Page:Tales from Chaucer.djvu/155

 returned home pondering the mystery of the oracle and of the vision.

Closely following upon Emily, Arcite went to the Temple of Mars to perform his sacrifice. Having finished all the rites, he intreated the God of arms, whom he constantly served, to grant him the victory on the ensuing day; in the event of which he vowed to offer at his shrine his flowing hair and beard, that had never felt the edge of shears or razor. 'This will I dedicate to thee, O! strong God of arms! together with my banner, and the accoutrements of all my company, which I will hang up in thy temple, and until the day of my death will I burn before thee eternal fire upon thine altar.'

His petition being ended, the rings upon the temple doors clattered, the fire upon the altar burned with a strange brightness, and a sweet smell steamed forth from the ground:—when in acknowledgment of the omen, having cast fresh incense upon the flame, and performed other rites, the statue of the god rang upon his hauberk, after which a low dim sound murmured 'Victory!'