Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/80

58 to be ushered into the royal presence. In a few moments, while all waited expectant, a swarthy figure, dressed in Oriental guise, came in.

With one hand he led by a silver bridle a horse of shining brass, which moved obedient to its keeper’s bidding. In his other hand he held a small mirror; by his side hung a sword bare of its scabbard, and on the thumb of his right hand he wore a ring of dazzling brightness.

When he had approached the Emperor Cambuscan, this stranger knight bowed low and spoke thus:

“Most potent sovereign of the West, the lord of Araby and Ind sends you these gifts with friendly greeting. This horse, of such magic power that he who knows its secret can ride through the air as if he were borne aloft on wings wheresoever he chooses; a mirror, in which he who looks can see who is his true friend or his sworn foe. In it any lady can see if her lover be true, or any prince can determine who among his subjects is a traitor. With these, he sends also this sword, which makes its owner invincible to enemies, and this ring, whose wonderful powers are unequaled in magic. He upon whose finger it is worn, can understand the language of animals, the