The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1898-06-24

| to enter the lists. TO the victor, he
said, should be the prize, the beautiful
sister Of the queen.
Arctic and Palamon fell upon their
knees, and expressed their gratitude:
then set out without delay.
Upon the appointed day the cousins
returned, each bringing with him a
hundred knights of high rank. The
splendor Of these cavalcades can not
be imagined. The richness of arm "
and apparel, the glitter of gold and
steel trappings, the sheen of precious
stones, were dazzling to the beholder
At the dawn of the great day, Pala-
mon repaired to the temple Of Venus
to invoke her aid. At the same time
Arctic offered sacrifice to Mars. Emil
lie and her maidens went to the temple
of Diana. Both Palamon and Arctic
returned from their devotions in a
| happier frame of mind. each feeling
sure that his god would befriend him;
but Lady Emile went home sorrowful,
for, though she had assured the god
dess that she wished to remain maid,
and to serve Diana forever, Diana had
appeared and told her that it was de-
creed among the gods that she must
wed one of the knights.
Duke Theseus had made elaborate
preparations for the coming tourna-
ment, and the people had looked for
ward to it with great pleasure; so that
the streets were thronged with eager
spectators long before the procession
began to move toward the lists
At last they came First Duke
Theseus; and on either side of him the
| two Thebans; next rode those beauti-
full ladies, Queen Ipolita and the gold
en-haired Emile; after them the other
lords and ladies', according to their
rank. When the lists were reached,
the duke and the queen and the mobiles
were assigned to their places first; then
the people were allowed to come in;
and soon the great space was crowded
to overtiowing.
After short delay Arctic, riding at
the head of his company, entered from
the west gate, bearing the red banner
of Mars.
Almost simultaneously, Palamon
came in at the east gate with his
knights, floating the white banner OF
Venus.
The heralds sounded tue trumpets;
there was sudden binding CLEAN of
steel, and the combat began.
1t was long and bloody battle;
there was much bravery and much
stubborn resistance on either side;
many knights of both parties had to
yield.
! At last the brave Palamon was
brought to the stake; then the duke
cried out: "Ho! The combat is finished;
Arctic of Thebes is the victor; to him
belongs the prize, the hand Of Lady
Emile"
Mars had triumphed, but only for !.
short space. Venus is all-powcrtul in
the halls of Jove, as we shall see.
The heralds proclaimed the victor,
N til" people shouted wildly for Arctic
Of Thcbes. Arctic laid aside his he'll
met, and rode slowly round the lists,
acknowledging the plaudits OF the
crowd; when he passed Lady Emile 5
seat, he looked up at her with Il smile,
which she returned, for. since the gods
had decrecd that she should not remain
maid, surely worse fate might be-
fall her than to wed knight so brave
as Arctic However, the knights tri-
umph was short-lived. Suddenly the
horse leaped to one side, throwing his
rider violently to the ground. Arctic
fell upon his head, and for while lay
apparently lifeless.
This was the triumph of : enus.
| At her intercession Pluto had sent
up an invisible fury from the internal
regions, which had sprung up under
the feet of Arcite's horse, causing him
to start.
The victor was borne away for dead,
but, when they had laid him on couch
and cut off his armor, it was discovered
that he still breathed. Consciousness
soon returned, and he began to call for
Emile with the little strength remain
ing to him, and she with compassion
came to comfort him.
Arctic fingered long, but his suffer
ings were almost unbearablc. There
seemed to be no physician who nnder-
stood his malady, no medicine which
could heal that pain-racked body.
Realizing that he had not long to
live, Arctic one day sent for Emile
and for Palamon
{ "My lady" he said, in 4 weak, broken
voice, 81 cannot find words to tell thee
of my agony at parting with thee, but
| know that it must be. or my great
undying love cannot speak; but |
! know that, though my body dies, my
spirit will serve thee always, and will
, love thee forever. Take me in thine arms
j. for the last time, my beloved, and hear
| what | have to say. For years have
hated my cousin Palamon, for love of
, thee, and for jealousy; but now | swear