Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1912-01-25
A Visit to Cameiot.

Let us visit Camelot, Arthurs CAPT
tol city, and see what it looked like
during his reign.
We must start southwark. Lo! there
it is on the top of that hill. The mist
rising now and then shows flashing
towers and shining spires, while now
and then we can see the gate. We
reach 1t, such a lovely structure; we
must stop awhile to view its beauties.
1t is great white stone gate carved
with many symbolical pictures. On the
Keystone barefooted stands the Lady of
the Lake, her garments flowing about
her like water. She holds the cornice
on her arms. From one hand hangs a
sword and from the other a censor.
while across her breast floats the sacred
fish. On her right and left are pictures
of Arthur's wars. And browning all
these, seated on the top; are the three
Queens, who aided Arthur in all his
ruling. We might stand here much
longer and find it more beautiful each
moment but we will pass under and
look at the city for while and then
visit the palace. All along the wide
sloping street stand great shadowy
palaces. old and crumbling away, some
are covered with clinging ivy. They
are all made of stone carved to represent
some old wars or chapters in symbolical
stories. Above all are the peaks and
pinnacles reaching almost to the skies.
Did you notice that young man that
just passed us riding on the snow white
horse, clad in shining armor? / think
that must be Lancelot, the especial
friend of the king. All around us are
people, they are happy, there are no
loud words or quarreling. That great,
massive building at the end of the street
is the palace. Let us 60 in and see
what it looks like. The hall is long
and high above is the vaulted roof.
Look straight ahead; there is the throne
where King Arthur delivers his justice.
On one side is huge fireplace with a
blazing log in it. All along the side in
three rows, and arched over the fire
place, are stone shields with the names
of knights written underneath. We
wonder why some have deliberately
painted coats of arms while Others
have nothing upon them; and upon
asking we are told that it is the custom
to leave knights shield blank until
he accomplishes some great deed, then
to emblazon it, There are two doors.
at which one shall we go out? One is
just opposite the fire place, a great
high door, but let us take the one at
the other end; it is smaller. Passing
through it we find it has a prettier
view. We stand on high pavement
with great stairway leading down
into grove of green trees and wood
land flowers. Let us look over the
country while we are here. All around
we see waving forests, high towers,
green fields, and in the west the sun
slowly sinking between the trees send
ing forth faint. shining arrows through
the leafy branches. 1t will soon be
dark so we must hasten home, but we
will stop for one moment again at the
gate and see the tourney field before us.
See at one end the tiers of seats and the
silken flags and coverings and the great
fighting field in front.
Let us descend the hill and 90 home
but let MS never forget how beautiful
Camelot looks as we turn at the foot of
OF the hill and look back over the
darkening streets.
LUCILLE CULVER.