The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-09

and sculpture as was the eastern gate for the spectators, arranged so that all sat according to their degree. Above the eastern gate there was a richly embellished temple to Venus, the God dess of Love. and above. the western gate was a temple to Mars. the God of War.
 And now the time approached for the returning of the princes, and one day they appeared, each clad in royal garb, and each accompanied by knights goodly company and few such com- panies have ever been seen since that the world began; for every Knight who loved chivalry. and deeds of arms, when he heard of the tournament to be fought at Athens, begged of Arctic and Palamon that he might be enrolled in the company. With Palamon, all rid ing with shining armor and glittering weapons, might be seen Lycurgus him. self, the great King of Thrace. Black was his beard snd his face of manly cast. His eyes were piercing and bright and he glanced about like a griffon. His limbs were huge, his muscles strong, his shoulders broad He came riding in a golden car drawn by four white bulls. Instead of a surtout broidered with his arms he wore over his mail a bearskin. coal black. His hair, black as any raven's feather, hung down his back. A gold en circlet full of precious stones shone on his head. About his car went 20 white boarhounds as big as any steer. hundred great lords did King Lycur- gus have in his train, armed full we'll and with hearts firm and stout.
 With Arctic came the great King Emetreus, monarch of India. He rode upon war horse trapped in steel and covered with cloth of gold. He came riding like the god of armies. Mars and his surtout was of cloth of Tartary. rich silk. embroidered with pearls, hanging from his shoulder was glazed with rubies. His crisp hair was of bright yellow which glistened in the sun. His eye was bright, his nose high, his lips full and his color san guine. This king was about five and twenty years of age and his downy beard had never known the razor. Like a lion he looked about him; his voice was as trumpet call. A garland fresh was upon his head and upon his mailed hand there sat, instead of falcon, an eagle lily white. A hundred lords had he with him, all richly armed. Dukes, earls and kings were in that gallant com pany who came to do battle for love and the increase of chivalry. About the great King of India there gamboled many a tame leopard and tame lion
 It was on Sunday, about hour of prime, that all this splendid company came riding into Athens and shining fair in the light of morning. Theseus received his noble guests right royalty and en- tertained them with much stateliness and great feasting. There were dancing and singing, hawking and hunting with ,ne hounds. But Palamon went off to the great amphitheatre and in the temple over, the east gate he paid his devotions to Venus, goddess of love, beseechins her to give to him the lady of his love- Arctic also went to the amphitheatre and in the temple over the western gate he made his stpplicaton to Mars, the red god of war, asking for victory in the combat
 Meanwhile. the fair Lady Finely did pay her VOWS to the chaste goddess Di- ana "Chaste goddess" prayed she, thou knowest that I much desire to remain a maiden all my life and not to be a wife So help me, lady, if you can. Palamon and Arctic both love me sore, and would