you that, in slaying him, you will restore not only Rogero,
+but with him many of the bravest knights of France, whom the
+wizard's arts have withdrawn from the camp of their sovereign."
+
+Bradamante promptly armed herself, and mounted her horse. Melissa
+led her by forced journeys, by field and forest, beguiling the way
+with conversation on the theme which interested her hearer most.
+When at last they reached the forest, she repeated once more her
+instructions, and then took her leave, for fear the enchanter
+might espy her, and be put on his guard.
+
+Bradamante rode on about two miles when suddenly she beheld
+Rogero, as it appeared to her, hard pressed by two fierce giants.
+While she hesitated she heard his voice calling on her for help.
+At once the cautions of Melissa lost their weight. A sudden doubt
+of the faith and truth of her kind monitress flashed across her
+mind. "Shall I not believe my own eyes and ears?" she said, and
+rushed forward to his defence. Rogero fled, pursued by the giants,
+and Bradamante followed, passing with them through the castle
+gate. When there, Bradamante was undeceived, for neither giant nor
+knight was to be seen. She found herself a prisoner, but had not
+the consolation of knowing that she shared the imprisonment of her
+beloved. She saw various forms of men and women, but could
+recognize none of them; and their lot was the same with respect to
+her. Each viewed the others under some illusion of the fancy,
+wearing the semblance of giants, dwarfs, or even four-footed
+animals, so that there was no companionship or communication
+between them.
+
+ASTOLPHO'S ADVENTURES CONTINUED, AND ISABELLA'S BEGUN
+
+When Astolpho escaped from the cruel Alcina, after a short abode
+in the realm of the virtuous Logestilla, he desired to return to
+his native country. Logestilla lent him the best vessel of her
+fleet to convey him to the mainland. She gave him at parting a
+wonderful book, which taught the secret of overcoming all manners
+of enchantments, and begged him to carry it always with him, out
+of regard for her. She also gave him another gift, which surpassed
+everything of the kind that mortal workmanship can frame; yet it
+was nothing in appearance but a simple horn.
+
+Astolpho, protected by these gifts, thanked the good fairy, took
+leave of her, and set out on his return to France. His voyage was
+prosperous, and on reaching the desired port he took leave of the
+faithful mariners, and continued his journey by land. As he
+proceeded over mountains and through valleys he often met with
+bands of robbers, wild beasts, and venomous serpents, but he had
+only to sound his horn to put them all to flight.
+
+Having landed in France, and traversed many provinces on his way
+to the army, he one day, in crossing a forest, arrived beside a
+fountain, and alighted to drink. While he stooped at the fountain
+a young rustic sprang from the copse, mounted Rabican, and rode
+away. It was a new trick of the enchanter Atlantes. Astolpho,
+hearing the noise, turned his head just in time to see his loss;
+and, starting up, pursued the thief, who, on his part, did not
+press the horse to his full speed, but just kept in sight of his
+pursuer till they both issued from the forest; and then Rabican
+and his rider took shelter in a castle which stood near. Astolpho
+followed, and penetrated without difficulty within the court-yard
+of the castle, where he looked around for the rider and his horse,
+but could see no trace of either, nor any person of whom he could
+make inquiry. Suspecting that enchantment was employed to
+embarrass him, he bethought him of his book, and on consulting it
+discovered that his suspicions were well founded. He also learned
+what course to pursue. He was directed to raise the stone which
+served as a threshold, under which a spirit lay pent, who would
+willingly escape, and leave the castle free of access. Astolpho
+applied his strength to lift aside the stone. Thereupon the
+magician put his arts in force. The castle was full of prisoners,
+and the magician caused that to all of them Astolpho should appear
+in some false guise--to some a wild beast, to others a giant, to
+others a bird of prey. Thus all assailed him, and would quickly
+have made an end of him, if he had not bethought him of his horn.
+No sooner had he blown a blast than, at the horrid larum, fled the
+cavaliers and the necromancer with them, like a flock of pigeons
+at the sound of the fowler's gun. Astolpho then renewed his
+efforts on the stone, and turned it over. The under face was all
+inscribed with magical characters, which the knight defaced, as
+directed by his book; and no sooner had he done so, than the
+castle, with its walls and turrets, vanished into smoke.
+
+The knights and ladies set at liberty were, besides Rogero and
+Bradamante, Orlando, Gradasso, Florismart, and many more. At the
+sound of the horn they fled, one and all, men and steeds, except
+Rabican, which Astolpho secured, in spite of his terror. As soon
+as the sound had ceased Rogero recognized Bradamante, whom he had
+daily met during their imprisonment, but had been prevented from
+knowing by the enchanter's arts. No words can tell the delight
+with which they recognized each other, and recounted mutually all
+that had happened to each since they were parted. Rogero took
+advantage of the opportunity to press his suit, and found
+Bradamante as propitious as he could wish, were it not for a
+single obstacle, the difference of their faiths. "If he would
+obtain her in marriage," she said, "he must in due form demand her
+of her father, Duke Aymon, and must abandon his false prophet, and
+become a Christian." The latter step was one which Rogero had for
+some time intended taking, for reasons of his own. He therefore
+gladly accepted the terms, and proposed that they should at once
+repair to the abbey of Vallombrosa, whose towers were visible at
+no great distance. Thither they turned their horses' heads, and we
+will leave them to find their way without our company.
+
+I know not if my readers recollect that at the moment when Rogero
+had just delivered Angelica from the voracious Orc that scornful
+beauty placed her ring in her mouth, and vanished out of sight. At
+the same time the Hippogriff shook off his bridle, soared away,
+and flew to rejoin his former master, very naturally returning to
+his accustomed stable. Here Astolpho found him, to his very great
+delight. He knew the animal's powers, having seen Rogero ride him,
+and he longed to fly abroad over all the earth, and see various
+nations and peoples from his airy course. He had heard
+Logestilla's directions how to guide the animal, and saw her fit a
+bridle to his head. He therefore was able, out of all the bridles
+he found in the stable, to select one suitable, and, placing
+Rabican's saddle on the Hippogriff's back, nothing seemed to
+prevent his immediate departure. Yet before he went he bethought
+him of placing Rabican in hands where he would be safe, and whence
+he might recover him in time of need. While he stood deliberating
+where he should find a messenger, he saw Bradamante approach. That
+fair warrior had been parted from Rogero on their way to the abbey
+of Vallombrosa, by an inopportune adventure which had called the
+knight away. She was now returning to Montalban, having arranged
+with Rogero to join her there. To Bradamante, therefore, his fair
+cousin, Astolpho committed Rabican, and also the lance of gold,
+which would only be an incumbrance in his aerial excursion.
+Bradamante took charge of both; and Astolpho, bidding her
+farewell, soared in air.
+
+Among those delivered by Astolpho from the magician's castle was
+Orlando. Following the guide of chance, the paladin found himself
+at the close of day in a forest, and stopped at the foot of a
+mountain. Surprised to discern a light which came from a cleft in
+the rock, he approached, guided by the ray, and discovered a
+narrow passage in the mountain-side, which led into a deep grotto.
+
+Orlando fastened his horse, and then, putting aside the bushes
+that resisted his passage, stepped down from rock to rock till he
+reached a sort of cavern. Entering it, he perceived a lady, young
+and handsome, as well as he could discover through the signs of
+distress which agitated her countenance. Her only companion was an
+old woman, who seemed to be regarded by her young partner with
+terror and indignation. The courteous paladin saluted the women
+respectfully, and begged to know by whose barbarity they had been
+subjected to such imprisonment.
+
+The younger lady replied, in a voice often broken with sobs:
+
+"Though I know well that my recital will subject me to worse
+treatment by the barbarous man who keeps me here, to whom this
+woman will not fail to report it, yet I will not hide from you the
+facts. Ah! why should I fear his rage? If he should take my life,
+I know not what better boon than death I can ask.
+
+"My name is Isabella. I am the daughter of the king of Galicia, or
+rather I should say misfortune and grief are my parents. Young,
+rich, modest, and of tranquil temper, all things appeared to
+combine to render my lot happy. Alas! I see myself to-day poor,
+humbled, miserable, and destined perhaps to yet further
+afflictions. It is a year since, my father having given notice
+that he would open the lists for a tournament at Bayonne, a great
+number of chevaliers from all quarters came together at our court.
+Among these Zerbino, son of the king of Scotland, victorious in
+all combats, eclipsed by his beauty and his valor all the rest.
+Before departing from the court of Galicia he testified the wish
+to espouse me, and I consented that he should demand my hand of
+the king, my father. But I was a Mahometan, and Zerbino a
+Christian, and my father refused his consent. The prince, called
+home by his father to take command of the forces destined to the
+assistance of the French Emperor, prevailed on me to be married to
+him secretly, and to follow him to Scotland. He caused a galley to
+be prepared to receive me, and placed in command of it the
+chevalier Oderic, a Biscayan, famous for his exploits both by land
+and sea. On the day appointed, Oderic brought his vessel to a
+seaside resort of my father's, where I embarked. Some of my
+domestics accompanied me, and thus I departed from my native land.
+
+"Sailing with a fair wind, after some hours we were assailed by a
+violent tempest. It was to no purpose that we took in all sail; we
+were driven before the wind directly upon the rocky shore. Seeing
+no other hopes of safety, Oderic placed me in a boat, followed
+himself with a few of his men, and made for land. We reached it
+through infinite peril, and I no sooner felt the firm land beneath
+my feet, than I knelt down and poured out heartfelt thanks to the
+Providence that had preserved me.
+
+"The shore where we landed appeared to be uninhabited. We saw no
+dwelling to shelter us, no road to lead us to a more hospitable
+spot. A high mountain rose before us, whose base stretched into
+the sea. It was here the infamous Oderic, in spite of my tears and
+entreaties, sold me to a band of pirates, who fancied I might be
+an acceptable present to their prince, the Sultan of Morocco. This
+cavern is their den, and here they keep me under the guard of this
+woman, until it shall suit their convenience to carry me away."
+
+Isabella had hardly finished her recital when a troop of armed men
+began to enter the cavern. Seeing the prince Orlando, one said to
+the rest, "What bird is this we have caught, without even setting
+a snare for him?" Then addressing Orlando, "It was truly civil in
+you, friend, to come hither with that handsome coat of armor and
+vest, the very things I want." "You shall pay for them, then,"
+said Orlando; and seizing a half-burnt brand from the fire, he
+hurled it at him, striking his head, and stretching him lifeless
+on the floor.
+
+There was a massy table in the middle of the cavern, used for the
+pirates' repasts. Orlando lifted it and hurled it at the robbers
+as they stood clustered in a group toward the entrance. Half the
+gang were laid prostrate, with broken heads and limbs; the rest
+got away as nimbly as they could.
+
+Leaving the den and its inmates to their fate, Orlando, taking
+Isabella under his protection, pursued his way for some days,
+without meeting with any adventure.
+
+One day they saw a band of men advancing, who seemed to be
+guarding a prisoner, bound hand and foot, as if being carried to
+execution. The prisoner was a youthful cavalier, of a noble and
+ingenuous appearance. The band bore the ensigns of Count Anselm,
+head of the treacherous house of Maganza. Orlando desired Isabella
+to wait, while he rode forward to inquire the meaning of this
+array. Approaching, he demanded of the leader who his prisoner
+was, and of what crime he had been guilty. The man replied that
+the prisoner was a murderer, by whose hand Pinabel, the son of
+Count Anselm, had been treacherously slain. At these words the
+prisoner exclaimed, "I am no murderer, nor have I been in any way
+the cause of the young man's death." Orlando, knowing the cruel
+and ferocious character of the chiefs of the house of Maganza,
+needed no more to satisfy him that the youth was the victim of
+injustice. He commanded the leader of the troop to release his
+victim, and, receiving an insolent reply, dashed him to the earth
+with a stroke of his lance; then by a few vigorous blows dispersed
+the band, leaving deadly marks on those who were slowest to quit
+the field.
+
+Orlando then hastened to unbind the prisoner, and to assist him to
+reclothe himself in his armor, which the false Magencian had dared
+to assume. He then led him to Isabella, who now approached the
+scene of action. How can we picture the joy, the astonishment,
+with which Isabella recognized in him Zerbino, her husband, and
+the prince discovered her whom he had believed overwhelmed in the
+waves! They embraced one another, and wept for joy. Orlando,
+sharing in their happiness, congratulated himself in having been
+the instrument of it. The princess recounted to Zerbino what the
+illustrious paladin had done for her, and the prince threw himself
+at Orlando's feet, and thanked him as having twice preserved his
+life.
+
+While these exchanges of congratulation and thankfulness were
+going on, a sound in the underwood attracted their attention, and
+caused the two knights to brace their helmets and stand on their
+guard. What the cause of the interruption was we shall record in
+another chapter.
+
+MEDORO
+
+France was at this time the theatre of dreadful events. The
+Saracens and the Christians, in numerous encounters, slew one
+another. On one occasion Rinaldo led an attack on the infidel
+columns, broke and scattered them, till he found himself opposite
+to a knight whose armor (whether by accident or by choice, it
+matters not) bore the blazon of Orlando. It was Dardinel, the
+young and brave prince of Zumara, and Rinaldo remarked him by the
+slaughter he spread all around. "Ah," said he to himself, "let us
+pluck up this dangerous plant before it has grown to its full
+height."
+
+As Rinaldo advanced, the crowd opened before him, the Christians
+to let his sword have free course, the Pagans to escape its sweep.
+Dardinel and he stood face to face. Rinaldo exclaimed, fiercely,
+"Young man, whoever gave you that noble buckler to bear made you a
+dangerous gift; I should like to see how you are able to defend
+those quarterings, red and white. If you cannot defend them
+against me, how pray will you do so when Orlando challenges them?"
+Dardinel replied: "Thou shalt learn that I can defend the arms I
+bear, and shed new glory upon them. No one shall rend them from me
+but with life." Saying these words, Dardinel rushed upon Rinaldo
+with sword uplifted. The chill of mortal terror filled the souls
+of the Saracens when they beheld Rinaldo advance to attack the
+prince, like a lion against a young bull. The first blow came from
+the hand of Dardinel, and the weapon rebounded from Mambrino's
+helmet without effect. Rinaldo smiled, and said, "I will now show
+you if my strokes are more effectual." At these words he thrust
+the unfortunate Dardinel in the middle of his breast. The blow was
+so violent that the cruel weapon pierced the body, and came out a
+palm-breadth behind his back. Through this wound the life of
+Dardinel issued with his blood, and his body fell helpless to the
+ground.
+
+As a flower which the passing plough has uprooted languishes, and
+droops its head, so Dardinel, his visage covered with the paleness
+of death, expires, and the hopes of an illustrious race perish
+with him.
+
+Like waters kept back by a dike, which, when the dike is broken,
+spread abroad through all the country, so the Moors, no longer
+kept in column by the example of Dardinel, fled in all directions.
+Rinaldo despised too much such easy victories to pursue them; he
+wished for no combats but with brave men. At the same time, the
+other paladins made terrible slaughter of the Moors. Charles
+himself, Oliver, Guido, and Ogier the Dane, carried death into
+their ranks on all sides.
+
+The infidels seemed doomed to perish to a man on that dreadful
+day; but the wise king, Marsilius, at last put some slight degree
+of method into the general rout. He collected the remnant of the
+troops, formed them into a battalion, and retreated in tolerable
+order to his camp. That camp was well fortified by intrenchments
+and a broad ditch. Thither the fugitives hastened, and by degrees
+all that remained of the Moorish army was brought together there.
+
+The Emperor might perhaps that night have crushed his enemy
+entirely; but not thinking it prudent to expose his troops,
+fatigued as they were, to an attack upon a camp so well fortified,
+he contented himself with encompassing the enemy with his troops,
+prepared to make a regular siege. During the night the Moors had
+time to see the extent of their loss. Their tents resounded with
+lamentations. This warrior had to mourn a brother, that a friend;
+many suffered with grievous wounds, all trembled at the fate in
+store for them.
+
+There were two young Moors, both of humble rank, who gave proof at
+that time of attachment and fidelity rare in the history of man.
+Cloridan and Medoro had followed their prince, Dardinel, to the
+wars of France. Cloridan, a bold huntsman, combined strength with
+activity. Medoro was a mere youth, his cheeks yet fair and
+blooming. Of all the Saracens, no one united so much grace and
+beauty. His light hair was set off by his black and sparkling
+eyes. The two friends were together on guard at the rampart. About
+midnight they gazed on the scene in deep dejection. Medoro, with
+tears in his eyes, spoke of the good prince Dardinel, and could
+not endure the thought that his body should be cast out on the
+plain, deprived of funeral honors. "O my friend," said he, "must
+then the body of our prince be the prey of wolves and ravens?
+Alas! when I remember how he loved me, I feel that if I should
+sacrifice my life to do him honor, I should not do more than my
+duty. I wish, dear friend, to seek out his body on the
+battlefield, and give it burial, and I hope to be able to pass
+through King Charles's camp without discovery, as they are
+probably all asleep. You, Cloridan, will be able to say for me, if
+I should die in the adventure, that gratitude and fidelity to my
+prince were my inducements."
+
+Cloridan was both surprised and touched with this proof of the
+young man's devotion. He loved him tenderly, and tried for a long
+time every effort to dissuade him from his design; but he found
+Medoro determined to accomplish his object or die in the endeavor.
+
+Cloridan, unable to change his purpose, said, "I will go with you,
+Medoro, and help you in this generous enterprise. I value not life
+compared with honor, and if I did, do you suppose, dear friend,
+that I could live without you? I would rather fall by the arms of
+our enemies than die of grief for the loss of you."
+
+When the two friends were relieved from their guard duty they went
+without any followers into the camp of the Christians. All there
+was still; the fires were dying out; there was no fear of any
+attempt on the part of the Saracens, and the soldiers, overcome by
+fatigue or wine, slept secure, lying upon the ground in the midst
+of their arms and equipage. Cloridan stopped, and said, "Medoro, I
+am not going to quit this camp without taking vengeance for the
+death of our prince. Keep watch, be on your guard that no one
+shall surprise us; I mean to mark a road with my sword through the
+ranks of our enemies." So saying, he entered the tent where
+Alpheus slept, who a year before had joined the camp of Charles,
+and pretended to be a great physician and astrologer. But his
+science had deceived him, if it gave him hope of dying peacefully
+in his bed at a good old age; his lot was to die with little
+warning. Cloridan ran his sword through his heart. A Greek and a
+German followed, who had been playing late at dice: fortunate if
+they had continued their game a little longer; but they never
+reckoned a throw like this among their chances. Cloridan next came
+to the unlucky Grillon, whose head lay softly on his pillow. He
+dreamed probably of the feast from which he had but just retired;
+for when Cloridan cut off his head wine flowed forth with the
+blood.
+
+The two young Moors might have penetrated even to the tent of
+Charlemagne; but knowing that the paladins encamped around him
+kept watch by turns, and judging that it was impossible they
+should all be asleep, they were afraid to go too near. They might
+also have obtained rich booty; but, intent only on their object,
+they crossed the camp, and arrived at length at the bloody field,
+where bucklers, lances, and swords lay scattered in the midst of
+corpses of poor and rich, common soldier and prince, horses and
+pools of blood. This terrible scene of carnage would have
+destroyed all hope of finding what they were in search of until
+dawn of day, were it not that the moon lent the aid of her
+uncertain rays.
+
+Medoro raised his eyes to the planet, and exclaimed, "O holy
+goddess, whom our fathers have adored under three different
+forms,--thou who displayest thy power in heaven, on earth, and in
+the underworld,--thou who art seen foremost among the nymphs
+chasing the beasts of the forest,--cause me to see, I implore
+thee, the spot where my dear master lies, and make me all my life
+long follow the example which thou dost exhibit of works of
+charity and love."
+
+Either by accident, or that the moon was sensible of the prayer of
+Medoro, the cloud broke away, and the moonlight burst forth as
+bright as day. The rays seemed especially to gild the spot where
+lay the body of Prince Dardinel; and Medoro, bathed in tears and
+with bleeding heart, recognized him by the quarterings of red and
+white on his shield.
+
+With groans stifled by his tears, and lamentations in accents
+suppressed, not from any fear for himself, for he cared not for
+life, but lest any one should be roused to interrupt their pious
+duty while yet incomplete, he proposed to his companion that they
+should together bear Dardinel on their shoulders, sharing the
+burden of the beloved remains.
+
+Marching with rapid strides under their precious load, they
+perceived that the stars began to grow pale, and that the shades
+of night would soon be dispersed by the dawn. Just then Zerbino,
+whose extreme valor had urged him far from the camp in pursuit of
+the fugitives, returning, entered the wood in which they were.
+Some knights in his train perceived at a distance the two
+brothers-in-arms. Cloridan saw the troop, and, observing that they
+dispersed themselves over the plain as if in search of booty, told
+Medoro to lay down the body, and let each save himself by flight.
+He dropped his part, thinking that Medoro would do the same; but
+the good youth loved his prince too well to abandon him, and
+continued to carry his load singly as well as he might, while
+Cloridan made his escape. Near by there was a part of the wood
+tufted as if nothing but wild animals had ever penetrated it. The
+unfortunate youth, loaded with the weight of his dead master,
+plunged into its recesses.
+
+Cloridan, when he perceived that he had evaded his foes,
+discovered that Medoro was not with him. "Ah!" exclaimed he, "how
+could I, dear Medoro, so forget myself as to consult my own safety
+without heeding yours?" So saying, he retraced the tangled passes
+of the wood toward the place from whence he had fled. As he
+approached he heard the noise of horses, and the menacing voices
+of armed men. Soon he perceived Medoro, on foot, with the
+cavaliers surrounding him. Zerbino, their commander, bade them
+seize him. The unhappy Medoro turned now this way, now that,
+trying to conceal himself behind an oak or a rock, still bearing
+the body, which he would by no means leave. Cloridan not knowing
+how to help him, but resolved to perish with him, if he must
+perish, takes an arrow, fits it to his bow, discharges it, and
+pierces the breast of a Christian knight, who falls helpless from
+his horse. The others look this way and that, to discover whence
+the fatal bolt was sped. One, while demanding of his comrades in
+what direction the arrow came, received a second in his throat,
+which stopped his words, and soon closed his eyes to the scene.
+
+Zerbino, furious at the death of his two comrades, ran upon
+Medoro, seized his golden hair, and dragged him forward to slay
+him. But the sight of so much youth and beauty commanded pity. He
+stayed his arm. The young man spoke in suppliant tones. "Ah!
+signor," said he, "I conjure you by the God whom you serve,
+deprive me not of life until I shall have buried the body of the
+prince, my master. Fear not that I will ask you any other favor;
+life is not dear to me; I desire death as soon as I shall have
+performed this sacred duty. Do with me then as you please. Give my
+limbs a prey to the birds and beasts; only let me first bury my
+prince." Medoro pronounced these words with an air so sweet and
+tender that a heart of stone would have been moved by them.
+Zerbino was so to the bottom of his soul. He was on the point of
+uttering words of mercy, when a cruel subaltern, forgetting all
+respect to his commander, plunged his lance into the breast of the
+young Moor. Zerbino, enraged at his brutality, turned upon the
+wretch to take vengeance, but he saved himself by a precipitate
+flight.
+
+Cloridan, who saw Medoro fall, could contain himself no longer. He
+rushed from his concealment, threw down his bow, and, sword in
+hand, seemed only desirous of vengeance for Medoro, and to die
+with him. In a moment, pierced through and through with many
+wounds, he exerts the last remnant of his strength in dragging
+himself to Medoro, to die embracing him. The cavaliers left them
+thus to rejoin Zerbino, whose rage against the murderer of Medoro
+had drawn him away from the spot.
+
+Cloridan died; and Medoro, bleeding copiously, was drawing near
+his end when help arrived.
+
+A young maiden approached the fallen knights at this critical
+moment. Her dress was that of a peasant-girl, but her air was
+noble, and her beauty celestial; sweetness and goodness reigned in
+her lovely countenance. It was no other than Angelica, the
+Princess of Cathay.
+
+When she had recovered that precious ring, as we have before
+related, Angelica, knowing its value, felt proud in the power it
+conferred, travelled alone without fear, not without a secret
+shame that she had ever been obliged to seek protection in her
+wanderings of the Count Orlando and of Sacripant. She reproached
+herself too as with a weakness that she had ever thought of
+marrying Rinaldo; in fine, her pride grew so high as to persuade
+her that no man living was worthy to aspire to her hand.
+
+Moved with pity at the sight of the young man wounded, and melted
+to tears at hearing the cause, she quickly recalled to remembrance
+the knowledge she had acquired in India, where the virtues of
+plants and the art of healing formed part of the education even of
+princesses. The beautiful queen ran into the adjoining meadow to
+gather plants of virtue to staunch the flow of blood. Meeting on
+her way a countryman on horseback seeking a strayed heifer, she
+begged him to come to her assistance, and endeavor to remove the
+wounded man to a more secure asylum.
+
+Angelica, having prepared the plants by bruising them between two
+stones, laid them with her fair hand on Medoro's wound. The remedy
+soon restored in some degree the strength of the wounded man, who,
+before he would quit the spot, made them cover with earth and turf
+the bodies of his friend and of the prince. Then surrendering
+himself to the pity of his deliverers, he allowed them to place
+him on the horse of the shepherd, and conduct him to his cottage.
+It was a pleasant farmhouse on the borders of the wood, bearing
+marks of comfort and competency. There the shepherd lived with his
+wife and children. There Angelica tended Medoro, and there, by the
+devoted care of the beautiful queen, his sad wound closed over,
+and he recovered his perfect health.
+
+O Count Rinaldo, O King Sacripant! what availed it you to possess
+so many virtues and such fame? What advantage have you derived
+from all your high deserts? O hapless king, great Agrican! if you
+could return to life, how would you endure to see yourself
+rejected by one who will bow to the yoke of Hymen in favor of a
+young soldier of humble birth? And thou, Ferrau, and ye numerous
+others who a hundred times have put your lives at hazard for this
+cruel beauty, how bitter will it be to you to see her sacrifice
+you all to the claims of the humble Medoro!
+
+There, under the low roof of a shepherd, the flame of Hymen was
+lighted for this haughty queen. She takes the shepherd's wife to
+serve in place of mother, the shepherd and his children for
+witnesses, and marries the happy Medoro.
+
+Angelica, after her marriage, wishing to endow Medoro with the
+sovereignty of the countries which yet remained to her, took with
+him the road to the East. She had preserved through all her
+adventures a bracelet of gold enriched with precious stones, the
+present of the Count Orlando. Having nothing else wherewith to
+reward the good shepherd and his wife, who had served her with so
+much care and fidelity, she took the bracelet from her arm and
+gave it to them, and then the newly-married couple directed their
+steps toward those mountains which separate France and Spain,
+intending to wait at Barcelona a vessel which should take them on
+their way to the East.
+
+ORLANDO MAD
+
+Orlando, on the loss of Angelica, laid aside his crest and arms,
+and arrayed himself in a suit of black armor expressive of his
+despair. In this guise he carried such slaughter among the ranks
+of the infidels that both armies were astonished at the
+achievements of the stranger knight. Mandricardo, who had been
+absent from the battle, heard the report of these achievements and
+determined to test for himself the valor of the knight so
+extolled. He it was who broke in upon the conference of Zerbino
+and Isabella, and their benefactor Orlando, as they stood occupied
+in mutual felicitations, after the happy reunion of the lovers by
+the prowess of the paladin.
+
+Mandricardo, after contemplating the group for a moment, addressed
+himself to Orlando in these words: "Thou must be the man I seek.
+For ten days and more I have been on thy track. The fame of thy
+exploits has brought me hither, that I may measure my strength
+with thine. Thy crest and shield prove thee the same who spread
+such slaughter among our troops. But these marks are superfluous,
+and if I saw thee among a hundred I should know thee by thy
+martial bearing to be the man I seek."
+
+"I respect thy courage," said Orlando; "such a design could not
+have sprung up in any but a brave and generous soul. If the desire
+to see me has brought thee hither, I would, if it were possible,
+show thee my inmost soul. I will remove my visor, that you may
+satisfy your curiosity; but when you have done so I hope that you
+will also try and see if my valor corresponds to my appearance."
+"Come on," said the Saracen, "my first wish was to see and know
+thee; I will not gratify my second."
+
+Orlando, observing Mandricardo was surprised to see no sword at
+his side, nor mace at his saddle-bow. "And what weapon hast thou,"
+said he, "if thy lance fail thee?"
+
+"Do not concern yourself about that," said Mandricardo; "I have
+made many good knights give ground with no other weapon than you
+see. Know that I have sworn an oath never to bear a sword until I
+win back that famous Durindana that Orlando, the paladin, carries.
+That sword belongs to the suit of armor which I wear; that only is
+wanting. Without doubt it was stolen, but how it got into the
+hands of Orlando I know not. But I will make him pay dearly for it
+when I find him I seek him the more anxiously that I may avenge
+with his blood the death of King Agrican, my father, whom he
+treacherously slew. I am sure he must have done it by treachery,
+for it was not in his power to subdue in fair fight such a warrior
+as my father."
+
+"Thou liest," cried Orlando; "and all who say so lie. I am
+Orlando, whom you seek; yes, I am he who slew your father
+honorably. Hold, here is the sword: you shall have it if your
+courage avails to merit it. Though it belongs to me by right, I
+will not use it in this dispute. See, I hang it on this tree; you
+shall be master of it, if you bereave me of life; not else."
+
+At these words Orlando drew Durindana, and hung it on one of the
+branches of a tree near by.
+
+Both knights, boiling with equal ardor, rode off in a semicircle;
+then rushed together with reins thrown loose, and struck one
+another with their lances. Both kept their seats, immovable. The
+splinters of their lances flew into the air, and no weapon
+remained for either but the fragment which he held in his hand.
+Then those two knights, covered with iron mail, were reduced to
+the necessity of fighting with staves, in the manner of two
+rustics, who dispute the boundary of a meadow, or the possession
+of a spring.
+
+These clubs could not long keep whole in the hands of such sturdy
+smiters, who were soon reduced to fight with naked fists. Such
+warfare was more painful to him that gave than to him that
+received the blows. They next clasped, and strained each his
+adversary, as Hercules did Antaeus. Mandricardo, more enraged than
+Orlando, made violent efforts to unseat the paladin, and dropped
+the rein of his horse. Orlando, more calm, perceived it. With one
+hand he resisted Mandricardo, with the other he twitched the
+horse's bridle over the ears of the animal. The Saracen dragged
+Orlando with all his might, but Orlando's thighs held the saddle
+like a vise. At last the efforts of the Saracen broke the girths
+of Orlando's horse; the saddle slipped; the knight, firm in his
+stirrups, slipped with it, and came to the ground hardly conscious
+of his fall. The noise of his armor in falling startled
+Mandricardo's horse, now without a bridle. He started off in full
+career, heeding neither trees nor rocks nor broken ground. Urged
+by fright, he ran with furious speed, carrying his master, who,
+almost distracted with rage, shouted and beat the animal with his
+fists, and thereby impelled his flight. After running thus three
+miles or more, a deep ditch opposed their progress. The horse and
+rider fell headlong into it, and did not find the bottom covered
+with feather-beds or roses. They got sadly bruised; but were lucky
+enough to escape without any broken limbs.
+
+Mandricardo, as soon as he gained his feet, seized the horse by
+his mane with fury; but, having no bridle, could not hold him. He
+looked round in hopes of finding something that would do for a
+rein. Just then fortune, who seemed willing to help him at last,
+brought that way a peasant with a bridle in his hand, who was in
+search of his farm horse that had strayed away.
+
+Orlando, having speedily repaired his horse's girths, remounted,
+and waited a good hour for the Saracen to return. Not seeing him,
+he concluded to go in search of him. He took an affectionate leave
+of Zerbino and Isabella, who would willingly have followed him;
+but this the brave paladin would by no means permit. He held it
+unknightly to go in search of an enemy accompanied by a friend,
+who might act as a defender. Therefore, desiring them to say to
+Mandricardo, if they should meet him, that his purpose was to
+tarry in the neighborhood three days, and then repair to the camp
+of Charlemagne, he took down Durindana from the tree, and
+proceeded in the direction which the Saracen's horse had taken.
+But the animal, having no guide but its terror, had so doubled and
+confused its traces that Orlando, after two days spent in the
+search, gave up the attempt.
+
+It was about the middle of the third day when the paladin arrived
+on the pleasant bank of a stream which wound through a meadow
+enamelled with flowers. High trees, whose tops met and formed an
+arbor, over-shadowed the fountain; and the breeze which blew
+through their foliage tempered the heat. Hither the shepherds used
+to resort to quench their thirst, and to enjoy the shelter from
+the midday sun. The air, perfumed with the flowers, seemed to
+breathe fresh strength into their veins. Orlando felt the
+influence, though covered with his armor. He stopped in this
+delicious arbor, where everything seemed to invite to repose. But
+he could not have chosen a more fatal asylum. He there spent the
+most miserable moments of his life.
+
+He looked around, and noted with pleasure all the charms of the
+spot. He saw that some of the trees were carved with inscriptions
+--he drew near, and read them, and what was his surprise to find
+that they composed the name of Angelica! Farther on he found the
+name of Medoro mixed with hers. The paladin thought he dreamed. He
+stood like one amazed--like a bird that, rising to fly, finds its
+feet caught in a net.
+
+Orlando followed the course of the stream, and came to one of its
+turns where the rocks of the mountain bent in such a way as to
+form a sort of grotto. The twisted stems of ivy and the wild vine
+draped the entrance of this recess, scooped by the hand of nature.
+
+The unhappy paladin, on entering the grotto, saw letters which
+appeared to have been lately carved. They were verses which Medoro
+had written in honor of his happy nuptials with the beautiful
+queen. Orlando tried to persuade himself it must be some other
+Angelica whom those verses celebrated, and as for Medoro, he had
+never heard his name. The sun was now declining, and Orlando
+remounted his horse, and went on his way. He soon saw the roof of
+a cottage whence the smoke ascended; he heard the barking of dogs
+and the lowing of cattle, and arrived at a humble dwelling which
+seemed to offer an asylum for the night. The inmates, as soon as
+they saw him, hastened to tender him service. One took his horse,
+another his shield and cuirass, another his golden spurs. This
+cottage was the very same where Medoro had been carried, deeply
+wounded,--where Angelica had tended him, and afterwards married
+him. The shepherd who lived in it loved to tell everybody the
+story of this marriage, and soon related it, with all its details,
+to the miserable Orlando.
+
+Having finished it, he went away, and returned with the precious
+bracelet which Angelica, grateful for his services, had given him
+as a memorial. It was the one which Orlando had himself given her.
+
+This last touch was the finishing stroke to the excited paladin.
+Frantic, exasperated, he exclaimed against the ungrateful and
+cruel princess who had disdained him, the most renowned, the most
+indomitable of all the paladins of France,--him, who had rescued
+her from the most alarming perils,--him, who had fought the most
+terrible battles for her sake,--she to prefer to him a young
+Saracen! The pride of the noble Count was deeply wounded.
+Indignant, frantic, a victim to ungovernable rage, he rushed into
+the forest, uttering the most frightful shrieks.
+
+"No, no!" cried he, "I am not the man they take me for! Orlando is
+dead! I am only the wandering ghost of that unhappy Count, who is
+now suffering the torments of hell!"
+
+Orlando wandered all night, as chance directed, through the wood,
+and at sunrise his destiny led him to the fountain where Medoro
+had engraved the fatal inscription. The frantic paladin saw it a
+second time with fury, drew his sword, and hacked it from the
+rock.
+
+Unlucky grotto! you shall no more attract by your shade and
+coolness, you shall no more shelter with your arch either shepherd
+or flock. And you, fresh and pure fountain, you may not escape the
+rage of the furious Orlando! He cast into the fountain branches,
+trunks of trees which he tore up, pieces of rocks which he broke
+off, plants uprooted, with the earth adhering, and turf and
+brushes, so as to choke the fountain, and destroy the purity of
+its waters. At length, exhausted by his violent exertions, bathed
+in sweat, breathless, Orlando sunk panting upon the earth, and lay
+there insensible three days and three nights.
+
+The fourth day he started up and seized his arms. His helmet, his
+buckler, he cast far from him; his hauberk and his clothes he rent
+asunder; the fragments were scattered through the wood. In fine,
+he became a furious madman. His insanity was such that he cared
+not to retain even his sword. But he had no need of Durindana, nor
+of other arms, to do wonderful things. His prodigious strength
+sufficed. At the first wrench of his mighty arm he tore up a pine-
+tree by the roots. Oaks, beeches, maples, whatever he met in his
+path, yielded in like manner. The ancient forest soon became as
+bare as the borders of a morass, where the fowler has cleared away
+the bushes to spread his nets. The shepherds, hearing the horrible
+crashing in the forest, abandoned their flocks to run and see the
+cause of this unwonted uproar. By their evil star, or for their
+sins, they were led thither. When they saw the furious state the
+Count was in, and his incredible force, they would fain have fled
+out of his reach, but in their fears lost their presence of mind.
+The madman pursued them, seized one and rent him limb from limb,
+as easily as one would pull ripe apples from a tree. He took
+another by the feet, and used him as a club to knock down a third.
+The shepherds fled; but it would have been hard for any to escape,
+if he had not at that moment left them to throw himself with the
+same fury upon their flocks. The peasants, abandoning their
+ploughs and harrows, mounted on the roofs of buildings and
+pinnacles of the rocks, afraid to trust themselves even to the
+oaks and pines. From such heights they looked on, trembling at the
+raging fury of the unhappy Orlando. His fists, his teeth, his
+nails, his feet, seize, break, and tear cattle, sheep, and swine;
+the most swift in flight alone being able to escape him.
+
+When at last terror had scattered everything before him, he
+entered a cottage which was abandoned by its inhabitants, and
+there found that which served for food. His long fast had caused
+him to feel the most ravenous hunger. Seizing whatever he found
+that was eatable, whether roots, acorns, or bread, raw meat or
+cooked, he gorged it indiscriminately.
+
+Issuing thence again, the frantic Orlando gave chase to whatever
+living thing he saw, whether men or animals. Sometimes he pursued
+the deer and hind, sometimes he attacked bears and wolves, and
+with his naked hands killed and tore them, and devoured their
+flesh.
+
+Thus he wandered, from place to place, through France, imperilling
+his life a thousand ways, yet always preserved by some mysterious
+providence from a fatal result. But here we leave Orlando for a
+time, that we may record what befell Zerbino and Isabella after
+their parting with him.
+
+The prince and his fair bride waited, by Orlando's request, near
+the scene of the battle for three days, that, if Mandricardo
+should return, they might inform him where Orlando would give him
+another meeting. At the end of that time their anxiety to know the
+issue led them to follow Orlando's traces, which led them at last
+to the wood where the trees were inscribed with the names of
+Angelica and Medoro. They remarked how all these inscriptions were
+defaced, and how the grotto was disordered, and the fountain
+clogged with rubbish. But that which surprised them and distressed
+them most of all was to find on the grass the cuirass of Orlando,
+and not far from it his helmet, the same which the renowned
+Almontes once wore.
+
+Hearing a horse neigh in the forest, Zerbino turned his eyes in
+that direction, and saw Brigliadoro, with the bridle yet hanging
+at the saddle-bow. He looked round for Durindana, and found that
+famous sword, without the scabbard, lying on the grass. He saw
+also the fragments of Orlando's other arms and clothing scattered
+on all sides over the plain.
+
+Zerbino and Isabella stood in astonishment and grief, not knowing
+what to think, but little imagining the true cause. If they had
+found any marks of blood on the arms or on the fragments of the
+clothing, they would have supposed him slain, but there were none.
+While they were in this painful uncertainty they saw a young
+peasant approach. He, not yet recovered from the terror of the
+scene, which he had witnessed from the top of a rock, told them
+the whole of the sad events.
+
+Zerbino, with his eyes full of tears, carefully collected all the
+scattered arms. Isabella also dismounted to aid him in the sad
+duty. When they had collected all the pieces of that rich armor
+they hung them like a trophy on a pine; and to prevent their being
+violated by any passers-by, Zerbino inscribed on the bark this
+caution: "These are the arms of the Paladin Orlando."
+
+Having finished this pious work, he remounted his horse, and just
+then a knight rode up, and requested Zerbino to tell him the
+meaning of the trophy. The prince related the facts as they had
+happened; and Mandricardo, for it was that Saracen knight, full of
+joy, rushed forward, and seized the sword, saying, "No one can
+censure me for what I do; this sword is mine; I can take my own
+wherever I find it. It is plain that Orlando, not daring to defend
+it against me, has counterfeited madness to excuse him in
+surrendering it."
+
+Zerbino vehemently exclaimed, "Touch not that sword. Think not to
+possess it without a contest. If it be true that the arms you wear
+are those of Hector, you must have got them by theft, and not by
+prowess."
+
+Immediately they attacked one another with the utmost fury. The
+air resounded with thick-falling blows. Zerbino, skilful and
+alert, evaded for a time with good success the strokes of
+Durindana; but at length a terrible blow struck him on the neck.
+He fell from his horse, and the Tartar king, possessed of the
+spoils of his victory, rode away.
+
+ZERBINO AND ISABELLA
+
+Zerbino's pain at seeing the Tartar prince go off with the sword
+surpassed the anguish of his wound; but now the loss of blood so
+reduced his strength that he could not move from where he fell.
+Isabella, not knowing whither to resort for help, could only
+bemoan him, and chide her cruel fate. Zerbino said, "If I could
+but leave thee, my best beloved, in some secure abode, it would
+not distress me to die; but to abandon thee so, without
+protection, is sad indeed." She replied, "Think not to leave me,
+dearest; our souls shall not be parted; this sword will give me
+the means to follow thee." Zerbino's last words implored her to
+banish such a thought, but live, and be true to his memory.
+Isabella promised, with many tears, to be faithful to him so long
+as life should last.
+
+When he ceased to breathe, Isabella's cries resounded through the
+forest, and reached the ears of a reverend hermit, who hastened to
+the spot. He soothed and calmed her, urging those consolations
+which the word of God supplies; and at last brought her to wish
+for nothing else but to devote herself for the rest of life wholly
+to religion.
+
+As she could not bear the thoughts of leaving her dead lord
+abandoned, the body was, by the good hermit's aid, placed upon the
+horse, and taken to the nearest inhabited place, where a chest was
+made for it, suitable to be carried with them on their way. The
+hermit's plan was to escort his charge to a monastery, not many
+days' journey distant, where Isabella resolved to spend the
+remainder of her days. Thus they travelled day after day, choosing
+the most retired ways, for the country was full of armed men. One
+day a cavalier met them, and barred their way. It was no other
+than Rodomont, king of Algiers, who had just left the camp of
+Agramant, full of indignation at the treatment he had received
+from Doralice. At sight of the lovely lady and her reverend
+attendant, with their horse laden with a burden draped with black,
+he asked the meaning of their journey. Isabella told him her
+affliction, and her resolution to renounce the world and devote
+herself to religion, and to the memory of the friend she had lost.
+Rodomont laughed scornfully at this, and told her that her project
+was absurd; that charms like hers were meant to be enjoyed, not
+buried, and that he himself would more than make amends for her
+dead lover. The monk, who promptly interposed to rebuke this
+impious talk, was commanded to hold his peace; and still
+persisting was seized by the knight and hurled over the edge of
+the cliff, where he fell into the sea, and was drowned.
+
+Rodomont, when he had got rid of the hermit, again applied to the
+sad lady, heartless with affright, and, in the language used by
+lovers, said, "she was his very heart, his life, his light."
+Having laid aside all violence, he humbly sued that she would
+accompany him to his retreat, near by. It was a ruined chapel from
+which the monks had been driven by the disorders of the time, and
+which Rodomont had taken possession of. Isabella, who had no
+choice but to obey, followed him, meditating as she went what
+resource she could find to escape out of his power, and keep her
+vow to her dead husband, to be faithful to his memory as long as
+life should last. At length she said, "If, my lord, you will let
+me go and fulfil my vow, and my intention, as I have already
+declared it, I will bestow upon you what will be to you of more
+value than a hundred women's hearts. I know an herb, and I have
+seen it on our way, which, rightly prepared, affords a juice of
+such power, that the flesh, if laved with it, becomes impenetrable
+to sword or fire. This liquor I can make, and will, to-day, if you
+will accept my offer; and when you have seen its virtue you will
+value it more than if all Europe were made your own."
+
+Rodomont, at hearing this, readily promised all that was asked, so
+eager was he to learn a secret that would make him as Achilles was
+of yore. Isabella, having collected such herbs as she thought
+proper, and boiled them, with certain mysterious signs and words,
+at length declared her labor done, and, as a test, offered to try
+its virtue on herself. She bathed her neck and bosom with the
+liquor, and then called on Rodomont to smite with all his force,
+and see whether his sword had power to harm. The pagan, who during
+the preparations had taken frequent draughts of wine, and scarce
+knew what he did, drew his sword at the word, and struck across
+her neck with all his might, and the fair head leapt sundered from
+the snowy neck and breast.
+
+Rude and unfeeling as he was, the pagan knight lamented bitterly
+this sad result. To honor her memory he resolved to do a work as
+unparalleled as her devotion. From all parts round he caused
+laborers to be brought, and had a tower built to enclose the
+chapel, within which the remains of Zerbino and Isabella were
+entombed. Across the stream which flowed near by he built a
+bridge, scarce two yards wide, and added neither parapet nor rail.
+On the top of the tower a sentry was placed, who, when any
+traveller approached the bridge, gave notice to his master.
+Rodomont thereupon sallied out, and defied the approaching knight
+to fight him upon the bridge, where any chance step a little aside
+would plunge the rider headlong in the stream. This bridge he
+vowed to keep until a thousand suits of armor should be won from
+conquered knights, wherewith to build a trophy to his victim and
+her lord.
+
+Within ten days the bridge was built, and the tower was in
+progress. In a short time many knights, either seeking the
+shortest route, or tempted by a desire of adventure, had made the
+attempt to pass the bridge. All, without exception, had lost
+either arms or life, or both; some falling before Rodomont's
+lance, others precipitated into the river. One day, as Rodomont
+stood urging his workmen, it chanced that Orlando in his furious
+mood came thither, and approached the bridge. Rodomont halloed to
+him, "Halt, churl; presume not to set foot upon that bridge; it
+was not made for such as you!" Orlando took no notice, but pressed
+on. Just then a gentle damsel rode up. It was Flordelis, who was
+seeking her Florismart. She saw Orlando, and, in spite of his
+strange appearance, recognized him. Rodomont, not used to have his
+commands disobeyed, laid hands on the madman, and would have
+thrown him into the river, but to his astonishment found himself
+in the gripe of one not so easily disposed of. "How can a fool
+have such strength?" he growled between his teeth. Flordelis
+stopped to see the issue, where each of these two puissant
+warriors strove to throw the other from the bridge. Orlando at
+last had strength enough to lift his foe with all his armor, and
+fling him over the side, but had not wit to clear himself from
+him, so both fell together. High flashed the wave as they together
+smote its surface. Here Orlando had the advantage; he was naked,
+and could swim like a fish. He soon reached the bank, and,
+careless of praise or blame, stopped not to see what came of the
+adventure. Rodomont, entangled with his armor, escaped with
+difficulty to the bank. Meantime, Flordelis passed the bridge
+unchallenged.
+
+After long wandering without success she returned to Paris, and
+there found the object of her search; for Florismart, after the
+fall of Albracca, had repaired thither. The joy of meeting was
+clouded to Florismart by the news which Flordelis brought of
+Orlando's wretched plight. The last she had seen of him was when
+he fell with Rodomont into the stream. Florismart, who loved
+Orlando like a brother, resolved to set out immediately, under the
+guidance of the lady, to find him, and bring him where he might
+receive the treatment suited to his case. A few days brought them
+to the place where they found the Tartar king still guarding the
+bridge. The usual challenge and defiance was made, and the knights
+rode to encounter one another on the bridge. At the first
+encounter both horses were overthrown; and, having no space to
+regain their footing, fell with their riders into the water.
+Rodomont, who knew the soundings of the stream, soon recovered the
+land; but Florismart was carried downward by the current, and
+landed at last on a bank of mud where his horse could hardly find
+footing. Flordelis, who watched the battle from the bridge, seeing
+her lover in this piteous case, exclaimed aloud, "Ah! Rodomont,
+for love of her whom dead you honor, have pity on me, who love
+this knight, and slay him not. Let it suffice he yields his armor
+to the pile, and none more glorious will it bear than his." Her
+prayer, so well directed, touched the pagan's heart, though hard
+to move, and he lent his aid to help the knight to land. He kept
+him a prisoner, however, and added his armor to the pile.
+Flordelis, with a heavy heart, went her way.
+
+We must now return to Rogero, who, when we parted with him, was
+engaged in an adventure which arrested his progress to the
+monastery whither he was bound with the intention of receiving
+baptism, and thus qualifying himself to demand Bradamante as his
+bride. On his way he met with Mandricardo, and the quarrel was
+revived respecting the right to wear the badge of Hector. After a
+warm discussion both parties agreed to submit the question to King
+Agramant, and for that purpose took their way to the Saracen camp.
+Here they met Gradasso, who had his controversy also with
+Mandricardo. This warrior claimed the sword of Orlando, denying
+the right of Mandricardo to possess it in virtue of his having
+found it abandoned by its owner. King Agramant strove in vain to
+reconcile these quarrels, and was forced at last to consent that
+the points in dispute should be settled by one combat, in which
+Mandricardo should meet one of the other champions, to whom should
+be committed the cause of both. Rogero was chosen by lot to
+maintain Gradasso's cause and his own. Great preparations were
+made for this signal contest. On the appointed day it was fought
+in the presence of Agramant, and of the whole army. Rogero won it;
+and Mandricardo, the conqueror of Hector's arms, the challenger of
+Orlando, and the slayer of Zerbino, lost his life. Gradasso
+received Durindana as his prize, which lost half its value in his
+eyes, since it was won by another's prowess, not his own.
+
+Rogero, though victorious, was severely wounded, and lay helpless
+many weeks in the camp of Agramant, while Bradamante, ignorant of
+the cause of his delay, expected him at Montalban. Thither he had
+promised to repair in fifteen days, or twenty at furthest, hoping
+to have obtained by that time an honorable discharge from his
+obligations to the Saracen commander. The twenty days were passed,
+and a month more, and still Rogero came not, nor did any tidings
+reach Bradamante accounting for his absence. At the end of that
+time, a wandering knight brought news of the famous combat, and of
+Rogero's wound. He added, what alarmed Bradamante still more, that
+Marphisa, a female warrior, young and fair, was in attendance on
+the wounded knight. He added that the whole army expected that, as
+soon as Rogero's wounds were healed, the pair would be united in
+marriage.
+
+Bradamante, distressed by this news, though she believed it but in
+part, resolved to go immediately and see for herself. She mounted
+Rabican, the horse of Astolpho, which he had committed to her
+care, and took with her the lance of gold, though unaware of its
+wonderful powers. Thus accoutred, she left the castle, and took
+the road toward Paris and the camp of the Saracens.
+
+Marphisa, whose devotion to Rogero in his illness had so excited
+the jealousy of Bradamante, was the twin sister of Rogero. She,
+with him, had been taken in charge when an infant by Atlantes, the
+magician, but while yet a child she had been stolen away by an
+Arab tribe. Adopted by their chief, she had early learned
+horsemanship and skill in arms, and at this time had come to the
+camp of Agramant with no other view than to see and test for
+herself the prowess of the warriors of either camp, whose fame
+rang through the world. Arriving at the very moment of the late
+encounter, the name of Rogero, and some few facts of his story
+which she learned, were enough to suggest the idea that it was her
+brother whom she saw victorious in the single combat. Inquiry
+satisfied the two of their near kindred, and from that moment
+Marphisa devoted herself to the care of her new-found and much-
+loved brother.
+
+In those moments of seclusion Rogero informed his sister of what
+he had learned of their parentage from old Atlantes. Rogero, their
+father, a Christian knight, had won the heart of Galaciella,
+daughter of the Sultan of Africa, and sister of King Agramant,
+converted her to the Christian faith, and secretly married her.
+The Sultan, enraged at his daughter's marriage, drove her husband
+into exile, and caused her with her infant children, Rogero and
+Marphisa, to be placed in a boat and committed to the winds and
+waves, to perish; from which fate they were saved by Atlantes. On
+hearing this, Marphisa exclaimed, "How can you, brother, leave our
+parents unavenged so long, and even submit to serve the son of the
+tyrant who so wronged them?" Rogero replied that it was but lately
+he had learned the full truth; that when he learned it he was
+already embarked with Agramant, from whom he had received
+knighthood, and that he only waited for a suitable opportunity
+when he might with honor desert his standard, and at the same time
+return to the faith of his fathers. Marphisa hailed this
+resolution with joy, and declared her intention to join with him
+in embracing the Christian faith.
+
+We left Bradamante when, mounted on Rabican and armed with
+Astolpho's lance, she rode forth, determined to learn the cause of
+Rogero's long absence. One day, as she rode, she met a damsel, of
+visage and of manners fair, but overcome with grief. It was
+Flordelis, who was seeking far and near a champion capable of
+liberating and avenging her lord. Flordelis marked the approaching
+warrior, and, judging from appearances, thought she had found the
+champion she sought. "Are you, Sir Knight," she said, "so daring
+and so kind as to take up my cause against a fierce and cruel
+warrior who has made prisoner of my lord, and forced me thus to be
+a wanderer and a suppliant?" Then she related the events which had
+happened at the bridge. Bradamante, to whom noble enterprises were
+always welcome, readily embraced this, and the rather as in her
+gloomy forebodings she felt as if Rogero was forever lost to her.
+
+Next day the two arrived at the bridge. The sentry descried them
+approaching, and gave notice to his lord, who thereupon donned his
+armor and went forth to meet them. Here, as usual, he called on
+the advancing warrior to yield his horse and arms an oblation to
+the tomb. Bradamante replied, asking by what right he called on
+the innocent to do penance for his crime. "Your life and your
+armor," she added, "are the fittest offering to her tomb, and I, a
+woman, the fittest champion to take them." With that she couched
+her spear, spurred her horse, and ran to the encounter. King
+Rodomont came on with speed. The trampling sounded on the bridge
+like thunder. It took but a moment to decide the contest. The
+golden lance did its office, and that fierce Moor, so renowned in
+tourney, lay extended on the bridge. "Who is the loser now?" said
+Bradamante; but Rodomont, amazed that a woman's hand should have
+laid him low, could not or would not answer. Silent and sad, he
+raised himself, unbound his helm and mail, and flung them against
+the tomb; then, sullen and on foot, left the ground; but first
+gave orders to one of his squires to release all his prisoners.
+They had been sent off to Africa. Besides Florismart, there were
+Sansonnet and Oliver, who had ridden that way in quest of Orlando,
+and had both in turn been overthrown in the encounter.
+
+Bradamante after her victory resumed her route, and in due time
+reached the Christian camp, where she readily learned an
+explanation of the mystery which had caused her so much anxiety.
+Rogero and his fair and brave sister, Marphisa, were too
+illustrious by their station and exploits not to be the frequent
+topic of discourse even among their adversaries, and all that
+Bradamante was anxious to know reached her ear, almost without
+inquiry.
+
+We now return to Gradasso, who by Rogero's victory had been made
+possessor of Durindana. There now only remained to him to seek the
+horse of Rinaldo; and the challenge, given and accepted, was yet
+to be fought with that warrior, for it had been interrupted by the
+arts of Malagigi. Gradasso now sought another meeting with
+Rinaldo, and met with no reluctance on his part. As the combat was
+for the possession of Bayard, the knights dismounted and fought on
+foot. Long time the battle lasted. Rinaldo, knowing well the
+deadly stroke of Durindana, used all his art to parry or avoid its
+blow. Gradasso struck with might and main, but wellnigh all his
+strokes were spent in air, or if they smote they fell obliquely
+and did little harm.
+
+Thus had they fought long, glancing at one another's eyes, and
+seeing naught else, when their attention was arrested perforce by
+a strange noise. They turned, and beheld the good Bayard attacked
+by a monstrous bird. Perhaps it was a bird, for such it seemed;
+but when or where such a bird was ever seen I have nowhere read,
+except in Turpin; and I am inclined to believe that it was not a
+bird, but a fiend, evoked from underground by Malagigi, and
+thither sent on purpose to interrupt the fight. Whether a fiend or
+a fowl, the monster flew right at Bayard, and clapped his wings in
+his face. Thereat the steed broke loose, and ran madly across the
+plain, pursued by the bird, till Bayard plunged into the wood, and
+was lost to sight.
+
+Rinaldo and Gradasso, seeing Bayard's escape, agreed to suspend
+their battle till they could recover the horse, the object of
+contention. Gradasso mounted his steed, and followed the foot-
+marks of Bayard into the forest. Rinaldo, never more vexed in
+spirit, remained at the spot, Gradasso having promised to return
+thither with the horse, if he found him. He did find him, after
+long search, for he had the good fortune to hear him neigh. Thus
+he became possessed of both the objects for which he had led an
+army from his own country, and invaded France. He did not forget
+his promise to bring Bayard back to the place where he had left
+Rinaldo, but only muttering, "Now I have got him, he little knows
+me who expects me to give him up; if Rinaldo wants the horse let
+him seek him in India, as I have sought him in France,"--he made
+the best of his way to Arles, where his vessels lay; and in
+possession of the two objects of his ambition, the horse and the
+sword, sailed away to his own country.
+
+ASTOLPHO IN ABYSSINIA
+
+When we last parted with the adventurous paladin Astolpho, he was
+just commencing that flight over the countries of the world from
+which he promised himself so much gratification. Our readers are
+aware that the eagle and the falcon have not so swift a flight as
+the Hippogriff on which Astolpho rode. It was not long, therefore,
+before the paladin, directing his course toward the southeast,
+arrived over that part of Africa where the great river Nile has
+its source. Here he alighted, and found himself in the
+neighborhood of the capital of Abyssinia, ruled by Senapus, whose
+riches and power were immense. His palace was of surpassing
+splendor; the bars of the gates, the hinges and locks, were all of
+pure gold; in fact, this metal, in that country, is put to all
+those uses for which we employ iron. It is so common that they
+prefer for ornamental purposes rock crystal, of which all the
+columns were made. Precious stones of different kinds, rubies,
+emeralds, sapphires, and topazes were set in ornamental designs,
+and the walls and ceilings were adorned with pearls.
+
+It is in this country those famous balms grow of which there are
+some few plants in that part of Judaea called Gilead. Musk,
+ambergris, and numerous gums, so precious in Europe, are here in
+their native climate. It is said the Sultan of Egypt pays a vast
+tribute to the monarch of this country to hire him not to cut off
+the source of the Nile, which he might easily do, and cause the
+river to flow in some other direction, thus depriving Egypt of the
+source of its fertility.
+
+At the time of Astolpho's arrival in his dominions, this monarch
+was in great affliction. In spite of his riches and the precious
+productions of his country, he was in danger of dying of hunger.
+He was a prey to a flock of obscene birds called Harpies, which
+attacked him whenever he sat at meat, and with their claws
+snatched, tore, and scattered everything, overturning the vessels,
+devouring the food, and infecting what they left with their filthy
+touch. It was said this punishment was inflicted upon the king
+because when young, and filled with pride and presumption, he had
+attempted to invade with an army the terrestrial paradise, which
+is situated on the top of a mountain whence the Nile draws its
+source. Nor was this his only punishment. He was struck blind.
+
+Astolpho, on arriving in the dominions of this monarch, hastened
+to pay him his respects. King Senapus received him graciously, and
+ordered a splendid repast to be prepared in honor of his arrival.
+While the guests were seated at table, Astolpho filling the place
+of dignity at the king's right hand, the horrid scream of the
+Harpies was heard in the air, and soon they approached, hovering
+over the tables, seizing the food from the dishes, and overturning
+everything with the flapping of their broad wings. In vain the
+guests struck at them with knives and any weapons which they had,
+and Astolpho drew his sword and gave them repeated blows, which
+seemed to have no more effect upon them than if their bodies had
+been made of tow.
+
+At last Astolpho thought of his horn. He first gave warning to the
+king and his guests to stop their ears; then blew a blast. The
+Harpies, terrified at the sound, flew away as fast as their wings
+could carry them. The paladin mounted his Hippogriff, and pursued
+them, blowing his horn as often as he came near them. They
+stretched their flight towards the great mountain, at the foot of
+which there is a cavern, which is thought to be the mouth of the
+infernal abodes. Hither those horrid birds flew, as if to their
+home. Having seen them all disappear in the recess, Astolpho cared
+not to pursue them farther, but alighting, rolled huge stones into
+the mouth of the cave, and piled branches of trees therein, so
+that he effectually barred their passage out, and we have no
+evidence of their ever having been seen since in the outer air.
+
+After this labor Astolpho refreshed himself by bathing in a
+fountain whose pure waters bubbled from a cleft of the rock.
+Having rested awhile, an earnest desire seized him of ascending
+the mountain which towered above him. The Hippogriff bore him
+swiftly upwards, and landed him on the top of the mountain, which
+he found to be an extensive plain.
+
+A splendid palace rose in the middle of this plain, whose walls
+shone with such brilliancy that mortal eyes could hardly bear the
+sight. Astolpho guided the winged horse towards this edifice, and
+made him poise himself in the air while he took a leisurely survey
+of this favored spot and its environs. It seemed as if nature and
+art had striven with one another to see which could do the most
+for its embellishment.
+
+Astolpho, on approaching the edifice, saw a venerable man advance
+to meet him. This personage was clothed in a long vesture as white
+as snow, while a mantle of purple covered his shoulders, and hung
+down to the ground. A white beard descended to his middle, and his
+hair, of the same color, overshadowed his shoulders. His eyes were
+so brilliant that Astolpho felt persuaded that he was a blessed
+inhabitant of the heavenly mansions.
+
+The sage, smiling benignantly upon the paladin, who from respect
+had dismounted from his horse, said to him: "Noble chevalier, know
+that it is by the Divine will you have been brought to the
+terrestrial paradise. Your mortal nature could not have borne to
+scale these heights and reach these seats of bliss if it were not
+the will of Heaven that you should be instructed in the means to
+succor Charles, and to sustain the glory of our holy faith. I am
+prepared to impart the needed counsels; but before I begin let me
+welcome you to our sojourn. I doubt not your long fast and distant
+journey have given you a good appetite."
+
+The aspect of the venerable man filled the prince with admiration;
+but his surprise ceased when he learned from him that he was that
+one of the Apostles of our Lord to whom he said, "I will that thou
+tarry till I come."
+
+St. John, conducting Astolpho, rejoined his companions. These were
+the patriarch Enoch and the prophet Elijah; neither of whom had
+yet seen his dying day, but, taken from our lower world, were
+dwelling in a region of peace and joy, in a climate of eternal
+spring, till the last trumpet shall sound.
+
+The three holy inhabitants of the terrestrial paradise received
+Astolpho with the greatest kindness, carried him to a pleasant
+apartment, and took great care of the Hippogriff, to whom they
+gave such food as suited him, while to the prince they presented
+fruits so delicious that he felt inclined to excuse our first
+parents for their sin in eating them without permission.
+
+Astolpho, having recruited his strength, not only by these
+excellent fruits, but also by sweet sleep, roused himself at the
+first blush of dawn, and as soon as he left his chamber met the
+beloved Apostle coming to seek him. St. John took him by the hand,
+and told him many things relating to the past and the future.
+Among others, he said, "Son, let me tell you what is now going on
+in France. Orlando, the illustrious prince who received at his
+birth the endowment of strength and courage more than mortal,
+raised up as was Samson of old to be the champion of the true
+faith, has been guilty of the basest ingratitude in leaving the
+Christian camp when it most needed the support of his arm, to run
+after a Saracen princess, whom he would fain marry, though she
+scorns him. To punish him his reason has been taken away, so that
+he runs naked through the land, over mountains and through
+valleys, without a ray of intelligence. The duration of his
+punishment has been fixed at three months, and that time having
+nearly expired, you have been brought hither to learn from us the
+means by which the reason of Orlando may be restored. True, you
+will be obliged to make a journey with me, and we must even leave
+the earth, and ascend to the moon, for it is in that planet we are
+to seek the remedy for the madness of the paladin. I propose to
+make our journey this evening, as soon as the moon appears over
+our head."
+
+As soon as the sun sunk beneath the seas, and the moon presented
+its luminous disk, the holy man had the chariot brought out in
+which he was accustomed to make excursions among the stars, the
+same which was employed long ago to convey Elijah up from earth.
+The saint made Astolpho seat himself beside him, took the reins,
+and giving the word to the coursers, they bore them upward with
+astonishing celerity.
+
+At length they reached the great continent of the Moon. Its
+surface appeared to be of polished steel, with here and there a
+spot which, like rust, obscured its brightness. The paladin was
+astonished to see that the earth, with all its seas and rivers,
+seemed but an insignificant spot in the distance.
+
+The prince discovered in this region so new to him rivers, lakes,
+plains, hills, and valleys. Many beautiful cities and castles
+enriched the landscape. He saw also vast forests, and heard in
+them the sound of horns and the barking of dogs, which led him to
+conclude that the nymphs were following the chase.
+
+The knight, filled with wonder at all he saw, was conducted by the
+saint to a valley, where he stood amazed at the riches strewed all
+around him. Well he might be so, for that valley was the
+receptacle of things lost on earth, either by men's fault, or by
+the effect of time and chance. Let no one suppose we speak here of
+kingdoms or of treasures; they are the toys of Fortune, which she
+dispenses in turning her wheel; we speak of things which she can
+neither give nor take away. Such are reputations, which appear at
+one time so brilliant, and a short time after are heard of no
+more. Here, also, are countless vows and prayers for unattainable
+objects, lovers' sighs and tears, time spent in gaming, dressing,
+and doing nothing, the leisure of the dull and the intentions of
+the lazy, baseless projects, intrigues, and plots; these and such
+like things fill all the valley.
+
+Astolpho had a great desire to understand all that he saw, and
+which appeared to him so extraordinary. Among the rest, he
+observed a great mountain of blown bladders, from which issued
+indistinct noises. The saint told him these were the dynasties of
+Assyrian and Persian kings, once the wonder of the earth, of which
+now scarce the name remains.
+
+Astolpho could not help laughing when the saint said to him, "All
+these hooks of silver and gold that you see are the gifts of
+courtiers to princes, made in the hope of getting something better
+in return." He also showed him garlands of flowers in which snares
+were concealed; these were flatteries and adulations, meant to
+deceive. But nothing was so comical as the sight of numerous
+grasshoppers which had burst their lungs with chirping. These, he
+told him, were sonnets, odes, and dedications, addressed by venal
+poets to great people.
+
+The paladin beheld with wonder what seemed a lake of spilled milk.
+"It is," said the saint, "the charity done by frightened misers on
+their death-beds." It would take too long to tell all that the
+valley contained: meanness, affectations, pretended virtues, and
+concealed vices were there in abundance.
+
+Among the rest Astolpho perceived many days of his own lost, and
+many imprudent sallies which he had made, and would have been glad
+not to have been reminded of. But he also saw among so many lost
+things a great abundance of one thing which men are apt to think
+they all possess, and do not think it necessary to pray for,--
+good sense. This commodity appeared under the form of a liquor,
+most light and apt to evaporate. It was therefore kept in vials,
+firmly sealed. One of these was labelled, "The sense of the
+Paladin Orlando."
+
+All the bottles were ticketed, and the sage placed one in
+Astolpho's hand, which he found was his own. It was more than half
+full. He was surprised to find there many other vials which
+contained almost the whole of the wits of many persons who passed
+among men for wise. Ah, how easy it is to lose one's reason! Some
+lose theirs by yielding to the sway of the passions; some in
+braving tempests and shoals in search of wealth; some by trusting
+too much to the promises of the great; some by setting their
+hearts on trifles. As might have been expected, the bottles which
+held the wits of astrologers, inventors, metaphysicians, and above
+all, of poets, were in general the best filled of all.
+
+Astolpho took his bottle, put it to his nose, and inhaled it all;
+and Turpin assures us that he was for a long time afterwards as
+sage as one could wish; but the Archbishop adds that there was
+reason to fear that some of the precious fluid afterwards found
+its way back into the bottle. The paladin took also the bottle
+which belonged to Orlando. It was a large one, and quite full.
+
+Before quitting the planetary region Astolpho was conducted to an
+edifice on the borders of a river. He was shown an immense hall
+full of bundles of silk, linen, cotton, and wool. A thousand
+different colors, brilliant or dull, some quite black, were among
+these skeins. In one part of the hall an old woman was busy
+winding off yarns from all these different bundles. When she had
+finished a skein another ancient dame took it and placed it with
+others; a third selected from the fleeces spun, and mingled them
+in due proportions. The paladin inquired what all this might be.
+"These old women," said the saint, "are the Fates, who spin,
+measure, and terminate the lives of mortals. As long as the thread
+stretches in one of those skeins, so long does the mortal enjoy
+the light of day; but nature and death are on the alert to shut
+the eyes of those whose thread is spun."
+
+Each one of the skeins had a label of gold, silver, or iron,
+bearing the name of the individual to whom it belonged. An old
+man, who, in spite of the burden of years, seemed brisk and
+active, ran without ceasing to fill his apron with these labels,
+and carried them away to throw them into the river, whose name was
+Lethe. When he reached the shore of the river the old man shook
+out his apron, and the labels sunk to the bottom. A small number
+only floated for a time, hardly one in a thousand. Numberless
+birds, hawks, crows, and vultures hovered over the stream, with
+clamorous cries, and strove to snatch from the water some of these
+names; but they were too heavy for them, and after a while the
+birds were forced to let them drop into the river of oblivion. But
+two beautiful swans, of snowy whiteness, gathered some few of the
+names, and returned with them to the shore, where a lovely nymph
+received them from their beaks, and carried them to a temple
+placed upon a hill, and suspended them for all time upon a sacred
+column, on which stood the statue of Immortality.
+
+Astolpho was amazed at all this, and asked his guide to explain
+it. He replied, "The old man is Time. All the names upon the
+tickets would be immortal if the old man did not plunge them into
+the river of oblivion. Those clamorous birds which make vain
+efforts to save certain of the names are flatterers, pensioners,
+venal rhymesters, who do their best to rescue from oblivion the
+unworthy names of their patrons; but all in vain; they may keep
+them from their fate a little while, but ere long the river of
+oblivion must swallow them all.
+
+"The swans, that with harmonious strains carry certain names to
+the temple of Eternal Memory, are the great poets, who save from
+oblivion worse than death the names of those they judge worthy of
+immortality. Swans of this kind are rare. Let monarchs know the
+true breed, and fail not to nourish with care such as may chance
+to appear in their time."
+
+THE WAR IN AFRICA
+
+When Astolpho had descended to the earth with the precious phial,
+St. John showed him a plant of marvellous virtues, with which he
+told him he had only to touch the eyes of the king of Abyssinia to
+restore him to sight. "That important service," said the saint,
+"added to your having delivered him from the Harpies, will induce
+him to give you an army wherewith to attack the Africans in their
+rear, and force them to return from France to defend their own
+country." The saint also instructed him how to lead his troops in
+safety across the great deserts, where caravans are often
+overwhelmed with moving columns of sand. Astolpho, fortified with
+ample instructions, remounted the Hippogriff, thanked the saint,
+received his blessing, and took his flight down to the level
+country.
+
+Keeping the course of the river Nile, he soon arrived at the
+capital of Abyssinia, and rejoined Senapus. The joy of the king
+was great when he heard again the voice of the hero who had
+delivered him from the Harpies. Astolpho touched his eyes with the
+plant which he had brought from the terrestrial paradise, and
+restored their sight. The king's gratitude was unbounded. He
+begged him to name a reward, promising to grant it, whatever it
+might be. Astolpho asked an army to go to the assistance of
+Charlemagne, and the king not only granted him a hundred thousand
+men, but offered to lead them himself.
+
+The night before the day appointed for the departure of the troops
+Astolpho mounted his winged horse, and directed his flight towards
+a mountain, whence the fierce South-wind issues, whose blast
+raises the sands of the Nubian desert, and whirls them onward in
+overwhelming clouds. The paladin, by the advice of St. John, had
+prepared himself with a leather bag, which he placed adroitly,
+with its mouth open, over the vent whence issues this terrible
+wind. At the first dawn of morning the wind rushed from its cavern
+to resume its daily course, and was caught in the bag, and
+securely tied up. Astolpho, delighted with his prize, returned to
+his army, placed himself at their head, and commenced his march.
+The Abyssinians traversed without danger or difficulty those vast
+fields of sand which separate their country from the kingdoms of
+Northern Africa, for the terrible South-wind, taken completely
+captive, had not force enough left to blow out a candle.
+
+Senapus was distressed that he could not furnish any cavalry, for
+his country, rich in camels and elephants, was destitute of
+horses. This difficulty the saint had foreseen, and had taught
+Astolpho the means of remedying. He now put those means in
+operation. Having reached a place whence he beheld a vast plain
+and the sea, he chose from his troops those who appeared to be the
+best made and the most intelligent. These he caused to be arranged
+in squadrons at the foot of a lofty mountain which bordered the
+plain, and he himself mounted to the summit to carry into effect
+his great design. Here he found vast quantities of fragments of
+rock and pebbles. These he set rolling down the mountain's side,
+and, wonderful to relate, as they rolled they grew in size, made
+themselves bodies, legs, necks, and long faces. Next they began to
+neigh, to curvet, to scamper on all sides over the plain. Some
+were bay, some roan, some dapple, some chestnut. The troops at the
+foot of the mountain exerted themselves to catch these new-created
+horses, which they easily did, for the miracle had been so
+considerate as to provide all the horses with bridles and saddles.
+Astolpho thus suddenly found himself supplied with an excellent
+corps of cavalry, not fewer (as Archbishop Turpin asserts) than
+eighty thousand strong. With these troops Astolpho reduced all the
+country to subjection, and at last arrived before the walls of
+Agramant's capital city, Biserta, to which he laid siege.
+
+We must now return to the camp of the Christians, which lay before
+Arles, to which city the Saracens had retired after being defeated
+in a night attack led on by Rinaldo. Agramant here received the
+tidings of the invasion of his country by a fresh enemy, the
+Abyssinians, and learned that Biserta was in danger of falling
+into their hands. He took counsel of his officers, and decided to
+send an embassy to Charles, proposing that the whole quarrel
+should be submitted to the combat of two warriors, one from each
+side, according to the issue of which it should be decided which
+party should pay tribute to the other, and the war should cease.
+Charlemagne, who had not heard of the favorable turn which affairs
+had taken in Africa, readily agreed to this proposal, and Rinaldo
+was selected on the part of the Christians to sustain the combat.
+
+The Saracens selected Rogero for their champion. Rogero was still
+in the Saracen camp, kept there by honor alone, for his mind had
+been opened to the truth of the Christian faith by the arguments
+of Bradamante, and he had resolved to leave the party of the
+infidels on the first favorable opportunity, and to join the
+Christian side. But his honor forbade him to do this while his
+former friends were in distress; and thus he waited for what time
+might bring forth, when he was startled by the announcement that
+he had been selected to uphold the cause of the Saracens against
+the Christians, and that his foe was to be Rinaldo, the brother of
+Bradamante.
+
+While Rogero was overwhelmed with this intelligence Bradamante on
+her side felt the deepest distress at hearing of the proposed
+combat. If Rogero should fall she felt that no other man living
+was worthy of her love; and if, on the other hand, Heaven should
+resolve to punish France by the death of her chosen champion,
+Bradamante would have to deplore her brother, so dear to her, and
+be no less completely severed from the object of her affections.
+
+While the fair lady gave herself up to these sad thoughts, the
+sage enchantress, Melissa, suddenly appeared before her. "Fear
+not, my daughter," said she, "I shall find a way to interrupt this
+combat which so distresses you."
+
+Meanwhile Rinaldo and Rogero prepared their weapons for the
+conflict. Rinaldo had the choice, and decided that it should be on
+foot, and with no weapons but the battle-axe and poniard. The
+place assigned was a plain between the camp of Charlemagne and the
+walls of Arles.
+
+Hardly had the dawn announced the day appointed for this memorable
+combat, when heralds proceeded from both sides to mark the lists.
+Erelong the African troops were seen to advance from the city,
+Agramant at their head; his brilliant arms adorned in the Moorish
+fashion, his horse a bay, with a white star on his forehead.
+Rogero marched at his side, and some of the greatest warriors of
+the Saracen camp attended him, bearing the various parts of his
+armor and weapons. Charlemagne, on his part, proceeded from his
+intrenchments, ranged his troops in semicircle, and stood
+surrounded by his peers and paladins. Some of them bore portions
+of the armor of Rinaldo, the celebrated Ogier, the Dane, bearing
+the helmet which Rinaldo took from Mambrino. Duke Namo of Bavaria
+and Salomon of Bretagne bore two axes, of equal weight, prepared
+for the occasion.
+
+The terms of the combat were then sworn to with the utmost
+solemnity by all parties. It was agreed that if from either part
+any attempt was made to interrupt the battle both combatants
+should turn their arms against the party which should be guilty of
+the interruption; and both monarchs assented to the condition that
+in such case the champion of the offending party should be
+discharged from his allegiance, and at liberty to transfer his
+arms to the other side.
+
+When all the preparations were concluded the monarchs and their
+attendants retired each to his own side, and the champions were
+left alone. The two warriors advanced with measured steps towards
+each other, and met in the middle of the space. They attacked one
+another at the same moment, and the air resounded with the blows
+they gave. Sparks flew from their battle-axes, while the velocity
+with which they managed their weapons astonished the beholders.
+Rogero, always remembering that his antagonist was the brother of
+his betrothed, could not aim a deadly wound; he strove only to
+ward off those levelled against himself. Rinaldo, on the other
+hand, much as he esteemed Rogero, spared not his blows, for he
+eagerly desired victory for his own sake, and for the sake of his
+country and his faith.
+
+The Saracens soon perceived that their champion fought feebly, and
+gave not to Rinaldo such blows as he received from him. His
+disadvantage was so marked that anxiety and shame were manifest on
+the countenance of Agramant. Melissa, one of the most acute
+enchantresses that ever lived, seized this moment to disguise
+herself under the form of Rodomont, that rude and impetuous
+warrior, who had now for some time been absent from the Saracen
+camp. Approaching Agramant, she said, "How could you, my lord,
+have the imprudence of selecting a young man without experience to
+oppose the most redoubtable warrior of France? Surely you must
+have been regardless of the honor of your arms, and of the fate of
+your empire! But it is not too late. Break without delay the
+agreement which is sure to result in your ruin." So saying, she
+addressed the troops who stood near, "Friends," said she, "follow
+me; under my guidance every one of you will be a match for a score
+of those feeble Christians." Agramant, delighted at seeing
+Rodomont once more at his side, gave his consent, and the
+Saracens, at the instant, couched their lances, set spurs to their
+steeds, and swept down upon the French. Melissa, when she saw her
+work successful, disappeared.
+
+Rinaldo and Rogero, seeing the truce broken, and the two armies
+engaged in general conflict, stopped their battle; their martial
+fury ceased at once, they joined hands, and resolved to act no
+more on either side until it should be clearly ascertained which
+party had failed to observe its oath. Both renewed their promise
+to abandon forever the party which had been thus false and
+perjured.
+
+Meanwhile, the Christians, after the first moment of surprise, met
+the Saracens with courage redoubled by rage at the treachery of
+their foes. Guido the Wild, brother and rival of Rinaldo, Griffon
+and Aquilant, sons of Oliver, and numerous others whose names have
+already been celebrated in our recitals, beat back the assailants,
+and at last, after prodigious slaughter, forced them to take
+shelter within the walls of Arles.
+
+We will now return to Orlando, whom we last heard of as furiously
+mad, and doing a thousand acts of violence in his senseless rage.
+One day he came to the borders of a stream which intercepted his
+course. He swam across it, for he could swim like an otter, and on
+the other side saw a peasant watering his horse. He seized the
+animal, in spite of the resistance of the peasant, and rode it
+with furious speed till he arrived at the sea-coast, where Spain
+is divided from Africa by only a narrow strait. At the moment of
+his arrival a vessel had just put off to cross the strait. She was
+full of people who, with glass in hand, seemed to be taking a
+merry farewell of the land, wafted by a favorable breeze.
+
+The frantic Orlando cried out to them to stop and take him in; but
+they, having no desire to admit a madman to their company, paid
+him no attention. The paladin thought this behavior very uncivil;
+and by force of blows made his horse carry him into the water in
+pursuit of the ship. The wretched animal soon had only his head
+above water; but as Orlando urged him forward, nothing was left
+for the poor beast but either to die or swim over to Africa.
+
+Already Orlando had lost sight of the bark; distance and the swell
+of the sea completely hid it from his sight. He continued to press
+his horse forward, till at last it could struggle no more, and
+sunk beneath him. Orlando, nowise concerned, stretched out his
+nervous arms, puffing the salt water from before his mouth, and
+carried his head above the waves. Fortunately they were not rough,
+scarce a breath of wind agitated the surface; otherwise, the
+invincible Orlando would then have met his death. But fortune,
+which it is said favors fools, delivered him from this danger, and
+landed him safe on the shore of Ceuta. Here he rambled along the
+shore till he came to where the black army of Astolpho held its
+camp.
+
+Now it happened, just before this time, that a vessel filled with
+prisoners which Rodomont had taken at the bridge had arrived, and,
+not knowing of the presence of the Abyssinian army, had sailed
+right into port, where of course the prisoners and their captors
+changed places, the former being set at liberty and received with
+all joy, the latter sent to serve in the galleys. Astolpho thus
+found himself surrounded with Christian knights, and he and his
+friends were exchanging greetings and felicitations, when a noise
+was heard in the camp, and seemed to increase every moment.
+
+Astolpho and his friends seized their weapons, mounted their
+horses, and rode to the quarter whence the noise proceeded.
+Imagine their astonishment when they saw that the tumult was
+caused by a single man, perfectly naked, and browned with dirt and
+exposure, but of a force and fury so terrible that he overturned
+all that offered to lay hands on him.
+
+Astolpho, Dudon, Oliver, and Florimart gazed at him with
+amazement. It was with difficulty they knew him. Astolpho, who had
+been warned of his condition by his holy monitor, was the first to
+recognize him. As the paladins closed round Orlando, the madman
+dealt one and another a blow of his fist, which, if they had not
+been in armor, or he had had any weapon, would probably have
+despatched them; as it was, Dudon and Astolpho measured their
+length on the sand. But Florimart seized him from behind,
+Sansonnet and another grasped his legs, and at last they succeeded
+in securing him with ropes. They took him to the water-side and
+washed him well, and then Astolpho, having first bandaged his
+mouth so that he could not breathe except through his nose,
+brought the precious phial, uncorked it, and placed it adroitly
+under his nostrils, when the good Orlando took it all up in one
+breath. O marvellous prodigy! The paladin recovered in an instant
+all his intelligence. He felt like one who had awakened from a
+painful dream, in which he had believed that monsters were about
+to tear him to pieces. He seemed prostrated, silent, and abashed.
+Florismart, Oliver, and Astolpho stood gazing upon him, while he
+turned his eyes around and on himself. He seemed surprised to find
+himself naked, bound, and stretched on the sea-shore. After a few
+moments he recognized his friends, and spoke to them in a tone so
+tender that they hastened to unbind him, and to supply him with
+garments. Then they exerted themselves to console him, to diminish
+the weight with which his spirits were oppressed, and to make him
+forget the wretched condition into which he had been sunk.
+
+Orlando, in recovering his reason, found himself also delivered
+from his insane attachment to the queen of Cathay. His heart felt
+now no further influenced by the recollection of her than to be
+moved with an ardent desire to retrieve his fame by some
+distinguished exploit. Astolpho would gladly have yielded to him
+the chief command of the army, but Orlando would not take from the
+friend to whom he owed so much the glory of the campaign; but in
+everything the two paladins acted in concert, and united their
+counsels. They proposed to make a general assault on the city of
+Biserta, and were only waiting a favorable moment, when their plan
+was interrupted by new events.
+
+Agramant, after the bloody battle which followed the infraction of
+the truce, found himself so weak that he saw it was in vain to
+attempt to remain in France. So, in concert with Sobrino, the
+bravest and most trusted of his chiefs, he embarked to return to
+his own country, having previously sent off his few remaining
+troops in the same direction. The vessel which carried Agramant
+and Sobrino approached the shore where the army of Astolpho lay
+encamped before Biserta, and having discovered this fact before it
+was too late, the king commanded the pilot to steer eastward, with
+a view to seek protection of the King of Egypt. But the weather
+becoming rough, he consented to the advice of his companions, and
+sought harbor in an island which lies between Sicily and Africa.
+There he found Gradasso, the warlike king of Sericane, who had
+come to France to possess himself of the horse Bayard and the
+sword Durindana; and having procured both these prizes was
+returning to his own country.
+
+The two kings, who had been companions in arms under the walls of
+Paris, embraced one another affectionately. Gradasso learned with
+regret the reverses of Agramant, and offered him his troops and
+his person. He strongly deprecated resorting to Egypt for aid.
+"Remember the great Pompey," said he, "and shun that fatal shore.
+My plan," he continued, "is this: I mean to challenge Orlando to
+single combat. Possessed of such a sword and steed as mine, if he
+were made of steel or bronze, he could not escape me. He being
+removed, there will be no difficulty in driving back the
+Abyssinians. We will rouse against them the Moslem nations from
+the other side of the Nile, the Arabians, Persians, and Chaldeans,
+who will soon make Senapus recall his army to defend his own
+territories."
+
+Agramant approved this advice except in one particular. "It is for
+me," said he, "to combat Orlando; I cannot with honor devolve that
+duty on another."
+
+"Let us adopt a third course," said the aged warrior Sobrino. "I
+would not willingly remain a simple spectator of such a contest.
+Let us send three squires to the shore of Africa to challenge
+Orlando and any two of his companions in arms to meet us three in
+this island of Lampedusa."
+
+This counsel was adopted; the three squires sped on their way; and
+now presented themselves, and rehearsed their message to the
+Christian knights.
+
+Orlando was delighted, and rewarded the squires with rich gifts.
+He had already resolved to seek Gradasso and compel him to restore
+Durindana, which he had learned was in his possession. For his two
+companions the Count chose his faithful friend Florismart and his
+cousin Oliver.
+
+The three warriors embarked, and sailing with a favorable wind,
+the second morning showed them, on their right, the island where
+this important battle was to be fought. Orlando and his two
+companions, having landed, pitched their tent. Agramant had placed
+his opposite.
+
+Next morning, as soon as Aurora brightened the edges of the
+horizon, the warriors of both parties armed themselves and mounted
+their horses. They took their positions, face to face, lowered
+their lances, placed them in rest, clapped spurs to their horses,
+and flew to the charge. Orlando met the charge of Gradasso. The
+paladin was unmoved, but his horse could not sustain the terrible
+shock of Bayard. He recoiled, staggered, and fell some paces
+behind. Orlando tried to raise him, but, finding his efforts
+unavailing, seized his shield, and drew his famous Balisardo.
+Meanwhile Agramant and the brave Oliver gained no advantage, one
+or the other; but Florismart unhorsed the King Sobrino. Having
+brought his foe to the ground, he would not pursue his victory,
+but hastened to attack Gradasso, who had overthrown Orlando.
+Seeing him thus engaged, Orlando would not interfere, but ran with
+sword upraised upon Sobrino, and with one blow deprived him of
+sense and motion. Believing him dead, he next turned to aid his
+beloved Florismart. That brave paladin, neither in horse nor arms
+equal to his antagonist, could but parry and evade the blows of
+the terrible Durindana. Orlando, eager to succor him, was delayed
+for a moment in securing and mounting the horse of the King
+Sobrino. It was but an instant, and with sword upraised, he rushed
+upon Gradasso who, noways disconcerted at the onset of this second
+foe, shouted his defiance, and thrust at him with his sword, but,
+having miscalculated the distance, scarcely reached him, and
+failed to pierce his mail. Orlando, in return, dealt him a blow
+with Balisardo, which wounded as it fell face, breast, and thigh,
+and, if he had been a little nearer, would have cleft him in
+twain. Sobrino, by this time recovered from his swoon, though
+severely wounded, raised himself on his legs, and looked to see
+how he might aid his friends. Observing Agramant hard pressed by
+Oliver, he thrust his sword into the bowels of the latter's horse,
+which fell, and bore down his master, entangling his leg as he
+fell, so that Oliver could not extricate himself. Florismart saw
+the danger of his friend, and ran upon Sobrino with his horse,
+overthrew him, and then turned to defend himself from Agramant.
+They were not unequally matched, for though Agramant, mounted on
+Brigliadoro, had an advantage over Florismart, whose horse was but
+indifferent, yet Agramant had received a serious wound in his
+encounter with Oliver.
+
+Nothing could exceed the fury of the encounter between Orlando and
+Gradasso. Durindana, in the hands of Gradasso, clove asunder
+whatever it struck; but such was the skill of Orlando, who
+perfectly knew the danger to which he was exposed from a stroke of
+that weapon, it had not yet struck him in such a way as to inflict
+a wound. Meanwhile, Gradasso was bleeding from many wounds, and
+his rage and incaution increased every moment. In his desperation
+he lifted Durindana with both hands, and struck so terrible a blow
+full on the helmet of Orlando, that for a moment it stunned the
+paladin. He dropped the reins, and his frightened horse scoured
+with him over the plain. Gradasso turned to pursue him, but at
+that moment saw Florismart in the very act of striking a fatal
+blow at Agramant, whom he had unhorsed. While Florismart was
+wholly intent upon completing his victory, Gradasso plunged his
+sword into his side. Florismart fell from his horse, and bathed
+the plain with his blood.
+
+Orlando recovered himself just in time to see the deed. Whether
+rage or grief predominated in his breast, I cannot tell; but,
+seizing Balisardo with fury, his first blow fell upon Agramant,
+who was nearest to him, and smote his head from his shoulders. At
+this sight Gradasso for the first time felt his courage sink, and
+a dark presentiment of death came over him. He hardly stood on his
+defence when Orlando cast himself upon him, and gave him a fatal
+thrust. The sword penetrated his ribs, and came out a palm's
+breadth on the other side of his body.
+
+Thus fell beneath the sword of the most illustrious paladin of
+France the bravest warrior of the Saracen host. Orlando then, as
+if despising his victory, leaped lightly to the ground, and ran to
+his dear friend Florismart, embraced him, and bathed him with his
+tears. Florismart still breathed. He could even command his voice
+to utter a few parting words: "Dear friend, do not forget me,--
+give me your prayers,--and oh! be a brother to Flordelis." He died
+in uttering her name.
+
+After a few moments given to grief Orlando turned to look for his
+other companion and his late foes. Oliver lay oppressed with the
+weight of his horse, from which he had in vain struggled to
+liberate himself. Orlando extricated him with difficulty; he then
+raised Sobrino from the earth, and committed him to his squire,
+treating him as gently as if he had been his own brother. For this
+terrible warrior was the most generous of men to a fallen foe. He
+took Bayard and Brigliadoro, with the arms of the conquered
+knights; their bodies and their other spoils he remitted to their
+attendants.
+
+But who can tell the grief of Flordelis when she saw the warriors
+return, and found not Florismart as usual after absence hasten to
+her side. She knew by the aspect of the others that her lord was
+slain. At the thought, and before the question could pass her
+lips, she fell senseless upon the ground. When life returned, and
+she learned the truth of her worst fears, she bitterly upbraided
+herself that she had let him depart without her. "I might have
+saved him by a single cry when his enemy dealt him that
+treacherous blow, or I might have thrown myself between and given
+my worthless life for his. Or if no more, I might have heard his
+last words, I might have given him a last kiss." So she lamented,
+and could not be comforted.
+
+ROGERO AND BRADAMANTE
+
+After the interruption of the combat with Rinaldo, as we have
+related, Rogero was perplexed with doubts what course to take. The
+terms of the treaty required him to abandon Agramant, who had
+broken it, and to transfer his allegiance to Charlemagne; and his
+love for Bradamante called him in the same direction; but
+unwillingness to desert his prince and leader in the hour of
+distress forbade this course. Embarking, therefore, for Africa, he
+took his way to rejoin the Saracen army; but was arrested midway
+by a storm which drove the vessel on a rock. The crew took to
+their boat, but that was quickly swamped in the waves, and Rogero
+with the rest were compelled to swim for their lives. Then while
+buffeting the waves Rogero bethought him of his sin in so long
+delaying his Christian profession, and vowed in his heart that, if
+he should live to reach the land, he would no longer delay to be
+baptized. His vows were heard and answered; he succeeded in
+reaching the shore, and was aided and relieved on landing by a
+pious hermit, whose cell overlooked the sea. From him he received
+baptism, having first passed some days with him, partaking his
+humble fare, and receiving instruction in the doctrines of the
+Christian faith.
+
+While these things were going on, Rinaldo, who had set out on his
+way to seek Gradasso and recover Bayard from him, hearing on his
+way of the great things which were doing in Africa, repaired
+thither to bear his part in them. He arrived too late to do more
+than join his friends in lamenting the loss of Florismart, and to
+rejoice with them in their victory over the Pagan knights. On the
+death of their king the Africans gave up the contest, Biserta
+submitted, and the Christian knights had only to dismiss their
+forces, and return home. Astolpho took leave of his Abyssinian
+army, and sent them back laden with spoil to their own country,
+not forgetting to intrust to them the bag which held the winds, by
+means of which they were enabled to cross the sandy desert again
+without danger, and did not untie it till they reached their own
+country.
+
+Orlando now, with Oliver, who much needed the surgeon's care, and
+Sobrino, to whom equal attention was shown, sailed in a swift
+vessel to Sicily, bearing with him the body of Florismart, to be
+laid in Christian earth. Rinaldo accompanied them, as did
+Sansonnet and the other Christian leaders. Arrived at Sicily, the
+funeral was solemnized with all the rites of religion, and with
+the profound grief of those who had known Florismart, or had heard
+of his fame. Then they resumed their course, steering for
+Marseilles. But Oliver's wound grew worse instead of better, and
+his sufferings so distressed his friends that they conferred
+together, not knowing what to do. Then said the pilot, "We are not
+far from an isle where a holy hermit dwells alone in the midst of
+the sea. It is said none seek his counsel or his aid in vain. He
+hath wrought marvellous cures, and if you resort to that holy man
+without doubt he can heal the knight." Orlando bade him steer
+thither, and soon the bark was laid safely beside the lonely rock;
+the wounded man was lowered into their boat, and carried by the
+crew to the hermit's cell. It was the same hermit with whom Rogero
+had taken refuge after his shipwreck, by whom he had been
+baptized, and with whom he was now staying, absorbed in sacred
+studies and meditations.
+
+The holy man received Orlando and the rest with kindness, and
+inquired their errand; and being told that they had come for help
+for one who, warring for the Christian faith, was brought to
+perilous pass by a sad wound, he straightway undertook the cure.
+His applications were simple, but they were seconded by his
+prayers. The paladin was soon relieved from pain, and in a few
+days his foot was perfectly restored to soundness. Sobrino, as
+soon as he perceived the holy monk perform that wonder, cast aside
+his false prophet, and with contrite heart owned the true God, and
+demanded baptism at his hands. The hermit granted his request, and
+also by his prayers restored him to health, while all the
+Christian knights rejoiced in his conversion almost as much as at
+the restoration of Oliver. More than all Rogero felt joy and
+gratitude, and daily grew in grace and faith.
+
+Rogero was known by fame to all the Christian knights, but not
+even Rinaldo knew him by sight, though he had proved his prowess
+in combat. Sobrino made him known to them, and great was the joy
+of all when they found one whose valor and courtesy were renowned
+through the world no longer an enemy and unbeliever, but a convert
+and champion of the true faith. All press about the knight; one
+grasps his hand, another locks him fast in his embrace; but more
+than all the rest, Rinaldo cherished him, for he more than any
+knew his worth.
+
+It was not long before Rogero confided to his friend the hopes he
+entertained of a union with his sister, and Rinaldo frankly gave
+his sanction to the proposal. But causes unknown to the paladin
+were at that very time interposing obstacles to its success.
+
+The fame of the beauty and worth of Bradamante had reached the
+ears of the Grecian Emperor, Constantine, and he had sent to
+Charlemagne to demand the hand of his niece for Leo, his son, and
+the heir to his dominions. Duke Aymon, her father, had only
+reserved his consent until he should first have spoken with his
+son Rinaldo, now absent.
+
+The warriors now prepared to resume their voyage. Rogero took a
+tender farewell of the good hermit who had taught him the true
+faith. Orlando restored to him the horse and arms which were
+rightly his, not even asserting his claim to Balisarda, that sword
+which he himself had won from the enchantress.
+
+The hermit gave his blessing to the band, and they reembarked. The
+passage was speedy, and very soon they arrived in the harbor of
+Marseilles.
+
+Astolpho, when he had dismissed his troops, mounted the
+Hippogriff, and at one flight shot over to Sardinia, thence to
+Corsica, thence, turning slightly to the left, hovered over
+Provence, and alighted in the neighborhood of Marseilles. There he
+did what he had been commanded to do by the holy saint; he
+unbridled the Hippogriff, and turned him loose to seek his own
+retreats, never more to be galled with saddle or bit. The horn had
+lost its marvellous power ever since the visit to the moon.
+
+Astolpho reached Marseilles the very day when Orlando, Rinaldo,
+Oliver, Sobrino, and Rogero arrived there. Charles had already
+heard the news of the defeat of the Saracen kings, and all the
+accompanying events. On learning the approach of the gallant
+knights, he sent forward some of his most illustrious nobles to
+receive them, and himself, with the rest of his court, kings,
+dukes, and peers, the queen, and a fair and gorgeous band of
+ladies, set forward from Arles to meet them.
+
+No sooner were the mutual greetings interchanged, than Orlando and
+his friends led forward Rogero, and presented him to the Emperor.
+They vouch him son of Rogero, Duke of Risa, one of the most
+renowned of Christian warriors, by adverse fortune stolen in his
+infancy, and brought up by Saracens in the false faith, now by a
+kind Providence converted, and restored to fill the place his
+father once held among the foremost champions of the throne and
+Church.
+
+Rogero had alighted from his horse, and stood respectfully before
+the Emperor. Charlemagne bade him remount and ride beside him; and
+omitted nothing which might do him honor in sight of his martial
+train. With pomp triumphal and with festive cheer the troop
+returned to the city; the streets were decorated with garlands,
+the houses hung with rich tapestry, and flowers fell like rain
+upon the conquering host from the hands of fair dames and damsels,
+from every balcony and window. So welcomed, the mighty Emperor
+passed on till he reached the royal palace, where many days he
+feasted, high in hall, with his lords, amid tourney, revel, dance,
+and song.
+
+When Rinaldo told his father, Duke Aymon, how he had promised his
+sister to Rogero, his father heard him with indignation, having
+set his heart on seeing her united to the Grecian Emperor's son.
+The Lady Beatrice, her mother, also appealed to Bradamante herself
+to reject a knight who had neither title nor lands, and give the
+preference to one who would make her Empress of the wide Levant.
+But Bradamante, though respect forbade her to refuse her mother's
+entreaty, would not promise to do what her heart repelled, and
+answered only with a sigh, until she was alone, and then gave a
+loose to tears.
+
+Meanwhile Rogero, indignant that a stranger should presume to rob
+him of his bride, determined to seek the Prince of Greece, and
+defy him to mortal combat. With this design he donned his armor,
+but exchanged his crest and emblazonment, and bore instead a white
+unicorn upon a crimson field. He chose a trusty squire, and,
+commanding him not to address him as Rogero, rode on his quest.
+Having crossed the Rhine and the Austrian countries into Hungary,
+he followed the course of the Danube till he reached Belgrade.
+There he saw the imperial ensigns spread, and white pavilions,
+thronged with troops, before the town. For the Emperor Constantine
+was laying siege to the city to recover it from the Bulgarians,
+who had taken it from him not long before.
+
+A river flowed between the camp of the Emperor and the Bulgarians,
+and at the moment when Rogero approached, a skirmish had begun
+between the parties from either camp, who had approached the
+stream for the purpose of watering. The Greeks in that affray were
+four to one, and drove back the Bulgarians in precipitate rout.
+Rogero, seeing this, and animated only by his hatred of the
+Grecian prince, dashed into the middle of the flying mass, calling
+aloud on the fugitives to turn. He encountered first a leader of
+the Grecian host in splendid armor, a nephew of the Emperor, as
+dear to him as a son. Rogero's lance pierced shield and armor, and
+stretched the warrior breathless on the plain. Another and another
+fell before him, and astonishment and terror arrested the advance
+of the Greeks, while the Bulgarians, catching courage from the
+cavalier, rally, change front, and chase the Grecian troops, who
+fly in their turn. Leo, the prince, was at a distance when this
+sudden skirmish rose, but not so far but that he could see
+distinctly, from an elevated position which he held, how the
+changed battle was all the work of one man, and could not choose
+but admire the bravery and prowess with which it was done. He knew
+by the blazonry displayed that the champion was not of the
+Bulgarian army, though he furnished aid to them. Although he
+suffered by his valor, the prince could not wish him ill, for his
+admiration surpassed his resentment. By this time the Greeks had
+regained the river, and crossing it by fording or swimming, some
+made their escape, leaving many more prisoners in the hands of the
+Bulgarians. Rogero, learning from some of the captives that Leo
+was at a point some distance down the river, rode thither with a
+view to meet him, but arrived not before the Greek prince had
+retired beyond the stream, and broken up the bridge. Day was
+spent, and Rogero, wearied, looked round for a shelter for the
+night. He found it in a cottage, where he soon yielded himself to
+repose. It so happened, a knight who had narrowly escaped Rogero's
+sword in the late battle also found shelter in the same cottage,
+and, recognizing the armor of the unknown knight, easily found
+means of securing him as he slept, and next morning carried him in
+chains and delivered him to the Emperor. By him he was in turn
+delivered to his sister Theodora, mother of the young knight, the
+first victim of Rogero's spear. By her he was cast into a dungeon,
+till her ingenuity could devise a death sufficiently painful to
+satiate her revenge.
+
+Bradamante, meanwhile, to escape her father's and mother's
+importunity, had begged a boon of Charlemagne, which the monarch
+pledged his royal word to grant; it was that she should not be
+compelled to marry any one unless he should first vanquish her in
+single combat. The Emperor therefore proclaimed a tournament in
+these words: "He that would wed Duke Aymon's daughter must contend
+with the sword against that dame, from the sun's rise to his
+setting; and if, in that time, he is not overcome the lady shall
+be his."
+
+Duke Aymon and the Lady Beatrice, though much incensed at the
+course things had taken, brought their daughter to court, to await
+the day appointed for the tournament. Bradamante, not finding
+there him whom her heart required, distressed herself with doubts
+what could be the cause of his absence. Of all fancies, the most
+painful one was that he had gone away to learn to forget her,
+knowing her father's and her mother's opposition to their union,
+and despairing to contend against them. But oh, how much worse
+would be the maiden's woe, if it were known to her what her
+betrothed was then enduring!
+
+He was plunged in a dungeon where no ray of daylight ever
+penetrated, loaded with chains, and scantily supplied with the
+coarsest food. No wonder despair took possession of his heart, and
+he longed for death as a relief, when one night (or one day, for
+both were equally dark to him) he was roused with the glare of a
+torch and saw two men enter his cell. It was the Prince Leo, with
+an attendant, who had come as soon as he had learned the wretched
+fate of the brave knight whose valor he had seen and admired on
+the field of battle. "Cavalier," said he, "I am one whom thy valor
+hath so bound to thee, that I willingly peril my own safety to
+lend thee aid." "Infinite thanks I owe you," replied Rogero, "and
+the life you give me I promise faithfully to render back upon your
+call, and promptly to stake it at all times for your service." The
+prince then told Rogero his name and rank, at hearing which a tide
+of contending emotions almost overwhelmed Rogero. He was set at
+liberty, and had his horse and arms restored to him.
+
+Meanwhile, tidings arrived of King Charles' decree that whoever
+aspired to the hand of Bradamante must first encounter her with
+sword and lance. This news made the Grecian prince turn pale, for
+he knew he was no match for her in fight. Communing with himself,
+he sees how he may make his wit supply the place of valor, and
+employ the French knight, whose name was still unknown to him, to
+fight the battle for him. Rogero heard the proposal with extreme
+distress; yet it seemed worse than death to deny the first request
+of one to whom he owed his life. Hastily he gave his assent "to do
+in all things that which Leo should command." Afterward, bitter
+repentance came over him; yet, rather than confess his change of
+mind, death itself would be welcome. Death seems his only remedy;
+but how to die? Sometimes he thinks to make none but a feigned
+resistance, and allow her sword a ready access, for never can
+death come more happily than if her hand guide the weapon. Yet
+this will not avail, for, unless he wins the maid for the Greek
+prince, his debt remains unpaid. He had promised to maintain a
+real, not a feigned encounter. He will then keep his word, and
+banish every thought from his bosom except that which moved him to
+maintain his truth.
+
+The young prince, richly attended, set out, and with him Rogero.
+They arrived at Paris, but Leo preferred not to enter the city,
+and pitched his tents without the walls, making known his arrival
+to Charlemagne by an embassy. The monarch was pleased, and
+testified his courtesy by visits and gifts. The prince set forth
+the purpose of his coming, and prayed the Emperor to dispatch his
+suit--"to send forth the damsel who refused ever to take in
+wedlock any lord inferior to herself in fight; for she should be
+his bride, or he would perish beneath her sword."
+
+Rogero passed the night before the day assigned for the battle
+like that which the felon spends, condemned to pay the forfeit of
+his life on the ensuing day. He chose to fight with sword only,
+and on foot, for he would not let her see Frontino, knowing that
+she would recognize the steed. Nor would he use Balisarda, for
+against that enchanted blade all armor would be of no avail, and
+the sword that he did take he hammered well upon the edge to abate
+its sharpness. He wore the surcoat of Prince Leo, and his shield,
+emblazoned with a golden, double-headed eagle. The prince took
+care to let himself be seen by none.
+
+Bradamante, meanwhile, prepared herself for the combat far
+differently. Instead of blunting the edge of her falchion she
+whets the steel, and would fain infuse into it her own acerbity.
+As the moment approached she seemed to have fire within her veins,
+and waited impatiently for the trumpet's sound. At the signal she
+drew her sword, and fell with fury upon her Rogero. But as a well-
+built wall or aged rock stands unmoved the fury of the storm, so
+Rogero, clad in those arms which Trojan Hector once wore,
+withstood the strokes which stormed about his head and breast and
+flank. Sparks flew from his shield, his helm, his cuirass; from
+direct and back strokes, aimed now high, now low, falling thick
+and fast, like hailstones on a cottage roof; but Rogero, with
+skilful ward, turns them aside, or receives them where his armor
+is a sure protection, careful only to protect himself, and with no
+thought of striking in return. Thus the hours passed away, and, as
+the sun approached the west, the damsel began to despair. But so
+much the more her anger increases, and she redoubles her efforts,
+like the craftsman who sees his work unfinished while the day is
+wellnigh spent. O miserable damsel! didst thou know whom thou
+wouldst kill,--if, in that cavalier matched against thee thou
+didst but know Rogero, on whom thy very life-threads hang, rather
+than kill him thou wouldst kill thyself, for he is dearer to thee
+than life.
+
+King Charles and the peers, who thought the cavalier to be the
+Grecian prince, viewing such force and skill exhibited, and how
+without assaulting her the knight defended himself, were filled
+with admiration, and declared the champions well matched, and
+worthy of each other.
+
+When the sun was set Charlemagne gave the signal for terminating
+the contest, and Bradamante was awarded to Prince Leo as a bride.
+Rogero, in deep distress, returned to his tent. There Leo unlaced
+his helmet, and kissed him on both cheeks. "Henceforth," said he,
+"do with me as you please, for you cannot exhaust my gratitude."
+Rogero replied little, laid aside the ensigns he had worn, and
+resumed the unicorn, then hasted to withdraw himself from all
+eyes. When it was midnight he rose, saddled Frontino, and sallied
+from his tent, taking that direction which pleased his steed. All
+night he rode absorbed in bitter woe, and called on Death as alone
+capable of relieving his sufferings. At last he entered a forest,
+and penetrated into its deepest recesses. There he unharnessed
+Frontino, and suffered him to wander where he would. Then he threw
+himself down on the ground, and poured forth such bitter wailings
+that the birds and beasts, for none else heard him, were moved to
+pity with his cries.
+
+Not less was the distress of the lady Bradamante, who, rather than
+wed any one but Rogero, resolved to break her word, and defy
+kindred, court, and Charlemagne himself; and, if nothing else
+would do, to die. But relief came from an unexpected quarter.
+Marphisa, sister of Rogero, was a heroine of warlike prowess equal
+to Bradamante. She had been the confidante of their loves, and
+felt hardly less distress than themselves at seeing the perils
+which threatened their union. "They are already united by mutual
+vows," she said, "and in the sight of Heaven what more is
+necessary?" Full of this thought she presented herself before
+Charlemagne, and declared that she herself was witness that the
+maiden had spoken to Rogero those words which they who marry
+swear; and that the compact was so sealed between the pair that
+they were no longer free, nor could forsake the one the other to
+take another spouse. This her assertion she offered to prove, in
+single combat, against Prince Leo, or any one else.
+
+Charlemagne, sadly perplexed at this, commanded Bradamante to be
+called, and told her what the bold Marphisa had declared.
+Bradamante neither denied nor confirmed the statement, but hung
+her head, and kept silence. Duke Aymon was enraged, and would fain
+have set aside the pretended contract on the ground that, if made
+at all, it must have been made before Rogero was baptized, and
+therefore void. But not so thought Rinaldo, nor the good Orlando,
+and Charlemagne knew not which way to decide, when Marphisa spoke
+thus:
+
+"Since no one else can marry the maiden while my brother lives,
+let the prince meet Rogero in mortal combat, and let him who
+survives take her for his bride."
+
+This saying pleased the Emperor, and was accepted by the prince,
+for he thought that, by the aid of his unknown champion, he should
+surely triumph in the fight. Proclamation was therefore made for
+Rogero to appear and defend his suit; and Leo, on his part, caused
+search to be made on all sides for the knight of the Unicorn.
+
+Meanwhile Rogero, overwhelmed with despair, lay stretched on the
+ground in the forest night and day without food, courting death.
+Here he was discovered by one of Leo's people, who, finding him
+resist all attempts to remove him, hastened to his master, who was
+not far off, and brought him to the spot. As he approached he
+heard words which convinced him that love was the cause of the
+knight's despair; but no clew was given to guide him to the object
+of that love. Stooping down, the prince embraced the weeping
+warrior, and, in the tenderest accents, said: "Spare not, I
+entreat you, to disclose the cause of your distress, for few such
+desperate evils betide mankind as are wholly past cure. It grieves
+me much that you would hide your grief from me, for I am bound to
+you by ties that nothing can undo. Tell me, then, your grief, and
+leave me to try if wealth, art, cunning, force, or persuasion
+cannot relieve you. If not, it will be time enough after all has
+been tried in vain to die."
+
+He spoke in such moving accents that Rogero could not choose but
+yield. It was some time before he could command utterance; at last
+he said, "My lord, when you shall know me for what I am, I doubt
+not you, like myself, will be content that I should die. Know,
+then, I am that Rogero whom you have so much cause to hate, and
+who so hated you that, intent on putting you to death, he went to
+seek you at your father's court. This I did because I could not
+submit to see my promised bride borne off by you. But, as man
+proposes and God disposes, your great courtesy, well tried in time
+of sore need, so moved my fixed resolve, that I not only laid
+aside the hate I bore, but purposed to be your friend forever. You
+then asked of me to win for you the lady Bradamante, which was all
+one as to demand of me my heart and soul. You know whether I
+served you faithfully or not. Yours is the lady; possess her in
+peace; but ask me not to live to see it. Be content rather that I
+die; for vows have passed between myself and her which forbid that
+while I live she can lawfully wive with another."
+
+So filled was gentle Leo with astonishment at these words that for
+a while he stood silent, with lips unmoved and steadfast gaze,
+like a statue. And the discovery that the stranger was Rogero not
+only abated not the good will he bore him, but increased it, so
+that his distress for what Rogero suffered seemed equal to his
+own. For this, and because he would appear deservedly an Emperor's
+son, and, though in other things outdone, would not be surpassed
+in courtesy, he says: "Rogero, had I known that day when your
+matchless valor routed my troops that you were Rogero, your virtue
+would have made me your own, as then it made me while I knew not
+my foe, and I should have no less gladly rescued you from
+Theodora's dungeon. And if I would willingly have done so then,
+how much more gladly will I now restore the gift of which you
+would rob yourself to confer it upon me. The damsel is more due to
+you than to me, and though I know her worth, I would forego not
+only her, but life itself, rather than distress a knight like
+you."
+
+This and much more he said to the same intent; till at last Rogero
+replied, "I yield, and am content to live, and thus a second time
+owe my life to you."
+
+But several days elapsed before Rogero was so far restored as to
+return to the royal residence, where an embassy had arrived from
+the Bulgarian princes to seek the knight of the unicorn, and
+tender to him the crown of that country, in place of their king,
+fallen in battle.
+
+Thus were things situated when Prince Leo, leading by the hand
+Rogero, clad in the battered armor in which he had sustained the
+conflict with Bradamante, presented himself before the king.
+"Behold," he said "the champion who maintained from dawn to
+setting sun the arduous contest; he comes to claim the guerdon of
+the fight." King Charlemagne, with all his peerage, stood amazed;
+for all believed that the Grecian prince himself had fought with
+Bradamante. Then stepped forth Marphisa, and said, "Since Rogero
+is not here to assert his rights, I, his sister, undertake his
+cause, and will maintain it against whoever shall dare dispute his
+claim." She said this with so much anger and disdain that the
+prince deemed it no longer wise to feign, and withdrew Rogero's
+helmet from his brow, saying, "Behold him here!" Who can describe
+the astonishment and joy of Marphisa! She ran and threw her arms
+about her brother's neck, nor would give way to let Charlemagne
+and Rinaldo, Orlando, Dudon, and the rest, who crowded round,
+embrace him, and press friendly kisses on his brow. The joyful
+tidings flew fast by many a messenger to Bradamante, who in her
+secret chamber lay lamenting. The blood that stagnated about her
+heart flowed at that notice so fast, that she had wellnigh died
+for joy. Duke Aymon and the Lady Beatrice no longer withheld their
+consent, and pledged their daughter to the brave Rogero before all
+that gallant company.
+
+Now came the Bulgarian ambassadors, and, kneeling at the feet of
+Rogero, besought him to return with them to their country, where,
+in Adrianople, the crown and sceptre were awaiting his acceptance.
+Prince Leo united his persuasions to theirs, and promised, in his
+royal father's name, that peace should be restored on their part.
+Rogero gave his consent, and it was surmised that none of the
+virtues which shone so conspicuously in him so availed to
+recommend Rogero to the Lady Beatrice as the hearing her future
+son-in-law saluted as a sovereign prince.
+
+THE BATTLE OF RONCESVALLES
+
+After the expulsion of the Saracens from France Charlemagne led
+his army into Spain, to punish Marsilius, the king of that
+country, for having sided with the African Saracens in the late
+war. Charlemagne succeeded in all his attempts, and compelled
+Marsilius to submit, and pay tribute to France. Our readers will
+remember Gano, otherwise called Gan, or Ganelon, whom we mentioned
+in one of our early chapters as an old courtier of Charlemagne,
+and a deadly enemy of Orlando, Rinaldo, and all their friends. He
+had great influence over Charles, from equality of age and long
+intimacy; and he was not without good qualities: he was brave and
+sagacious, but envious, false, and treacherous. Gan prevailed on
+Charles to send him as ambassador to Marsilius, to arrange the
+tribute. He embraced Orlando over and over again at taking leave,
+using such pains to seem loving and sincere, that his hypocrisy
+was manifest to every one but the old monarch. He fastened with
+equal tenderness on Oliver, who smiled contemptuously in his face,
+and thought to himself, "You may make as many fair speeches as you
+choose, but you lie." All the other paladins who were present
+thought the same, and they said as much to the Emperor, adding
+that Gan should on no account be sent ambassador to the Spaniards.
+But Charles was infatuated.
+
+Gan was received with great honor by Marsilius. The king, attended
+by his lords, came fifteen miles out of Saragossa to meet him, and
+then conducted him into the city with acclamations. There was
+nothing for several days but balls, games, and exhibitions of
+chivalry, the ladies throwing flowers on the heads of the French
+knights, and the people shouting, "France! Mountjoy and St.
+Denis!"
+
+After the ceremonies of the first reception the king and the
+ambassador began to understand one another. One day they sat
+together in a garden on the border of a fountain. The water was so
+clear and smooth it reflected every object around, and the spot
+was encircled with fruit-trees which quivered with the fresh air.
+As they sat and talked, as if without restraint, Gan, without
+looking the king in the face, was enabled to see the expression of
+his countenance in the water, and governed his speech accordingly.
+Marsilius was equally adroit, and watched the face of Gan while he
+addressed him. Marsilius began by lamenting, not as to the
+ambassador, but as to the friend, the injuries which Charles had
+done him by invading his dominions, charging him with wishing to
+take his kingdom from him and give it to Orlando; till at length
+he plainly uttered his belief that if that ambitious paladin were
+but dead good men would get their rights.
+
+Gan heaved a sigh, as if he was unwillingly compelled to allow the
+force of what the king said; but unable to contain himself long he
+lifted up his face, radiant with triumphant wickedness, and
+exclaimed: "Every word you utter is truth; die he must, and die
+also must Oliver, who struck me that foul blow at court. Is it
+treachery to punish affronts like these? I have planned
+everything,--I have settled everything already with their
+besotted master. Orlando will come to your borders--to
+Roncesvalles--for the purpose of receiving the tribute. Charles
+will await him at the foot of the mountains. Orlando will bring
+but a small band with him: you, when you meet him, will have
+secretly your whole army at your back. You surround him, and who
+receives tribute then?"
+
+The new Judas had scarcely uttered these words when his exultation
+was interrupted by a change in the face of nature. The sky was
+suddenly overcast, there was thunder and lightning, a laurel was
+split in two from head to foot, and the Carob-tree under which Gan
+was sitting, which is said to be the species of tree on which
+Judas Iscariot hung himself, dropped one of its pods on his head.
+
+Marsilius, as well as Gan, was appalled at this omen; but on
+assembling his soothsayers they came to the conclusion that the
+laurel-tree turned the omen against the Emperor, the successor of
+the Caesars, though one of them renewed the consternation of Gan
+by saying that he did not understand the meaning of the tree of
+Judas, and intimating that perhaps the ambassador could explain
+it. Gan relieved his vexation by anger; the habit of wickedness
+prevailed over all other considerations; and the king prepared to
+march to Roncesvalles at the head of all his forces.
+
+Gan wrote to Charlemagne to say how humbly and submissively
+Marsilius was coming to pay the tribute into the hands of Orlando,
+and how handsome it would be of the Emperor to meet him half-way,
+and so be ready to receive him after the payment at his camp. He
+added a brilliant account of the tribute, and the accompanying
+presents. The good Emperor wrote in turn to say how pleased he was
+with the ambassador's diligence, and that matters were arranged
+precisely as he wished. His court, however, had its suspicion
+still, though they little thought Gan's object in bringing Charles
+into the neighborhood of Roncesvalles was to deliver him into the
+hands of Marsilius, after Orlando should have been destroyed by
+him.
+
+Orlando, however, did as his lord and sovereign desired. He went
+to Roncesvalles, accompanied by a moderate train of warriors, not
+dreaming of the atrocity that awaited him. Gan, meanwhile, had
+hastened back to France, in order to show himself free and easy in
+the presence of Charles, and secure the success of his plot; while
+Marsilius, to make assurance doubly sure, brought into the passes
+of Roncesvalles no less than three armies, which were successively
+to fall on the paladin in case of the worst, and so extinguish him
+with numbers. He had also, by Gan's advice, brought heaps of wine
+and good cheer to be set before his victims in the first instance;
+"for that," said the traitor, "will render the onset the more
+effective, the feasters being unarmed. One thing, however, I must
+not forget," added he; "my son Baldwin is sure to be with Orlando;
+you must take care of his life for my sake."
+
+"I give him this vesture off my own body," said the king; "let him
+wear it in the battle, and have no fear. My soldiers shall be
+directed not to touch him."
+
+Gan went away rejoicing to France. He embraced the sovereign and
+the court all round with the air of a man who had brought them
+nothing but blessings, and the old king wept for very tenderness
+and delight.
+
+"Something is going on wrong, and looks very black," thought
+Malagigi, the good wizard; "Rinaldo is not here, and it is
+indispensably necessary that he should be. I must find out where
+he is, and Ricciardetto too, and send for them with all speed."
+
+Malagigi called up by his art a wise, terrible, and cruel spirit,
+named Ashtaroth. "Tell me, and tell me truly, of Rinaldo," said
+Malagigi to the spirit. The demon looked hard at the paladin, and
+said nothing. His aspect was clouded and violent.
+
+The enchanter, with an aspect still cloudier, bade Ashtaroth lay
+down that look, and made signs as if he would resort to angrier
+compulsion; and the devil, alarmed, loosened his tongue, and said,
+"You have not told me what you desire to know of Rinaldo."
+
+"I desire to know what he has been doing, and where he is."
+
+"He has been conquering and baptizing the world, east and west,"
+said the demon, "and is now in Egypt with Ricciardetto."
+
+"And what has Gan been plotting with Marsilius?" inquired
+Malagigi; "and what is to come of it?"
+
+"I know not," said the devil. "I was not attending to Gan at the
+time, and we fallen spirits know not the future. All I discern is
+that by the signs and comets in the heavens something dreadful is
+about to happen--something very strange, treacherous, and bloody;
+and that Gan has a seat ready prepared for him in hell."
+
+"Within three days," cried the enchanter, loudly, "bring Rinaldo
+and Ricciardetto into the pass of Ronces-Valles. Do it, and I
+hereby undertake to summon thee no more."
+
+"Suppose they will not trust themselves with me?" said the spirit.
+
+"Enter Rinaldo's horse, and bring him, whether he trust thee or
+not."
+
+"It shall be done," returned the demon.
+
+There was an earthquake, and Ashtaroth disappeared.
+
+Marsilius now made his first movement towards the destruction of
+Orlando, by sending before him his vassal, King Blanchardin, with
+his presents of wines and other luxuries. The temperate but
+courteous hero took them in good part, and distributed them as the
+traitor wished; and then Blanchardin, on pretence of going forward
+to salute Charlemagne, returned, and put himself at the head of
+the second army, which was the post assigned him by his liege-
+lord. King Falseron, whose son Orlando had slain in battle, headed
+the first army, and King Balugante the third. Marsilius made a
+speech to them, in which he let them into his design, and
+concluded by recommending to their good will the son of his friend
+Gan, whom they would know by the vest he had sent him, and who was
+the only soul amongst the Christian they were to spare.
+
+This son of Gan, meanwhile, and several of the paladins, who
+distrusted the misbelievers, and were anxious at all events to be
+with Orlando, had joined the hero in the fatal valley; so that the
+little Christian host, considering the tremendous valor of their
+lord and his friends, were not to be sold for nothing. Rinaldo,
+alas! the second thunderbolt of Christendom, was destined not to
+be there in time to meet the issue. The paladins in vain begged
+Orlando to be on his guard against treachery, and send for a more
+numerous body of men. The great heart of the Champion of the Faith
+was unwilling to harbor suspicion as long as he could help it. He
+refused to summon aid which might be superfluous; neither would he
+do anything but what his liege-lord had directed. And yet he could
+not wholly repress a misgiving. A shadow had fallen on his heart,
+great and cheerful as it was. The anticipations of his friends
+disturbed him, in spite of the face with which he met them.
+Perhaps by a certain foresight he felt his death approaching; but
+he felt bound not to encourage the impression. Besides, time
+pressed; the moment of the looked-for tribute was at hand, and
+little combinations of circumstances determine often the greatest
+events.
+
+King Marsilius was to arrive early next day with the tribute, and
+Oliver, with the morning sun, rode forth to reconnoitre, and see
+if he could discover the peaceful pomp of the Spanish court in the
+distance. He rode up the nearest height, and from the top of it
+beheld the first army of Marsilius already forming in the passes.
+"O devil Gan," he exclaimed, "this then is the consummation of thy
+labors!" Oliver put spurs to his horse, and galloped back down the
+mountain to Orlando.
+
+"Well," cried the hero, "what news?"
+
+"Bad news," said his cousin, "such as you would not hear of
+yesterday. Marsilius is here in arms, and all the world is with
+him."
+
+The paladins pressed round Orlando, and entreated him to sound his
+horn, in token that he needed help. His only answer was to mount
+his horse, and ride up the mountain with Sansonetto.
+
+As soon, however, as he cast forth his eyes, and beheld what was
+round about him, he turned in sorrow, and looked down into
+Roncesvalles, and said, "O miserable valley! the blood shed in
+thee this day will color thy name forever."
+
+Orlando's little camp were furious against the Saracens. They
+armed themselves with the greatest impatience. There was nothing
+but lacing of helmets and mounting of horses, while good
+Archbishop Turpin went from rank to rank exhorting and encouraging
+the warriors of Christ. Orlando and his captains withdrew for a
+moment to consultation. He fairly groaned for sorrow, and at first
+had not a word to say, so wretched he felt at having brought his
+people to die in Roncesvalles. Then he said: "If it had entered
+into my heart to conceive the king of Spain to be such a villain
+never would you have seen this day. He has exchanged with me a
+thousand courtesies and good words; and I thought that the worse
+enemies we had been before, the better friends we had become now.
+I fancied every human being capable of this kind of virtue on a
+good opportunity, saving, indeed, such base-hearted wretches as
+can never forgive their very forgivers; and of these I did not
+suppose him to be one. Let us die, if die we must, like honest and
+gallant men, so that it shall be said of us it was only our bodies
+that died. The reason why I did not sound the horn was partly
+because I thought it did not become us, and partly because our
+liege lord could hardly save us, even if he heard it." And with
+these words Orlando sprang to his horse, crying, "Aways against
+the Saracens!" But he had no sooner turned his face than he wept
+bitterly, and said, "O Holy Virgin, think not of me, the sinner
+Orlando, but have pity on these thy servants!"
+
+And now with a mighty dust, and an infinite sound of horns and
+tambours, which came filling the valley, the first army of the
+infidels made its appearance, horses neighing, and a thousand
+pennons flying in the air. King Falseron led them on, saying to
+his officers: "Let nobody dare to lay a finger on Orlando. He
+belongs to myself. The revenge of my son's death is mine. I will
+cut the man down that comes between us." "Now, friends," said
+Orlando, "every man for himself, and St. Michael for us all! There
+is not one here that is not a perfect knight." And he might well
+say it, for the flower of all France was there, except Rinaldo and
+Ricciardetto--every man a picked man, all friends and constant
+companions of Orlando.
+
+So the captains of the little troop and of the great army sat
+looking at one another, and singling one another out as the latter
+came on, and then the knights put spear in rest, and ran for a
+while two and two in succession, one against the other.
+
+Astolpho was the first to move. He ran against Arlotto of Sorio,
+and thrust his antagonist's body out of the saddle, and his soul
+into the other world. Oliver encountered Malprimo, and, though he
+received a thrust which hurt him, sent his lance right through the
+heart of Malprimo.
+
+Falseron was daunted at this blow. "Truly," thought he, "this is a
+marvel." Oliver did not press on among the Saracens, his wound was
+too painful; but Orlando now put himself and his whole band in
+motion, and you may guess what an uproar ensued. The sound of the
+rattling of blows and helmets was as if the forge of Vulcan had
+been thrown open. Falseron beheld Orlando coming so furiously,
+that he thought him a Lucifer who had burst his chain, and was
+quite of another mind than when he purposed to have him all to
+himself. On the contrary, he recommended himself to his gods, and
+turned away, meaning to wait for a more auspicious season of
+revenge. But Orlando hailed him with a terrible voice, saying, "O
+thou traitor! was this the end to which old quarrels were made
+up?" Then he dashed at Falseron with a fury so swift, and at the
+same time with a mastery of his lance so marvellous, that, though
+he plunged it in the man's body so as instantly to kill him, and
+then withdrew it, the body did not move in the saddle. The hero
+himself, as he rushed onwards, was fain to see the end of a stroke
+so perfect, and turning his horse back, touched the carcass with
+his sword, and it fell on the instant!
+
+When the infidels beheld their leader dead such fear fell upon
+them that they were for leaving the field to the paladins, but
+they were unable. Marsilius had drawn the rest of his forces round
+the valley like a net, so that their shoulders were turned in
+vain. Orlando rode into the thick of them, and wherever he went
+thunderbolts fell upon helmets. Oliver was again in the fray, with
+Walter and Baldwin, Avino and Avolio, while Arch-bishop Turpin
+had changed his crosier for a lance, and chased a new flock before
+him to the mountains.
+
+Yet what could be done against foes without number? Marsilius
+constantly pours them in. The paladins are as units to thousands.
+Why tarry the horses of Rinaldo and Ricciardetto?
+
+The horses did not tarry, but fate had been quicker than
+enchantment. Ashtaroth had presented himself to Rinaldo in Egypt,
+and, after telling his errand, he and Foul-mouth, his servant,
+entered the horses of Rinaldo and Ricciardetto, which began to
+neigh, and snort, and leap with the fiends within them, till off
+they flew through the air over the pyramids and across the desert,
+and reached Spain and the scene of action just as Marsilius
+brought up his third army. The two paladins on their horses
+dropped right into the midst of the Saracens, and began making
+such havoc among them that Marsilius, who overlooked the fight
+from a mountain, thought his soldiers had turned against one
+another. Orlando beheld it, and guessed it could be no other but
+his cousins, and pressed to meet them. Oliver coming up at the
+same moment, the rapture of the whole party is not to be
+expressed. After a few hasty words of explanation they were forced
+to turn again upon the enemy, whose numbers seemed perfectly
+without limit.
+
+Orlando, making a bloody passage towards Marsilius, struck a youth
+on the head, whose helmet was so strong as to resist the blow, but
+at the same time flew off, Orlando prepared to strike a second
+blow, when the youth exclaimed, "Hold! you loved my father; I am
+Bujaforte!" The paladin had never seen Bujaforte, but he saw the
+likeness to the good old man, his father, and he dropped his
+sword. "O Bujaforte," said he, "I loved him indeed; but what does
+his son do here fighting against his friends?"
+
+Bujaforte could not at once speak for weeping. At length he said:
+"I am forced to be here by my lord and master, Marsilius; and I
+have made a show of fighting, but have not hurt a single
+Christian. Treachery is on every side of you. Baldwin himself has
+a vest given him by Marsilius, that everybody may know the son of
+his friend Gan, and do him no harm."
+
+"Put your helmet on again," said Orlando, "and behave just as you
+have done. Never will your father's friend be an enemy to the
+son."
+
+The hero then turned in fury to look for Baldwin, who was
+hastening towards him at that moment, with friendliness in his
+looks.
+
+"'Tis strange," said Baldwin, "I have done my duty as well as I
+could, yet nobody will come against me. I have slain right and
+left, and cannot comprehend what it is that makes the stoutest
+infidels avoid me."
+
+"Take off your vest," said Orlando, contemptuously, "and you will
+soon discover the secret, if you wish to know it. Your father has
+sold us to Marsilius, all but his honorable son."
+
+"If my father," said Baldwin, impetuously tearing off the vest,
+"has been such a villain, and I escape dying, I will plunge this
+sword through his heart. But I am no traitor, Orlando, and you do
+me wrong to say it. Think not I can live with dishonor."
+
+Baldwin spurred off into the fight, not waiting to hear another
+word from Orlando, who was very sorry for what he had said, for he
+perceived that the youth was in despair.
+
+And now the fight raged beyond all it had done before; twenty
+pagans went down for one paladin, but still the paladins fell.
+Sansonetto was beaten to earth by the club of Grandonio, Walter
+d'Amulion had his shoulder broken, Berlinghieri and Ottone were
+slain, and at last Astolpho fell, in revenge of whose death
+Orlando turned the spot where he died into a lake of Saracen
+blood. The luckless Bujaforte met Rinaldo, and before he could
+explain how he seemed to be fighting on the Saracen side received
+such a blow upon the head that he fell, unable to utter a word.
+Orlando, cutting his way to a spot where there was a great
+struggle and uproar, found the poor youth Baldwin, the son of Gan,
+with two spears in his breast. "I am no traitor now," said
+Baldwin, and those were the last words he said. Orlando was
+bitterly sorry to have been the cause of his death, and tears
+streamed from his eyes. At length down went Oliver himself. He had
+become blinded with his own blood, and smitten Orlando without
+knowing him. "How now, cousin," cried Orlando, "have you too gone
+over to the enemy?" "O my lord and master," cried the other, "I
+ask your pardon. I can see nothing; I am dying. Some traitor has
+stabbed me in the back. If you love me, lead my horse into the
+thick of them, so that I may not die unavenged."
+
+"I shall die myself before long," said Orlando, "out of very toil
+and grief; so we will go together."
+
+Orlando led his cousin's horse where the press was thickest, and
+dreadful was the strength of the dying man and his tired
+companion. They made a street through which they passed out of the
+battle, and Orlando led his cousin away to his tent, and said,
+"Wait a little till I return, for I will go and sound the horn on
+the hill yonder."
+
+"'Tis of no use," said Oliver, "my spirit is fast going and
+desires to be with its Lord and Saviour."
+
+He would have said more, but his words came from him imperfectly,
+like those of a man in a dream, and so he expired.
+
+When Orlando saw him dead he felt as if he was alone on the earth,
+and he was quite willing to leave it, only he wished that King
+Charles, at the foot of the mountains, should know how the case
+stood before he went. So he took up the horn and blew it three
+times, with such force that the blood burst out of his nose and
+mouth. Turpin says that at the third blast the horn broke in two.
+
+In spite of all the noise of the battle, the sound of the horn
+broke over it like a voice out of the other world. They say that
+birds fell dead at it, and that the whole Saracen army drew back
+in terror. Charlemagne was sitting in the midst of his court when
+the sound reached him, and Gan was there. The Emperor was the
+first to hear it.
+
+"Do you hear that?" said he to his nobles. "Did you hear the horn
+as I heard it?"
+
+Upon this they all listened, and Gan felt his heart misgive him.
+The horn sounded a second time.
+
+"What is the meaning of this?" said Charles.
+
+"Orlando is hunting," observed Gan, "and the stag is killed."
+
+But when the horn sounded yet a third time, and the blast was one
+of so dreadful a vehemence, everybody looked at the other, and
+then they all looked at Gan in a fury. Charles rose from his seat.
+
+"This is no hunting of the stag," said he. "The sound goes to my
+very heart. O Gan! O Gan! Not for thee do I blush, but for myself.
+O foul and monstrous villain! Take him, gentleman, and keep him in
+close prison. Would to God I had not lived to see this day!"
+
+But it was no time for words. They put the traitor in prison and
+then Charles, with all his court, took his way to Roncesvalles,
+grieving and praying.
+
+It was afternoon when the horn sounded, and half an hour after it
+when the Emperor set out; and meantime Orlando had returned to the
+fight that he might do his duty, however hopeless, as long as he
+could sit his horse. At length he found his end approaching, for
+toil and fever, and rode all alone to a fountain where he had
+before quenched his thirst. His horse was wearier than he, and no
+sooner had his master alighted than the beast, kneeling down as if
+to take leave, and to say, "I have brought you to a place of
+rest," fell dead at his feet. Orlando cast water on him from the
+fountain, not wishing to believe him dead; but when he found it to
+no purpose, he grieved for him as if he had been a human being,
+and addressed him by name with tears, and asked forgiveness if he
+had ever done him wrong. They say that the horse, at these words,
+opened his eyes a little, and looked kindly at his master, and
+then stirred never more. They say also that Orlando then summoning
+all his strength, smote a rock near him with his beautiful sword
+Durindana, thinking to shiver the steel in pieces, and so prevent
+its falling into the hands of the enemy, but though the rock split
+like a slate, and a great cleft remained ever after to astonish
+the eyes of pilgrims, the sword remained uninjured.
+
+And now Rinaldo and Ricciardetto came up, with Turpin, having
+driven back the Saracens, and told Orlando that the battle was
+won. Then Orlando knelt before Turpin and begged remission of his
+sins, and Turpin gave him absolution. Orlando fixed his eyes on
+the hilt of his sword as on a crucifix, and embraced it, and he
+raised his eyes and appeared like a creature seraphical and
+transfigured, and bowing his head, he breathed out his pure soul.
+
+And now King Charles and his nobles came up. The Emperor, at sight
+of the dead Orlando, threw himself, as if he had been a reckless
+youth, from his horse, and embraced and kissed the body, and said:
+"I bless thee, Orlando; I bless thy whole life, and all that thou
+wast, and all that thou ever didst, and the father that begat
+thee; and I ask pardon of thee for believing those who brought
+thee to thine end. They shall have their reward, O thou beloved
+one! But indeed it is thou that livest, and I who am worse than
+dead."
+
+Horrible to the Emperor's eyes was the sight of the field of
+Roncesvalles. The Saracens indeed had fled, conquered; but all his
+paladins but two were left on it dead, and the whole valley looked
+like a great slaughter-house, trampled into blood and dirt, and
+reeking to the heat. Charles trembled to his heart's core for
+wonder and agony. After gazing dumbly on the place he cursed it
+with a solemn curse, and wished that never grass might grow in it
+again, nor seed of any kind, neither within it nor on any of its
+mountains around, but the anger of Heaven abide over it forever.
+
+Charles and his warriors went after the Saracens into Spain. They
+took and fired Saragossa, and Marsilius was hung to the carob-tree
+under which he had planned his villainy with Gan; and Gan was hung
+and drawn and quartered in Roncesvalles, amidst the execrations of
+the country.
+
+RINALDO AND BAYARD
+
+CHARLEMAGNE was overwhelmed with grief at the loss of so many of
+his bravest warriors at the disaster of Roncesvalles, and bitterly
+reproached himself for his credulity in resigning himself so
+completely to the counsels of the treacherous Count Gan. Yet he
+soon fell into a similar snare when he suffered his unworthy son,
+Charlot, to acquire such an influence over him, that he constantly
+led him into acts of cruelty and injustice that in his right mind
+he would have scorned to commit. Rinaldo and his brothers, for
+some slight offence to the imperious young prince, were forced to
+fly from Paris, and to take shelter in their castle of Montalban;
+for Charles had publicly said, if he could take them he would hang
+them all. He sent numbers of his bravest knights to arrest them,
+but all without success. Either Rinaldo foiled their efforts and
+sent them back, stripped of their armor and of their glory, or,
+after meeting and conferring with him, they came back and told the
+king they could not be his instruments for such a work.
+
+At last Charles himself raised a great army, and went in person to
+compel the paladin to submit. He ravaged all the country round
+about Montalban, so that supplies of food should be cut off, and
+he threatened death to any who should attempt to issue forth,
+hoping to compel the garrison to submit for want of food.
+
+Rinaldo's resources had been brought so low that it seemed useless
+to contend any longer. His brothers had been taken prisoners in a
+skirmish, and his only hope of saving their lives was in making
+terms with the king.
+
+So he sent a messenger, offering to yield himself and his castle
+if the king would spare his and his brothers' lives. While the
+messenger was gone Rinaldo, impatient to learn what tidings he
+might bring, rode out to meet him. When he had ridden as far as he
+thought prudent he stopped in a wood, and alighting, tied Bayard
+to a tree. Then he sat down, and, as he waited, he fell asleep.
+Bayard meanwhile got loose, and strayed away where the grass
+tempted him. Just then came along some country people, who said to
+one another, "Look, is not that the great horse Bayard that
+Rinaldo rides? Let us take him, and carry him to King Charles, who
+will pay us well for our trouble." They did so, and the king was
+delighted with his prize, and gave them a present that made them
+rich to their dying day.
+
+When Rinaldo woke he looked round for his horse, and, finding him
+not, he groaned, and said, "O unlucky hour that I was born! how
+fortune persecutes me!" So desperate was he that he took off his
+armor and his spurs, saying, "What need have I of these, since
+Bayard is lost?" While he stood thus lamenting, a man came from
+the thicket, seemingly bent with age. He had a long beard hanging
+over his breast, and eyebrows that almost covered his eyes. He
+bade Rinaldo good day. Rinaldo thanked him, and said, "A good day
+I have hardly had since I was born." Then said the old man,
+"Signor Rinaldo, you must not despair, for God will make all
+things turn to the best." Rinaldo answered, "My trouble is too
+heavy for me to hope relief. The king has taken my brothers, and
+means to put them to death. I thought to rescue them by means of
+my horse Bayard, but while I slept some thief has stolen him." The
+old man replied, "I will remember you and your brothers in my
+prayers. I am a poor man, have you not something to give me?"
+Rinaldo said, "I have nothing to give," but then he recollected
+his spurs. He gave them to the beggar, and said, "Here, take my
+spurs. They are the first present my mother gave me when my
+father, Count Aymon, dubbed me knight. They ought to bring you ten
+pounds."
+
+The old man took the spurs, and put them into his sack, and said,
+"Noble sir, have you nothing else you can give me?" Rinaldo
+replied, "Are you making sport of me? I tell you truly if it were
+not for shame to beat one so helpless, I would teach you better
+manners." The old man said, "Of a truth, sir, if you did so you
+would do a great sin. If all had beaten me of whom I have begged I
+should have been killed long ago, for I ask alms in churches and
+convents, and wherever I can." "You say true," replied Rinaldo,
+"if you did not ask, none would relieve you." The old man said,
+"True, noble sir, therefore I pray if you have anything more to
+spare, give it me." Rinaldo gave him his mantle, and said, "Take
+it, pilgrim. I give it you for the love of Christ, that God would
+save my brothers from a shameful death, and help me to escape out
+of King Charles's power."
+
+The pilgrim took the mantle, folded it up, and put it into his
+bag. Then a third time he said to Rinaldo, "Sir, have you nothing
+left to give me that I may remember you in my prayers?" "Wretch!"
+exclaimed Rinaldo, "do you make me your sport?" and he drew his
+sword, and struck at him; but the old man warded off the blow with
+his staff, and said, "Rinaldo, would you slay your cousin,
+Malagigi?" When Rinaldo heard that he stayed his hand, and gazed
+doubtingly on the old man, who now threw aside his disguise, and
+appeared to be indeed Malagigi. "Dear cousin," said Rinaldo, "pray
+forgive me. I did not know you. Next to God, my trust is in you.
+Help my brothers to escape out of prison, I entreat you. I have
+lost my horse, and therefore cannot render them any assistance."
+Malagigi answered, "Cousin Rinaldo, I will enable you to recover
+your horse. Meanwhile, you must do as I say."
+
+Then Malagigi took from his sack a gown, and gave it to Rinaldo to
+put on over his armor, and a hat that was full of holes, and an
+old pair of shoes to put on. They looked like two pilgrims, very
+old and poor. Then they went forth from the wood, and after a
+little while saw four monks riding along the road. Malagigi said
+to Rinaldo, "I will go meet the monks, and see what news I can
+learn."
+
+Malagigi learned from the monks that on the approaching festival
+there would be a great crowd of people at court, for the prince
+was going to show the ladies the famous horse Bayard that used to
+belong to Rinaldo. "What!" said the pilgrim; "is Bayard there?"
+"Yes," answered the monks; "the king has given him to Charlot,
+and, after the prince has ridden him the king means to pass
+sentence on the brothers of Rinaldo, and have them hanged." Then
+Malagigi asked alms of the monks, but they would give him none,
+till he threw aside his pilgrim garb, and let them see his armor,
+when, partly for charity and partly for terror, they gave him a
+golden cup, adorned with precious stones that sparkled in the
+sunshine.
+
+Malagigi then hastened back to Rinaldo, and told him what he had
+learned.
+
+The morning of the feast-day Rinaldo and Malagigi came to the
+place where the sports were to be held. Malagigi gave Rinaldo his
+spurs back again, and said, "Cousin, put on your spurs, for you
+will need them." "How shall I need them," said Rinaldo, "since I
+have lost my horse?" Yet he did as Malagigi directed him.
+
+When the two had taken their stand on the border of the field
+among the crowd the princes and ladies of the court began to
+assemble. When they were all assembled the king came also, and
+Charlot with him, near whom the horse Bayard was led, in the
+charge of grooms, who were expressly enjoined to guard him safely.
+The king, looking round on the circle of spectators, saw Malagigi
+and Rinaldo, and observed the splendid cup that they had, and said
+to Charlot, "See, my son, what a brilliant cup those two pilgrims
+have got. It seems to be worth a hundred ducats." "That is true,"
+said Charlot; "Let us go and ask where they got it." So they rode
+to the place where the pilgrims stood, and Charlot stopped Bayard
+close to them.
+
+The horse snuffed at the pilgrims, knew Rinaldo, and caressed his
+master. The king said to Malagigi, "Friend, where did you get that
+beautiful cup?" Malagigi replied, "Honorable sir, I paid for it
+all the money I have saved from eleven years' begging in churches
+and convents. The Pope himself has blessed it, and given it the
+power that whosoever eats or drinks out of it shall be pardoned of
+all his sins." Then said the king to Charlot, "My son, these are
+right holy men; see how the dumb beast worships them."
+
+Then the king said to Malagigi, "Give me a morsel from your cup,
+that I may be cleared of my sins." Malagigi answered, "Illustrious
+lord, I dare not do it, unless you will forgive all who have at
+any time offended you. You know that Christ forgave all those who
+had betrayed and crucified him." The king replied, "Friend, that
+is true; but Rinaldo has so grievously offended me, that I cannot
+forgive him, nor that other man, Malagigi, the magician. These two
+shall never live in my kingdom again. If I catch them I will
+certainly have them hanged. But tell me, pilgrim, who is that man
+who stands beside you?" "He is deaf, dumb, and blind," said
+Malagigi. Then the king said again, "Give me to drink of your cup,
+to take away my sins." Malagigi answered, "My lord king, here is
+my poor brother, who for fifty days has not heard, spoken, nor
+seen. This misfortune befell him in a house where we found
+shelter, and the day before yesterday we met with a wise woman,
+who told him the only hope of a cure for him was to come to some
+place where Bayard was to be ridden, and to mount and ride him;
+that would do him more good than anything else." Then said the
+king, "Friend, you have come to the right place, for Bayard is to
+be ridden here to-day. Give me a draught from your cup, and your
+companion shall ride upon Bayard." Malagigi, hearing these words,
+said, "Be it so." Then the king, with great devotion, took a
+spoon, and dipped a portion from the pilgrim's cup, believing that
+his sins should be thereby forgiven.
+
+When this was done, the king said to Charlot, "Son, I request that
+you will let this sick pilgrim sit on your horse, and ride if he
+can, for by so doing he will be healed of all his infirmities."
+Charlot replied, "That will I gladly do." So saying, he
+dismounted, and the servants took the pilgrim in their arms, and
+helped him on the horse.
+
+Wher Rinaldo was mounted, he put his feet in the stirrups, and
+said, "I would like to ride a little." Malagigi, hearing him
+speak, seemed delighted, and asked him whether he could see and
+hear also. "Yes," said Rinaldo, "I am healed of all my
+infirmities." When the king heard it he said to Bishop Turpin, "My
+lord bishop, we must celebrate this with a procession, with
+crosses and banners, for it is a great miracle."
+
+When Rinaldo remarked that he was not carefully watched, he spoke
+to the horse, and touched him with the spurs. Bayard knew that his
+master was upon him, and he started off upon a rapid pace, and in
+a few moments was a good way off. Malagigi pretended to be in
+great alarm. "O noble king and master," he cried, "my poor
+companion is run away with; he will fall and break his neck." The
+king ordered his knights to ride after the pilgrim, and bring him
+back, or help him if need were. They did so, but it was in vain.
+Rinaldo left them all behind him, and kept on his way till he
+reached Montalban. Malagigi was suffered to depart, unsuspected,
+and he went his way, making sad lamentation for the fate of his
+comrade, who he pretended to think must surely be dashed to
+pieces.
+
+Malagigi did not go far, but having changed his disguise, returned
+to where the king was, and employed his best art in getting the
+brothers of Rinaldo out of prison. He succeeded; and all three got
+safely to Montalban, where Rinaldo's joy at the rescue of his
+brothers and the recovery of Bayard was more than tongue can tell.
+
+DEATH OF RINALDO
+
+THE distress in Rinaldo's castle for want of food grew more severe
+every day, under the pressure of the siege. The garrison were
+forced to kill their horses, both to save the provision they would
+consume, and to make food of their flesh. At last all the horses
+were killed except Bayard, and Rinaldo said to his brothers,
+"Bayard must die, for we have nothing else to eat." So they went
+to the stable and brought out Bayard to kill him. But Alardo said,
+"Brother, let Bayard live a little longer; who knows what God may
+do for us?"
+
+Bayard heard these words, and understood them as if he was a man,
+and fell on his knees, as if he would beg for mercy. When Rinaldo
+saw the distress of his horse his heart failed him, and he let him
+live.
+
+Just at this time Aya, Rinaldo's mother, who was the sister of the
+Emperor, came to the camp, attended by knights and ladies, to
+intercede for her sons. She fell on her knees before the king, and
+besought him that he would pardon Rinaldo and his brothers: and
+all the peers and knights took her side, and entreated the king to
+grant her prayer. Then said the king, "Dear sister, you act the
+part of a good mother, and I respect your tender heart, and yield
+to your entreaties. I will spare your sons their lives if they
+submit implicitly to my will."
+
+When Charlot heard this he approached the king and whispered in
+his ear. And the king turned to his sister and said, "Charlot must
+have Bayard, because I have given the horse to him. Now go, my
+sister, and tell Rinaldo what I have said."
+
+When the Lady Aya heard these words she was delighted, thanked God
+in her heart, and said, "Worthy king and brother, I will do as you
+bid me." So she went into the castle, where her sons received her
+most joyfully and affectionately, and she told them the king's
+offer. Then Alardo said, "Brother, I would rather have the king's
+enmity than give Bayard to Charlot, for I believe he will kill
+him." Likewise said all the brothers. When Rinaldo heard them he
+said, "Dear brothers, if we may win our forgiveness by giving up
+the horse, so be it. Let us make our peace, for we cannot stand
+against the king's power." Then he went to his mother, and told
+her they would give the horse to Charlot, and more, too, if the
+king would pardon them, and forgive all that they had done against
+his crown and dignity. The lady returned to Charles and told him
+the answer of her sons.
+
+When the peace was thus made between the king and the sons of
+Aymon, the brothers came forth from the castle, bringing Bayard
+with them, and, falling at the king's feet, begged his
+forgiveness. The king bade them rise, and received them into favor
+in the sight of all his noble knights and counsellors, to the
+great joy of all, especially of the Lady Aya, their mother. Then
+Rinaldo took the horse Bayard, gave him to Charlot, and said, "My
+lord and prince, this horse I give to you; do with him as to you
+seems good." Charlot took him, as had been agreed on. Then he made
+the servants take him to the bridge, and throw him into the water.
+Bayard sank to the bottom, but soon came to the surface again and
+swam, saw Rinaldo looking at him, came to land, ran to his old
+master, and stood by him as proudly as if he had understanding,
+and would say, "Why did you treat me so?" When the prince saw that
+he said, "Rinaldo, give me the horse again, for he must die."
+Rinaldo replied, "My lord and prince, he is yours without
+dispute," and gave him to him. The prince then had a millstone
+tied to each foot, and two to his neck, and made them throw him
+again into the water. Bayard struggled in the water, looked up to
+his master, threw off the stones, and came back to Rinaldo.
+
+When Alardo saw that, he said, "Now must thou be disgraced
+forever, brother, if thou give up the horse again." But Rinaldo
+answered, "Brother, be still. Shall I for the horse's life provoke
+the anger of the king again?" Then Alardo said, "Ah, Bayard! what
+a return do we make for all thy true love and service!" Rinaldo
+gave the horse to the prince again, and said, "My lord, if the
+horse comes out again I cannot return him to you any more, for it
+wrings my heart too much." Then Chariot had Bayard loaded with the
+stones as before, and thrown into the water; and commanded Rinaldo
+that he should not stand where the horse would see him. When
+Bayard rose to the surface he stretched his neck out of the water
+and looked round for his master, but saw him not. Then he sunk to
+the bottom.
+
+Rinaldo was so distressed for the loss of Bayard that he made a
+vow to ride no horse again all his life long, nor to bind a sword
+to his side, but to become a hermit. He resolved to betake himself
+to some wild wood, but first to return to his castle, to see his
+children, and to appoint to each his share of his estate.
+
+So he took leave of the king and of his brothers, and returned to
+Montalban, and his brothers remained with the king. Rinaldo called
+his children to him, and he made his eldest born, Aymeric, a
+knight, and made him lord of his castle and of his land. He gave
+to the rest what other goods he had, and kissed and embraced them
+all, commended them to God, and then departed from them with a
+heavy heart.
+
+He had not travelled far when he entered a wood, and there met
+with a hermit, who had long been retired from the world. Rinaldo
+greeted him, and the hermit replied courteously, and asked him who
+he was and what was his purpose. Rinaldo replied, "Sir, I have led
+a sinful life; many deeds of violence have I done, and many men
+have I slain, not always in a good cause, but often under the
+impulse of my own headstrong passions. I have also been the cause
+of the death of many of my friends, who took my part, not because
+they thought me in the right, but only for love of me. And now I
+come to make confession of all my sins, and to do penance for the
+rest of my life, if perhaps the mercy of God will forgive me." The
+hermit said, "Friend, I perceive you have fallen into great sins,
+and have broken the commandments of God, but his mercy is greater
+than your sins; and if you repent from your heart, and lead a new
+life, there is yet hope for you that he will forgive you what is
+past." So Rinaldo was comforted, and said, "Master, I will stay
+with you, and what you bid ane I will do." The hermit replied,
+"Roots and vegetables will be your food; shirt or shoes you may
+not wear; your lot must be poverty and want if you stay with me."
+Rinaldo replied, "I will cheerfully bear all this, and more." So
+he remained three whole years with the hermit, and after that his
+strength failed, and it seemed as if he was like to die.
+
+One night the hermit had a dream, and heard a voice from heaven,
+which commanded him to say to his companion that he must without
+delay go to the Holy Land, and fight against the heathen. The
+hermit, when he heard that voice, was glad, and calling Rinaldo,
+he said, "Friend, God's angel has commanded me to say to you that
+you must without delay go to Jerusalem, and help our fellow-
+Christians in their struggle with the Infidels." Then said
+Rinaldo, "Ah! master, how can I do that? It is over three years
+since I made a vow no more to ride a horse, nor take a sword or
+spear in my hand." The hermit answered, "Dear friend, obey God,
+and do what the angel commanded." "I will do so," said Rinaldo,
+"and pray for me, my master, that God may guide me right." Then he
+departed, and went to the seaside, and took ship and came to
+Tripoli in Syria.
+
+And as he went on his way his strength returned to him, till it
+was equal to what it was in his best days. And though he never
+mounted a horse, nor took a sword in his hand, yet with his
+pilgrim's staff he did good service in the armies of the
+Christians; and it pleased God that he escaped unhurt, though he
+was present in many battles, and his courage inspired the men with
+the same. At last a truce was made with the Saracens, and Rinaldo,
+now old and infirm, wishing to see his native land again before he
+died, took ship and sailed for France. When he arrived he shunned
+to go to the resorts of the great, and preferred to live among the
+humble folk, where he was unknown. He did country work, and lived
+on milk and bread, drank water, and was therewith content. While
+he so lived he heard that the city of Cologne was the holiest and
+best of cities, on account of the relics and bodies of saints who
+had there poured out their blood for the faith. This induced him
+to betake himself thither. When the pious hero arrived at Cologne
+he went to the monastery of St. Peter, and lived a holy life,
+occupied night and day in devotion. It so happened that at that
+time in the next town to Cologne there raged a dreadful
+pestilence. Many people came to Rinaldo, to beg him to pray for
+them, that the plague might be stayed. The holy man prayed
+fervently, and besought the Lord to take away the plague from the
+people, and his prayer was heard. The stroke of the pestilence was
+arrested, and all the people thanked the holy man and praised God.
+
+Now there was at this time at Cologne a bishop, called Agilolphus,
+who was a wise and understanding man, who led a pure and secluded
+life, and set a good example to others. This bishop undertook to
+build the Church of St. Peter, and gave notice to all stonemasons
+and other workmen round about to come to Cologne, where they
+should find work and wages. Among others came Rinaldo; and he
+worked among the laborers and did more than four or five common
+workmen. When they went to dinner he brought stone and mortar so
+that they had enough for the whole day. When the others went to
+bed he stretched himself out on the stones. He ate bread only, and
+drank nothing but water; and had for his wages but a penny a day.
+The head workman asked him his name, and where he belonged. He
+would not tell, but said nothing and pursued his work. They called
+him St. Peter's workman, because he was so devoted to his work.
+
+When the overseer saw the diligence of this holy man he chid the
+laziness of the other workmen, and said, "You receive more pay
+than this good man, but do not do half as much work." For this
+reason the other workmen hated Rinaldo, and made a secret
+agreement to kill him. They knew that he made it a practice to go
+every night to a certain church to pray and give alms. So they
+agreed to lay wait for him, with the purpose to kill him. When he
+came to the spot, they seized him, and beat him over the head till
+he was dead. Then they put his body into a sack, and stones with
+it, and cast it into the Rhine, in the hope the sack would sink to
+the bottom, and be there concealed. But God willed not that it
+should be so, but caused the sack to float on the surface, and be
+thrown upon the bank. And the soul of the holy martyr was carried
+by angels, with songs of praise, up to the heavens.
+
+Now at that time the people of Dortmund had become converted to
+the Christian faith; and they sent to the Bishop of Cologne, and
+desired him to give them some of the holy relics that are in such
+abundance in that city. So the Bishop called together his clergy
+to deliberate what answer they should give to this request. And it
+was determined to give to the people of Dortmund the body of the
+holy man who had just suffered martyrdom.
+
+When now the body with the coffin was put on the cart, the cart
+began to move toward Dortmund without horses or help of men, and
+stopped not till it reached the place where the church of St.
+Rinaldo now stands. The Bishop and his clergy followed the holy
+man to do him honor, with singing of hymns, for a space of three
+miles. And St. Rinaldo has ever since been the patron of that
+place, and many wonderful works has God done through him, as may
+be seen in the legends.
+
+HUON OF BORDEAUX
+
+WHEN Charlemagne grew old he felt the burden of government become
+heavier year by year, till at last he called together his high
+barons and peers to propose to abdicate the empire and the throne
+of France in favor of his sons, Charlot and Lewis.
+
+The Emperor was unreasonably partial to his eldest son; he would
+have been glad to have had the barons and peers demand Charlot for
+their only sovereign; but that prince was so infamous, for his
+falsehood and cruelty, that the council strenuously opposed the
+Emperor's proposal of abdicating, and implored him to continue to
+hold a sceptre which he wielded with so much glory.
+
+Amaury of Hauteville, cousin of Ganelon, and now head of the
+wicked branch of the house of Maganza, was the secret partisan of
+Charlot, whom he resembled in his loose morals and bad
+dispositions. Amaury nourished the most bitter resentment against
+the house of Guienne, of which the former Duke, Sevinus, had often
+rebuked his misdeeds. He took advantage of this occasion to do an
+injury to the two young children whom the Duke Sevinus had left
+under the charge of the Duchess Alice, their mother; and at the
+same time, to advance his interest with Charlot by increasing his
+wealth and power. With this view he suggested to the prince a new
+idea.
+
+He pretended to agree with the opinion of the barons; he said that
+it would be best to try Charlot's capacity for government by
+giving him some rich provinces before placing him upon the throne;
+and that the Emperor, without depriving himself of any part of his
+realm, might give Charlot the investiture of Guienne. For although
+seven years had passed since the death of Sevinus, the young Duke,
+his son, had not yet repaired to the court of Charlemagne to
+render the homage due to his lawful sovereign.
+
+We have often had occasion to admire the justice and wisdom of the
+advice which on all occasions the Duke Namo of Bavaria gave to
+Charlemagne, and he now discountenanced, with indignation, the
+selfish advice of Amaury. He represented to the Emperor the early
+age of the children of Sevinus, and the useful and glorious
+services of their late father, and proposed to Charlemagne to send
+two knights to the Duchess at Bordeaux, to summon her two sons to
+the court of the Emperor, to pay their respects and render homage.
+
+Charlemagne approved this advice, and sent two chevaliers to
+demand the two young princes of their mother. No sooner had the
+Duchess learned the approach of the two knights, than she sent
+distinguished persons to receive them; and as soon as they entered
+the palace she presented herself before them, with her elder and
+younger sons, Huon and Girard.
+
+The deputies, delighted with the honors and caresses they
+received, accompanied with rich presents, left Bordeaux with
+regret and on their return represented to Charlemagne that the
+young Duke Huon seemed born to tread in the footsteps of his brave
+father, informing him that in three months the young princes of
+Guienne would present themselves at his court.
+
+The Duchess employed the short interval in giving her sons her
+last instructions. Huon received them in his heart, and Girard
+gave as much heed to them as could be expected from one so young.
+
+The preparations for their departure having been made, the Duchess
+embraced them tenderly, commending them to the care of Heaven, and
+charged them to call, on their way, at the celebrated monastery of
+Cluny, to visit the Abbot, the brother of their father. This
+Abbot, worthy of his high dignity, had never lost an opportunity
+of doing good, setting an example of every excellence, and making
+virtue attractive by his example.
+
+He received his nephews with the greatest magnificence; and, aware
+how useful his presence might be to them with Charlemagne, whose
+valued counsellor he was, he took with them the road to Paris.
+
+When Amaury learned what reception the two deputies of Charlemagne
+had received at Bordeaux, and the arrangements made for the visit
+of the young princes to the Emperor's court, he suggested to
+Charlot to give him a troop of his guards, with which he proposed
+to lay wait for the young men in the wood of Montlery, put them to
+death, and thereby give the prince Charlot possession of the duchy
+of Guienne.
+
+A plan of treachery and violence agreed but too well with
+Charlot's disposition. He not only adopted the suggestion of
+Amaury, but insisted upon taking a part in it. They went out
+secretly, by night, followed by a great number of attendants, all
+armed in black, to lie in ambuscade in the wood where the brothers
+were to pass.
+
+Girard, the younger of the two, having amused himself as he rode
+by flying his hawk at such game as presented itself, had ridden in
+advance of his brother and the Abbot of Cluny. Charlot, who saw
+him coming, alone and unarmed, went forth to meet him, sought a
+quarrel with him, and threw him from his horse with a stroke of
+his lance. Girard uttered a cry as he fell; Huon heard it, and
+flew to his defence, with no other weapon than his sword. He came
+up with him, and saw the blood flowing from his wound. "What has
+this child done to you, wretch!" he exclaimed to Charlot. "How
+cowardly to attack him when unprepared to defend himself!" "By my
+faith," said Charlot, "I mean to do the same by you. Know that I
+am the son of Duke Thierry of Ardennes, from whom your father,
+Sevinus, took three castles; I have sworn to avenge him, and I
+defy you." "Coward," answered Huon, "I know well the baseness that
+dwells in your race; worthy son of Thierry, use the advantage that
+your armor gives you; but know that I fear you not." At these
+words Charlot had the wickedness to put his lance in rest, and to
+run upon Huon, who had barely time to wrap his arm in his mantle.
+With this feeble buckler he received the thrust of the lance. It
+penetrated the mantle, but missed his body. Then, rising upon his
+stirrups, Sir Huon struck Charlot so terrible a blow with his
+sword that the helmet was cleft asunder, and his head too. The
+dastardly prince fell dead upon the ground.
+
+Huon now perceived that the wood was full of armed men. He called
+the men of his suite, and they hastily put themselves in order,
+but nobody issued from the wood to attack him. Amaury, who saw
+Charlot's fall, had no desire to compromit himself; and, feeling
+sure that Charlemagne would avenge the death of his son, he saw no
+occasion for his doing anything more at present. He left Huon and
+the Abbot of Cluny to bind up the wound of Girard, and, having
+seen them depart and resume their way to Paris, he took up the
+body of Charlot, and, placing it across a horse, had it carried to
+Paris, where he arrived four hours after Huon.
+
+The Abbot of Cluny presented his nephew to Charlemagne, but Huon
+refrained from paying his obeisance, complaining grievously of the
+ambush which had been set for him, which he said could not have
+been without the Emperor's permission. Charlemagne, surprised at a
+charge which his magnanimous soul was incapable of meriting, asked
+eagerly of the Abbot what were the grounds of the complaints of
+his nephew. The Abbot told him faithfully all that had happened,
+informing him that a coward knight, who called himself the son of
+Thierry of Ardennes, had wounded Girard, and run upon Huon, who
+was unarmed; but by his force and valor he had overcome the
+traitor, and left him dead upon the plain.
+
+Charlemagne indignantly disavowed any connection with the action
+of the infamous Thierry, congratulated the young Duke upon his
+victory, himself conducted the two brothers to a rich apartment,
+stayed to see the first dressing applied to the wound of Girard,
+and left the brothers in charge of Duke Namo of Bavaria, who,
+having been a companion in arms of the Duke Sevinus, regarded the
+young men almost as if they were his own sons.
+
+Charlemagne had hardly quitted them when, returning to his
+chamber, he heard cries, and saw through the window a party of
+armed men just arrived. He recognized Amaury, who bore a dead
+knight stretched across a horse; and the name of Charlot was heard
+among the exclamations of the people assembled in the court-yard.
+
+Charles's partiality for this unworthy son was one of his
+weaknesses. He descended in trepidation to the court-yard, ran to
+Amaury, and uttered a cry of grief on recognizing Charlot. "It is
+Huon of Bordeaux," said the traitor Amaury, "who has massacred
+your son before it was in my power to defend him." Charlemagne,
+furious at these words, seized a sword, and flew to the apartment
+of the two brothers to plunge it into the heart of the murderer of
+his son. Duke Namo stopped his hand for an instant, while Charles
+told him the crime of which Huon was accused. "He is a peer of the
+realm," said Namo, "and if he is guilty, is he not here in your
+power, and are not we peers the proper judges to condemn him to
+death? Let not your hand be stained with his blood." The Emperor,
+calmed by the wisdom of Duke Namo, summoned Amaury to his
+presence. The peers assembled to hear his testimony, and the
+traitor accused Huon of Bordeaux of having struck the fatal blow
+without allowing Charlot an opportunity to defend himself, and
+though he knew that his opponent was the Emperor's eldest son.
+
+The Abbot of Cluny, indignant at the false accusation of Amaury,
+advanced, and said, "By Saint Benedict, sire, the traitor lies in
+his throat. If my nephew has slain Charlot it was in his own
+defence, and after having seen his brother wounded by him, and
+also in ignorance that his adversary was the prince. Though I am a
+son of the Church," added the good Abbot, "I forget not that I am
+a knight by birth. I offer to prove with my body the lie upon
+Amaury, if he dares sustain it, and I shall feel that I am doing a
+better work to punish a disloyal traitor, than to sing lauds and
+matins."
+
+Huon to this time had kept silent, amazed at the black calumny of
+Amaury; but now he stepped forth, and, addressing Amaury, said:
+"Traitor! darest thou maintain in arms the lie thou hast uttered?"
+Amaury, a knight of great prowess, despising the youth and slight
+figure of Huon, hesitated not to offer his glove, which Huon
+seized; then, turning again to the peers, he said: "I pray you let
+the combat be allowed me, for never was there a more legitimate
+cause." The Duke Namo and the rest, deciding that the question
+should be remitted to the judgment of Heaven, the combat was
+ordained, to which Charlemagne unwillingly consented. The young
+Duke was restored to the charge of Duke Namo, who the next morning
+invested him with the honors of knighthood, and gave him armor of
+proof, with a white shield. The Abbot of Cluny, delighted to find
+in his nephew sentiments worthy of his birth, embraced him, gave
+him his blessing, and hastened to the church of St. Germains to
+pray for him, while the officers of the king prepared the lists
+for the combat.
+
+The battle was long and obstinate. The address and agility of Huon
+enabled him to avoid the terrible blows which the ferocious Amaury
+aimed at him. But Huon had more than once drawn blood from his
+antagonist. The effect began to be perceived in the failing
+strength of the traitor; at last he threw himself from his horse,
+and kneeling, begged for mercy. "Spare me," he said, "and I will
+confess all. Aid me to rise, and lead me to Charlemagne." The
+brave and loyal Huon, at these words, put his sword under his left
+arm, and stretched out his right to raise the prostrate man, who
+seized the opportunity to give him a thrust in the side. The
+hauberk of Huon resisted the blow, and he was wounded but
+slightly. Transported with rage at this act of baseness, he forgot
+how necessary for his complete acquittal the confession of Amaury
+was, and without delay dealt him the fatal blow.
+
+Duke Namo and the other peers approached, had the body of Amaury
+dragged forth from the lists, and conducted Huon to Charlemagne.
+The Emperor, however, listening to nothing but his resentment and
+grief for the death of his son, refused to be satisfied; and under
+the plea that Huon had not succeeded in making his accuser retract
+his charge seemed resolved to confiscate his estates and to banish
+him forever from France. It was not till after long entreaties on
+the part of Duke Namo and the rest that he consented to grant Huon
+his pardon, under conditions which he should impose.
+
+Huon approached, and knelt before the Emperor, rendered his
+homage, and cried him mercy for the involuntary killing of his
+son. Charlemagne would not receive the hands of Huon in his own,
+but touched him with his sceptre, saying, "I receive thy homage,
+and pardon thee the death of my son, but only on one condition.
+You shall go immediately to the court of the Sultan Gaudisso; you
+shall present yourself before him as he sits at meat; you shall
+cut off the head of the most illustrious guest whom you shall find
+sitting nearest to him; you shall kiss three times on the mouth
+the fair princess, his daughter, and you shall demand of the
+Sultan, as token of tribute to me, a handful of the white hair of
+his beard, and four grinders from his mouth."
+
+These conditions caused a murmur from all the assembly. "What!"
+said the Abbot of Cluny; "slaughter a Saracen prince without first
+offering him baptism?" "The second condition is not so hard," said
+the young peers, "but the demand that Huon is bound to make of the
+old Sultan is very uncivil, and will be hard to obtain."
+
+The Emperor's obstinacy when he had once resolved upon a thing is
+well known. To the courage of Huon nothing seemed impossible. "I
+accept the conditions," said he, silencing the intercessions of
+the old Duke of Bavaria; "my liege, I accept my pardon at this
+price. I go to execute your commands, as your vassal and a peer of
+France."
+
+The Duke Namo and Abbot of Cluny, being unable to obtain any
+relaxation of the sentence passed by Charlemagne, led forth the
+young Duke, who determined to set out at once on his expedition.
+All that the good Abbot could obtain of him was, that he should
+prepare for this perilous undertaking by going first to Rome, to
+pay his homage to the Pope, who was the brother of the Duchess
+Alice, Huon's mother, and from him demand absolution and his
+blessing. Huon promised it, and forthwith set out on his way to
+Rome.
+
+HUON OF BORDEAUX (Continued)
+
+HUON, having traversed the Apennines and Italy, arrived at the
+environs of Rome, where, laying aside his armor, he assumed the
+dress of a pilgrim. In this attire he presented himself before the
+Pope, and not till after he had made a full confession of his sins
+did he announce himself as his nephew. "Ah! my dear nephew,"
+exclaimed the Holy Father, "what harder penance could I impose
+than the Emperor has already done? Go in peace, my son," he added,
+absolving him, "I go to intercede for you with the Most High."
+Then he led his nephew into his palace, and introduced him to all
+the Cardinals and Princes of Rome as the Duke of Guienne, son of
+the Duchess Alice, his sister.
+
+Huon, at setting out, had made a vow not to stop more than three
+days in a place. The Holy Father took advantage of this time to
+inspire him with zeal for the glory of Christianity, and with
+confidence in the protection of the Most High. He advised him to
+embark for Palestine, to visit the Holy Sepulchre, and to depart
+thence for the interior of Asia.
+
+Loaded with the blessings of the Holy Father, Huon, obeying his
+counsels, embarked for Palestine, arrived, and visited with the
+greatest reverence the holy places. He then departed, and took his
+way toward the east.
+
+But, ignorant of the country and of the language, he lost himself
+in a forest, and remained three days without seeing a human
+creature, living on honey and wild fruits which he found on the
+trees. The third day, seeking a passage through a rocky defile, he
+beheld a man in tattered clothing, whose beard and hair covered
+his breast and shoulders. This man stopped on seeing him, observed
+him, and recognized the arms and bearing of a French knight. He
+immediately approached, and exclaimed, in the language of the
+South of France, "God be praised! Do I indeed behold a chevalier
+of my own country, after fifteen years passed in this desert
+without seeing the face of a fellow-countryman?"
+
+Huon, to gratify him still more, unlaced his helmet, and came
+towards him with a smiling countenance. The other regarded him
+with more surprise than at first. "Good Heaven!" he exclaimed,
+"was there ever such a resemblance? Ah, noble sir," he added,
+"tell me, I beseech you, of what country and race you come?" "I
+require," replied Huon, "before telling you mine, that you first
+reveal your own; let it suffice you at present to know that I am a
+Christian, and that in Guienne I was born." "Ah! Heaven grant that
+my eyes and my heart do not deceive me," exclaimed the unknown;
+"my name is Sherasmin; I am brother to Guire, the Mayor of
+Bordeaux. I was taken prisoner in the battle where my dear and
+illustrious master, Sevinus, lost his life. For three years I
+endured the miseries of slavery; at length I broke my chains and
+escaped to this desert, where I have sustained myself in solitude
+ever since. Your features recall to me my beloved sovereign, in
+whose service I was from my infancy till his death." Huon made no
+reply but by embracing the old man, with tears in his eyes. Then
+Sherasmin learned that his arms enfolded the son of the Duke
+Sevinus. He led him to his cabin, and spread before him the dry
+fruits and honey which formed his only aliment.
+
+Huon recounted his adventures to Sherasmin, who was moved to tears
+at the recital. He then consulted him on means of conducting his
+enterprise. Sherasmin hesitated not to confess that success seemed
+impossible; nevertheless he swore a solemn oath never to abandon
+him. The Saracen language, which he was master of, would be
+serviceable to them when they should leave the desert, and mingle
+with men.
+
+They took the route of the Red Sea, and entered Arabia. Their way
+lay through a region which Sherasmin described as full of terrors.
+It was inhabited by Oberon, King of the Fairies, who made captive
+such knights as were rash enough to penetrate into it, and
+transformed them into Hobgoblins. It was possible to avoid this
+district at the expense of somewhat lengthening their route; but
+no dangers could deter Huon of Bordeaux; and the brave Sherasmin,
+who had now resumed the armor of a knight, reluctantly consented
+to share with him the dangers of the shorter route.
+
+They entered a wood, and arrived at a spot whence alleys branched
+off in various directions. One of them seemed to be terminated by
+a superb palace, whose gilded roofs were adorned with brilliant
+weathercocks covered with diamonds. A superb chariot issued from
+the gate of the palace, and drove toward Huon and his companion,
+as if to meet them half-way. The prince saw no one in the chariot
+but a child apparently about five years old, very beautiful, and
+clad in a robe which glittered with precious stones. At the sight
+of him, Sherasmin's terror was extreme. He seized the reins of
+Huon's horse, and turned him about, hurrying the prince away, and
+assuring him that they were lost if they stopped to parley with
+the mischievous dwarf, who, though he appeared a child, was full
+of years and of treachery. Huon was sorry to lose sight of the
+beautiful dwarf, whose aspect had nothing in it to alarm; yet he
+followed his friend, who urged on his horse with all possible
+speed. Presently a storm began to roar through the forest, the
+daylight grew dim, and they found their way with difficulty. From
+time to time they seemed to hear an infantine voice, which said,
+"Stop, Duke Huon; listen to me: it is in vain you fly me!"
+
+Sherasmin only fled the faster, and stopped not until he had
+reached the gate of a monastery of monks and nuns, the two
+communities of which were assembled at that time in a religious
+procession. Sherasmin, feeling safe from the malice of the dwarf
+in the presence of so many holy persons and the sacred banners,
+stopped to ask an asylum, and made Huon dismount also. But at that
+moment they were joined by the dwarf, who blew a blast upon an
+ivory horn which hung from his neck. Immediately the good
+Sherasmin, in spite of himself, began to dance like a young
+collegian, and seizing the hand of an aged nun, who felt as if it
+would be her death, they footed it briskly over the grass, and
+were imitated by all the other monks and nuns, mingled together,
+forming the strangest dancing-party ever beheld. Huron alone felt
+no disposition to dance; but he came near dying of laughter at
+seeing the ridiculous postures and leaps of the others.
+
+The dwarf, approaching Huon, said, in a sweet voice, and in Huon's
+own language, "Duke of Guienne, why do you shun me? I conjure you,
+in Heaven's name, speak to me." Huon, hearing himself addressed in
+this serious manner, and knowing that no evil spirit would dare to
+use the holy name in aid of his schemes, replied, "Sir, whoever
+you are, I am ready to hear and answer you." "Huon, my friend,"
+continued the dwarf, "I always loved your race, and you have been
+dear to me ever since your birth. The gracious state of conscience
+in which you were when you entered my wood has protected you from
+all enchantments, even if I had intended to practise any upon you.
+If these monks, these nuns, and even your friend Sherasmin, had
+had a conscience as pure as yours, my horn would not have set them
+dancing; but where is the monk or the nun who can always be deaf
+to the voice of the tempter, and Sherasmin in the desert has often
+doubted the power of Providence."
+
+At these words Huon saw the dancers overcome with exertion. He
+begged mercy for them, the dwarf granted it, and the effect of the
+horn ceased at once; the nuns got rid of their partners, smoothed
+their dresses, and hastened to resume their places in the
+procession. Sherasmin, overcome with heat, panting, and unable to
+stand on his legs, threw himself upon the grass, and began, "Did
+not I tell you"--He was going on in an angry tone, but the dwarf,
+approaching, said, "Sherasmin, why have you murmured against
+Providence? Why have you thought evil of me? You deserved this
+light punishment; but I know you to be good and loyal; I mean to
+show myself your friend, as you shall soon see." At these words he
+presented him a rich goblet. "Make the sign of the cross on this
+cup," said he, "and then believe that I hold my power from the God
+you adore, whose faithful servant I am, as well as you." Sherasmin
+obeyed, and on the instant the cup was filled with delicious wine,
+a draught of which restored vigor to his limbs, and made him feel
+young again. Overcome with gratitude, he threw himself on his
+knees, but the dwarf raised him, and bade him sit beside him, and
+thus commenced his history:
+
+"Julius Caesar, going by sea to join his army, was driven by a
+storm to take shelter in the island of Celea, where dwelt the
+fairy Glorianda. From this renowned pair I draw my birth. I am the
+inheritor of that which was most admirable in each of my parents:
+my father's heroic qualities, and my mother's beauty and magic
+art. But a malicious sister of my mother's, in revenge for some
+slight offence, touched me with her wand when I was only five
+years old, and forbade me to grow any bigger; and my mother, with
+all her power, was unable to annul the sentence. I have thus
+continued infantile in appearance, though full of years and
+experience. The power which I derive from my mother I use
+sometimes for my own diversion, but always to promote justice and
+to reward virtue. I am able and willing to assist you, Duke of
+Guienne, for I know the errand on which you come hither. I presage
+for you, if you follow my counsels, complete success; and the
+beautiful Clarimunda for a wife."
+
+When he had thus spoken he presented to Huon the precious and
+useful cup, which had the faculty of filling itself when a good
+man took it in his hand. He gave him also his beautiful horn of
+ivory, saying to him, "Huon, when you sound this gently, you will
+make the hearers dance, as you have seen; but if you sound it
+forcibly, fear not that I shall hear it, though at a hundred
+leagues' distance, and will fly to your relief; but be careful not
+to sound it in that way, unless upon the most urgent occasion."
+
+Oberon directed Huon what course he should take to reach the
+country of the Sultan Gaudisso. "You will encounter great perils,"
+said he, "before arriving there, and I fear me," he added, with
+tears in his eyes, "that you will not in everything obey my
+directions, and in that case you will suffer much calamity." Then
+he embraced Huon and Sherasmin, and left them.
+
+Huon and his follower travelled many days through the desert
+before they reached any inhabited place, and all this while the
+wonderful cup sustained them, furnishing them not only wine, but
+food also. At last they came to a great city. As day was
+declining, they entered its suburbs, and Sherasmin, who spoke the
+Saracen language perfectly, inquired for an inn where they could
+pass the night. A person who appeared to be one of the principal
+inhabitants, seeing two strangers of respectable appearance making
+this inquiry, stepped forward and begged them to accept the
+shelter of his mansion. They entered, and their host did the
+honors of his abode with a politeness which they were astonished
+to see in a Saracen. He had them served with coffee and sherbet,
+and all was conducted with great decorum, till one of the servants
+awkwardly overturned a cup of hot coffee on the host's legs, when
+he started up, exclaiming in very good Gascon, "Blood and thunder!
+you blockhead, you deserve to be thrown over the mosque!"
+
+Huon could not help laughing to see the vivacity and the language
+of his country thus break out unawares. The host, who had no idea
+that his guests understood his words, was astonished when Huon
+addressed him in the dialect of his country. Immediately
+confidence was established between them; especially when the
+domestics had retired. The host, seeing that he was discovered,
+and that the two pretended Saracens were from the borders of the
+Garonne, embraced them, and disclosed that he was a Christian.
+Huon, who had learned prudence from the advice of Oberon, to test
+his host's sincerity, drew from his robe the cup which the Fairy-
+king had given him, and presented it empty to the host. "A fair
+cup," said he, "but I should like it better if it was full."
+Immediately it was so. The host, astonished, dared not put it to
+his lips. "Drink boldly, my dear fellow-countryman," said Huon;
+"your truth is proved by this cup, which only fills itself in the
+hands of an honest man." The host did not hesitate longer; the cup
+passed freely from hand to hand; their mutual cordiality increased
+as it passed, and each recounted his adventures. Those of Huon
+redoubled his host's respect; for he recognized in him his
+legitimate sovereign: while the host's narrative was in these
+words:
+
+"My name is Floriac; this great and strong city, you will hear
+with surprise and grief, is governed by a brother of Duke Sevinus,
+and your uncle. You have no doubt heard that a young brother of
+the Duke of Guienne was stolen away from the sea-shore, with his
+companions, by some corsairs. I was then his page, and we were
+carried by those corsairs to Barbary, where we were sold for
+slaves. The Barbary prince sent us as part of the tribute which he
+yearly paid to his sovereign, the Sultan Gaudisso. Your uncle, who
+had been somewhat puffed up by the flattery of his attendants,
+thought to increase his importance with his new master by telling
+him his rank. The Sultan, who, like a true Mussulman, detested all
+Christian princes, exerted himself from that moment to bring him
+over to the Saracen faith. He succeeded but too well. Your uncle,
+seduced by the arts of the Santons, and by the pleasures and
+indulgences which the Sultan allowed him, committed the horrid
+crime of apostasy; he renounced his baptism, and embraced
+Mahometanism. Gaudisso then loaded him with honors, made him
+espouse one of his nieces, and sent him to reign over this city
+and adjoining country. Your uncle preserved for me the same
+friendship which he had had when a boy; but all his caresses and
+efforts could not make me renounce my faith. Perhaps he respected
+me in his heart for my resistance to his persuasions, perhaps he
+had hopes of inducing me in time to imitate him. He made me
+accompany him to this city, of which he was master, he gave me his
+confidence, and permits me to keep in my service some Christians,
+whom I protect for the sake of their faith."
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed Huon, "take me to this guilty uncle. A prince of
+the house of Guienne, must he not blush at the cowardly
+abandonment of the faith of his fathers?"
+
+"Alas!" replied Floriac, "I fear he will neither be sensible of
+shame at your reproaches, nor of pleasure at the sight of a nephew
+so worthy of his lineage. Brutified by sensuality, jealous of his
+power, which he often exercises with cruelty, he will more
+probably restrain you by force or put you to death."
+
+"Be it so," said the brave and fervent Huon, "I could not die in a
+better cause; and I demand of you to conduct me to him to-morrow,
+after having told him of my arrival and my birth." Floriac still
+objected, but Huon would take no denial, and he promised
+obedience.
+
+Next morning Floriac waited upon the Governor and told him of the
+arrival of his nephew, Huon of Bordeaux; and of the intention of
+the prince to present himself at his court that very day. The
+Governor, surprised, did not immediately answer; though he at once
+made up his mind what to do. He knew that Floriac loved Christians
+and the princes of his native land too well to aid in any treason
+to one of them; he therefore feigned great pleasure at hearing of
+the arrival of the eldest born of his family at his court. He
+immediately sent Floriac to find him; he caused his palace to be
+put in festal array, his divan to be assembled, and after giving
+some secret orders, went himself to meet his nephew, whom he
+introduced under his proper name and title to all the great
+officers of his court.
+
+Huon burned with indignation at seeing his uncle with forehead
+encircled with a rich turban, surmounted with a crescent of
+precious stones. His natural candor made him receive with pain the
+embraces which the treacherous Governor lavished upon him.
+Meanwhile the hope of finding a suitable moment to reproach him
+for his apostasy made him submit to those honors which his uncle
+caused to be rendered to him. The Governor evaded with address the
+chance of being alone with Huon and spent all the morning in
+taking him through his gardens and palace. At last, when the hour
+of dinner approached, and the Governor took him by the hand to
+lead him into the dining-hall, Huon seized the opportunity and
+said to him in a low voice, "O my uncle! O Prince, brother of the
+Duke Sevinus! in what condition have I the grief and shame of
+seeing you!" The Governor pretended to be moved, pressed his hand,
+and whispered in his ear, "Silence! my dear nephew; to-morrow
+morning I will hear you fully."
+
+Huon, comforted a little by these words, took his seat at the
+table by the side of the Governor. The Mufti, some Cadis, Agas,
+and Santons, filled the other places. Sherasmin sat down with
+them; but Floriac, who would not lose sight of his guests,
+remained standing, and passed in and out to observe what was going
+on within the palace. He soon perceived a number of armed men
+gliding through the passages and antechambers connected with the
+dining-hall. He was about to enter to give his guests notice of
+what he had seen when he heard a violent noise and commotion in
+the hall. The cause was this.
+
+Huon and Sherasmin were well enough suited with the first course
+and ate with good appetite; but the people of their country not
+being accustomed to drink only water at their meals, Huon and
+Sherasmin looked at one another, not very well pleased at such a
+regimen. Huon laughed outright at the impatience of Sherasmin, but
+soon, experiencing the same want himself, he drew forth Oberon's
+cup and made the sign of the cross. The cup filled and he drank it
+off, and handed it to Sherasmin, who followed his example. The
+Governor and his officers, seeing this abhorred sign, contracted
+their brows and sat in silent consternation. Huon pretended not to
+observe it, and having filled the cup again handed it to his
+uncle, saying, "Pray, join us, dear uncle; it is excellent
+Bordeaux wine, the drink that will be to you like mother's milk."
+The Governor, who often drank in secret with his own favorite
+Sultanas the wines of Greece and Shiraz, never in public drank
+anything but water. He had not for a long time tasted the
+excellent wines of his native land; he was sorely tempted to drink
+what was now handed to him, it looked so bright in the cup,
+outshining the gold itself. He stretched forth his hand, took the
+brimming goblet, and raised it to his lips, when immediately it
+dried up and disappeared. Huon and Sherasmin, like Gascons as they
+were, laughed at his astonishment. "Christian dogs!" he exclaimed,
+"do you dare to insult me at my own table? But I will soon be
+revenged." At these words he threw the cup at the head of his
+nephew, who caught it with his left hand, while with the other he
+snatched the turban, with its crescent, from the Governor's head
+and threw it on the floor. All the Saracens started up from table,
+with loud outcries, and prepared to avenge the insult. Huon and
+Sherasmin put themselves on their defence, and met with their
+swords the scimitars directed against them. At this moment the
+doors of the hall opened and a crowd of soldiers and armed eunuchs
+rushed in, who joined in the attack upon Huon and Sherasmin. The
+Prince and his followers took refuge on a broad shelf or side-
+board, where they kept at bay the crowd of assailants, making the
+most forward of them smart for their audacity. But more troops
+came pressing in and the brave Huon, inspired by the wine of
+Bordeaux, and not angry enough to lose his relish for a joke, blew
+a gentle note on his horn, and no sooner was it heard than it
+quelled the rage of the combatants and set them to dancing. Huon
+and Sherasmin, no longer attacked, looked down from their elevated
+position on a scene the most singular and amusing. Very soon the
+Sultanas, hearing the sound of the dance and finding their guards
+withdrawn, came into the hall and mixed with the dancers. The
+favorite Sultana seized upon a young Santon, who performed jumps
+two feet high; but soon the long dresses of this couple got
+intermingled and threw them down. The Santon's beard was caught in
+the Sultana's necklace, and they could not disentangle them. The
+Governor by no means approved this familiarity, and took two steps
+forward to get at the Santon, but he stumbled over a prostrate
+Dervise and measured his length on the floor. The dancing
+continued till the strength of the performers was exhausted, and
+they fell, one after the other, and lay helpless. The Governor at
+length made signs to Huon that he would yield everything if he
+would but allow him to rest. The bargain was ratified; the
+Governor allowed Huon and Sherasmin to depart on their way, and
+even gave them a ring which would procure them safe passage
+through his country and access to the Sultan Gaudisso. The two
+friends hastened to avail themselves of this favorable turn, and
+taking leave of Floriac, pursued their journey.
+
+HUON OF BORDEAUX (Continued)
+
+HUON had seen many beauties at his mother's court, but his heart
+had never been touched with love. Honor had been his mistress, and
+in pursuit of that he had never found time to give a thought to
+softer cares. Strange that a heart so insensible should first be
+touched by something so unsubstantial as a dream; but so it was.
+
+The day after the adventure with his uncle night overtook the
+travellers as they passed through a forest. A grotto offered them
+shelter from the night dews. The magic cup supplied their evening
+meal; for such was its virtue that it afforded not only wine, but
+more solid fare when desired. Fatigue soon threw them into
+profound repose. Lulled by the murmur of the foliage, and
+breathing the fragrance of the flowers, Huon dreamed that a lady
+more beautiful than he had ever before seen hung over him and
+imprinted a kiss upon his lips. As he stretched out his arms to
+embrace her a sudden gust of wind swept her away.
+
+Huon awoke in an agony of regret. A few moments sufficed to afford
+some consolation in showing him that what had passed was but a
+dream; but his perplexity and sadness could not escape the notice
+of Sherasmin. Huon hesitated not to inform his faithful follower
+of the reason of his pensiveness; and got nothing in return but
+his rallyings for allowing himself to be disturbed by such a
+cause. He recommended a draught from the fairy goblet, and Huon
+tried it with good effect.
+
+At early dawn they resumed their way. They travelled till high
+noon, but said little to one another. Huon was musing on his
+dream, and Sherasmin's thoughts flew back to his early days on the
+banks of the flowery Garonne.
+
+On a sudden they were startled by the cry of distress, and turning
+an angle of the wood, came where a knight hard pressed was
+fighting with a furious lion. The knight's horse lay dead, and it
+seemed as if another moment would end the combat, for terror and
+fatigue had quite disabled the knight for further resistance. He
+fell, and the lion's paw was raised over him, when a blow from
+Huon's sword turned the monster's rage upon a new enemy. His roar
+shook the forest, and he crouched in act to spring, when, with the
+rapidity of lightning, Huon plunged his sword into his side. He
+rolled over on the plain in the agonies of death.
+
+They raised the knight from the ground, and Sherasmin hastened to
+offer him a draught from the fairy cup. The wine sparkled to the
+brim, and the warrior put forth his lips to quaff it, but it
+shrunk away, and did not even wet his lips. He dashed the goblet
+angrily on the ground, with an exclamation of resentment. This
+incident did not tend to make either party more acceptable to the
+other; and what followed was worse. For when Huon said, "Sir
+knight, thank God for your deliverance,"--"Thank Mahomet, rather,
+yourself," said he, "for he has led you this day to render service
+to no less a personage than the Prince of Hyrcania."
+
+At the sound of this blasphemy Huon drew his sword and turned upon
+the miscreant, who, little disposed to encounter the prowess of
+which he had so lately seen proof, betook himself to flight. He
+ran to Huon's horse, and lightly vaulting on his back, clapped
+spurs to his side, and galloped out of sight.
+
+The adventure was vexatious, yet there was no remedy. The prince
+and Sherasmin continued their journey with the aid of the
+remaining horse as they best might. At length, as evening set in,
+they descried the pinnacles and towers of a great city full before
+them, which they knew to be the famous city of Bagdad.
+
+They were well-nigh exhausted with fatigue when they arrived at
+its precincts, and in the darkness, not knowing what course to
+take, were glad to meet an aged woman, who, in reply to their
+inquiries, offered them such accommodations as her cottage could
+supply. They thankfully accepted the offer, and entered the low
+door. The good dame busily prepared the best fare her stores
+supplied,--milk, figs, and peaches,--deeply regretting that the
+bleak winds had nipped her almond-trees.
+
+Sir Huon thought he had never in his life tasted any fare so good.
+The old lady talked while her guests ate. She doubted not, she
+said, they had come to be present at the great feast in honor of
+the marriage of the Sultan's daughter, which was to take place on
+the morrow. They asked who the bridegroom was to be, and the old
+lady answered, "The Prince of Hyrcania," but added, "Our princess
+hates him, and would rather wed a dragon than him." "How know you
+that?" asked Huon; and the dame informed him that she had it from
+the princess herself, who was her foster-child. Huon inquired the
+reason of the princess's aversion; and the woman pleased to find
+her chat excite so much interest, replied that it was all in
+consequence of a dream. "A dream!" exclaimed Huon. "Yes! a dream.
+She dreamed that she was a hind, and that the Prince, as a hunter,
+was pursuing her, and had almost overtaken her, when a beautiful
+dwarf appeared in view, drawn in a golden car, having by his side
+a young man of yellow hair and fair complexion, like one from a
+foreign land. She dreamed that the car stopped where she stood,
+and that, having resumed her own form, she was about to ascend it,
+when suddenly it faded from her view, and with it the dwarf and
+the fair-haired youth. But from her heart that vision did not
+fade, and from that time her affianced bridegroom, the Hyrcanian
+prince, had become odious to her sight. Yet the Sultan, her
+father, by no means regarding such a cause as sufficient to
+prevent the marriage, had named the morrow as the time when it
+should be solemnized, in presence of his court and many princes of
+the neighboring countries, whom the fame of the princess's beauty
+and the bridegroom's splendor had brought to the scene."
+
+We may suppose this conversation woke a tumult of thoughts in the
+breast of Huon. Was it not clear that Providence led him on, and
+cleared the way for his happy success? Sleep did not early visit
+the eyes of Huon that night; but, with the sanguine temper of
+youth, he indulged his fancy in imagining the sequel of his
+strange experience.
+
+The next day, which he could not but regard as the decisive day of
+his fate, he prepared to deliver the message of Charlemagne. Clad
+in his armor, fortified with his ivory horn and his ring, he
+reached the palace of Gaudisso when the guests were assembled at
+the banquet. As he approached the gate a voice called on all true
+believers to enter; and Huon, the brave and faithful Huon, in his
+impatience passed in under that false pretention. He had no sooner
+passed the barrier than he felt ashamed of his baseness, and was
+overwhelmed with regret. To make amends for his fault he ran
+forward to the second gate, and cried to the porter, "Dog of a
+misbeliever, I command you in the name of Him who died on the
+cross, open to me!" The points of a hundred weapons immediately
+opposed his passage. Huon then remembered for the first time the
+ring he had received from his uncle, the Governor. He produced it,
+and demanded to be led to the Sultan's presence. The officer of
+the guard recognized the ring, made a respectful obeisance, and
+allowed him free entrance. In the same way he passed the other
+doors to the rich saloon where the great Sultan was at dinner with
+his tributary princes. At sight of the ring the chief attendant
+led Huon to the head of the hall, and introduced him to the Sultan
+and his princes as the ambassador of Charlemagne. A seat was
+provided for him near the royal party.
+
+The Prince of Hyrcania, the same whom Huon had rescued from the
+lion, and who was the destined bridegroom of the beautiful
+Clarimunda, sat on the Sultan's right hand, and the princess
+herself on his left. It chanced that Huon found himself near the
+seat of the princess, and hardly were the ceremonies of reception
+over before he made haste to fulfill the commands of Charlemagne
+by imprinting a kiss upon her rosy lips, and after that a second,
+not by command, but by good will. The Prince of Hyrcania cried
+out, "Audacious infidel! take the reward of thy insolence!" and
+aimed a blow at Huon, which, if it had reached him, would have
+brought his embassy to a speedy termination. But the ingrate
+failed of his aim, and Huon punished his blasphemy and ingratitude
+at once by a blow which severed his head from his body.
+
+So suddenly had all this happened that no hand had been raised to
+arrest it; but now Gaudisso cried out, "Seize the murderer!" Huon
+was hemmed in on all sides, but his redoubtable sword kept the
+crowd of courtiers at bay. But he saw new combatants enter, and
+could not hope to maintain his ground against so many. He
+recollected his horn, and raising it to his lips, blew a blast
+almost as loud as that of Roland at Roncesvalles. It was in vain.
+Oberon heard it; but the sin of which Huon had been guilty in
+bearing, though but for a moment, the character of a believer in
+the false prophet, had put it out of Oberon's power to help him.
+Huon, finding himself deserted, and conscious of the cause, lost
+his strength and energy, was seized, loaded with chains, and
+plunged into a dungeon.
+
+His life was spared for the time, merely that he might be reserved
+for a more painful death. The Sultan meant that, after being made
+to feel all the torments of hunger and despair, he should be
+flayed alive.
+
+But an enchanter more ancient and more powerful than Oberon
+himself interested himself for the brave Huon. The enchanter was
+Love. The Princess Clarimunda learned with horror the fate to
+which the young prince was destined. By the aid of her governante
+she gained over the keeper of the prison, and went herself to
+lighten the chains of her beloved. It was her hand that removed
+his fetters, from her he received supplies of food to sustain a
+life which he devoted from thenceforth wholly to her. After the
+most tender explanations the princess departed, promising to
+repeat her visit on the morrow.
+
+The next day she came according to promise, and again brought
+supplies of food. These visits were continued during a whole
+month. Huon was too good a son of the Church to forget that the
+amiable princess was a Saracen, and he availed himself of these
+interviews to instruct her in the true faith. How easy it is to
+believe the truth when uttered by the lips of those we love!
+Clarimunda ere long professed her entire belief in the Christian
+doctrines, and desired to be baptized.
+
+Meanwhile the Sultan had repeatedly inquired of the jailer how his
+prisoner bore the pains of famine, and learned to his surprise
+that he was not yet much reduced thereby. On his repeating the
+inquiry, after a short interval, the keeper replied that the
+prisoner had died suddenly, and had been buried in the cavern. The
+Sultan could only regret that he had not sooner ordered the
+execution of the sentence.
+
+While these things were going on the faithful Sherasmin, who had
+not accompanied Huon in his last adventure, but had learned by
+common rumor the result of it, came to the court in hopes of doing
+something for the rescue of his master. He presented himself to
+the Sultan as Solario, his nephew. Guadisso received him with
+kindness, and all the courtiers loaded him with attentions. He
+soon found means to inform himself how the Princess regarded the
+brave but unfortunate Huon, and having made himself known to her,
+confidence was soon established between them. Clarimunda readily
+consented to assist in the escape of Huon, and to quit with him
+her father's court to repair to that of Charlemagne. Their united
+efforts had nearly perfected their arrangement, a vessel was
+secretly prepared, and all things in forwardness for the flight,
+when an unlooked-for obstacle presented itself. Huon himself
+positively refused to go leaving the orders of Charlemagne
+unexecuted.
+
+Sherasmin was in despair. Bitterly he complained of the fickleness
+and cruelty of Oberon in withdrawing his aid at the very crisis
+when it was most necessary. Earnestly he urged every argument to
+satisfy the prince that he had done enough for honor, and could
+not be held bound to achieve impossibilities. But all was of no
+avail, and he knew not which way to turn, when one of those events
+occurred which are so frequent under Turkish despotisms. A courier
+arrived at the court of the Sultan, bearing the ring of his
+sovereign, the mighty Agrapard, Caliph of Arabia, and bringing the
+bow-string for the neck of Gaudisso. No reason was assigned; none
+but the pleasure of the Caliph is ever required in such cases; but
+it was suspected that the bearer of the bow-string had persuaded
+the Caliph that Gaudisso, whose rapacity was well known, had
+accumulated immense treasures, which he had not duly shared with
+his sovereign, and thus had obtained an order to supersede him in
+his Emirship.
+
+The body of Gaudisso would have been cast out a prey to dogs and
+vultures, had not Sherasmin, under the character of nephew of the
+deceased, been permitted to receive it, and give it decent burial,
+which he did, but not till he had taken possession of the beard
+and grinders, agreeably to the orders of Charlemagne.
+
+No obstacle now stood in the way of the lovers and their faithful
+follower in returning to France. They sailed, taking Rome in their
+way, where the Holy Father himself blessed the union of his
+nephew, Duke Huon of Bordeaux, with the Princess Clarimunda.
+
+Soon afterward they arrived in France, where Huon laid his
+trophies at the feet of Charlemagne, and, being restored to the
+favor of the Emperor, hastened to present himself and his bride to
+the Duchess, his mother, and to the faithful liegemen of his
+province of Guienne and his city of Bordeaux, where the pair were
+received with transports of joy.
+
+OGIER, THE DANE
+
+OGIER, the Dane, was the son of Geoffrey, who wrested Denmark from
+the Pagans, and reigned the first Christian king of that country.
+When Ogier was born, and before he was baptized, six ladies of
+ravishing beauty appeared all at once in the chamber of the
+infant. They encircled him, and she who appeared the eldest took
+him in her arms, kissed him, and laid her hand upon his heart. "I
+give you," said she, "to be the bravest warrior of your times."
+She delivered the infant to her sister, who said, "I give you
+abundant opportunities to display your valor." "Sister," said the
+third lady, "you have given him a dangerous boon; I give him that
+he shall never be vanquished." The fourth sister added, as she
+laid her hand upon his eyes and his mouth, "I give you the gift of
+pleasing." The fifth said, "Lest all these gifts serve only to
+betray, I give you sensibility to return the love you inspire."
+Then spoke Morgana, the youngest and handsomest of the group.
+"Charming creature, I claim you for my own; and I give you not to
+die till you shall have come to pay me a visit in my isle of
+Avalon." Then she kissed the child and departed with her sisters.
+
+After this the king had the child carried to the font and baptized
+with the name of Ogier.
+
+In his education nothing was neglected to elevate him to the
+standard of a perfect knight, and render him accomplished in all
+the arts necessary to make him a hero.
+
+He had hardly reached the age of sixteen years when Charlemagne,
+whose power was established over all the sovereigns of his time,
+recollected that Geoffroy, Ogier's father, had omitted to render
+the homage due to him as Emperor, and sovereign lord of Denmark,
+one of the grand fiefs of the empire. He accordingly sent an
+embassy to demand of the king of Denmark this homage, and on
+receiving a refusal, couched in haughty terms, sent an army to
+enforce the demand. Geoffroy, after an unsuccessful resistance,
+was forced to comply, and as a pledge of his sincerity delivered
+Ogier, his eldest son, a hostage to Charles, to be brought up at
+his court. He was placed in charge of the Duke Namo of Bavaria,
+the friend of his father, who treated him like his own son.
+
+Ogier grew up more and more handsome and amiable every day. He
+surpassed in form, strength, and address all the noble youths his
+companions; he failed not to be present at all tourneys; he was
+attentive to the elder knights, and burned with impatience to
+imitate them. Yet his heart rose sometimes in secret against his
+condition as a hostage, and as one apparently forgotten by his
+father.
+
+The King of Denmark, in fact, was at this time occupied with new
+loves. Ogier's mother having died, he had married a second wife,
+and had a son named Guyon. The new queen had absolute power over
+her husband, and fearing that, if he should see Ogier again, he
+would give him the preference over Guyon, she had adroitly
+persuaded him to delay rendering his homage to Charlemagne, till
+now four years had passed away since the last renewal of that
+ceremony. Charlemagne, irritated at this delinquency, drew closer
+the bonds of Ogier's captivity until he should receive a response
+from the king of Denmark to a fresh summons which he caused to be
+sent to him.
+
+The answer of Geoffroy was insulting and defiant, and the rage of
+Charlemagne was roused in the highest degree. He was at first
+disposed to wreak his vengeance upon Ogier, his hostage; but at
+the entreaties of Duke Namo, who felt towards his pupil like a
+father, consented to spare his life, if Ogier would swear fidelity
+to him as his liege-lord, and promise not to quit his court
+without his permission. Ogier accepted these terms, and was
+allowed to retain all the freedom he had before enjoyed.
+
+The Emperor would have immediately taken arms to reduce his
+disobedient vassal, if he had not been called off in another
+direction by a message from Pope Leo, imploring his assistance.
+The Saracens had landed in the neighborhood of Rome, occupied
+Mount Janiculum, and prepared to pass the Tiber and carry fire and
+sword to the capital of the Christian world. Charlemagne hesitated
+not to yield to the entreaties of the Pope. He speedily assembled
+an army, crossed the Alps, traversed Italy, and arrived at
+Spoleto, a strong place to which the Pope had retired. Leo, at the
+head of his Cardinals, advanced to meet him, and rendered him
+homage, as to the son of Pepin, the illustrious protector of the
+Holy See, coming, as his father had done, to defend it in the hour
+of need.
+
+Charlemagne stopped but two days at Spoleto, and learning that the
+Infidels, having rendered themselves masters of Rome, were
+besieging the Capitol, which could not long hold out against them,
+marched promptly to attack them.
+
+The advanced posts of the army were commanded by Duke Namo, on
+whom Ogier waited as his squire. He did not yet bear arms, not
+having received the order of knighthood. The Oriflamme, the royal
+standard, was borne by a knight named Alory, who showed himself
+unworthy of the honor.
+
+Duke Namo, seeing a strong body of the Infidels advancing to
+attack him, gave the word to charge them. Ogier remained in the
+rear, with the other youths, grieving much that he was not
+permitted to fight. Very soon he saw Alory lower the Oriflamme,
+and turn his horse in flight. Ogier pointed him out to the young
+men, and seizing a club, rushed upon Alory and struck him from his
+horse. Then, with his companions, he disarmed him, clothed himself
+in his armor, raised the Oriflamme, and mounting the horse of the
+unworthy knight, flew to the front rank, where he joined Duke
+Namo, drove back the Infidels, and carried the Oriflamme quite
+through their broken ranks. The Duke, thinking it was Alory, whom
+he had not held in high esteem, was astonished at his strength and
+valor. Ogier's young companions imitated him, supplying themselves
+with armor from the bodies of the slain; they followed Ogier and
+carried death into the ranks of the Saracens, who fell back in
+confusion upon their main body.
+
+Duke Namo now ordered a retreat, and Ogier obeyed with reluctance,
+when they perceived Charlemagne advancing to their assistance. The
+combat now became general, and was more terrible than ever.
+Charlemagne had overthrown Corsuble, the commander of the
+Saracens, and had drawn his famous sword, Joyeuse, to cut off his
+head, when two Saracen knights set upon him at once, one of whom
+slew his horse, and the other overthrew the Emperor on the sand.
+Perceiving by the eagle on his casque who he was, they dismounted
+in haste to give him his deathblow. Never was the life of the
+Emperor in such peril. But Ogier, who saw him fall, flew to his
+rescue. Though embarrassed with the Oriflamme, he pushed his horse
+against one of the Saracens and knocked him down; and with his
+sword dealt the other so vigorous a blow that he fell stunned to
+the earth. Then helping the Emperor to rise, he remounted him on
+the horse of one of the fallen knights. "Brave and generous
+Alory!" Charles exclaimed, "I owe to you my honor and my life!"
+Ogier made no answer; but, leaving Charlemagne surrounded by a
+great many of the knights who had flown to his succor, he plunged
+into the thickest ranks of the enemy, and carried the Oriflamme,
+followed by a gallant train of youthful warriors, till the
+standard of Mahomet turned in retreat, and the Infidels sought
+safety in their intrenchments.
+
+Then the good Archbishop Turpin laid aside his helmet and his
+bloody sword (for he always felt that he was clearly in the line
+of his duty while slaying Infidels), took his mitre and his
+crosier, and intoned Te Deum.
+
+At this moment Ogier, covered with blood and dust, came to lay the
+Oriflamme at the feet of the Emperor. He was followed by a train
+of warriors of short stature, who walked ill at ease loaded with
+armor too heavy for them. Ogier knelt at the feet of Charlemagne,
+who embraced him, calling him Alory, while Turpin from the height
+of the altar, blessed him with all his might. Then young Orlando,
+son of the Count Milone, and nephew of Charlemagne, no longer able
+to endure this misapprehension, threw down his helmet, and ran to
+unlace Ogier's, while the other young men laid aside theirs. Our
+author says he cannot express the surprise, the admiration, and
+the tenderness of the Emperor and his peers. Charles folded Ogier
+in his arms, and the happy fathers of those brave youths embraced
+them with tears of joy. The good Duke Namo stepped forward, and
+Charlemagne yielded Ogier to his embrace. "How much do I owe you,"
+he said, "good and wise friend, for having restrained my anger! My
+dear Ogier! I owe you my life! My sword leaps to touch your
+shoulder, yours and those of your brave young friends." At these
+words he drew that famous sword, Joyeuse, and while Ogier and the
+rest knelt before him, gave them the accolade conferring on them
+the order of knighthood. The young Orlando and his cousin Oliver
+could not refrain, even in the presence of the Emperor, from
+falling upon Ogier's neck, and pledging with him that brotherhood
+in arms, so dear and so sacred to the knights of old times; but
+Charlot, the Emperor's son, at the sight of the glory with which
+Ogier had covered himself, conceived the blackest jealousy and
+hate.
+
+The rest of the day and the next were spent in the rejoicings of
+the army. Turpin in a solemn service implored the favor of Heaven
+upon the youthful knights, and blessed the white armor which was
+prepared for them. Duke Namo presented them with golden spurs,
+Charles himself girded on their swords. But what was his
+astonishment when he examined that intended for Ogier! The loving
+Fairy, Morgana, had had the art to change it, and to substitute
+one of her own procuring, and when Charles drew it out of the
+scabbard, these words appeared written on the steel: "My name is
+Cortana, of the same steel and temper as Joyeuse and Durindana."
+Charles saw that a superior power watched over the destinies of
+Ogier; he vowed to love him as a father would, and Ogier promised
+him the devotion of a son. Happy had it been for both if they had
+always continued mindful of their promises.
+
+The Saracen army had hardly recovered from its dismay when
+Carahue, King of Mauritania, who was one of the knights overthrown
+by Ogier at the time of the rescue of Charlemagne, determined to
+challenge him to single combat. With that view he assumed the
+dress of a herald, resolved to carry his own message. The French
+knights admired his air, and said to one another that he seemed
+more fit to be a knight than a bearer of messages.
+
+Carahue began by passing the warmest eulogium upon the knight who
+bore the Oriflamme on the day of the battle, and concluded by
+saying that Carahue, King of Mauritania, respected that knight so
+much that he challenged him to the combat.
+
+Ogier had risen to reply, when he was interrupted by Charlot, who
+said that the gage of the King of Mauritania could not fitly be
+received by a vassal, living in captivity; by which he meant
+Ogier, who was at that time serving as hostage for his father.
+Fire flashed from the eyes of Ogier, but the presence of the
+Emperor restrained his speech, and he was calmed by the kind looks
+of Charlemagne, who said, with an angry voice, "Silence, Charlot!
+By the life of Bertha, my queen, he who has saved my life is as
+dear to me as yourself. Ogier," he continued, "you are no longer a
+hostage. Herald! report my answer to your master, that never does
+knight of my court refuse a challenge on equal terms. Ogier, the
+Dane, accepts of his, and I myself am his security."
+
+Carahue, profoundly bowing, replied, "My lord, I was sure that the
+sentiments of so great a sovereign as yourself would be worthy of
+your high and brilliant fame; I shall report your answer to my
+master, who I know admires you, and unwillingly takes arms against
+you." Then, turning to Charlot, whom he did not know as the son of
+the Emperor, he continued, "As for you, Sir Knight, if the desire
+of battle inflames you, I have it in charge from Sadon, cousin of
+the King of Mauritania, to give the like defiance to any French
+knights who will grant him the honor of the combat."
+
+Charlot, inflamed with rage and vexation at the public reproof
+which he had just received, hesitated not to deliver his gage.
+Carahue received it with Ogier's, and it was agreed that the
+combat should be on the next day in a meadow environed by woods
+and equally distant from both armies.
+
+The perfidious Charlot meditated the blackest treason. During the
+night he collected some knights unworthy of the name, and like
+himself in their ferocious manners; he made them swear to avenge
+his injuries, armed them in black armor, and sent them to lie in
+ambush in the wood, with orders to make a pretended attack upon
+the whole party, but in fact, to lay heavy hands upon Ogier and
+the two Saracens.
+
+At the dawn of day Sadon and Carahue, attended tonly by two pages
+to carry their spears, took their way to the appointed meadow; and
+Charlot and Ogier repaired thither also, but by different paths.
+Ogier advanced with a calm air, saluted courteously the two
+Saracen knights, and joined them in arranging the terms of combat.
+
+While this was going on the perfidious Charlot remained behind and
+gave his men the signal to advance. That cowardly troop issued
+from the wood and encompassed the three knights. All three were
+equally surprised at the attack, but neither of them suspected the
+other to have any hand in the treason. Seeing the attack made
+equally upon them all, they united their efforts to resist it, and
+made the most forward of the assailants bite the dust. Cortana
+fell on no one without inflicting a mortal wound, but the sword of
+Carahue was not of equal temper and broke in his hands. At the
+same instant his horse was slain, and Carahue fell, without a
+weapon, and entangled with his prostrate horse. Ogier, who saw it,
+ran to his defence, and leaping to the ground covered the prince
+with his shield, supplied him with the sword of one of the fallen
+ruffians, and would have him mount his own horse. At that moment
+Charlot, inflamed with rage, pushed his horse upon Ogier, knocked
+him down, and would have run him through with his lance if Sadon,
+who saw the treason, had not sprung upon him and thrust him back.
+Carahue leapt lightly upon the horse which Ogier presented him,
+and had time only to exclaim, "Brave Ogier, I am no longer your
+enemy, I pledge to you an eternal friendship," when numerous
+Saracen knights were seen approaching, having discovered the
+treachery, and Charlot with his followers took refuge in the wood.
+
+The troop which advanced was commanded by Dannemont, the exiled
+king of Denmark, whom Geoffroy, Ogier's father, had driven from
+his throne and compelled to take refuge with the Saracens.
+Learning who Ogier was, he instantly declared him his prisoner, in
+spite of the urgent remonstrances and even threats of Carahue and
+Sadon, and carried him under a strong guard to the Saracen camp.
+Here he was at first subjected to the most rigorous captivity, but
+Carahue and Sadon insisted so vehemently on his release,
+threatening to turn their arms against their own party if it was
+not granted, while Dannemont as eagerly opposed the measure, that
+Corsuble, the Saracen commander, consented to a middle course, and
+allowed Ogier the freedom of his camp, upon his promise not to
+leave it without permission.
+
+Carahue was not satisfied with this partial concession. He left
+the city next morning, proceeded to the camp of Charlemagne, and
+demanded to be led to the Emperor. When he reached his presence he
+dismounted from his horse, took off his helmet, drew his sword,
+and holding it by the blade presented it to Charlemagne as he
+knelt before him.
+
+"Illustrious prince," he said, "behold before you the herald who
+brought the challenge to your knights from the King of Mauritania.
+The cowardly old King Dannemont has made the brave Ogier prisoner,
+and has prevailed on our general to refuse to give him up. I come
+to make amends for this ungenerous conduct by yielding myself,
+Carahue, King of Mauritania, your prisoner."
+
+Charlemagne, with all his peers, admired the magnanimity of
+Carahue; he raised him, embraced him, and restored to him his
+sword. "Prince," said he, "your presence and the bright example
+you afford my knights consoles me for the loss of Ogier. Would to
+God you might receive our holy faith, and be wholly united with
+us." All the lords of the court, led by Duke Namo, paid their
+respects to the King of Mauritania. Charlot only failed to appear,
+fearing to be recognized as a traitor; but the heart of Carahue
+was too noble to pierce that of Charlemagne by telling him the
+treachery of his son.
+
+Meanwhile the Saracen army was rent by discord. The troops of
+Carahue clamored against the commander-in-chief because their king
+was left in captivity. They even threatened to desert the cause
+and turn their arms against their allies. Charlemagne pressed the
+siege vigorously, till at length the Saracen leaders found
+themselves compelled to abandon the city and betake themselves to
+their ships. A truce was made; Ogier was exchanged for Carahue,
+and the two friends embraced one another with vows of perpetual
+brotherhood. The Pope was reestablished in his dominions, and
+Italy being tranquil, Charlemagne returned with his peers and
+their followers to France.
+
+OGIER, THE DANE (Continued)
+
+CHARLEMAGNE had not forgotten the offence of Geoffroy, the King of
+Denmark, in withholding homage, and now prepared to enforce
+submission. But at this crisis he was waited upon by an embassy
+from Geoffroy, acknowledging his fault, and craving assistance
+against an army of invaders who had attacked his states with a
+force which he was unable to repel. The soul of Charlemagne was
+too great to be implacable, and he took this opportunity to test
+that of Ogier, who had felt acutely the unkindness of his father,
+in leaving him, without regard or notice, fifteen years in
+captivity. Charles asked Ogier whether, in spite of his father's
+neglect, he was disposed to lead an army to his assistance. He
+replied, "A son can never be excused from helping his father by
+any cause short of death." Charlemagne placed an army of a
+thousand knights under the command of Ogier, and great numbers
+more volunteered to march under so distinguished a leader. He flew
+to the succor of his father, repelled the invaders, and drove them
+in confusion to their vessels. Ogier then hastened to the capital,
+but as he drew near the city he heard all the bells sounding a
+knell. He soon learned the cause; it was the obsequies of
+Geoffroy, the King. Ogier felt keenly the grief of not having been
+permitted to embrace his father once more, and to learn his latest
+commands; but he found that his father had declared him heir to
+his throne. He hastened to the church where the body lay; he knelt
+and bathed the lifeless form with his tears. At that moment a
+celestial light beamed all around, and a voice of an angel said,
+"Ogier, leave thy crown to Guyon, thy brother, and bear no other
+title than that of 'The Dane.' Thy destiny is glorious, and other
+kingdoms are reserved for thee." Ogier obeyed the divine behest.
+He saluted his stepmother respectfully, and embracing his brother,
+told him that he was content with his lot in being reckoned among
+the paladins of Charlemagne, and resigned all claims to the crown
+of Denmark.
+
+Ogier returned covered with glory to the court of Charlemagne, and
+the Emperor, touched with this proof of his attachment, loaded him
+with caresses, and treated him almost as an equal.
+
+We pass in silence the adventures of Ogier for several ensuing
+years, in which the fairy-gifts of his infancy showed their force
+in making him successful in all enterprises, both of love and war.
+He married the charming Belicene, and became the father of young
+Baldwin, a youth who seemed to inherit in full measure the
+strength and courage of his father and the beauty of his mother.
+When the lad was old enough to be separated from his mother, Ogier
+took him to court and presented him to Charlemagne, who embraced
+him and took him into his service. It seemed to Duke Namo, and all
+the elder knights, as if they saw in him Ogier himself, as he was
+when a youth; and this resemblance won for the lad their kind
+regards. Even Charlot at first seemed to be fond of him, though
+after a while the resemblance to Ogier which he noticed had the
+effect to excite his hatred.
+
+Baldwin was attentive to Charlot, and lost no occasion to be
+serviceable. The Prince loved to play chess, and Baldwin, who
+played well, often made a party with him.
+
+One day Charlot was nettled at losing two pieces in succession; he
+thought he could, by taking a piece from Baldwin, get some amends
+for his loss; but Baldwin, seeing him fall into a trap which he
+had set for him, could not help a slight laugh, as he said,
+"Check-mate." Chariot rose in a fury, seized the rich and heavy
+chess-board, and dashed it with all his strength on the head of
+Baldwin, who fell, and died where he fell.
+
+Frightened at his own crime, and fearing the vengeance of the
+terrible Ogier, Charlot concealed himself in the interior of the
+palace. A young companion of Baldwin hastened and informed Ogier
+of the event. He ran to the chamber, and beheld the body of his
+child bathed in blood, and it could not be concealed from him that
+Charlot gave the blow. Transported with rage, Ogier sought Charlot
+through the palace, and Charlot, feeling safe nowhere else, took
+refuge in the hall of Charlemagne, where he seated himself at
+table with Duke Namo and Salomon, Duke of Brittany. Ogier, with
+sword drawn, followed him to the very table of the Emperor. When a
+cupbearer attempted to bar his way he struck the cup from his hand
+and dashed the contents in the Emperor's face. Charles rose in a
+passion, seized a knife, and would have plunged it into his
+breast, had not Salomon and another baron thrown themselves
+between, while Namo, who had retained his ancient influence over
+Ogier, drew him out of the room. Foreseeing the consequence of
+this violence, pitying Ogier, and in his heart excusing him, Namo
+hurried him away before the guards of the palace could arrest him,
+made him mount his horse, and leave Paris.
+
+Charlemagne called together his peers, and made them take an oath
+to do all in their power to arrest Ogier, and bring him to condign
+punishment. Ogier on his part sent messages to the Emperor,
+offering to give himself up on condition that Charlot should be
+punished for his atrocious crime. The Emperor would listen to no
+conditions, and went in pursuit of Ogier at the head of a large
+body of soldiers. Ogier, on the other hand, was warmly supported
+by many knights, who pledged themselves in his defence. The
+contest raged long, with no decisive results. Ogier more than once
+had the Emperor in his power, but declined to avail himself of his
+advantage, and released him without conditions. He even implored
+pardon for himself, but demanded at the same time the punishment
+of Charlot. But Charlemagne was too blindly fond of his unworthy
+son to subject him to punishment for the sake of conciliating one
+who had been so deeply injured.
+
+At length, distressed at the blood which his friends had lost in
+his cause, Ogier dismissed his little army, and slipping away from
+those who wished to attend him, took his course to rejoin the Duke
+Guyon, his brother. On his way, having reached the forest of
+Ardennes, weary with long travel, the freshness of a retired
+valley tempted him to lie down to take some repose. He unsaddled
+Beiffror, relieved himself of his helmet, lay down on the turf,
+rested his head on his shield, and slept.
+
+It so happened that Turpin, who occasionally recalled to mind that
+he was Archbishop of Rheins, was at that time in the vicinity,
+making a pastoral visit to the churches under his jurisdiction.
+But his dignity of peer of France, and his martial spirit, which
+caused him to be reckoned among the "preux chevaliers" of his
+time, forbade him to travel without as large a retinue of knights
+as he had of clergymen. One of these was thirsty, and knowing the
+fountain on the borders of which Ogier was reposing, he rode to
+it, and was struck by the sight of a knight stretched on the
+ground. He hastened back, and let the Archbishop know, who
+approached the fountain, and recognized Ogier.
+
+The first impulse of the good and generous Turpin was to save his
+friend, for whom he felt the warmest attachment; but his
+archdeacons and knights, who also recognized Ogier, reminded the
+Archbishop of the oath which the Emperor had exacted of them all.
+Turpin could not be false to his oath; but it was not without a
+groan that he permitted his followers to bind the sleeping knight.
+The Archbishop's attendants secured the horse and arms of Ogier,
+and conducted their prisoner to the Emperor at Soissons.
+
+The Emperor had become so much embittered by Ogier's obstinate
+resistance, added to his original fault, that he was disposed to
+order him to instant death. But Turpin, seconded by the good Dukes
+Namo and Salomon, prayed so hard for him that Charlemagne
+consented to remit a violent death, but sentenced him to close
+imprisonment, under the charge of the Archbishop, strictly
+limiting his food to one quarter of a loaf of bread per day, with
+one piece of meat, and a quarter of a cup of wine. In this way he
+hoped to quickly put an end to his life without bringing on
+himself the hostility of the King of Denmark, and other powerful
+friends of Ogier. He exacted a new oath of Turpin to obey his
+order strictly.
+
+The good Archbishop loved Ogier too well not to cast about for
+some means of saving his life, which he foresaw he would soon lose
+if subjected to such scanty fare, for Ogier was seven feet tall,
+and had an appetite in proportion. Turpin remembered, moreover,
+that Ogier was a true son of the Church, always zealous to
+propagate the faith and subdue unbelievers; so he felt justified
+in practising on this occasion what in later times has been
+entitled "mental reservation," without swerving from the letter of
+the oath which he had taken. This is the method he hit upon.
+
+Every morning he had his prisoner supplied with a quarter of a
+loaf of bread, made of two bushels of flour, to this he added a
+quarter of a sheep or a fat calf, and he had a cup made which held
+forty pints of wine, and allowed Ogier a quarter of it daily.
+
+Ogier's imprisonment lasted long; Charlemagne was astonished to
+hear, from time to time, that he still held out; and when he
+inquired more particularly of Turpin, the good Archbishop, relying
+on his own understanding of the words, did not hesitate to affirm
+positively that he allowed his prisoner no more than the permitted
+ration.
+
+We forgot to say that, when Ogier was led prisoner to Soissons,
+the Abbot of Saint Faron, observing the fine horse Beiffror, and
+not having at the time any other favor to ask of Charlemagne,
+begged the Emperor to give him the horse, and had him taken to his
+abbey. He was impatient to try his new acquisition, and when he
+had arrived in his litter at the foot of the mountain where the
+horse had been brought to meet him mounted him and rode onward.
+The horse, accustomed to bear the enormous weight of Ogier in his
+armor, when he perceived nothing on his back but the light weight
+of the Abbot, whose long robes fluttered against his sides, ran
+away, making prodigious leaps over the steep acclivities of the
+mountain till he reached the convent of Jouaire, where, in sight
+of the Abbess and her nuns, he threw the Abbot, already half dead
+with fright, to the ground. The Abbot, bruised and mortified,
+revenged himself on poor Beiffror, whom he condemned, in his
+wrath, to be given to the workmen to drag stones for a chapel that
+he was building near the abbey. Thus, ill-fed, hard-worked, and
+often beaten, the noble horse Beiffror passed the time while his
+master's imprisonment lasted.
+
+That imprisonment would have been as long as his life if it had
+not been for some important events which forced the Emperor to set
+Ogier at liberty.
+
+The Emperor learned at the same time that Carahue, King of
+Mauritania, was assembling an army to come and demand the
+liberation of Ogier; that Guyon, King of Denmark, was prepared to
+second the enterprise with all his forces; and, worse than all,
+that the Saracens, under Bruhier, Sultan of Arabia, had landed in
+Gascony, taken Bordeaux, and were marching with all speed for
+Paris.
+
+Charlemagne now felt how necessary the aid of Ogier was to him.
+But, in spite of the representations of Turpin, Namo, and Salomon,
+he could not bring himself to consent to surrender Charlot to such
+punishment as Ogier should see fit to impose. Besides, he believed
+that Ogier was without strength and vigor, weakened by
+imprisonment and long abstinence.
+
+At this crisis he received a message from Bruhier, proposing to
+put the issue upon the result of a combat between himself and the
+Emperor or his champion; promising, if defeated, to withdraw his
+army. Charlemagne would willingly have accepted the challenge, but
+his counsellors all opposed it. The herald was therefore told that
+the Emperor would take time to consider his proposition, and give
+his answer the next day.
+
+It was during this interval that the three Dukes succeeded in
+prevailing upon Charlemagne to pardon Ogier, and to send for him
+to combat the puissant enemy who now defied him; but it was no
+easy task to persuade Ogier. The idea of his long imprisonment and
+the recollection of his son, bleeding and dying in his arms by the
+blow of the ferocious Charlot, made him long resist the urgency of
+his friends. Though glory called him to encounter Bruhier, and the
+safety of Christendom demanded the destruction of this proud enemy
+of the faith, Ogier only yielded at last on condition that Charlot
+should be delivered into his hands to be dealt with as he should
+see fit.
+
+The terms were hard, but the danger was pressing, and Charlemagne,
+with a returning sense of justice, and a strong confidence in the
+generous though passionate soul of Ogier, at last consented to
+them.
+
+Ogier was led into the presence of Charlemagne by the three peers.
+The Emperor, faithful to his word, had caused Charlot to be
+brought into the hall where the high barons were assembled, his
+hands tied, and his head uncovered. When the Emperor saw Ogier
+approach he took Charlot by the arm, led him towards Ogier, and
+said these words: "I surrender the criminal; do with him as you
+think fit." Ogier, without replying, seized Charlot by the hair,
+forced him on his knees, and lifted with the other hand his
+irresistible sword. Charlemagne, who expected to see the head of
+his son rolling at his feet, shut his eyes and uttered a cry of
+horror.
+
+Ogier had done enough. The next moment he raised Charlot, cut his
+bonds, kissed him on the mouth, and hastened to throw himself at
+the feet of the Emperor.
+
+Nothing can exceed the surprise and joy of Charlemagne at seeing
+his son unharmed and Ogier kneeling at his feet. He folded him in
+his arms, bathed him with tears, and exclaimed to his barons, "I
+feel at this moment that Ogier is greater than I." As for Charlot,
+his base soul felt nothing but the joy of having escaped death; he
+remained such as he had been, and it was not till some years
+afterwards he received the punishment he deserved, from the hands
+of Huon of Bordeaux, as we have seen in a former chapter.
+
+OGIER, THE DANE (Continued)
+
+WHEN Charlemagne had somewhat recovered his composure he was
+surprised to observe that Ogier appeared in good case, and had a
+healthy color in his cheeks. He turned to the Archbishop, who
+could not help blushing as he met his eye. "By the head of Bertha,
+my queen," said Charlemagne, "Ogier has had good quarters in your
+castle, my Lord Archbishop; but so much the more am I indebted to
+you." All the barons laughed and jested with Turpin, who only
+said, "Laugh as much as you please, my lords; but for my part I am
+not sorry to see the arm in full vigor that is to avenge us on the
+proud Saracen."
+
+Charlemagne immediately despatched his herald, accepting the
+challenge, and appointing the next day but one for the encounter.
+The proud and crafty Bruhier laughed scornfully when he heard the
+reply accepting his challenge, for he had a reliance on certain
+resources besides his natural strength and skill. However, he
+swore by Mahomet to observe the conditions as proposed and agreed
+upon.
+
+Ogier now demanded his armor, and it was brought to him in
+excellent condition, for the good Turpin had kept it faithfully;
+but it was not easy to provide a horse for the occasion.
+Charlemagne had the best horses of his stables brought out, except
+Blanchard, his own charger; but all in vain, the weight of Ogier
+bent their backs to the ground. In this embarrassment the
+Archbishop remembered that the Emperor had given Beiffror to the
+Abbot of St. Faron, and sent off a courier in haste to re-demand
+him.
+
+Monks are hard masters, and the one who directed the laborers at
+the abbey had but too faithfully obeyed the orders of the Abbot.
+Poor Beiffror was brought back, lean, spiritless, and chafed with
+the harness of the vile cart that he had had to draw so long. He
+carried his head down, and trod heavily before Charlemagne; but
+when he heard the voice of Ogier he raised his head, he neighed,
+his eyes flashed, his former ardor showed itself by the force with
+which he pawed the ground. Ogier caressed him, and the good steed
+seemed to return his caresses; Ogier mounted him, and Beiffror,
+proud of carrying his master again, leapt and curvetted with all
+his youthful vigor.
+
+Nothing being now wanted, Charlemagne, at the head of his army,
+marched forth from the city of Paris, and occupied the hill of
+Montmartre, whence the view extended over the plain of St. Denis,
+where the battle was to be fought.
+
+When the appointed day came the Dukes Namo and Salomon, as seconds
+of Ogier, accompanied him to the place marked out for the lists,
+and Bruhier, with two distinguished Emirs, presented himself on
+the other side.
+
+Bruhier was in high spirits, and jested with his friends, as he
+advanced, upon the appearance of Beiffror. "Is that the horse they
+presume to match with Marchevallee, the best steed that ever fed
+in the vales of Mount Atlas?" But now the combatants, having met
+and saluted each other, ride apart to come together in full
+career. Beiffror flew over the plain, and met the adversary more
+than half-way. The lances of the two combatants were shivered at
+the shock, and Bruhier was astonished to see almost at the same
+instant the sword of Ogier gleaming above his head. He parried it
+with his buckler, and gave Ogier a blow on his helmet, who
+returned it with another, better aimed or better seconded by the
+temper of his blade, for it cut away part of Bruhier's helmet, and
+with it his ear and part of his cheek. Ogier, seeing the blood,
+did not immediately repeat his blow, and Bruhier seized the moment
+to gallop off at one side. As he rode he took a vase of gold which
+hung at his saddle-bow, and bathed with its contents the wounded
+part. The blood instantly ceased to flow, the ear and the flesh
+were restored quite whole, and the Dane was astonished to see his
+antagonist return to the ground as sound as ever.
+
+Bruhier laughed at his amazement. "Know," said he, "that I possess
+the precious balm that Joseph of Arimathea used upon the body of
+the crucified one, whom you worship. If I should lose an arm I
+could restore it with a few drops of this. It is useless for you
+to contend with me. Yield yourself, and, as you appear to be a
+strong fellow, I will make you first oarsman in one of my
+galleys."
+
+Ogier, though boiling with rage, forgot not to implore the
+assistance of Heaven. "O Lord!" he exclaimed, "suffer not the
+enemy of thy name to profit by the powerful help of that which
+owes all its virtue to thy divine blood." At these words he
+attacked Bruhier again with more vigor than ever; both struck
+terrible blows, and made grievous wounds; but the blood flowed
+from those of Ogier, while Bruhier stanched his by the application
+of his balm. Ogier, desperate at the unequal contest, grasped
+Cortana with both hands, and struck his enemy such a blow that it
+cleft his buckler, and cut off his arm with it; but Bruhier at the
+same time launched one at Ogier, which, missing him, struck the
+head of Beiffror, and the good horse fell, and drew down his
+master in his fall.
+
+Bruhier had time to leap to the ground, to pick up his arm and
+apply his balsam; then, before Ogier had recovered his footing, he
+rushed forward with sword uplifted to complete his destruction.
+
+Charlemagne, from the height of Montmartre, seeing the brave Ogier
+in this situation, groaned, and was ready to murmur against
+Providence; but the good Turpin, raising his arms, with a faith
+like that of Moses, drew down upon the Christian warrior the favor
+of Heaven.
+
+Ogier, promptly disengaging himself, pressed Bruhier with so much
+impetuosity that he drove him to a distance from his horse, to
+whose saddle-bow the precious balm was suspended; and very soon
+Charlemagne saw Ogier, now completely in the advantage, bring his
+enemy to his knees, tear off his helmet, and, with a sweep of his
+sword, strike his head from his body.
+
+After the victory, Ogier seized Marchevallee, leaped upon his
+back, and became possessed of the precious flask, a few drops from
+which closed his wounds and restored his strength. The French
+knights who had been Bruhier's captives, now released, pressed
+round Ogier to thank him for their deliverance.
+
+Charlemagne and his nobles, as soon as their attention was
+relieved from the single combat, perceived from their elevated
+position an unusual agitation in the enemy's camp. They attributed
+it at first to the death of their general, but soon the noise of
+arms, the cries of combatants, and new standards which advanced,
+disclosed to them the fact that Bruhier's army was attacked by a
+new enemy.
+
+The Emperor was right; it was the brave Carahue of Mauritania,
+who, with an army, had arrived in France, resolved to attempt the
+liberation of Ogier, his brother in arms. Learning on his arrival
+the changed aspect of affairs, he hesitated not to render a signal
+service to the Emperor, by attacking the army of Bruhier in the
+midst of the consternation occasioned by the loss of its
+commander.
+
+Ogier recognized the standard of his friend, and leaping upon
+Marchevallee, flew to aid his attack. Charlemagne followed with
+his army; and the Saracen host, after an obstinate conflict, was
+forced to surrender unconditionally.
+
+The interview of Ogier and Carahue was such as might be
+anticipated of two such attached friends and accomplished knights.
+Charlemagne went to meet them, embraced them, and putting the King
+of Mauritania on his right and Ogier on his left, returned with
+triumph to Paris. There the Empress Bertha and the ladies of her
+court crowned them with laurels, and the sage and gallant
+Eginhard, chamberlain and secretary of the Emperor, wrote all
+these great events in his history.
+
+A few days after Guyon, King of Denmark, arrived in France with a
+chosen band of knights, and sent an ambassador to Charlemagne, to
+say that he came, not as an enemy, but to render homage to him as
+the best knight of the time and the head of the Christian world.
+Charlemagne gave the ambassador a cordial reception, and mounting
+his horse, rode forward to meet the King of Denmark.
+
+These great princes, being assembled at the court of Charles, held
+council together, and the ancient and sage barons were called to
+join it.
+
+It was decided that the united Danish and Mauritanian armies
+should cross the sea and carry the war to the country of the
+Saracens, and that a thousand French knights should range
+themselves under the banner of Ogier, the Dane, who, though not a
+king, should have equal rank with the two others.
+
+We have not space to record all the illustrious actions performed
+by Ogier and his allies in this war. Suffice it to say, they
+subdued the Saracens of Ptolemais and Judaea, and, erecting those
+regions into a kingdom, placed the crown upon the head of Ogier.
+Guyon and Carahue then left him, to return to their respective
+dominions. Ogier adopted Walter, the son of Guyon of Denmark, to
+be his successor in his kingdom. He superintended his education,
+and saw the young prince grow up worthy of his cares. But Ogier,
+in spite of all the honors of his rank, often regretted the court
+of Charlemagne, the Duke Namo, and Salomon of Brittany, for whom
+he had the respect and attachment of a son. At last, finding
+Walter old enough to sustain the weight of government, Ogier
+caused a vessel to be prepared secretly, and, attended only by one
+squire, left his palace by night, and embarked to return to
+France.
+
+The vessel, driven by a fair wind, cut the sea with the swiftness
+of a bird; but on a sudden it deviated from its course, no longer
+obeyed the helm, and sped fast towards a black promontory which
+stretched into the sea. This was a mountain of loadstone, and, its
+attractive power increasing as the distance diminished, the vessel
+at last flew with the swiftness of an arrow towards it, and was
+dashed to pieces on its rocky base. Ogier alone saved himself, and
+reached the shore on a fragment of the wreck.
+
+Ogier advanced into the country, looking for some marks of
+inhabitancy, but found none. On a sudden he encountered two
+monstrous animals, covered with glittering scales, accompanied by
+a horse breathing fire. Ogier drew his sword and prepared to
+defend himself; but the monsters, terrific as they appeared, made
+no attempt to assail him, and the horse, Papillon, knelt down, and
+appeared to court Ogier to mount upon his back. Ogier hesitated
+not to see the adventure through; he mounted Papillon, who ran
+with speed, and soon cleared the rocks and precipices which hemmed
+in and concealed a beautiful landscape. He continued his course
+till he reached a magnificent palace, and, without allowing Ogier
+time to admire it, crossed a grand court-yard adorned with
+colonnades, and entered a garden, where, making his way through
+alleys of myrtle, he checked his course, and knelt down on the
+enamelled turf of a fountain.
+
+Ogier dismounted and took some steps along the margin of the
+stream, but was soon stopped by meeting a young beauty, such as
+they paint the Graces, and almost as lightly attired as they. At
+the same moment, to his amazement, his armor fell off of its own
+accord. The young beauty advanced with a tender air, and placed
+upon his head a crown of flowers. At that instant the Danish hero
+lost his memory; his combats, his glory, Charlemagne and his
+court, all vanished from his mind; he saw only Morgana, he desired
+nothing but to sigh forever at her feet.
+
+We abridge the narrative of all the delights which Ogier enjoyed
+for more than a hundred years. Time flew by, leaving no impression
+of its flight. Morgana's youthful charms did not decay, and Ogier
+had none of those warnings of increasing years which less favored
+mortals never fail to receive. There is no knowing how long this
+blissful state might have lasted, if it had not been for an
+accident, by which Morgana one day, in a sportive moment, snatched
+the crown from his head. That moment Ogier regained his memory,
+and lost his contentment. The recollection of Charlemagne, and of
+his own relatives and friends, saddened the hours which he passed
+with Morgana. The fairy saw with grief the changed looks of her
+lover. At last she drew from him the acknowledgment that he wished
+to go, at least for a time, to revisit Charles's court. She
+consented with reluctance, and with her own hands helped to
+reinvest him with his armor. Papillon was led forth, Ogier mounted
+him, and, taking a tender adieu of the tearful Morgana, crossed at
+rapid speed the rocky belt which separated Morgana's palace from
+the borders of the sea. The sea-goblins which had received him at
+his coming awaited him on the shore. One of them took Ogier on his
+back, and the other placing himself under Papillon, they spread
+their broad fins, and in a short time traversed the wide space
+that separates the isle of Avalon from France. They landed Ogier
+on the coast of Languedoc, and then plunged into the sea and
+disappeared.
+
+Ogier remounted on Papillon, who carried him across the kingdom
+almost as fast as he had passed the sea. He arrived under the
+walls of Paris, which he would scarcely have recognized if the
+high towers of St. Genevieve had not caught his eye. He went
+straight to the palace of Charlemagne, which seemed to him to have
+been entirely rebuilt. His surprise was extreme, and increased
+still more on finding that he understood with difficulty the
+language of the guards and attendants in replying to his
+questions; and seeing them smile as they tried to explain to one
+another the language in which he addressed them. Presently the
+attention of some of the barons who were going to court was
+attracted to the scene, and Ogier, who recognized the badges of
+their rank, addressed them, and inquired if the Dukes Namo and
+Salomon were still residing at the Emperor's court. At this
+question the barons looked at one another in amazement; and one of
+the eldest said to the rest, "How much this knight resembles the
+portrait of my grand-uncle, Ogier the Dane." "Ah! my dear nephew,
+I am Ogier the Dane," said he; and he remembered that Morgana had
+told him that he was little aware of the flight of time during his
+abode with her.
+
+The barons, more astonished than ever, concluded to conduct him to
+the monarch who then reigned, the great Hugh Capet.
+
+The brave Ogier entered the palace without hesitation; but when,
+on reaching the royal hall, the barons directed him to make his
+obeisance to the King of France, he was astonished to see a man of
+short stature and large head, whose air, nevertheless, was noble
+and martial, seated upon the throne on which he had so often seen
+Charlemagne, the tallest and handsomest sovereign of his time.
+
+Ogier recounted his adventures with simplicity and affectedness.
+Hugh Capet was slow to believe him; but Ogier recalled so many
+proofs and circumstances, that at last he was forced to recognize
+the aged warrior to be the famous Ogier the Dane.
+
+The king informed Ogier of the events which had taken place during
+his long absence; that the line of Charlemagne was extinct; that a
+new dynasty had commenced; that the old enemies of the kingdom,
+the Saracens, were still troublesome; and that at that very time
+an army of those miscreants was besieging the city of Chartres, to
+which he was about to repair in a few days to its relief. Ogier,
+always inflamed with the love of glory, offered the service of his
+arm, which the illustrious monarch accepted graciously, and
+conducted him to the queen. The astonishment of Ogier was
+redoubled when he saw the new ornaments and head-dresses of the
+ladies; still, the beautiful hair which they built up on their
+foreheads, and the feathers interwoven, which waved with so much
+grace, gave them a noble air that delighted him. His admiration
+increased when, instead of the old Empress Bertha, he saw a young
+queen who combined a majestic mien with the graces of her time of
+life, and manners candid and charming, suited to attach all
+hearts. Ogier saluted the youthful queen with a respect so
+profound that many of the courtiers took him for a foreigner, or
+at least for some nobleman brought up at a distance from Paris,
+who retained the manners of what they called the old court.
+
+When the queen was informed by her husband that it was the
+celebrated Ogier the Dane whom he presented to her, whose
+memorable exploits she had often read in the chronicles of
+antiquity, her surprise was extreme, which was increased when she
+remarked the dignity of his address, the animation and even the
+youthfulness of his countenance. This queen had too much
+intelligence to believe hastily; proof alone could compel her
+assent; and she asked him many questions about the old court of
+Charlemagne, and received such instructive and appropriate answers
+as removed every doubt. It is to the corrections which Ogier was
+at that time enabled to make to the popular narratives of his
+exploits that we are indebted for the perfect accuracy and
+trustworthiness of all the details of our own history.
+
+King Hugh Capet, having received that same evening couriers from
+the inhabitants of Chartres, informing him that they were hard
+pressed by the besiegers, resolved to hasten with Ogier to their
+relief.
+
+Ogier terminated this affair as expeditiously as he had so often
+done others. The Saracens having dared to offer battle, he bore
+the Oriflamme through the thickest of their ranks; Papillon,
+breathing fire from his nostrils, threw them into disorder, and
+Cortana, wielded by his invincible arm, soon finished their
+overthrow.
+
+The king, victorious over the Saracens, led back the Danish hero
+to Paris, where the deliverer of France received the honors due to
+his valor. Ogier continued some time at the court, detained by the
+favor of the king and queen; but erelong he had the pain to
+witness the death of the king. Then it was that, impressed with
+all the perfections which he had discerned in the queen, he could
+not withhold the tender homage of the offer of his hand. The queen
+would perhaps have accepted it, she had even called a meeting of
+her great barons to deliberate on the proposition, when, the day
+before the meeting was to be held, at the moment when Ogier was
+kneeling at her feet, she perceived a crown of gold which an
+invisible hand had placed on his brow, and in an instant a cloud
+enveloped Ogier, and he disappeared forever from her sight. It was
+Morgana, the fairy, whose jealousy was awakened at what she
+beheld, who now resumed her power, and took him away to dwell with
+her in the island of Avalon. There, in company with the great King
+Arthur of Britain, he still lives, and when his illustrious friend
+shall return to resume his ancient reign he will doubtless return
+with him, and share his triumph.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+GLOSSARY
+
+
+Abdalrahman, founder of the independent Ommiad (Saracenic) power
+in Spain, conquered at Tours by Charles Martel
+
+Aberfraw, scene of nuptials of Branwen and Matholch
+
+Absyrtus, younger brother of Medea
+
+Abydos, a town on the Hellespont, nearly opposite to Sestos
+
+Abyla, Mount, or Columna, a mountain in Morocco, near Ceuta, now
+called Jebel Musa or Ape's Hill, forming the Northwestern
+extremity of the African coast opposite Gibraltar (See Pillars of
+Hercules)
+
+Acestes, son of a Trojan woman who was sent by her father to
+Sicily, that she might not be devoured by the monsters which
+infested the territory of Troy
+
+Acetes, Bacchanal captured by Pentheus
+
+Achates, faithful friend and companion of Aeneas
+
+Achelous, river-god of the largest river in Greece--his Horn of
+Plenty
+
+Achilles, the hero of the Iliad, son of Peleus and of the Nereid
+Thetis, slain by Paris
+
+Acis, youth loved by Galatea and slain by Polyphemus
+
+Acontius, a beautiful youth, who fell in love with Cydippe, the
+daughter of a noble Athenian.
+
+Acrisius, son of Abas, king of Argos, grandson of Lynceus, the
+great-grandson of Danaus.
+
+Actaeon, a celebrated huntsman, son of Aristaeus and Autonoe, who,
+having seen Diana bathing, was changed by her to a stag and killed
+by his own dogs.
+
+Admeta, daughter of Eurystheus, covets Hippolyta's girdle.
+
+Admetus, king of Thessaly, saved from death by Alcestis
+
+Adonis, a youth beloved by Aphrodite (Venus), and Proserpine;
+killed by a boar.
+
+Adrastus, a king of Argos.
+
+Aeacus, son of Zeus (Jupiter) and Aegina, renowned in all Greece
+for his justice and piety.
+
+Aeaea, Circe's island, visited by Ulysses.
+
+Aeetes, or Aeeta, son of Helios (the Sun) and Perseis, and father
+of Medea and Absyrtus.
+
+Aegeus, king of Athens.
+
+Aegina, a rocky island in the middle of the Saronic gulf.
+
+Aegis, shield or breastplate of Jupiter and Minerva.
+
+Aegisthus, murderer of Agamemnon, slain by Orestes.
+
+Aeneas, Trojan hero, son of Anchises and Aphrodite (Venus), and
+born on Mount Ida, reputed first settler of Rome,
+
+Aeneid, poem by Virgil, relating the wanderings of Aeneas from
+Troy to Italy,
+
+Ae'olus, son of Hellen and the nymph Orseis, represented in Homer
+as the happy ruler of the Aeolian Islands, to whom Zeus had given
+dominion over the winds,
+
+Aesculapius, god of the medical art,
+
+Aeson, father of Jason, made young again by Medea,
+
+Aethiopians, inhabitants of the country south of Egypt,
+
+Aethra, mother of Theseus by Aegeus,
+
+Aetna, volcano in Sicily,
+
+Agamedes, brother of Trophonius, distinguished as an architect,
+
+Agamemnon, son of Plisthenis and grandson of Atreus, king of
+Mycenae, although the chief commander of the Greeks, is not the
+hero of the Iliad, and in chivalrous spirit altogether inferior to
+Achilles,
+
+Agave, daughter of Cadmus, wife of Echion, and mother of Pentheus,
+
+Agenor, father of Europa, Cadmus, Cilix, and Phoenix,
+
+Aglaia, one of the Graces,
+
+Agni, Hindu god of fire,
+
+Agramant, a king in Africa,
+
+Agrican, fabled king of Tartary, pursuing Angelica, finally killed
+by Orlando,
+
+Agrivain, one of Arthur's knights,
+
+Ahriman, the Evil Spirit in the dual system of Zoroaster, See
+Ormuzd
+
+Ajax, son of Telamon, king of Salamis, and grandson of Aeacus,
+represented in the Iliad as second only to Achilles in bravery,
+
+Alba, the river where King Arthur fought the Romans,
+
+Alba Longa, city in Italy founded by son of Aeneas,
+
+Alberich, dwarf guardian of Rhine gold treasure of the Nibelungs
+
+Albracca, siege of,
+
+Alcestis, wife of Admetus, offered hersell as sacrifice to spare
+her husband, but rescued by Hercules,
+
+Alcides (Hercules),
+
+Alcina, enchantress,
+
+Alcinous, Phaeacian king,
+
+Alcippe, daughter of Mars, carried off by Halirrhothrus,
+
+Alcmena, wife of Jupiter, and mother of Hercules,
+
+Alcuin, English prelate and scholar,
+
+Aldrovandus, dwarf guardian of treasure,
+
+Alecto, one of the Furies,
+
+Alexander the Great, king of Macedonia, conqueror of Greece,
+Egypt, Persia, Babylonia, and India,
+
+Alfadur, a name for Odin,
+
+Alfheim, abode of the elves of light,
+
+Alice, mother of Huon and Girard, sons of Duke Sevinus,
+
+Alphenor, son of Niobe,
+
+Alpheus, river god pursuing Arethusa, who escaped by being changed
+to a fountain,
+
+Althaea, mother of Meleager, whom she slew because he had in a
+quarrel killed her brothers, thus disgracing "the house of
+Thestius," her father,
+
+Amalthea, nurse of the infant Jupiter in Crete,
+
+Amata, wife of Latinus, driven mad by Alecto,
+
+Amaury of Hauteville, false hearted Knight of Charlemagne,
+
+Amazons, mythical race of warlike women,
+
+Ambrosia, celestial food used by the gods,
+
+Ammon, Egyptian god of life identified by Romans with phases of
+Jupiter, the father of gods,
+
+Amphiaraus, a great prophet and hero at Argos,
+
+Amphion, a musician, son of Jupiter and Antiope (See Dirce),
+
+Amphitrite, wife of Neptune,
+
+Amphyrsos, a small river in Thessaly,
+
+Ampyx, assailant of Perseus, turned to stone by seeing Gorgon's
+head,
+
+Amrita, nectar giving immortality,
+
+Amun, See Ammon
+
+Amymone, one of the fifty daughters of Danaus, and mother by
+Poseidon (Neptune) of Nauplius, the father of Palamedes,
+
+Anaxarete, a maiden of Cyprus, who treated her lover Iphis with
+such haughtiness that he hanged himself at her door,
+
+Anbessa, Saracenic governor of Spain (725 AD),
+
+Anceus, one of the Argonauts,
+
+Anchises, beloved by Aphrodite (Venus), by whom he became the
+father of Aeneas,
+
+Andraemon, husband of Dryope, saw her changed into a tree,
+
+Andret, a cowardly knight, spy upon Tristram,
+
+Andromache, wife of Hector
+
+Andromeda, daughter of King Cephas, delivered from monster by
+Perseus
+
+Aneurin, Welsh bard
+
+Angelica, Princess of Cathay
+
+Anemone, short lived wind flower, created by Venus from the blood
+of the slain Adonis
+
+Angerbode, giant prophetess, mother of Fenris, Hela and the
+Midgard Serpent
+
+Anglesey, a Northern British island, refuge of Druids fleeing from
+Romans
+
+Antaeus, giant wrestler of Libya, killed by Hercules, who, finding
+him stronger when thrown to the earth, lifted him into the air and
+strangled him
+
+Antea, wife of jealous Proetus
+
+Antenor, descendants of, in Italy
+
+Anteros, deity avenging unrequited love, brother of Eros (Cupid)
+
+Anthor, a Greek
+
+Antigone, daughter of Aedipus, Greek ideal of filial and sisterly
+fidelity
+
+Antilochus, son of Nestor
+
+Antiope, Amazonian queen. See Dirce
+
+Anubis, Egyptian god, conductor of the dead to judgment
+
+Apennines
+
+Aphrodite See Venus, Dione, etc.
+
+Apis, Egyptian bull god of Memphis
+
+Apollo, god of music and song
+
+Apollo Belvedere, famous antique statue in Vatican at Rome
+
+Apples of the Hesperides, wedding gifts to Juno, guarded by
+daughters of Atlas and Hesperis, stolen by Atlas for Hercules,
+
+Aquilo, or Boreas, the North Wind,
+
+Aquitaine, ancient province of Southwestern France,
+
+Arachne, a maiden skilled in weaving, changed to a spider by
+Minerva for daring to compete with her,
+
+Arcadia, a country in the middle of Peloponnesus, surrounded on
+all sides by mountains,
+
+Arcady, star of, the Pole star,
+
+Arcas, son of Jupiter and Callisto,
+
+Archer, constellation of the,
+
+Areopagus, court of the, at Athens,
+
+Ares, called Mars by the Romans, the Greek god of war, and one of
+the great Olympian gods,
+
+Arethusa, nymph of Diana, changed to a fountain,
+
+Argius king of Ireland, father of Isoude the Fair,
+
+Argo, builder of the vessel of Jason for the Argonautic
+expedition,
+
+Argolis, city of the Nemean games,
+
+Argonauts, Jason's crew seeking the Golden Fleece,
+
+Argos, a kingdom in Greece,
+
+Argus, of the hundred eyes, guardian of Io,
+
+Ariadne, daughter of King Minos, who helped Theseus slay the
+Minotaur,
+
+Arimanes SEE Ahriman.
+
+Arimaspians, one-eyed people of Syria,
+
+Arion, famous musician, whom sailors cast into the sea to rob him,
+but whose lyric song charmed the dolphins, one of which bore him
+safely to land,
+
+Aristaeus, the bee keeper, in love with Eurydice,
+
+Armorica, another name for Britain,
+
+Arridano, a magical ruffian, slain by Orlando,
+
+Artemis SEE Diana
+
+Arthgallo, brother of Elidure, British king,
+
+Arthur, king in Britain about the 6th century,
+
+Aruns, an Etruscan who killed Camilla,
+
+Asgard, home of the Northern gods,
+
+Ashtaroth, a cruel spirit, called by enchantment to bring Rinaldo
+to death,
+
+Aske, the first man, made from an ash tree,
+
+Astolpho of England, one of Charlemagne's knights,
+
+Astraea, goddess of justice, daughter of Astraeus and Eos,
+
+Astyages, an assailant of Perseus,
+
+Astyanax, son of Hector of Troy, established kingdom of Messina in
+Italy,
+
+Asuias, opponents of the Braminical gods,
+
+Atalanta, beautiful daughter of King of Icaria, loved and won in a
+foot race by Hippomenes,
+
+Ate, the goddess of infatuation, mischief and guilt,
+
+Athamas, son of Aeolus and Enarete, and king of Orchomenus, in
+Boeotia, SEE Ino
+
+Athene, tutelary goddess of Athens, the same as Minerva,
+
+Athens, the capital of Attica, about four miles from the sea,
+between the small rivers Cephissus and Ilissus,
+
+Athor, Egyptian deity, progenitor of Isis and Osiris,
+
+Athos, the mountainous peninsula, also called Acte, which projects
+from Chalcidice in Macedonia,
+
+Atlantes, foster father of Rogero, a powerful magician,
+
+Atlantis, according to an ancient tradition, a great island west
+of the Pillars of Hercules, in the ocean, opposite Mount Atlas,
+
+Atlas, a Titan, who bore the heavens on his shoulders, as
+punishment for opposing the gods, one of the sons of Iapetus,
+
+Atlas, Mount, general name for range in northern Africa,
+
+Atropos, one of the Fates
+
+Attica, a state in ancient Greece,
+
+Audhumbla, the cow from which the giant Ymir was nursed. Her milk
+was frost melted into raindrops,
+
+Augean stables, cleansed by Hercules,
+
+Augeas, king of Elis,
+
+Augustan age, reign of Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar, famed for
+many great authors,
+
+Augustus, the first imperial Caesar, who ruled the Roman Empire 31
+BC--14 AD,
+
+Aulis, port in Boeotia, meeting place of Greek expedition against
+Troy,
+
+Aurora, identical with Eos, goddess of the dawn,
+
+Aurora Borealis, splendid nocturnal luminosity in northern sky,
+called Northern Lights, probably electrical,
+
+Autumn, attendant of Phoebus, the Sun,
+
+Avalon, land of the Blessed, an earthly paradise in the Western
+Seas, burial place of King Arthur,
+
+Avatar, name for any of the earthly incarnations of Vishnu, the
+Preserver (Hindu god),
+
+Aventine, Mount, one of the Seven Hills of Rome,
+
+Avernus, a miasmatic lake close to the promontory between Cumae
+and Puteoli, filling the crater of an extinct volcano, by the
+ancients thought to be the entrance to the infernal regions,
+
+Avicenna, celebrated Arabian physician and philosopher,
+
+Aya, mother of Rinaldo,
+
+Aymon, Duke, father of Rinaldo and Bradamante,
+
+B
+
+Baal, king of Tyre,
+
+Babylonian River, dried up when Phaeton drove the sun chariot,
+
+Bacchanali a, a feast to Bacchus that was permitted to occur but
+once in three years, attended by most shameless orgies,
+
+Bacchanals, devotees and festal dancers of Bacchus,
+
+Bacchus (Dionysus), god of wine and revelry,
+
+Badon, battle of, Arthur's final victory over the Saxons,
+
+Bagdemagus, King, a knight of Arthur's time,
+
+Baldur, son of Odin, and representing in Norse mythology the sun
+god,
+
+Balisardo, Orlando's sword,
+
+Ban, King of Brittany, ally of Arthur, father of Launcelot,
+
+Bards, minstrels of Welsh Druids,
+
+Basilisk SEE Cockatrice
+
+Baucis, wife of Philemon, visited by Jupiter and Mercury,
+
+Bayard, wild horse subdued by Rinaldo,
+
+Beal, Druids' god of life,
+
+Bedivere, Arthur's knight,
+
+Bedver, King Arthur's butler, made governor of Normandy,
+
+Bedwyr, knightly comrade of Geraint,
+
+Belisarda, Rogero's sword,
+
+Bellerophon, demigod, conqueror of the Chimaera,
+
+Bellona, the Roman goddess of war, represented as the sister or
+wife of Mars,
+
+Beltane, Druidical fire festival,
+
+Belus, son of Poseidon (Neptune) and Libya or Eurynome, twin
+brother of Agenor,
+
+Bendigeid Vran, King of Britain,
+
+Beowulf, hero and king of the Swedish Geats,
+
+Beroe, nurse of Semele,
+
+Bertha, mother of Orlando,
+
+Bifrost, rainbow bridge between the earth and Asgard
+
+Bladud, inventor, builder of the city of Bath,
+
+Blamor, a knight of Arthur,
+
+Bleoberis, a knight of Arthur,
+
+Boeotia, state in ancient Greece, capital city Thebes,
+
+Bohort, King, a knight of Arthur,
+
+Bona Dea, a Roman divinity of fertility,
+
+Bootes, also called Areas, son of Jupiter and Calisto, changed to
+constellation of Ursa Major,
+
+Boreas, North wind, son of Aeolus and Aurora,
+
+Bosporus (Bosphorus), the Cow-ford, named for Io, when as a heifer
+she crossed that strait,
+
+Bradamante, sister to Rinaldo, a female warrior,
+
+Brademagus, King, father of Sir Maleagans,
+
+Bragi, Norse god of poetry,
+
+Brahma, the Creator, chief god of Hindu religion,
+
+Branwen, daughter of Llyr, King of Britain, wife of Mathclch,
+
+Breciliande, forest of, where Vivian enticed Merlin,
+
+Brengwain, maid of Isoude the Fair
+
+Brennus, son of Molmutius, went to Gaul, became King of the
+Allobroges,
+
+Breuse, the Pitiless, a caitiff knight,
+
+Briareus, hundred armed giant,
+
+Brice, Bishop, sustainer of Arthur when elected king,
+
+Brigliadoro, Orlando's horse,
+
+Briseis, captive maid belonging to Achilles,
+
+Britto, reputed ancestor of British people,
+
+Bruhier, Sultan of Arabia,
+
+Brunello, dwarf, thief, and king
+
+Brunhild, leader of the Valkyrie,
+
+Brutus, great grandson of Aeneas, and founder of city of New Troy
+(London), SEE Pandrasus
+
+Bryan, Sir, a knight of Arthur,
+
+Buddha, called The Enlightened, reformer of Brahmanism, deified
+teacher of self abnegation, virtue, reincarnation, Karma
+(inevitable sequence of every act), and Nirvana (beatific
+absorption into the Divine), lived about
+
+Byblos, in Egypt,
+
+Byrsa, original site of Carthage,
+
+C
+
+Cacus, gigantic son of Vulcan, slain by Hercules, whose captured
+cattle he stole,
+
+Cadmus, son of Agenor, king of Phoenicia, and of Telephassa, and
+brother of Europa, who, seeking his sister, carried off by
+Jupiter, had strange adventures--sowing in the ground teeth of a
+dragon he had killed, which sprang up armed men who slew each
+other, all but five, who helped Cadmus to found the city of
+Thebes,
+
+Caduceus, Mercury's staff,
+
+Cadwallo, King of Venedotia (North Wales),
+
+Caerleon, traditional seat of Arthur's court,
+
+Caesar, Julius, Roman lawyer, general, statesman and author,
+conquered and consolidated Roman territory, making possible the
+Empire,
+
+Caicus, a Greek river,
+
+Cairns, Druidical store piles,
+
+Calais, French town facing England,
+
+Calchas, wisest soothsayer among the Greeks at Troy,
+
+Caliburn, a sword of Arthur,
+
+Calliope, one of the nine Muses
+
+Callisto, an Arcadian nymph, mother of Arcas (SEE Bootes), changed
+by Jupiter to constellation Ursa Minor,
+
+Calpe, a mountain in the south of Spain, on the strait between the
+Atlantic and Mediterranean, now Rock of Gibraltar,
+
+Calydon, home of Meleager,
+
+Calypso, queen of Island of Ogyia, where Ulysses was wrecked and
+held seven years,
+
+Camber, son of Brutus, governor of West Albion (Wales),
+
+Camelot, legendary place in England where Arthur's court and
+palace were located,
+
+Camenae, prophetic nymphs, belonging to the religion of ancient
+Italy,
+
+Camilla, Volscian maiden, huntress and Amazonian warrior, favorite
+of Diana,
+
+Camlan, battle of, where Arthur was mortally wounded,
+
+Canterbury, English city,
+
+Capaneus, husband of Evadne, slain by Jupiter for disobedience,
+
+Capet, Hugh, King of France (987-996 AD),
+
+Caradoc Briefbras, Sir, great nephew of King Arthur,
+
+Carahue, King of Mauretania,
+
+Carthage, African city, home of Dido
+
+Cassandra, daughter of Priam and Hecuba, and twin sister of
+Helenus, a prophetess, who foretold the coming of the Greeks but
+was not believed,
+
+Cassibellaunus, British chieftain, fought but not conquered by
+Caesar,
+
+Cassiopeia, mother of Andromeda,
+
+Castalia, fountain of Parnassus, giving inspiration to Oracular
+priestess named Pythia,
+
+Castalian Cave, oracle of Apollo,
+
+Castes (India),
+
+Castor and Pollux--the Dioscuri, sons of Jupiter and Leda,--
+Castor a horseman, Pollux a boxer (SEE Gemini),
+
+Caucasus, Mount
+
+Cavall, Arthur's favorite dog,
+
+Cayster, ancient river,
+
+Cebriones, Hector's charioteer,
+
+Cecrops, first king of Athens,
+
+Celestials, gods of classic mythology,
+
+Celeus, shepherd who sheltered Ceres, seeking Proserpine, and
+whose infant son Triptolemus was in gratitude made great by Ceres,
+
+Cellini, Benvenuto, famous Italian sculptor and artificer in
+metals,
+
+Celtic nations, ancient Gauls and Britons, modern Bretons, Welsh,
+Irish and Gaelic Scotch,
+
+Centaurs, originally an ancient race, inhabiting Mount Pelion in
+Thessaly, in later accounts represented as half horses and half
+men, and said to have been the offspring of Ixion and a cloud,
+
+Cephalus, husband of beautiful but jealous Procris,
+
+Cephe us, King of Ethiopians, father of Andromeda,
+
+Cephisus, a Grecian stream,
+
+Cerberus, three-headed dog that guarded the entrance to Hades,
+called a son of Typhaon and Echidna
+
+CERES (See Demeter)
+
+CESTUS, the girdle of Venus
+
+CEYX, King of Thessaly (See Halcyone)
+
+CHAOS, original Confusion, personified by Greeks as most ancient
+of the gods
+
+CHARLEMAGNE, king of the Franks and emperor of the Romans
+
+CHARLES MARTEL', king of the Franks, grandfather of Charlemagne,
+called Martel (the Hammer) from his defeat of the Saracens at
+Tours
+
+CHARLOT, son of Charlemagne
+
+CHARON, son of Erebos, conveyed in his boat the shades of the dead
+across the rivers of the lower world
+
+CHARYB'DIS, whirlpool near the coast of Sicily, See Scylla
+
+CHIMAERA, a fire breathing monster, the fore part of whose body
+was that of a lion, the hind part that of a dragon, and the middle
+that of a goat, slain by Bellerophon
+
+CHINA, Lamas (priests) of
+
+CHOS, island in the Grecian archipelago
+
+CHIRON, wisest of all the Centaurs, son of Cronos (Saturn) and
+Philyra, lived on Mount Pelion, instructor of Grecian heroes
+
+CHRYSEIS, Trojan maid, taken by Agamemnon
+
+CHRYSES, priest of Apollo, father of Chryseis
+
+CICONIANS, inhabitants of Ismarus, visited by Ulysses
+
+CIMBRI, an ancient people of Central Europe
+
+Cimmeria, a land of darkness
+
+Cimon, Athenian general
+
+Circe, sorceress, sister of Aeetes
+
+Cithaeron, Mount, scene of Bacchic worship
+
+Clarimunda, wife of Huon
+
+Clio, one of the Muses
+
+Cloridan, a Moor
+
+Clotho, one of the Fates
+
+Clymene, an ocean nymph
+
+Clytemnestra, wife of Agamemnon, killed by Orestes
+
+Clytie, a water nymph, in love with Apollo
+
+Cnidos, ancient city of Asia Minor, seat of worship of Aphrodite
+(Venus)
+
+Cockatrice (or Basilisk), called King of Serpents, supposed to
+kill with its look
+
+Cocytus, a river of Hades
+
+Colchis, a kingdom east of the Black Sea
+
+Colophon, one of the seven cities claiming the birth of Homer
+
+Columba, St, an Irish Christian missionary to Druidical parts of
+Scotland
+
+Conan, Welsh king
+
+Constantine, Greek emperor
+
+Cordeilla, daughter of the mythical King Leir
+
+Corineus, a Trojan warrior in Albion
+
+Cornwall, southwest part of Britain
+
+Cortana, Ogier's sword
+
+Corybantes, priests of Cybele, or Rhea, in Phrygia, who
+celebrated her worship with dances, to the sound of the drum and
+the cymbal, 143
+
+Crab, constellation
+
+Cranes and their enemies, the Pygmies, of Ibycus
+
+Creon, king of Thebes
+
+Crete, one of the largest islands of the Mediterranean Sea, lying
+south of the Cyclades
+
+Creusa, daughter of Priam, wife of Aeneas
+
+Crocale, a nymph of Diana
+
+Cromlech, Druidical altar
+
+Cronos, See Saturn
+
+Crotona, city of Italy
+
+Cuchulain, Irish hero, called the "Hound of Ireland,"
+
+Culdees', followers of St. Columba, Cumaean Sibyl, seeress
+of Cumae, consulted by Aeneas, sold Sibylline books to Tarquin
+
+Cupid, child of Venus and god of love
+
+Curoi of Kerry, wise man
+
+Cyane, river, opposed Pluto's passage to Hades
+
+Cybele (Rhea)
+
+Cyclopes, creatures with circular eyes, of whom Homer speaks as a
+gigantic and lawless race of shepherds in Sicily, who devoured
+human beings, they helped Vulcan to forge the thunderbolts of Zeus
+under Aetna
+
+Cymbeline, king of ancient Britain
+
+Cynosure (Dog's tail), the Pole star, at tail of Constellation
+Ursa Minor
+
+Cynthian mountain top, birthplace of Artemis (Diana) and Apollo
+
+Cyprus, island off the coast of Syria, sacred to Aphrodite
+
+Cyrene, a nymph, mother of Aristaeus
+
+Daedalus, architect of the Cretan Labyrinth, inventor of sails
+
+Daguenet, King Arthur's fool
+
+Dalai Lama, chief pontiff of Thibet
+
+Danae, mother of Perseus by Jupiter
+
+Danaides, the fifty daughters of Danaus, king of Argos, who were
+betrothed to the fifty sons of Aegyptus, but were commanded by
+their father to slay each her own husband on the marriage night
+
+Danaus (See Danaides)
+
+Daphne, maiden loved by Apollo, and changed into a laurel tree
+
+Dardanelles, ancient Hellespont
+
+Dardanus, progenitor of the Trojan kings
+
+Dardinel, prince of Zumara
+
+Dawn, See Aurora
+
+Day, an attendant on Phoebus, the Sun
+
+Day star (Hesperus)
+
+Death, See Hela
+
+Deiphobus, son of Priam and Hecuba, the bravest brother of Paris
+
+Dejanira, wife of Hercules
+
+Delos, floating island, birthplace of Apollo and Diana
+
+Delphi, shrine of Apollo, famed for its oracles
+
+Demeter, Greek goddess of marriage and human fertility, identified
+by Romans with Ceres
+
+Demeha, South Wales
+
+Demodocus, bard of Alomous, king of the Phaeaeians
+
+Deucalion, king of Thessaly, who with his wife Pyrrha were the
+only pair surviving a deluge sent by Zeus
+
+Dia, island of
+
+Diana (Artemis), goddess of the moon and of the chase, daughter of
+Jupiter and Latona
+
+Diana of the Hind, antique sculpture in the Louvre, Paris
+
+Diana, temple of
+
+Dictys, a sailor
+
+Didier, king of the Lombards
+
+Dido, queen of Tyre and Carthage, entertained the shipwrecked
+Aeneas
+
+Diomede, Greek hero during Trojan War
+
+Dione, female Titan, mother of Zeus, of Aphrodite (Venus)
+
+Dionysus See Bacchus
+
+Dioscuri, the Twins (See Castor and Pollux)
+
+Dirce, wife of Lycus, king of Thebes, who ordered Amphion and
+Zethus to tie Antiope to a wild bull, but they, learning Antiope
+to be their mother, so treated Dirce herself
+
+Dis See Pluto
+
+Discord, apple of, See Eris.
+
+Discordia, See Eris.
+
+Dodona, site of an oracle of Zeus (Jupiter)
+
+Dorceus, a dog of Diana
+
+Doris, wife of Nereus
+
+Dragon's teeth sown by Cadmus
+
+Druids, ancient Celtic priests
+
+Dryades (or Dryads), See Wood nymphs
+
+Dryope, changed to a lotus plant, for plucking a lotus--enchanted
+form of the nymph Lotis
+
+Dubricius, bishop of Caerleon,
+
+Dudon, a knight, comrade of Astolpho,
+
+Dunwallo Molmu'tius, British king and lawgiver
+
+Durindana, sword of Orlando or Rinaldo
+
+Dwarfs in Wagner's Nibelungen Ring
+
+E
+
+Earth (Gaea); goddess of the
+
+Ebudians, the
+
+Echo, nymph of Diana, shunned by Narcissus, faded to nothing but a
+voice
+
+Ecklenlied, the
+
+Eddas, Norse mythological records,
+
+Ederyn, son of Nudd
+
+Egena, nymph of the Fountain
+
+Eisteddfod, session of Welsh bards and minstrels
+
+Electra, the lost one of the Pleiades, also, sister of Orestes
+
+Eleusian Mysteries, instituted by Ceres, and calculated to awaken
+feelings of piety and a cheerful hope of better life in the future
+
+Eleusis, Grecian city
+
+Elgin Marbles, Greek sculptures from the Parthenon of Athens, now
+in British Museum, London, placed there by Lord Elgin
+
+Eliaures, enchanter
+
+Elidure, a king of Britain
+
+Elis, ancient Greek city
+
+Elli, old age; the one successful wrestler against Thor
+
+Elphin, son of Gwyddiro
+
+Elves, spiritual beings, of many powers and dispositions--some
+evil, some good
+
+Elvidnir, the ball of Hela
+
+Elysian Fields, the land of the blest
+
+Elysian Plain, whither the favored of the gods were taken without
+death
+
+Elysium, a happy land, where there is neither snow, nor cold, nor
+ram. Hither favored heroes, like Menelaus, pass without dying, and
+live happy under the rule of Rhadamanthus. In the Latin poets
+Elysium is part of the lower world, and the residence of the
+shades of the blessed
+
+Embla, the first woman
+
+Enseladus, giant defeated by Jupiter
+
+Endymion, a beautiful youth beloved by Diana
+
+Enid, wife of Geraint
+
+Enna, vale of home of Proserpine
+
+Enoch, the patriarch
+
+Epidaurus, a town in Argolis, on the Saronic gulf, chief seat of
+the worship of Aeculapius, whose temple was situated near the town
+
+Epimetheus, son of Iapetus, husband of Pandora, with his brother
+Prometheus took part in creation of man
+
+Epirus, country to the west of Thessaly, lying along the Adriatic
+Sea
+
+Epopeus, a sailor
+
+Erato, one of the Muses
+
+Erbin of Cornwall, father of Geraint
+
+Erebus, son of Chaos, region of darkness, entrance to Hades
+
+Eridanus, river
+
+Erinys, one of the Furies
+
+Eriphyle, sister of Polynices, bribed to decide on war, in which
+her husband was slain
+
+Eris (Discordia), goddess of discord. At the wedding of Peleus and
+Thetis, Eris being uninvited threw into the gathering an apple
+"For the Fairest," which was claimed by Hera (Juno), Aphrodite
+(Venus) and Athena (Minerva) Paris, being called upon for
+judgment, awarded it to Aphrodite
+
+Erisichthon, an unbeliever, punished by famine
+
+Eros See Cupid
+
+Erytheia, island
+
+Eryx, a mount, haunt of Venus
+
+Esepus, river in Paphlagonia
+
+Estrildis, wife of Locrine, supplanting divorced Guendolen
+
+Eteocles, son of Oeipus and Jocasta
+
+Etruscans, ancient people of Italy,
+
+Etzel, king of the Huns
+
+Euboic Sea, where Hercules threw Lichas, who brought him the
+poisoned shirt of Nessus
+
+Eude, king of Aquitaine, ally of Charles Martel
+
+Eumaeus, swineherd of Aeeas
+
+Eumenides, also called Erinnyes, and by the Romans Furiae or
+Diraae, the Avenging Deities, See Furies
+
+Euphorbus, a Trojan, killed by Menelaus
+
+Euphros'yne, one of the Graces
+
+Europa, daughter of the Phoenician king Agenor, by Zeus the mother
+of Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Sarpedon
+
+Eurus, the East wind
+
+Euyalus, a gallant Trojan soldier, who with Nisus entered the
+Grecian camp, both being slain,
+
+Eurydice, wife of Orpheus, who, fleeing from an admirer, was
+killed by a snake and borne to Tartarus, where Orpheus sought her
+and was permitted to bring her to earth if he would not look back
+at her following him, but he did, and she returned to the Shades,
+
+Eurylochus, a companion of Ulysses,
+
+Eurynome, female Titan, wife of Ophlon
+
+Eurystheus, taskmaster of Hercules,
+
+Eurytion, a Centaur (See Hippodamia),
+
+Euterpe, Muse who presided over music,
+
+Evadne, wife of Capaneus, who flung herself upon his funeral pile
+and perished with him
+
+Evander, Arcadian chief, befriending Aeneas in Italy,
+
+Evnissyen, quarrelsome brother of Branwen,
+
+Excalibar, sword of King Arthur,
+
+F
+
+Fafner, a giant turned dragon, treasure stealer, by the Solar
+Theory simply the Darkness who steals the day,
+
+Falerina, an enchantress,
+
+Fasolt, a giant, brother of Fafner, and killed by him,
+
+"Fasti," Ovid's, a mythological poetic calendar,
+
+FATA MORGANA, a mirage
+
+FATES, the three, described as daughters of Night--to indicate the
+darkness and obscurity of human destiny--or of Zeus and Themis,
+that is, "daughters of the just heavens" they were Clo'tho, who
+spun the thread of life, Lach'esis, who held the thread and fixed
+its length and At'ropos, who cut it off
+
+FAUNS, cheerful sylvan deities, represented in human form, with
+small horns, pointed ears, and sometimes goat's tail
+
+FAUNUS, son of Picus, grandson of Saturnus, and father of Latinus,
+worshipped as the protecting deity of agriculture and of
+shepherds, and also as a giver of oracles
+
+FAVONIUS, the West wind
+
+FEAR
+
+FENRIS, a wolf, the son of Loki the Evil Principle of Scandinavia,
+supposed to have personated the element of fire, destructive
+except when chained
+
+FENSALIR, Freya's palace, called the Hall of the Sea, where were
+brought together lovers, husbands, and wives who had been
+separated by death
+
+FERRAGUS, a giant, opponent of Orlando
+
+FERRAU, one of Charlemagne's knights
+
+FERREX. brother of Porrex, the two sons of Leir
+
+FIRE WORSHIPPERS, of ancient Persia, See Parsees FLOLLO, Roman
+tribune in Gaul
+
+FLORA, Roman goddess of flowers and spring
+
+FLORDELIS, fair maiden beloved by Florismart
+
+FLORISMART, Sir, a brave knight,
+
+FLOSSHILDA, one of the Rhine daughters
+
+FORTUNATE FIELDS
+
+FORTUNATE ISLANDS (See Elysian Plain)
+
+FORUM, market place and open square for public meetings in Rome,
+surrounded by court houses, palaces, temples, etc
+
+FRANCUS, son of Histion, grandson of Japhet, great grandson of
+Noah, legendary ancestor of the Franks, or French
+
+FREKI, one of Odin's two wolves
+
+FREY, or Freyr, god of the sun
+
+FREYA, Norse goddess of music, spring, and flowers
+
+FRICKA, goddess of marriage
+
+FRIGGA, goddess who presided over smiling nature, sending
+sunshine, rain, and harvest
+
+FROH, one of the Norse gods
+
+FRONTI'NO, Rogero's horse
+
+FURIES (Erinnyes), the three retributive spirits who punished
+crime, represented as snaky haired old woman, named Alecto,
+Megaeira, and Tisiphone
+
+FUSBERTA, Rinaldo's sword
+
+G
+
+GAEA, or Ge, called Tellus by the Romans, the personification of
+the earth, described as the first being that sprang fiom Chaos,
+and gave birth to Uranus (Heaven) and Pontus (Sea)
+
+GAHARIET, knight of Arthur's court
+
+GAHERIS, knight
+
+GALAFRON, King of Cathay, father of Angelica
+
+GALAHAD, Sir, the pure knight of Arthur's Round Table, who safely
+took the Siege Perilous (which See)
+
+GALATEA, a Nereid or sea nymph
+
+GALATEA, statue carved and beloved by Pygmalion
+
+GALEN, Greek physician and philosophical writer
+
+GALLEHANT, King of the Marches
+
+GAMES, national athletic contests in Greece--Olympian, at Olympia,
+Pythian, near Delphi, seat of Apollo's oracle, Isthmian, on the
+Corinthian Isthmus, Nemean, at Nemea in Argolis
+
+GAN, treacherous Duke of Maganza
+
+GANELON of Mayence, one of Charlemagne's knights
+
+GANGES, river in India
+
+GANO, a peer of Charlemagne
+
+GANYMEDE, the most beautiful of all mortals, carried off to
+Olympus that he might fill the cup of Zeus and live among the
+immortal gods
+
+GARETH, Arthur's knight
+
+GAUDISSO, Sultan
+
+GAUL, ancient France
+
+GAUTAMA, Prince, the Buddha
+
+GAWAIN, Arthur's knight
+
+GAWL, son of Clud, suitor for Rhiannon
+
+GEMINI (See Castor), constellation created by Jupiter from the
+twin brothers after death, 158
+
+GENGHIS Khan, Tartar conqueror
+
+GENIUS, in Roman belief, the protective Spirit of each individual
+man, See Juno
+
+GEOFFREY OF MON'MOUTH, translator into Latin of the Welsh History
+of the Kings of Britain (1150)
+
+GERAINT, a knight of King Arthur
+
+GERDA, wife of Frey
+
+GERI, one of Odin's two wolves
+
+GERYON, a three bodied monster
+
+GESNES, navigator sent for Isoude the Fair
+
+GIALLAR HORN, the trumpet that Heimdal will blow at the judgment
+day
+
+GIANTS, beings of monstrous size and of fearful countenances,
+represented as in constant opposition to the gods, in Wagner's
+Nibelungen Ring
+
+GIBICHUNG RACE, ancestors of Alberich
+
+GIBRALTAR, great rock and town at southwest corner of Spain (See
+Pillars of Hercules)
+
+GILDAS, a scholar of Arthur's court
+
+GIRARD, son of Duke Sevinus
+
+GLASTONBURY, where Arthur died
+
+GLAUCUS, a fisherman, loving Scylla
+
+GLEIPNIR, magical chain on the wolf Fenris
+
+GLEWLWYD, Arthur's porter
+
+GOLDEN FLEECE, of ram used for escape of children of Athamas,
+named Helle and Phryxus (which See), after sacrifice of ram to
+Jupiter, fleece was guarded by sleepless dragon and gained by
+Jason and Argonauts (which See, also Helle)
+
+GONERIL, daughter of Leir
+
+GORDIAN KNOT, tying up in temple the wagon of Gordius, he who
+could untie it being destined to be lord of Asia, it was cut by
+Alexander the Great, 48
+
+Gordius, a countryman who, arriving in Phrygia in a wagon, was
+made king by the people, thus interpreting an oracle, 48
+
+Gorgons, three monstrous females, with huge teeth, brazen claws
+and snakes for hair, sight of whom turned beholders to stone,
+Medusa, the most famous, slain by Perseus
+
+Gorlois, Duke of Tintadel
+
+Gouvernail, squire of Isabella, queen of Lionesse, protector of
+her son Tristram while young, and his squire in knighthood
+
+Graal, the Holy, cup from which the Saviour drank at Last Supper,
+taken by Joseph of Arimathea to Europe, and lost, its recovery
+becoming a sacred quest for Arthur's knights
+
+Graces, three goddesses who enhanced the enjoyments of life by
+refinement and gentleness; they were Aglaia (brilliance),
+Euphrosyne (joy), and Thalia (bloom)
+
+Gradas'so, king of Sericane
+
+Graeae, three gray haired female watchers for the Gorgons, with
+one movable eye and one tooth between the three
+
+Grand Lama, Buddhist pontiff in Thibet
+
+Grendel, monster slain by Beowulf
+
+Gryphon (griffin), a fabulous animal, with the body of a lion and
+the head and wings of an eagle, dwelling in the Rhipaean
+mountains, between the Hyperboreans and the one eyed Arimaspians,
+and guarding the gold of the North,
+
+Guebers, Persian fire worshippers,
+
+Guendolen, wife of Locrine,
+
+Guenevere, wife of King Arthur, beloved by Launcelot,
+
+Guerin, lord of Vienne, father of Oliver,
+
+Guiderius, son of Cymbeline,
+
+Guillamurius, king in Ireland,
+
+Guimier, betrothed of Caradoc,
+
+Gullinbursti, the boar drawing Frey's car,
+
+Gulltopp, Heimdell's horse,
+
+Gunfasius, King of the Orkneys,
+
+Ganther, Burgundian king, brother of Kriemhild,
+
+Gutrune, half sister to Hagen,
+
+Gwern son of Matholch and Branwen,
+
+Gwernach the Giant,
+
+Gwiffert Petit, ally of Geraint,
+
+Gwyddno, Garanhir, King of Gwaelod,
+
+Gwyr, judge in the court of Arthur,
+
+Gyoll, river,
+
+H
+
+Hades, originally the god of the nether world--the name later
+used to designate the gloomy subterranean land of the dead,
+
+Haemon, son of Creon of Thebes, and lover of Antigone,
+
+Haemonian city,
+
+Haemus, Mount, northern boundary of Thrace,
+
+Hagan, a principal character in the Nibelungen Lied, slayer of
+Siegfried,
+
+HALCYONE, daughter of Aeneas, and the beloved wife of Ceyx, who,
+when he was drowned, flew to his floating body, and the pitying
+gods changed them both to birds (kingfishers), who nest at sea
+during a certain calm week in winter ("halcyon weather")
+
+HAMADRYADS, tree-nymphs or wood-nymphs, See Nymphs
+
+HARMONIA, daughter of Mars and Venus, wife of Cadmus
+
+HAROUN AL RASCHID, Caliph of Arabia, contemporary of Charlemagne
+
+HARPIES, monsters, with head and bust of woman, but wings, legs
+and tail of birds, seizing souls of the wicked, or punishing
+evildoers by greedily snatching or defiling their food
+
+HARPOCRATES, Egyptian god, Horus
+
+HEBE, daughter of Juno, cupbearer to the gods
+
+HEBRUS, ancient name of river Maritzka
+
+HECATE, a mighty and formidable divinity, supposed to send at
+night all kinds of demons and terrible phantoms from the lower
+world
+
+HECTOR, son of Priam and champion of Troy
+
+HECTOR, one of Arthur's knights
+
+HECTOR DE MARYS', a knight
+
+HECUBA, wife of Priam, king of Troy, to whom she bore Hector,
+Paris, and many other children
+
+HEGIRA, flight of Mahomet from Mecca to Medina (622 AD), era from
+which Mahometans reckon time, as we do from the birth of Christ
+
+HEIDRUN, she goat, furnishing mead for slain heroes in Valhalla
+
+HEIMDALL, watchman of the gods
+
+HEL, the lower world of Scandinavia, to which were consigned those
+who had not died in battle
+
+HELA (Death), the daughter of Loki and the mistress of the
+Scandinavian Hel
+
+HELEN, daughter of Jupiter and Leda, wife of Menelaus, carried
+off by Paris and cause of the Trojan War
+
+HELENUS, son of Priam and Hecuba, celebrated for his prophetic
+powers
+
+HELIADES, sisters of Phaeton
+
+HELICON, Mount, in Greece, residence of Apollo and the Muses,
+with fountains of poetic inspiration, Aganippe and Hippocrene
+
+HELIOOPOLIS, city of the Sun, in Egypt
+
+HELLAS, Gieece
+
+HELLE, daughter of Thessalian King Athamas, who, escaping from
+cruel father with her brother Phryxus, on ram with golden fleece,
+fell into the sea strait since named for her (See Golden Fleece)
+
+HELLESPONt, narrow strait between Europe and Asia Minor, named for
+Helle
+
+HENGIST, Saxon invader of Britain, 449 AD
+
+HEPHAESTOS, See VULCAN
+
+HERA, called Juno by the Romans, a daughter of Cronos (Saturn)
+and Rhea, and sister and wife of Jupiter, See JUNO
+
+HERCULES, athletic hero, son of Jupiter and Alcmena, achieved
+twelve vast labors and many famous deeds
+
+HEREWARD THE WAKE, hero of the Saxons
+
+HERMES (Mercury), messenger of the gods, deity of commerce,
+science, eloquence, trickery, theft, and skill generally
+
+HERMIONE, daughter of Menelaus and Helen
+
+HERMOD, the nimble, son of Odin
+
+HERO, a priestess of Venus, beloved of Leander
+
+HERODOTUS, Greek historian
+
+HESIOD, Greek poet
+
+HESPERIA, ancient name for Italy
+
+HESPERIDES (See Apples of the Hesperides)
+
+HESPERUS, the evening star (also called Day Star)
+
+HESTIA, cilled Vesta by the Romans, the goddess of the hearth
+
+HILDEBRAND, German magician and champion
+
+HINDU TRIAD, Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva
+
+HIPPOCRENE (See Helicon)
+
+HIPPODAMIA, wife of Pirithous, at whose wedding the Centaurs
+offered violence to the bride, causing a great battle
+
+HIPPOGRIFF, winged horse, with eagle's head and claws
+
+HIPPOLYTA, Queen of the Amazons
+
+Hippolytus, son of Thesus
+
+HIPPOMENES, who won Atalanta in foot race, beguiling her with
+golden apples thrown for her to
+
+HISTION, son of Japhet
+
+HODUR, blind man, who, fooled by
+
+Loki, threw a mistletoe twig at Baldur, killing him
+
+HOEL, king of Brittany
+
+HOMER, the blind poet of Greece, about 850 B C
+
+HOPE (See PANDORA)
+
+HORAE See HOURS
+
+HORSA, with Hengist, invader of Britain
+
+HORUS, Egyptian god of the sun
+
+HOUDAIN, Tristram's dog
+
+HRINGHAM, Baldur's ship
+
+HROTHGAR, king of Denmark
+
+HUGI, who beat Thialfi in foot races
+
+HUGIN, one of Odin's two ravens
+
+HUNDING, husband of Sieglinda
+
+HUON, son of Duke Sevinus
+
+HYACINTHUS, a youth beloved by Apollo, and accidentally killed by
+him, changed in death to the flower, hyacinth
+
+HYADES, Nysaean nymphs, nurses of infant Bacchus, rewarded by
+being placed as cluster of stars in the heavens
+
+HYALE, a nymph of Diana
+
+HYDRA, nine headed monster slain by Hercules
+
+HYGEIA, goddess of health, daughter of Aesculapius
+
+HYLAS, a youth detained by nymphs of spring where he sought water
+
+HYMEN, the god of marriage, imagined as a handsome youth and
+invoked in bridal songs
+
+HYMETTUS, mountain in Attica, near Athens, celebrated for its
+marble and its honey
+
+HYPERBOREANS, people of the far North
+
+HYPERION, a Titan, son of Uranus and Ge, and father of Helios,
+Selene, and Eos, cattle of,
+
+Hyrcania, Prince of, betrothed to Clarimunda
+
+Hyrieus, king in Greece,
+
+I
+
+Iapetus, a Titan, son of Uranus and Ge, and father of Atlas,
+Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Menoetius,
+
+Iasius, father of Atalanta
+
+Ibycus, a poet, story of, and the cranes
+
+Icaria, island of the Aegean Sea, one of the Sporades
+
+Icarius, Spartan prince, father of Penelope
+
+Icarus, son of Daedalus, he flew too near the sun with artificial
+wings, and, the wax melting, he fell into the sea
+
+Icelos, attendant of Morpheus
+
+Icolumkill SEE Iona
+
+Ida, Mount, a Trojan hill
+
+Idaeus, a Trojan herald
+
+Idas, son of Aphareus and Arene, and brother of Lynceus Idu'na,
+wife of Bragi
+
+Igerne, wife of Gorlois, and mother, by Uther, of Arthur
+
+Iliad, epic poem of the Trojan War, by Homer
+
+Ilioheus, a son of Niobe
+
+Ilium SEE Troy
+
+Illyria, Adriatic countries north of Greece
+
+Imogen, daughter of Pandrasus, wife of Trojan Brutus
+
+Inachus, son of Oceanus and Tethys, and father of Phoroneus and
+Io, also first king of Argos, and said to have given his name to
+the river Inachus
+
+INCUBUS, an evil spirit, supposed to lie upon persons in their
+sleep
+
+INDRA, Hindu god of heaven, thunder, lightning, storm and rain
+
+INO, wife of Athamas, fleeing from whom with infant son she sprang
+into the sea and was changed to Leucothea
+
+IO, changed to a heifer by Jupiter
+
+IOBATES, King of Lycia
+
+IOLAUS, servant of Hercules
+
+IOLE, sister of Dryope
+
+IONA, or Icolmkill, a small northern island near Scotland, where
+St Columba founded a missionary monastery (563 AD)
+
+IONIA, coast of Asia Minor
+
+IPHIGENIA, daughter of Agamemnon, offered as a sacrifice but
+carried away by Diana
+
+IPHIS, died for love of Anaxarete, 78
+
+IPHITAS, friend of Hercules, killed by him
+
+IRIS, goddess of the rainbow, messenger of Juno and Zeus
+
+IRONSIDE, Arthur's knight
+
+ISABELLA, daughter of king of Galicia
+
+ISIS, wife of Osiris, described as the giver of death
+
+ISLES OF THE BLESSED
+
+ISMARUS, first stop of Ulysses, returning from Trojan War
+ISME'NOS, a son of Niobe, slain by Apollo
+
+ISOLIER, friend of Rinaldo
+
+ISOUDE THE FAIR, beloved of Tristram
+
+ISOUDE OF THE WHITE HANDS, married to Tristram
+
+ISTHMIAN GAMES, See GAMES
+
+ITHACA, home of Ulysses and Penelope
+
+IULUS, son of Aeneas
+
+IVO, Saracen king, befriending Rinaldo
+
+IXION, once a sovereign of Thessaly, sentenced in Tartarus to be
+lashed with serpents to a wheel which a strong wind drove
+continually around
+
+J
+
+JANICULUM, Roman fortress on the Janiculus, a hill on the other
+side of the Tiber
+
+JANUS, a deity from the earliest times held in high estimation by
+the Romans, temple of
+
+JAPHET (Iapetus)
+
+JASON, leader of the Argonauts, seeking the Golden Fleece
+
+JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA, who bore the Holy Graal to Europe
+
+JOTUNHEIM, home of the giants in Northern mythology
+
+JOVE (Zeus), chief god of Roman and Grecian mythology, See JUPITER
+
+JOYOUS GARDE, residence of Sir Launcelot of the Lake
+
+JUGGERNAUT, Hindu deity
+
+JUNO, the particular guardian spirit of each woman (See Genius)
+
+JUNO, wife of Jupiter, queen of the gods
+
+JUPITER, JOVIS PATER, FATHER JOVE, JUPITER and JOVE used
+interchangeably, at Dodona, statue of the Olympian
+
+JUPITER AMMON (See Ammon)
+
+JUPITER CAPITOLINUS, temple of, preserving the Sibylline books
+
+JUSTICE, See THEMIS
+
+K
+
+KADYRIATH, advises King Arthur
+
+KAI, son of Kyner
+
+KALKI, tenth avatar of Vishnu
+
+KAY, Arthur's steward and a knight
+
+KEDALION, guide of Orion
+
+KERMAN, desert of
+
+KICVA, daughter of Gwynn Gloy
+
+KILWICH, son of Kilydd
+
+KILYDD, son of Prince Kelyddon, of Wales
+
+KNEPH, spirit or breath
+
+KNIGHTS, training and life of
+
+KRIEMHILD, wife of Siegfried
+
+KRISHNA, eighth avatar of Vishnu, Hindu deity of fertility in
+nature and mankind
+
+KYNER, father of Kav
+
+KYNON, son of Clydno
+
+L
+
+LABYRINTH, the enclosed maze of passageways where roamed the
+Minotaur of Crete, killed by Theseus with aid of Ariadne
+
+LACHESIS, one of the Fates (which See)
+
+LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN, tale told by Kynon
+
+LAERTES, father of Ulysses
+
+LAESTRYGONIANS, savages attacking Ulysses
+
+LAIUS, King of Thebes
+
+LAMA, holy man of Thibet
+
+LAMPETIA, daughter of Hyperion LAOC'OON, a priest of Neptune, in
+Troy, who warned the Trojans against the Wooden Horse (which See),
+but when two serpents came out of the sea and strangled him and
+his two sons, the people listened to the Greek spy Sinon, and
+brought the fatal Horse into the town
+
+LAODAMIA, daughter of Acastus and wife of Protesilaus
+
+LAODEGAN, King of Carmalide, helped by Arthur and Merlin
+
+LAOMEDON, King of Troy
+
+LAPITHAE, Thessalonians, whose king had invited the Centaurs to
+his daughter's wedding but who attacked them for offering violence
+to the bride
+
+LARES, household deities
+
+LARKSPUR, flower from the blood of Ajax
+
+LATINUS, ruler of Latium, where Aeneas landed in Italy
+
+LATMOS, Mount, where Diana fell in love with Endymion
+
+LATONA, mother of Apollo
+
+LAUNCELOT, the most famous knight of the Round Table
+
+LAUSUS, son of Mezentius, killed by Aeneas
+
+LAVINIA, daughter of Latinus and wife of Aeneas
+
+LAVINIUM, Italian city named for Lavinia
+
+LAW, See THEMIS
+
+LEANDER, a youth of Abydos, who, swimming the Hellespont to see
+Hero, his love, was drowned
+
+LEBADEA, site of the oracle of Trophomus
+
+LEBYNTHOS, Aegean island
+
+LEDA, Queen of Sparta, wooed by Jupiter in the form of a swan
+
+LEIR, mythical King of Britain, original of Shakespeare's Lear
+
+LELAPS, dog of Cephalus
+
+LEMNOS, large island in the Aegean Sea, sacred to Vulcan
+
+LEMURES, the spectres or spirits of the dead
+
+LEO, Roman emperor, Greek prince
+
+LETHE, river of Hades, drinking whose water caused forgetfulness
+
+LEUCADIA, a promontory, whence Sappho, disappointed in love, was
+said to have thrown herself into the sea
+
+LEUCOTHEA, a sea goddess, invoked by sailors for protection (See
+Ino)
+
+LEWIS, son of Charlemagne
+
+LIBER, ancient god of fruitfulness
+
+LIBETHRA, burial place of Orpheus
+
+LIBYA, Greek name for continent of Africa in general
+
+LIBYAN DESERT, in Africa
+
+LIBYAN OASIS
+
+LICHAS, who brought the shirt of Nessus to Hercules
+
+LIMOURS, Earl of
+
+LINUS, musical instructor of Hercules
+
+LIONEL, knight of the Round Table
+
+LLYR, King of Britain
+
+LOCRINE, son of Brutus in Albion, king of Central England
+
+LOEGRIA, kingdom of (England)
+
+LOGESTILLA, a wise lady, who entertained Rogero and his friends
+
+LOGI, who vanquished Loki in an eating contest
+
+LOKI, the Satan of Norse mythology, son of the giant Farbanti
+
+LOT, King, a rebel chief, subdued by King Arthur, then a loyal
+knight
+
+LOTIS, a nymph, changed to a lotus-plant and in that form plucked
+by Dryope
+
+LOTUS EATERS, soothed to indolence, companions of Ulysses landing
+among them lost all memory of home and had to be dragged away
+before they would continue their voyage
+
+LOVE (Eros) issued from egg of Night, and with arrows and torch
+produced life and joy
+
+LUCAN, one of Arthur's knights
+
+Lucius Tiberius, Roman procurator in Britain demanding tribute
+from Arthur
+
+LUD, British king, whose capital was called Lud's Town (London)
+
+LUDGATE, city gate where Lud was buried, 387
+
+LUNED, maiden who guided Owain to the Lady of the Fountain
+
+LYCAHAS, a turbulent sailor
+
+LYCAON, son of Priam
+
+LYCIA, a district in Southern Asia Minor
+
+LYCOMODES, king of the Dolopians, who treacherously slew Theseus
+
+LYCUS, usurping King of Thebes
+
+LYNCEUS, one of the sons of Aegyptus
+
+M
+
+MABINOGEON, plural of Mabinogi, fairy tales and romances of the
+Welsh
+
+MABON, son of Modron
+
+MACHAON, son of Aesculapius
+
+MADAN, son of Guendolen
+
+MADOC, a forester of King Arthur
+
+MADOR, Scottish knight
+
+MAELGAN, king who imprisoned Elphin
+
+MAEONIA, ancient Lydia
+
+MAGI, Persian priests
+
+MAHADEVA, same as Siva
+
+MAHOMET, great prophet of Arabia, born in Mecca, 571 AD,
+proclaimed worship of God instead of idols, spread his religion
+through disciples and then by force till it prevailed, with
+Arabian dominion, over vast regions in Asia, Africa, and Spain in
+Europe
+
+MAIA, daughter of Atlas and Pleione, eldest and most beautiful of
+the Pleiades
+
+MALAGIGI the Enchanter, one of Charlemagne's knights
+
+MALEAGANS, false knight
+
+MALVASIUS, King of Iceland
+
+MAMBRINO, with invisible helmet
+
+MANAWYD DAN, brother of King Vran, of London
+
+MANDRICARDO, son of Agrican
+
+MANTUA, in Italy, birthplace of Virgil
+
+MANU, ancestor of mankind
+
+MARATHON, where Theseus and Pirithous met
+
+MARK, King of Cornwall, husband of Isoude the Fair
+
+MARO See VIRGIL
+
+MARPHISA, sister of Rogero
+
+MARSILIUS, Spanish king, treacherous foe of Charlemagne
+
+MARSYAS, inventor of the flute, who challenged Apollo to musical
+competition, and, defeated, was flayed alive
+
+MATSYA, the Fish, first avatar of Vishnu
+
+MEANDER, Grecian river
+
+MEDE, A, princess and sorceress who aided Jason
+
+MEDORO, a young Moor, who wins Angelica
+
+MEDUSA, one of the Gorgons
+
+MEGAERA, one of the Furies
+
+MELAMPUS, a Spartan dog, the first mortal endowed with prophetic
+powers
+
+MELANTHUS, steersman for Bacchus
+
+MELEAGER, one of the Argonauts (See Althaea)
+
+MELIADUS, King of Lionesse, near Cornwall
+
+MELICERTES, infant son of Ino. changed to Palaemon (See Ino,
+Leucothea, and Palasmon)
+
+MELISSA, priestess at Merlin's tomb
+
+MELISSEUS, a Cretan king
+
+MELPOMENE, one of the Muses
+
+MEMNON, the beautiful son of Tithonus and Eos (Aurora), and king
+of the Ethiopians, slain in Trojan War
+
+MEMPHIS, Egyptian city
+
+MENELAUS, son of King of Sparta, husband of Helen
+
+MENOECEUS, son of Creon, voluntary victim in war to gain success
+for his father
+
+MENTOR, son of Alcimus and a faithful friend of Ulysses
+
+MERCURY (See HERMES)
+
+MERLIN, enchanter
+
+MEROPE, daughter of King of Chios, beloved by Orion
+
+MESMERISM, likened to curative oracle of Aesculapius at Epidaurus
+
+METABUS, father of Camilla
+
+METAMORPHOSES, Ovid's poetical legends of mythical
+transformations, a large source of our knowledge of classic
+mythology
+
+METANIRA, a mother, kind to Ceres seeking Proserpine
+
+METEMPSYCHOSIS, transmigration of souls--rebirth of dying men
+and women in forms of animals or human beings
+
+METIS, Prudence, a spouse of Jupiter
+
+MEZENTIUS, a brave but cruel soldier, opposing Aeneas in Italy
+
+MIDAS
+
+MIDGARD, the middle world of the Norsemen
+
+MIDGARD SERPENT, a sea monster, child of Loki
+
+MILKY WAY, starred path across the sky, believed to be road to
+palace of the gods
+
+MILO, a great athlete
+
+MLON, father of Orlando
+
+MILTON, John, great English poet, whose History of England is here
+largely used
+
+MIME, one of the chief dwarfs of ancient German mythology
+
+MINERVA (Athene), daughter of Jupiter, patroness of health,
+learning, and wisdom
+
+MINOS, King of Crete
+
+MINO TAUR, monster killed by Theseus
+
+MISTLETOE, fatal to Baldur
+
+MNEMOSYNE, one of the Muses
+
+MODESTY, statue to
+
+MODRED, nephew of King Arthur
+
+MOLY, plant, powerful against sorcery
+
+MOMUS, a deity whose delight was to jeer bitterly at gods and men
+
+MONAD, the "unit" of Pythagoras
+
+MONSTERS, unnatural beings, evilly disposed to men
+
+MONTALBAN, Rinaldo's castle
+
+MONTH, the, attendant upon the Sun
+
+MOON, goddess of, see DIANA
+
+MORAUNT, knight, an Irish champion
+
+MORGANA, enchantress, the Lady of the Lake in "Orlando Furioso,"
+same as Morgane Le Fay in tales of Arthur
+
+MORGANE LE FAY, Queen of Norway, King Arthur's sister, an
+enchantress
+
+MORGAN TUD, Arthur's chief physician
+
+MORPHEUS, son of Sleep and god of dreams
+
+MORTE D'ARTHUr, romance, by Sir Thomas Mallory
+
+MULCIBER, Latin name of Vulcan
+
+MULL, Island of
+
+MUNIN, one of Odin's two ravens
+
+MUSAEUS, sacred poet, son of Orpheus
+
+MUSES, The, nine goddesses presiding over poetry, etc--Calliope,
+epic poetry, Clio, history, Erato, love poetry, Euterpe, lyric
+poetry; Melpomene, tragedy, Polyhymnia, oratory and sacred song
+Terpsichore, choral song and dance, Thalia, comedy and idyls,
+Urania, astronomy
+
+MUSPELHEIM, the fire world of the Norsemen
+
+MYCENAS, ancient Grecian city, of which Agamemnon was king
+
+MYRDDIN (Merlin)
+
+MYRMIDONS, bold soldiers of Achilles
+
+MYSIA, Greek district on northwest coast of Asia Minor
+
+MYTHOLOGY, origin of, collected myths, describing gods of early
+peoples
+
+N
+
+NAIADS, water nymphs
+
+NAMO, Duke of Bavaria, one of Charlemagne's knights
+
+NANNA, wife of Baldur
+
+NANTERS, British king
+
+NANTES, site of Caradoc's castle
+
+NAPE, a dog of Diana
+
+NARCISSUS, who died of unsatisfied love for his own image in the
+water
+
+NAUSICAA, daughter of King Alcinous, who befriended Ulysses
+
+NAUSITHOUS, king of Phaeacians
+
+NAXOS, Island of
+
+NEGUS, King of Abyssinia
+
+NEMEA, forest devastated by a lion killed by Hercules
+
+NEMEAN GAMES, held in honor of Jupiter and Hercules
+
+NEMEAN LION, killed by Hercules
+
+NEMESIS, goddess of vengeance
+
+NENNIUS, British combatant of Caesar
+
+NEOPTOLEMUS, son of Achilles
+
+NEPENTHE, ancient drug to cause forgetfulness of pain or distress
+
+NEPHELE, mother of Phryxus and Helle
+
+NEPHTHYS, Egyptian goddess
+
+NEPTUNE, identical with Poseidon, god of the sea
+
+NEREIDS, sea nymphs, daughters of Nereus and Doris
+
+NEREUS, a sea god
+
+NESSUS, a centaur killed by Hercules, whose jealous wife sent him
+a robe or shirt steeped in the blood of Nessus, which poisoned him
+
+NESTOR, king of Pylos, renowned for his wisdom, justice, and
+knowledge of war
+
+NIBELUNGEN HOARD, treasure seized by Siegfried from the
+Nibelungs, buried in the Rhine by Hagan after killing Siegfried,
+and lost when Hagan was killed by Kriemhild, theme of Wagner's
+four music dramas, "The Ring of the Nibelungen,"
+
+NIBELUNGEN LIED, German epic, giving the same nature myth as the
+Norse Volsunga Saga, concerning the Hoard
+
+NIBELUNGEN RING, Wagner's music dramas
+
+NIBELUNGS, the, a race of Northern dwarfs
+
+NIDHOGGE, a serpent in the lower world that lives on the dead
+
+NIFFLEHEIM, mist world of the Norsemen, the Hades of absent
+spirits
+
+NILE, Egyptian river
+
+NIOBE, daughter of Tantalus, proud Queen of Thebes, whose seven
+sons and seven daughters were killed by Apollo and Diana, at which
+Amphion, her husband, killed himself, and Niobe wept until she was
+turned to stone
+
+NISUS, King of Megara
+
+NOAH, as legendary ancestor of French, Roman, German, and British
+peoples
+
+NOMAN, name assumed by Ulysses
+
+NORNS, the three Scandinavian Fates, Urdur (the past), Verdandi
+(the present), and Skuld (the future)
+
+NOTHUNG, magic sword
+
+NOTUS, southwest wind
+
+NOX, daughter of Chaos and sister of Erebus, personification of
+night
+
+Numa, second king of Rome
+
+NYMPHS, beautiful maidens, lesser divinities of nature Dryads and
+Hamadryads, tree nymphs, Naiads, spring, brook, and river nymphs,
+Nereids, sea nymphs Oreads, mountain nymphs or hill nymphs
+
+O
+
+OCEANUS, a Titan, ruling watery elements
+
+OCYROE, a prophetess, daughter of Chiron
+
+ODERIC
+
+ODIN, chief of the Norse gods
+
+ODYAR, famous Biscayan hero
+
+ODYSSEUS See ULYSSES
+
+ODYSSEY, Homer's poem, relating the wanderings of Odysseus
+(Ulysses) on returning from Trojan War
+
+OEDIPUS, Theban hero, who guessed the riddle of the Sphinx (which
+See), becoming King of Thebes
+
+OENEUS, King of Calydon
+
+OENONE, nymph, married by Paris in his youth, and abandoned for
+Helen
+
+OENOPION, King of Chios
+
+OETA, Mount, scene of Hercules' death
+
+OGIER, the Dane, one of the paladins of Charlemagne
+
+OLIVER, companion of Orlando
+
+OLWEN, wife of Kilwich
+
+OLYMPIA, a small plain in Elis, where the Olympic games were
+celebrated
+
+OLYMPIADS, periods between Olympic games (four years)
+
+OLYMPIAN GAMES, See GAMES
+
+OLYMPUS, dwelling place of the dynasty of gods of which Zeus was
+the head
+
+OMPHALE, queen of Lydia, daughter of Iardanus and wife of Tmolus
+
+OPHION, king of the Titans, who ruled Olympus till dethroned by
+the gods Saturn and Rhea
+
+OPS See RHEA
+
+ORACLES, answers from the gods to questions from seekers for
+knowledge or advice for the future, usually in equivocal form, so
+as to fit any event, also places where such answers were given
+forth usually by a priest or priestess
+
+ORC, a sea monster, foiled by Rogero when about to devour Angelica
+
+OREADS, nymphs of mountains and hills
+
+ORESTES, son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, because of his crime
+in killing his mother, he was pursued by the Furies until purified
+by Minerva
+
+ORION, youthful giant, loved by Diana, Constellation
+
+ORITHYIA, a nymph, seized by Boreas
+
+ORLANDO, a famous knight and nephew of Charlemagne
+
+ORMUZD (Greek, Oromasdes), son of Supreme Being, source of good
+as his brother Ahriman (Arimanes) was of evil, in Persian or
+Zoroastrian religion
+
+ORPHEUS, musician, son of Apollo and Calliope, See EURYDICE
+
+OSIRIS, the most beneficent of the Egyptian gods
+
+OSSA, mountain of Thessaly
+
+OSSIAN, Celtic poet of the second or third century
+
+OVID, Latin poet (See Metamorphoses)
+
+OWAIN, knight at King Arthur's court
+
+OZANNA, a knight of Arthur
+
+P
+
+PACTOLUS, river whose sands were changed to gold by Midas
+
+PAEON, a name for both Apollo and Aesculapius, gods of medicine,
+
+PAGANS, heathen
+
+PALADINS or peers, knights errant
+
+PALAEMON, son of Athamas and Ino
+
+PALAMEDES, messenger sent to call Ulysses to the Trojan War
+
+PALAMEDES, Saracen prince at Arthur's court
+
+PALATINE, one of Rome's Seven Hills
+
+PALES, goddess presiding over cattle and pastures
+
+PALINURUS, faithful steersman of Aeeas
+
+PALLADIUM, properly any image of Pallas Athene, but specially
+applied to an image at Troy, which was stolen by Ulysses and
+Diomedes
+
+PALLAS, son of Evander
+
+PALLAS A THE'NE (Minerva)
+
+PAMPHA GUS, a dog of Diana
+
+PAN, god of nature and the universe
+
+PANATHENAEA, festival in honor of Pallas Athene (Minerva)
+
+PANDEAN PIPES, musical instrument of reeds, made by Pan in
+memory of Syrinx
+
+PANDORA (all gifted), first woman, dowered with gifts by every
+god, yet entrusted with a box she was cautioned not to open, but,
+curious, she opened it, and out flew all the ills of humanity,
+leaving behind only Hope, which remained
+
+PANDRASUS, a king in Greece, who persecuted Trojan exiles under
+Brutus, great grandson of Aeneas, until they fought, captured him,
+and, with his daughter Imogen as Brutus' wife, emigrated to Albion
+(later called Britain)
+
+PANOPE, plain of
+
+PANTHUS, alleged earlier incarnation of Pythagoras
+
+PAPHLAGNIA, ancient country in Asia Minor, south of Black Sea
+
+PAPHOS, daughter of Pygmalion and Galatea (both of which, See)
+
+PARCAE See FATES
+
+PARIAHS, lowest caste of Hindus
+
+PARIS, son of Priam and Hecuba, who eloped with Helen (which.
+See)
+
+PARNASSIAN LAUREl, wreath from Parnassus, crown awarded to
+successful poets
+
+PARNASSUS, mountain near Delphi, sacred to Apollo and the Muses
+
+PARSEES, Persian fire worshippers (Zoroastrians), of whom there
+are still thousands in Persia and India
+
+PARTHENON, the temple of Athene Parthenos ("the Virgin") on the
+Acropolis of Athens
+
+PASSEBREUL, Tristram's horse
+
+PATROCLUS, friend of Achilles, killed by Hector
+
+PECHEUR, King, uncle of Perceval
+
+PEERS, the
+
+PEG A SUS, winged horse, born from the sea foam and the blood of
+Medusa
+
+PELEUS, king of the Myrmidons, father of Achilles by Thetis
+
+PELIAS, usurping uncle of Jason
+
+PELION, mountain
+
+PELLEAS, knight of Arthur
+
+PENATES, protective household deities of the Romans
+
+PENDRAGON, King of Britain, elder brother of Uther Pendragon,
+who succeeded him
+
+PENELOPE, wife of Ulysses, who, waiting twenty years for his
+return from the Trojan War, put off the suitors for her hand by
+promising to choose one when her weaving was done, but unravelled
+at night what she had woven by day
+
+PENEUS, river god, river
+
+PENTHESILEA, queen of Amazons
+
+PENTHEUS, king of Thebes, having resisted the introduction of
+the worship of Bacchus into his kingdom, was driven mad by the god
+
+PENUS, Roman house pantry, giving name to the Penates
+
+PEPIN, father of Charlemagne
+
+PEPLUS, sacred robe of Minerva
+
+PERCEVAL, a great knight of Arthur
+
+PERDIX, inventor of saw and compasses
+
+PERIANDER, King of Corinuh, friend of Arion
+
+PERIPHETES, son of Vulcan, killed by Theseus
+
+PERSEPHONE, goddess of vegetation, 8 See Pioserpine
+
+PERSEUS, son of Jupiter and Danae, slayer of the Gorgon Medusa,
+deliverer of Andromeda from a sea monster, 116 122, 124, 202
+
+PHAEACIANS, people who entertained Ulysses
+
+PHAEDRA, faithless and cruel wife of Theseus
+
+PHAETHUSA, sister of Phaeton, 244
+
+PHAETON, son of Phoebus, who dared attempt to drive his father's
+sun chariot
+
+PHANTASOS, a son of Somnus, bringing strange images to sleeping
+men
+
+PHAON, beloved by Sappho
+
+PHELOT, knight of Wales
+
+PHEREDIN, friend of Tristram, unhappy lover of Isoude
+
+PHIDIAS, famous Greek sculptor
+
+PHILEMON, husband of Baucis
+
+PHILOCTETES, warrior who lighted the fatal pyre of Hercules
+
+PHILOE, burial place of Osiris
+
+PHINEUS, betrothed to Andromeda
+
+PHLEGETHON, fiery river of Hades
+
+PHOCIS
+
+PHOEBE, one of the sisters of Phaeton
+
+PHOEBUS (Apollo), god of music, prophecy, and archery, the sun
+god
+
+PHOENIX, a messenger to Achilles, also, a miraculous bird dying
+in fire by its own act and springing up alive from its own ashes
+
+PHORBAS, a companion of Aeneas, whose form was assumed by Neptune
+in luring Palinuras the helmsman from his roost
+
+PHRYXUS, brother of Helle
+
+PINABEL, knight
+
+PILLARS OF HERCULES, two mountains--Calpe, now the Rock of
+Gibraltar, southwest corner of Spain in Europe, and Abyla, facing
+it in Africa across the strait
+
+PINDAR, famous Greek poet
+
+PINDUS, Grecian mountain
+
+PIRENE, celebrated fountain at Corinth
+
+PIRITHOUS, king of the Lapithae in Thessaly, and friend of
+Theseus, husband of Hippodamia
+
+PLEASURE, daughter of Cupid and Psyche
+
+PLEIADES, seven of Diana's nymphs, changed into stars, one being
+lost
+
+PLENTY, the Horn of
+
+PLEXIPPUS, brother of Althea
+
+PLINY, Roman naturalist
+
+PLUTO, the same as Hades, Dis, etc. god of the Infernal Regions
+
+PLUTUS, god of wealth
+
+PO, Italian river
+
+POLE STAR
+
+POLITES, youngest son of Priam of Troy
+
+POLLUX, Castor and (Dioscuri, the Twins) (See Castor)
+
+POLYDECTES, king of Seriphus
+
+POLYDORE, slain kinsman of Aeneas, whose blood nourished a bush
+that bled when broken
+
+POLYHYMNIA, Muse of oratory and sacred song
+
+POLYIDUS, soothsayer
+
+POLYNICES, King of Thebes
+
+POLYPHEMUS, giant son of Neptune
+
+POLYXENA, daughter of King Priam of Troy
+
+POMONA, goddess of fruit trees (See VERTUMNUS)
+
+PORREX and FER'REX, sons of Leir, King of Britain
+
+PORTUNUS, Roman name for Palaemon
+
+POSEIDON (Neptune), ruler of the ocean
+
+PRECIPICE, threshold of Helas hall
+
+PRESTER JOHN, a rumored priest or presbyter, a Christian pontiff
+in Upper Asia, believed in but never found
+
+PRIAM, king of Troy
+
+PRIWEN, Arthur's shield
+
+PROCRIS, beloved but jealous wife of Cephalus
+
+PROCRUSTES, who seized travellers and bound them on his iron bed,
+stretching the short ones and cutting short the tall, thus also
+himself served by Theseus
+
+PROETUS, jealous of Bellerophon
+
+PROMETHEUS, creator of man, who stole fire from heaven for man's
+use
+
+PROSERPINE, the same as Persephone, goddess of all growing
+things, daughter of Ceres, carried off by Pluto
+
+PROTESILAUS, slain by Hector the Trojan, allowed by the gods to
+return for three hours' talk with his widow Laodomia
+
+PROTEUS, the old man of the sea
+
+PRUDENCE (Metis), spouse of Jupiter
+
+PRYDERI, son of Pwyll
+
+PSYCHE, a beautiful maiden, personification of the human soul,
+sought by Cupid (Love), to whom she responded, lost him by
+curiosity to see him (as he came to her only by night), but
+finally through his prayers was made immortal and restored to him,
+a symbol of immortality
+
+PURANAS, Hindu Scriptures
+
+PWYLL, Prince of Dyved
+
+PYGMALION, sculptor in love with a statue he had made, brought to
+life by Venus, brother of Queen Dido
+
+PYGMIES, nation of dwarfs, at war with the Cranes
+
+PYLADES, son of Straphius, friend of Orestes
+
+PYRAMUS, who loved Thisbe, next door neighbor, and, their parents
+opposing, they talked through cracks in the house wall, agreeing
+to meet in the near by woods, where Pyramus, finding a bloody veil
+and thinking Thisbe slain, killed himself, and she, seeing his
+body, killed herself (Burlesqued in Shakespeare's "Midsummer
+Night's Dream")
+
+PYRRHA, wife of Deucalion
+
+PYRRHUS (Neoptolemus), son of Achilles
+
+PYTHAGORAS, Greek philosopher (540 BC), who thought numbers to be
+the essence and principle of all things, and taught transmigration
+of souls of the dead into new life as human or animal beings
+
+PYTHIA, priestess of Apollo at Delphi
+
+PYTHIAN GAMES
+
+PYTHIAN ORACLE
+
+PYTHON, serpent springing from Deluge slum, destroyed by Apollo
+
+Q
+
+QUIRINUS (from quiris, a lance or spear), a war god, said to be
+Romulus, founder of Rome
+
+R
+
+RABICAN, noted horse
+
+RAGNAROK, the twilight (or ending) of the gods
+
+RAJPUTS, minor Hindu caste
+
+REGAN, daughter of Leir
+
+REGILLUS, lake in Latium, noted for battle fought near by
+between the Romans and the Latins
+
+REGGIO, family from which Rogero sprang
+
+REMUS, brother of Romulus, founder of Rome
+
+RHADAMANTHUS, son of Jupiter and Europa after his death one of
+the judges in the lower world
+
+RHAPSODIST, professional reciter of poems among the Greeks
+
+RHEA, female Titan, wife of Saturn (Cronos), mother of the chief
+gods, worshipped in Greece and Rome
+
+RHINE, river
+
+RHINE MAIDENS, OR DAUGHTERS, three water nymphs, Flosshilda,
+Woglinda, and Wellgunda, set to guard the Nibelungen Hoard, buried
+in the Rhine
+
+RHODES, one of the seven cities claiming to be Homer's birthplace
+
+RHODOPE, mountain in Thrace
+
+RHONGOMYANT, Arthur's lance
+
+RHOECUS, a youth, beloved by a Dryad, but who brushed away a bee
+sent by her to call him to her, and she punished him with
+blindness
+
+RHIANNON, wife of Pwyll
+
+RINALDO, one of the bravest knights of Charlemagne
+
+RIVER OCEAN, flowing around the earth
+
+ROBERT DE BEAUVAIS', Norman poet (1257)
+
+ROBIN HOOD, famous outlaw in English legend, about time of Richard
+Coeur de Lion
+
+ROCKINGHAM, forest of
+
+RODOMONT, king of Algiers
+
+ROGERO, noted Saracen knight
+
+ROLAND (Orlando), See Orlando
+
+ROMANCES
+
+ROMANUS, legendary great grandson of Noah
+
+ROME
+
+ROMULUS, founder of Rome
+
+RON, Arthur's lance
+
+RONCES VALLES', battle of
+
+ROUND TABLE King Arthur's instituted by Merlin the Sage for
+Pendragon, Arthur's father, as a knightly order, continued and
+made famous by Arthur and his knights
+
+RUNIC CHARACTERS, or runes, alphabetic signs used by early
+Teutonic peoples, written or graved on metal or stone
+
+RUTULIANS, an ancient people in Italy, subdued at an early period
+by the Romans
+
+RYENCE, king in Ireland
+
+S
+
+SABRA, maiden for whom Severn River was named, daughter of Locrine
+and Estrildis thrown into river Severn by Locrine's wife,
+transformed to a river nymph, poetically named Sabrina
+
+SACRIPANT, king of Circassia
+
+SAFFIRE, Sir, knight of Arthur
+
+SAGAS, Norse tales of heroism, composed by the Skalds
+
+SAGRAMOUR, knight of Arthur
+
+St. MICHAEL'S MOUNT, precipitous pointed rock hill on the coast of
+Brittany, opposite Cornwall
+
+SAKYASINHA, the Lion, epithet applied to Buddha
+
+SALAMANDER, a lizard like animal, fabled to be able to live in
+fire
+
+SALAMIS, Grecian city
+
+SALMONEUS, son of Aeolus and Enarete and brother of Sisyphus
+
+SALOMON, king of Brittany, at Charlemagne's court
+
+SAMHIN, or "fire of peace," a Druidical festival
+
+SAMIAN SAGE (Pythagoras)
+
+SAMOS, island in the Aegean Sea
+
+SAMOTHRACIAN GODS, a group of agricultural divinities, worshipped
+in Samothrace
+
+SAMSON, Hebrew hero, thought by some to be original of Hercules
+
+SAN GREAL (See Graal, the Holy)
+
+SAPPHO, Greek poetess, who leaped into the sea from promontory of
+Leucadia in disappointed love for Phaon
+
+SARACENS, followers of Mahomet
+
+SARPEDON, son of Jupiter and Europa, killed by Patroclus
+
+SATURN (Cronos)
+
+SATURNALIA, a annual festival held by Romans in honor of Saturn
+
+SATURNIA, an ancient name of Italy
+
+SATYRS, male divinities of the forest, half man, half goat
+
+SCALIGER, famous German scholar of 16th century
+
+SCANDINAVIA, mythology of, giving account of Northern gods,
+heroes, etc
+
+SCHERIA, mythical island, abode of the Phaeacians
+
+SCHRIMNIR, the boar, cooked nightly for the heroes of Valhalla
+becoming whole every morning
+
+SCIO, one of the island cities claiming to be Homer's birthplace
+
+SCOPAS, King of Thessaly
+
+SCORPION, constellation
+
+SCYLLA, sea nymph beloved by Glaucus, but changed by jealous Circe
+to a monster and finally to a dangerous rock on the Sicilian
+coast, facing the whirlpool Charybdis, many mariners being wrecked
+between the two, also, daughter of King Nisus of Megara, who loved
+Minos, besieging her father's city, but he disliked her disloyalty
+and drowned her, also, a fair virgin of Sicily, friend of sea
+nymph Galatea
+
+SCYROS, where Theseus was slain
+
+SCYTHIA, country lying north of Euxine Sea
+
+SEMELE, daughter of Cadmus and, by Jupiter, mother of Bacchus
+
+SEMIRAMIS, with Ninus the mythical founder of the Assyrian empire
+of Nineveh
+
+SENAPUS, King of Abyssinia, who entertained Astolpho
+
+SERAPIS, or Hermes, Egyptian divinity of Tartarus and of
+medicine
+
+SERFS, slaves of the land
+
+SERIPHUS, island in the Aegean Sea, one of the Cyclades
+
+SERPENT (Northern constellation)
+
+SESTOS, dwelling of Hero (which See also Leander)
+
+"SEVEN AGAINST THEBES," famous Greek expedition
+
+SEVERN RIVER, in England
+
+SEVINUS, Duke of Guienne
+
+SHALOTT, THE LADY OF
+
+SHATRIYA, Hindu warrior caste
+
+SHERASMIN, French chevalier
+
+SIBYL, prophetess of Cumae
+
+SICHAEUS, husband of Dido
+
+SEIGE PERILOUS, the chair of purity at Arthur's Round Table, fatal
+to any but him who was destined to achieve the quest of the
+Sangreal (See Galahad)
+
+SIEGFRIED, young King of the Netherlands, husband of Kriemhild,
+she boasted to Brunhild that Siegfried had aided Gunther to beat
+her in athletic contests, thus winning her as wife, and Brunhild,
+in anger, employed Hagan to murder Siegfried. As hero of Wagner's
+"Valkyrie," he wins the Nibelungen treasure ring, loves and
+deserts Brunhild, and is slain by Hagan
+
+SIEGLINDA, wife of Hunding, mother of Siegfried by Siegmund
+
+SIEGMUND, father of Siegfried
+
+SIGTRYG, Prince, betrothed of King Alef's daughter, aided by
+Hereward
+
+SIGUNA, wife of Loki
+
+SILENUS, a Satyr, school master of Bacchus
+
+SILURES (South Wales)
+
+SILVIA, daughter of Latin shepherd
+
+SILVIUS, grandson of Aeneas, accidentally killed in the chase by
+his son Brutus
+
+SIMONIDES, an early poet of Greece
+
+SINON, a Greek spy, who persuaded the Trojans to take the Wooden
+Horse into their city
+
+SIRENS, sea nymphs, whose singing charmed mariners to leap into
+the sea, passing their island, Ulysses stopped the ears of his
+sailors with wax, and had himself bound to the mast so that he
+could hear but not yield to their music
+
+SIRIUS, the dog of Orion, changed to the Dog star
+
+SISYPHUS, condemned in Tartarus to perpetually roll up hill a big
+rock which, when the top was reached, rolled down again
+
+SIVA, the Destroyer, third person of the Hindu triad of gods
+
+SKALDS, Norse bards and poets
+
+SKIDBLADNIR, Freyr's ship
+
+SKIRNIR, Frey's messenger, who won the god's magic sword by
+getting him Gerda for his wife
+
+SKRYMIR, a giant, Utgard Loki in disguise, who fooled Thor in
+athletic feats
+
+SKULD, the Norn of the Future
+
+SLEEP, twin brother of Death
+
+SLEIPNIR, Odin's horse
+
+SOBRINO, councillor to Agramant
+
+SOMNUS, child of Nox, twin brother of Mors, god of sleep
+
+SOPHOCLES, Greek tragic dramatist
+
+SOUTH WIND See Notus
+
+SPAR'TA, capital of Lacedaemon
+
+SPHINX, a monster, waylaying the road to Thebes and propounding
+riddles to all passers, on pain of death, for wrong guessing, who
+killed herself in rage when Aedipus guessed aright
+
+SPRING
+
+STONEHENGE, circle of huge upright stones, fabled to be sepulchre
+of Pendragon
+
+STROPHIUS, father of Pylades
+
+STYGIAN REALM, Hades
+
+STYGIAN SLEEP, escaped from the beauty box sent from Hades to
+Venus by hand of Psyche, who curiously opened the box and was
+plunged into unconsciousness
+
+STYX, river, bordering Hades, to be crossed by all the dead
+
+SUDRAS, Hindu laboring caste
+
+SURTUR, leader of giants against the gods in the day of their
+destruction (Norse mythology)
+
+SURYA, Hindu god of the sun, corresponding to the Greek Helios
+
+SUTRI, Orlando's birthplace
+
+SVADILFARI, giant's horse
+
+SWAN, LEDA AND
+
+SYBARIS, Greek city in Southern Italy, famed for luxury
+
+SYLVANUS, Latin divinity identified with Pan
+
+SYMPLEGADES, floating rocks passed by the Argonauts
+
+SYRINX, nymph, pursued by Pan, but escaping by being changed to a
+bunch of reeds (See Pandean pipes)
+
+T
+
+TACITUS, Roman historian
+
+TAENARUS, Greek entrance to lower regions
+
+TAGUS, river in Spain and Portugal
+
+TALIESIN, Welsh bard
+
+TANAIS, ancient name of river Don
+
+TANTALUS, wicked king, punished in Hades by standing in water
+that retired when he would drink, under fruit trees that withdrew
+when he would eat
+
+TARCHON, Etruscan chief
+
+TARENTUM, Italian city
+
+TARPEIAN ROCK, in Rome, from which condemned criminals were
+hurled
+
+TARQUINS, a ruling family in early Roman legend
+
+TAURIS, Grecian city, site of temple of Diana (See Iphigenia)
+
+TAURUS, a mountain
+
+TARTARUS, place of confinement of Titans, etc, originally a black
+abyss below Hades later, represented as place where the wicked
+were punished, and sometimes the name used as synonymous with
+Hades
+
+TEIRTU, the harp of
+
+TELAMON, Greek hero and adventurer, father of Ajax
+
+TELEMACHUS, son of Ulysses and Penelope
+
+TELLUS, another name for Rhea
+
+TENEDOS, an island in Aegean Sea
+
+TERMINUS, Roman divinity presiding over boundaries and frontiers
+
+TERPSICHORE, Muse of dancing
+
+TERRA, goddess of the earth
+
+TETHYS, goddess of the sea
+
+TEUCER, ancient king of the Trojans
+
+THALIA, one of the three Graces
+
+THAMYRIS, Thracian bard, who challenged the Muses to competition
+in singing, and, defeated, was blinded
+
+THAUKT, Loki disguised as a hag
+
+THEBES, city founded by Cadmus and capital of Boeotia
+
+THEMIS, female Titan, law counsellor of Jove
+
+THEODORA, sister of Prince Leo
+
+THERON, one of Diana's dogs
+
+THERSITES, a brawler, killed by Achilles
+
+THESCELUS, foe of Perseus, turned to stone by sight of Gorgon's
+head
+
+THESEUM, Athenian temple in honor of Theseus
+
+THESEUS, son of Aegeus and Aethra, King of Athens, a great hero of
+many adventures
+
+THESSALY
+
+THESTIUS, father of Althea
+
+THETIS, mother of Achilles
+
+THIALFI, Thor's servant
+
+THIS'BE, Babylonian maiden beloved by Pyramus
+
+THOR, the thunderer, of Norse mythology, most popular of the gods
+
+THRACE
+
+THRINA'KIA, island pasturing Hyperion's cattle, where Ulysses
+landed, but, his men killing some cattle for food, their ship was
+wrecked by lightning
+
+THRYM, giant, who buried Thor's hammer
+
+THUCYDIDES, Greek historian
+
+TIBER, river flowing through Rome
+
+TIBER, FATHER, god of the river
+
+TIGRIS, river
+
+TINTADEL, castle of, residence of King Mark of Cornwall
+
+TIRESIAS, a Greek soothsayer
+
+TISIPHONE, one of the Furies
+
+TITANS, the sons and daughters of Uranus (Heaven) and Gaea
+(Earth), enemies of the gods and overcome by them
+
+TITHONUS, Trojan prince
+
+TITYUS, giant in Tartarus
+
+TMOLUS, a mountain god
+
+TORTOISE, second avatar of Vishnu
+
+TOURS, battle of (See Abdalrahman and Charles Martel)
+
+TOXEUS, brother of Melauger's mother, who snatched from Atalanta
+her hunting trophy, and was slain by Melauger, who had awarded it
+to her
+
+TRIAD, the Hindu
+
+TRIADS, Welsh poems
+
+TRIMURTI, Hindu Triad
+
+TRIPTOL'EMUS, son of Celeus , and who, made great by
+Ceres, founded her worship in Eleusis
+
+TRISTRAM, one of Arthur's knights, husband of Isoude of the White
+Hands, lover of Isoude the Fair,
+
+TRITON, a demi god of the sea, son of Poseidon (Neptune) and
+Amphitrite
+
+TROEZEN, Greek city of Argolis
+
+TROJAN WAR
+
+TROJANOVA, New Troy, City founded in Britain (See Brutus, and
+Lud)
+
+TROPHONIUS, oracle of, in Boeotia
+
+TROUBADOURS, poets and minstrels of Provence, in Southern France
+
+TROUVERS', poets and minstrels of Northern France
+
+TROY, city in Asia Minor, ruled by King Priam, whose son, Paris,
+stole away Helen, wife of Menelaus the Greek, resulting in the
+Trojan War and the destruction of Troy
+
+TROY, fall of
+
+TURNUS, chief of the Rutulianes in Italy, unsuccessful rival of
+Aeneas for Lavinia
+
+TURPIN, Archbishop of Rheims
+
+TURQUINE, Sir, a great knight, foe of Arthur, slain by Sir
+Launcelot
+
+TYPHON, one of the giants who attacked the gods, were defeated,
+and imprisoned under Mt. Aetna
+
+TYR, Norse god of battles
+
+TYRE, Phoenician city governed by Dido
+
+TYRIANS
+
+TYRRHEUS, herdsman of King Turnus in Italy, the slaying of whose
+daughter's stag aroused war upon Aeneas and his companions
+
+U
+
+UBERTO, son of Galafron
+
+ULYSSES (Greek, Odysseus), hero of the Odyssey
+
+UNICORN, fabled animal with a single horn
+
+URANIA, one of the Muses, a daughter of Zeus by Mnemosyne
+
+URDUR, one of the Norns or Fates of Scandinavia, representing the
+Past
+
+USK, British river
+
+UTGARD, abode of the giant Utgard Loki
+
+UTGARD LO'KI, King of the Giants (See Skrymir)
+
+UTHER (Uther Pendragon), king of Britain and father of Arthur,
+
+UWAINE, knight of Arthur's court
+
+V
+
+VAISSYAS, Hindu caste of agriculturists and traders
+
+VALHALLA, hall of Odin, heavenly residence of slain heroes
+
+VALKYRIE, armed and mounted warlike virgins, daughters of the gods
+(Norse), Odin's messengers, who select slain heroes for Valhalla
+and serve them at their feasts
+
+VE, brother of Odin
+
+VEDAS, Hindu sacred Scriptures
+
+VENEDOTIA, ancient name for North Wales
+
+VENUS (Aphrodite), goddess of beauty
+
+VENUS DE MEDICI, famous antique statue in Uffizi Gallery,
+Florence, Italy
+
+VERDANDI, the Present, one of the Norns
+
+VERTUMNUS, god of the changing seasons, whose varied appearances
+won the love of Pomona
+
+VESTA, daughter of Cronos and Rhea, goddess of the homefire, or
+hearth
+
+VESTALS, virgin priestesses in temple of Vesta
+
+VESUVIUS, Mount, volcano near Naples
+
+VILLAINS, peasants in the feudal scheme
+
+VIGRID, final battle-field, with destruction of the gods ind
+their enemies, the sun, the earth, and time itself
+
+VILI, brother of Odin and Ve
+
+VIRGIL, celebrated Latin poet (See Aeneid)
+
+VIRGO, constellation of the Virgin, representing Astraea, goddess
+of innocence and purity
+
+VISHNU, the Preserver, second of the three chief Hindu gods
+
+VIVIANE, lady of magical powers, who allured the sage Merlin and
+imprisoned him in an enchanted wood
+
+VOLSCENS, Rutulian troop leader who killed Nisus and Euryalus
+
+VOLSUNG, A SAGA, an Icelandic poem, giving about the same legends
+as the Nibelungen Lied
+
+VORTIGERN, usurping King of Britain, defeated by Pendragon 390,
+397
+
+VULCAN (Greek, Haephestus), god of fire and metal working, with
+forges under Aetna, husband of Venus
+
+VYA'SA, Hindu sage
+
+W
+
+WAIN, the, constellation
+
+WELLGUNDA, one of the Rhine-daughters
+
+WELSH LANGUAGE
+
+WESTERN OCEAN
+
+WINDS, THE
+
+WINTER
+
+WODEN, chief god in the Norse mythology, Anglo Saxon for Odin
+
+WOGLINDA, one of the Rhine-daughters
+
+WOMAN, creation of
+
+WOODEN HORSE, the, filled with armed men, but left outside of Troy
+as a pretended offering to Minerva when the Greeks feigned to sail
+away, accepted by the Trojans (See Sinon, and Laocoon), brought
+into the city, and at night emptied of the hidden Greek soldiers,
+who destroyed the town
+
+WOOD NYMPHS
+
+WOTAN, Old High German form of Odin
+
+X
+
+XANTHUS, river of Asia Minor
+
+Y
+
+YAMA, Hindu god of the Infernal Regions
+
+YEAR, THE
+
+YGDRASIL, great ash-tree, supposed by Norse mythology to support
+the universe
+
+YMIR, giant, slain by Odin
+
+YNYWL, Earl, host of Geraint, father of Enid
+
+YORK, Britain
+
+YSERONE, niece of Arthur, mother of Caradoc
+
+YSPA DA DEN PEN'KAWR, father of Olwen
+
+Z
+
+ZENDAVESTA, Persian sacred Scriptures
+
+ZEPHYRUS, god of the South wind,
+
+ZERBINO, a knight, son of the king of Scotland
+
+ZETES, winged warrior, companion of Theseus
+
+ZETHUS, son of Jupiter and Antiope, brother of Amphion. See Dirce
+
+ZEUS, See JUPITER
+
+ZOROASTER, founder of the Persian religion, which was dominant in
+Western Asia from about 550 BC to about 650 AD, and is still held
+by many thousands in Persia and in India
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, BULLFINCH'S MYTHOLOGY ***
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