polished utterance that he had; but alas! I am but a squire, and he a
knight surpassing even those of the old Table Round, yet I will tell
you as best I can all that he said to Cambuskan at that great feast
in Tartary.

"The King of Arabia and India is my liege lord," he began, "and by me
sends you his greetings and these four presents in honour of your
feast. First, this horse of brass which will carry you wheresoever
you will, merely by the turning of a pin in its ear. Whether you wish
to soar as high as the eagle, or to travel to the ends of the earth,
this horse will carry you there in twenty-four hours. You may sleep
upon his back, he will not fail you. He was made by a magician after
long watching of the stars, and his like can nowhere be found.

"This mirror will show a man all troubles that threaten him. His
friends and foes will show there in dear and true colours, while a
woman can see if her lover be false or true.

"This ring gives to the wearer the power to know the language of all
birds that are, and to answer them again so that they can understand.
It also tells its owner how to use all grasses and herbs--which can
heal wounds and which can cure sickness. This ring and mirror my
liege lord sends to Canacee.

"This naked sword has these special virtues. It can bite through the
thickest and toughest armour, and if a man is hurt by it, the wound
cannot heal until it is touched again with the flat side of the same
sword. It will not fail its wielder. This gift my lord sends to
Cambuskan, together with this same steed of brass."