to be seen. In that country, the very clouds in the sky, the air which
men breathe, and the hills and woods and streams shape themselves into
images of the life that has been, or is to be among men. And whosoever
reaches that country and looks with honest, earnest eyes, shall see the
Age he looks for, just as it was or is to be, and shall know concerning
it whether it be his Age of Gold. At the end of a year, let the
travelers return, and tell before your Majesty and an assembly of the
people the story of their search." To this counsel the King gave his
assent. And he directed his sons to make the choice of their
companions and prepare for their journey.

Yestergold, for his companions, chose a painter and a poet. Goldmorrow
preferred two brothers of the Order of Watchers of the Sky. But
Goldenday said, "I shall be glad if my sister Faith will be companion
to me." And so it was arranged.

Just at that time the King was living in a palace among the hills. And
it was from thence the travelers were to leave. It was like a morning
in Wonderland. The great valley on which the palace looked down, and
along which the Princes were to travel, was that morning filled with
vapor. And the vapor lay, as far as the eye could reach, without a
break on its surface, or a ruffled edge, in the light of the rising
sun, like a sea of liquid silver. The hills that surrounded the palace
looked like so many giants sitting on the shores of a mighty sea. It
was into this sea the travelers had to descend. One by one, with their
companions, they bade the old King farewell. And then, stepping forth
from the palace gates and descending toward the valley, they
disappeared from view.

The country to which they were going lay many days' distance between