Or torrents that no power of man could tame,
Or time-hushed gardens of grave loveliness,
But yours,--a leaping flame!

Hail, Poet! Yours the Dream Interpreted,
Earth's haunting fairy-tale since life began,--
The Dragon of Unfaith, his magic dead,
Slain by the Flying Man!




II

A TOURNAMENT IN THE CLOUDS


Alazais de Montfaucon was to be married, and had chosen her dearest friend
Philippa to be maid of honor. None of her friends except Philippa had seen
the bridegroom; he was an English knight, Hugh l'Estrange. He had lands on
the Welsh marches, and the charming Alazais was to be carried off by him,
to live among savages. This, at least, was the impression of Beatriz
d'Acunha and Catalina d'Anduze, who were also to be bridesmaids. Philippa,
having lived in England, looked at the matter less dolefully. Still, when
all was said, it was an immense change for Alazais, and she herself
declared that if any one but Hugh had proposed it she would not think of
such a thing.

"We must provide you with a flock of these voyageur pigeons," said Savaric
de Marsan. "Then, when you are shut up in your stronghold with the Welsh