Who but birds whose carols bring
Homage to their gracious King!
"Lo! the Queen of Arcady
From the land of Faery
Gladdens our adoring eyes,
Fair and gentle, sweet and wise,
Her companions here on earth
Love and Loyalty and Mirth!
Who, the joyous tidings hearing,
Fly to greet her, now appearing?
Aphrodite's pigeons fleet,--
See, they gather at her feet."

No one had heard a low clear call from the boughs of the tree overhead, or
seen the figure of a small boy in a fantastic tunic of goatskins, slipping
down the tree-trunk near Ranulph. As the company rose from the table the
troubadour moved away a little, still thrumming his refrain, and in that
moment there was a whir of sudden wings and the air was dark with pigeons.
As the birds alighted Lady Philippa was surrounded by the pretty
creatures, and in a graceful little speech Ranulph presented to her Peirol
as a Faun, the Master of the Pigeons, who had brought them to do homage to
their sovereign lady.

It was just the sort of informal pageant to delight the heart of Provence.
No more dainty and captivating interlude had been seen at a festival.

There was a great deal of wonderment about the way in which the scene had
been arranged, but it was really quite simple. According to the usual
fashion the guests were seated on only one side of the table, the other
side being left free for the servants to present the various dishes. The