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UNIVERSITY OF CA RIVERSIDE LIBRARY

3 1210 00180 4721

 LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
RIVERSIDE
THE WORM OUROBOROS
 E

GORICE XII . IN CARCË .

 HE WORM
THUROUROBOROS
A ROMANCE BY Erie Rucker
EDDISON , ILLUSTRATED
BY KEITH HENDERSON

JONATHAN CAPE ELEVEN

GOWER STREET LONDON
First published 1922
All rights reserved
 CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS V

ILLUSTRATIONS vii
DEDICATION ix
THE INDUCTION xi
I
1. THE CASTLE OF LORD Juss
11. THE WRASTLING FOR DEMONLAND 16

III . THE RED FOLIOT 29

IV. CONJURING IN THE IRON TOWER 45
V. KING GORICE'S SENDING 61

VI. THE CLAWS OF WITCHLAND 68

VII . GUESTS OF THE KING IN CARCE 75
VIII . THE FIRST EXPEDITION TO IMPLAND 102

IX . SALAPANTA HILLS 117

X. THE MARCHLANDS OF THE MORUNA 134

XI . THE BURG OF ESHGRAR OGO 142
XII . KOSHTRA PIVRARCHA 158
XIII . KOSHTRA BELORN 184
XIV. THE LAKE OF RAVARY 198
XV. QUEEN PREZMYRA 207
XVI . THE LADY SRIVA'S EMBASSAGE 217

XVII . THE KING FLIES HIS HAGGARD 230

XVIII . THE MURTHER OF GALLANDUS BY CORSUS 242
XIX. THREMNIR'S HEUGH 254
XX. KING CORINIUS 266

XXI . THE PARLEY BEFORE KROTHERING 272

XXII . AURWATH AND SWITCHWATER 278

XXIII . THE WEIRD BEGUN OF ISHNAIN NEMARTRA 290
XXIV. A KING IN KROTHERING 297
XXV. LORD GRO AND THE LADY MEVRIAN 310
XXVI. THE BATTLE OF KROTHERING SIDE 322
XXVII . THE SECOND EXPEDITION TO IMPLAND 341
XXVIII . ZORA RACH NAM PSARRION 356

V
THE WORM OUROBOROS

XXIX. THE FLEET AT MUELVA 369

XXX. TIDINGS OF MELIKAPHKHAZ 372

XXXI . THE DEMONS BEFORE CARCE 384

XXXII . THE LATTER END OF ALL THE LORDS OF WITCHLAND 406
XXXIII. QUEEN SOPHONISBA IN GALING 423
ARGUMENT : WITH DATES 441
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE ON THE VERSES 445

vi
 ILLUSTRATIONS

GORICE XII. IN CARCE Frontispiece

THE LORDS JUSS, GOLDRY BLUSZCO, SPITFIRE, AND
BRANDOCH DAHA 9
IN KOSHTRA BELORN 191
SOLDIERS OF DEMONLAND 335
HIPPOGRIFF IN FLIGHT 359

THE LAST CONJURING IN CARCE 415

vii
 TRUE Thomas lay on Huntlie bank,
A ferlie he spied wi his ee ;
And there he saw a Ladybright
Come riding down by the Eildon Tree.
Her skirt was o the grass-green silk,
Her mantle o the velvet fyne,
At ilka tett of her horse's mane
Hung fifty siller bells and nine.
True Thomas he pulld aff his cap,
And louted low down on his knee :
" Hail to thee, Mary, Queen of Heaven !
For thy peer on earth could never be."
“ O no, O no, Thomas," she says,
" That name does not belang to me ;
I'm but the Queen of fair Elfland,
That am hither come to visit thee .

" Harp and carp, Thomas," she says,

Harp and carp alang wi me.
And if ye dare to kiss my lips,
Sure of your bodie I will be."
" Betide me weal, betide me woe,
That weird shall never daunton me ."
Syne he has kissed her rosy lips ,
All underneath the Eildon Tree .

THOMAS THE RHYMER .

viii
 To W. G. E. and to my friends K. H.
and G. C. L. M. I dedicate this book

It is neither allegory nor fable but a Story to be read for

its own sake.
The proper names I have tried to spell simply. The e in
Carcë is long, like that in Phryne, the o in Krothering short
and the accent on that syllable : Corund is accented on the first
syllable, Prezmyra on the second, Brandoch Daha on the first
and fourth, Gorice on the last syllable, rhyming with thrice :
Corinius rhymes with Flaminius, Galing with sailing, La
Fireez with desire ease : ch is always guttural, as in loch.
9th January 1922 E. R. E.

ix
 THE INDUCTION

HERE was a man named Lessingham dwelt in an old

Tyew-trees flourished that had seen Vikings in Cope-
low house in Wastdale, set in a gray old garden where
land in their seedling time. Lily and rose and larkspur bloomed
in the borders, and begonias with blossoms big as saucers, red
and white and pink and lemon-colour, in the beds before the
porch. Climbing roses, honeysuckle, clematis, and the scarlet
flame-flower scrambled up the walls. Thick woods were on
every side without the garden, with a gap north-eastward
opening on the desolate lake and the great fells beyond it :
Gable rearing his crag-bound head against the sky from behind
the straight clean outline of the Screes .
Cool long shadows stole across the tennis lawn. The air
was golden. Doves murmured in the trees ; two chaffinches
played on the near post of the net ; a little water-wagtail
scurried along the path. A French window stood open to the
garden, showing darkly a dining-room panelled with old oak,
its Jacobean table bright with flowers and silver and cut glass
and Wedgwooddishes heaped with fruit: greengages, peaches ,
and greenmuscat grapes. Lessingham layback in a hammock-
chair watching through the blue smoke of an after-dinner cigar
the warm light on the Gloire de Dijon roses that clustered
about the bedroom window overhead. He had her hand in his .
This was their House.
" Should we finish that chapter of Njal ? " she said.
She took the heavy volume with its faded green cover, and
read : " He went out on the night of the Lord's day, when
nine weeks were still to winter ; he heard a great crash, so that
he thought both heaven and earth shook. Then he looked
xi
THE WORM OUROBOROS
into the west airt, and he thought he saw thereabouts a ring
of fiery hue, and within the ring a man on a gray horse. He
passed quickly by him, and rode hard. He had a flaming
firebrand in his hand, and he rode so close to him that he could
see him plainly. He was black as pitch, and he sung this song
with a mighty voice-
Here I ride swift steed,
His flank flecked with rime,
Rain from his mane drips,
Horse mighty for harm ;
Flames flare at each end,
Gall glows in the midst,
So fares it with Flosi's redes
As this flaming brand flies ;
And so fares it with Flosi's redes
As this flaming brand flies.
" Then he thought he hurled the firebrand east towards
the fells before him, and such a blaze of fire leapt up to meet
it that he could not see the fells for the blaze. It seemed as
though that man rode east among the flames and vanished
there.
" After that he went to his bed, and was senseless for a long
time, but at last he came to himself. He bore in mind all that
had happened, and told his father, but he bade him tell it to
Hjallti Skeggi's son. So he went and told Hjallti, but he said
hehad seen ' the Wolf's Ride, and that comes ever before great
,"

tidings.'
They were silent awhile ; then Lessingham said suddenly,
" Do you mind if we sleep in the east wing to-night ? "
" What, in the Lotus Room ? "
" Yes ."
" I'm too much ofalazy-bones to-night, dear," she answered.
" Do you mind if I go alone, then ? I shall be back to
breakfast. I like my lady with me ; still, we can go again when
next moon wanes. My pet is not frightened, is she ? "
" No ! " she said, laughing. But her eyes were a little
big. Her fingers played with his watch-chain. " I'd rather,"
she said presently," you went later on and took me. All this
is so odd still : the House, and that ; and I love it so. And
after all, it is a long way and several years too, sometimes, in
xii
 THE INDUCTION
the Lotus Room, even though it is all over next morning.
I'd rather we went together. If anything happened then,
well, we'd both be done in, and it wouldn't matter so much,
would it ? "
" Both be what ? " said Lessingham. " I'm afraid your
language is not all that might be wished."
" Well, you taught me! " said she ; and they laughed.
They sat there till the shadows crept over the lawn and up
the trees, and the high rocks of the mountain shoulder beyond
“

burned red in the evening rays. He said, If you like to

stroll a bit of way up the fell-side, Mercury is visible to-night.
We might get a glimpse of him just after sunset."
A little later, standing on the open hillside below the
hawking bats, they watched for the dim planet that showed
at last low down in the west between the sunset and the dark .
He said, " It is as if Mercury had a finger on me to-night,
Mary. It's no good my trying to sleep to-night except in the
Lotus Room ."
“
Her arm tightened in his. Mercury ? " she said. " It is
another world. It is too far."
But he laughed and said, " Nothing is too far."
They turned back as the shadows deepened. As they
stood in the dark of the arched gate leading from the open fell
into the garden, the soft clear notes of a spinet sounded from the
house. She put up a finger. " Hark," she said. " Your
daughter playing Les Barricades."
They stood listening. " She loves playing," he whispered.
" I'm glad we taught her to play." Presently he whispered
again, Les Barricades Mystérieuses. What inspired Couperin
▸ with that enchanted name ? And only you and I know what it
really means. Les Barricades Mystérieuses."

That night Lessingham lay alone in the Lotus Room. Its

casements opened eastward on the sleeping woods and the
sleeping bare slopes of Illgill Head. He slept soft and deep ;
for that was the House of Postmeridian, and the House of
Peace.
In the deep and dead time of the night, when the waning
moon peered over the mountain shoulder, he woke suddenly.
The silver beams shone through
rough the open window on a form
b xiii
THE WORM OUROBOROS
perched at the foot of the bed : a little bird, black, round-
headed, short-beaked, with long sharp wings, and eyes like two
stars shining. It spoke and said, Time is."
،،

So Lessingham got up and muffled himself in a great cloak

that lay on a chair beside the bed. He said, " I am ready, my
little martlet." For that was the House of Heart's Desire .
Surely the martlet's eyes filled all the room with starlight.
It was an old room with lotuses carved on the panels and on the
bed and chairs and roof-beams ; and in the glamour the carved
flowers swayed like water- lilies in a lazy stream. He went to the
window, and the little martlet sat on his shoulder. A chariot
coloured like the halo about the moon waited by the window,
poised in air, harnessed to a strange steed. A horse it seemed,
but winged like an eagle, and its fore-legs feathered and armed
with eagle's claws instead of hooves. He entered the chariot,
and that little martlet sat on his knee.
With a whirr of wings the wild courser sprang skyward.
The night about them was like the tumult of bubbles about a
diver's ears diving in a deep pool under a smooth steep rock
in a mountain cataract. Time was swallowed up in speed ;
the world reeled ; and it was but as the space between two deep
breaths till that strange courser spread wide his rainbow wings
and slanted down the night over a great island that slumbered on
a slumbering sea, with lesser isles about it : a country of rock
mountains and hill pastures and many waters, all a-glimmer in
the moonshine .
They landed within a gate crowned with golden lions .
Lessingham came down from the chariot, and the little black
martlet circled about his head, showing him a yew avenue
leading from the gates. As in a dream, he followed her.

xiv
 I : THE CASTLE OF LORD JUSS
OF THE RARITIES THAT WERE IN THE LOFTY PRESENCE CHAMBER FAIR
AND LOVELY TO BEHOLD, AND OF THE QUALITIES AND CONDITIONS
OF THE LORDS OF DEMONLAND : AND OF THE EMBASSY SENT UNTO
THEM BY KING GORICE XI ., AND OF THE ANSWER THERETO .

HE eastern stars were paling to the dawn as Lessing-

ham followed his conductor along the grass walk
T between the shadowy ranks of Irish yews, that stood
like soldiers mysterious and expectant in the darkness. The
grass was bathed in night-dew, and great white lilies sleeping
in the shadows of the yews loaded the air of that garden with
fragrance. Lessingham felt no touch of the ground beneath
his feet, and when he stretched out his hand to touch a tree his
hand passed through branch and leaves as though they were
unsubstantial as a moonbeam .
The little martlet, alighting on his shoulder, laughed in
his ear. " Child of earth," she said, " dost think we are here
in dreamland ? "
He answered nothing, and she said, " This is no dream.
Thou, first of the children of men, art come to Mercury, where
thou and I will journey up and down for a season to show thee
the lands and oceans , the forests, plains, and ancient mountains ,
cities and palaces of this world, Mercury, and the doings of
them that dwell therein. But here thou canst not handle
aught, neither make the folk ware of thee, not though thou
shout thy throat hoarse. For thou and I walk here impalpable
and invisible, as it were two dreams walking."
They were now on the marble steps which led from the
yew walk to the terrace opposite the great gate of the castle.
" No need to unbar gates to thee and me," said the martlet,
as they passed beneath the darkness of that ancient portal,
B I
THE WORM OUROBOROS
carved with strange devices, and clean through the massy
timbers of the bolted gate thickly riveted with silver, into the
inner court. Go we into the lofty presence chamber and
there tarry awhile. Morning is kindling the upper air, and
folk will soon be stirring in the castle, for they lie not long
abed when day begins in Demonland. For be it known to
thee, O earth-born, that this land is Demonland, and this
castle the castle of Lord Juss, and this day now dawning his
birthday, when the Demons hold high festival in Juss's castle
to do honour unto him and to his brethren, Spitfire and
Goldry Bluszco ; and these and their fathers before them
bear rule from time immemorial in Demonland, and have
the lordship over all the Demons . "
She spoke, and the first low beams of the sun smote javelin-
like through the eastern windows, and the freshness of morning
breathed and shimmered in that lofty chamber, chasing the
blue and dusky shades of departed night to the corners and
recesses, and to the rafters of the vaulted roof. Surely no
potentate of earth, not Croesus, not the great King, not Minos
in his royal palace in Crete, not all the Pharaohs, not Queen
Semiramis , nor all the Kings of Babylon and Nineveh had ever
a throne room to compare in glory with that high presence
chamber of the lords of Demonland. Its walls and pillars
were of snow-white marble, every vein whereof was set with
small gems : rubies, corals, garnets, and pink topaz. Seven
pillars on either side bore up the shadowy vault of the roof ;
the roof-tree and the beams were of gold, curiously carved,
the roof itself of mother-of-pearl. A side aisle ran behind
each row of pillars, and seven paintings on the western side
faced seven spacious windows on the east. At the end of the
hall upon a dais stood three high seats, the arms of each com-
posed of two hippogriffs wrought in gold, with wings spread,
and the legs of the seats the legs of the hippogriffs ; but the
body of each high seat was a single jewel of monstrous size :
the left-hand seat a black opal, asparkle with steel-blue fire,
the next a fire-opal, as it were a burning coal, the third seat
an alexandrite, purple like wine by night but deep sea-green
by day. Ten more pillars stood in semicircle behind the
high seats, bearing up above them and the dais a canopy of
gold. The benches that ran from end to end of the lofty
chamber were of cedar, inlaid with coral and ivory, and so
2
 THE CASTLE OF LORD JUSS
were the tables that stood before the benches. The floor of
the chamber was tesselated, of marble and green tourmaline,
and on every square of tourmaline was carven the image of a
fish : as the dolphin, the conger, the cat-fish, the salmon, the
tunny, the squid, and other wonders of the deep. Hangings
of tapestry were behind the high seats, worked with flowers,
snake's-head, snapdragon, dragon-mouth, and their kind ; and
on the dado below the windows were sculptures of birds and
beasts and creeping things .
But a great wonder of this chamber, and a marvel to behold,
was how the capital of every one of the four-and-twenty pillars
was hewn from a single precious stone, carved by the hand of
some sculptor of long ago into the living form of a monster :
here was a harpy with screaming mouth, so wondrously cut
in ochre-tinted jade it was a marvel to hear no scream from
her : here in wine-yellow topaz a flying fire-drake : there a
cockatrice made of a single ruby : there a star sapphire the
colour of moonlight, cut for a cyclops, so that the rays of the
star trembled from his single eye : salamanders , mermaids,
chimaeras, wild men o' the woods, leviathans, all hewn from
faultless gems, thrice the bulk of a big man's body, velvet-
dark sapphires, chrysolite, beryl, amethyst, and the yellow
zircon that is like transparent gold.
To give light to the presence chamber were seven escar-
buncles, great as pumpkins, hung in order down the length
of it, and nine fair moonstones standing in order on silver
pedestals between the pillars onthe dais. Thesejewels, drink-
ing in the sunshine by day, gave it forth during the hours of
darkness in a radiance of pink light and a soft effulgence as of
moonbeams. And yet another marvel, the nether side of the
canopy over the high seats was encrusted with lapis lazuli, and
in that feigned dome of heaven burned the twelve signs of the
zodiac, every star a diamond that shone with its own light.
Folk now began to be astir in the castle, and there came a
score of serving men into the presence chamber with brooms
and brushes, cloths and leathers, to sweep and garnish it, and
burnish the gold and jewels of the chamber. Lissome they
were and sprightly of gait, of fresh complexion and fair-haired.
Horns grew on their heads. When their tasks were accom-
plished they departed, and the presence began to fill with
3
THE WORM OUROBOROS
guests. Ajoy it was to see such ashifting maze ofvelvets, furs ,
curious needleworks and cloth of tissue, tiffanies, laces, ruffs ,
goodly chains and carcanets of gold : such glitter of jewels and
weapons : such nodding of the plumes the Demons wore in
their hair, half veiling the horns that grew upon their heads.
Some were sitting on the benches or leaning on the polished
tables, some walking forth and back upon the shining floor.
Here and there were women among them, women so fair one
had said : it is surely white-armed Helen this one ; this ,
Arcadian Atalanta ; this , Phryne that stood to Praxiteles for
Aphrodite's picture ; this, Thaïs, for whom great Alexander
to pleasure her fantasy did burn Persepolis like a candle ; this,
she that was rapt by the Dark God from the flowering fields
ofEnna, to be Queen for ever among the dead that be departed.
Now came a stir near the stately doorway, and Lessingham
beheld a Demon of burly frame and noble port, richly attired.
His face was ruddy and somewhat freckled, his forehead wide,
his eyes calm and blue like the sea. His beard, thick and
tawny, was parted and brushed back and upwards on either
side.
" Tell me, my little martlet," said Lessingham, " is this
Lord Juss ? " "

" This is not Lord Juss," answered the martlet, nor

aught so worshipful as he. The lord thou seest is Volle, who

dwelleth under Kartadza, by the salt sea. Agreat sea-captain
is he, and one that did service to the cause of Demonland, and
of the whole world besides, in the late wars against the Ghouls.
" But cast thine eyes again towards the door, where one
standeth amid a knot of friends, tall and somewhat stooping,
in a corselet of silver, and a cloak of old brocaded silk coloured
like tarnished gold ; something like to Volle in feature, but
swarthy, and with bristling black moustachios."
" I see him," said Lessingham. " This then is Lord Juss ! "
" Not so," said the martlet. " 'Tis but Vizz, brother to
Volle. He is wealthiest in goods of all the Demons, save the
three brethren only and Lord Brandoch Daha."
" And who is this ? " asked Lessingham, pointing to one of
light and brisk step and humorous eye, who in that moment
met Volle and engaged him in converse apart. Handsome of
face he was, albeit somewhat long-nosed and sharp-nosed :
keen and hard and filled with life and thejoy of it.
4
 THE CASTLE OF LORD JUSS
" Here thou beholdest," answered she, " Lord Zigg, the
far-famed tamer of horses. Well loved is he among the
Demons, for he is merry of mood, and a mighty man of his
hands withal when he leadeth his horsemen against the enemy."
Volle threw up his beard and laughed a great laugh at some
jest that Zigg whispered in his ear, and Lessingham leaned
forward into the hall if haply he might catch what was said.
The hum of talk drowned the words, but leaning forward
Lessingham saw where the arras curtains behind the dais
parted for a moment, and one of princely bearing advanced past
thehigh seats down the body ofthe hall. His gait was delicate,
as of some lithe beast ofprey newly wakened out of slumber, and
he greeted with lazy grace the many friends who hailed his
entrance. Very tall was that lord, and slender of build, like
a girl. His tunic was of silk coloured like the wild rose, and
embroidered ingoldwith representations of flowers and thunder-
bolts. Jewels glittered on his left hand and on the golden
bracelets on his arms, and on the fillet twined among the golden
curls of his hair, set with plumes of the king-bird of Paradise.
His horns were dyed with saffron, and inlaid with filigree work
of gold. His buskins were laced with gold, and from his belt
hung a sword, narrow of blade and keen, the hilt rough with
beryls and black diamonds. Strangely light and delicate was
his frame and seeming, yet with a sense of slumbering power
beneath, as the delicate peak of a snow mountain seen afar in
the low red rays of morning. His face was beautiful to look
upon, and softly coloured like a girl's face, and his expression
one of gentle melancholy, mixed with some disdain; but fiery
glints awoke at intervals in his eyes, and the lines of swift
determination hovered round the mouth below his curled
moustachios.
" At last," murmured Lessingham, " at last, Lord Juss ! "
" Little art thou to blame," said the martlet, " for this
misprision, for scarce could a lordlier sight have joyed thine
eyes. Yet is this not Juss, but Lord Brandoch Daha, to whom
all Demonland west of Shalgreth and Stropardon oweth
allegiance : the rich vineyards of Krothering, the broad pasture
lands of Failze, and all the western islands and their cragbound
fastnesses. Think not, because he affecteth silks and jewels
like a queen, and carrieth himself light and dainty as a silver
birch tree on the mountain, that his hand is light or his courage
5
THE WORM OUROBOROS
doubtful in war. For years was he held for the third best
man-at-arms in all Mercury, along with these, Goldry Bluszco
and Gorice X. of Witchland. And Gorice he slew, nine
summers back, in single combat, when the Witches harried
in Goblinland and Brandoch Daha led five hundred and four-
score Demons to succour Gaslark, the king of that country.
And now can none surpass Lord Brandoch Daha in feats of
arms, save perchance Goldry alone.
66

Yet, lo," she said, as a sweet and wild music stole on the
ear, and the guests turned towards the dais, and the hangings
parted, " at last, the triple lordship of Demonland ! Strike
softly, music : smile, Fates , on this festal day ! Joy and safe
days shine for this world and Demonland ! Turn thy gaze
first on him who walks in majesty in the midst, his tunic of
olive-green velvet ornamented with devices of hidden meaning
in thread of gold and beads of chrysolite. Mark how the
buskins, clasping his stalwart calves, glitter with gold and
amber. Mark the dusky cloak streamed with gold and lined
with blood-red silk : a charmed cloak, made by the sylphs in
forgotten days, bringing good hap to the wearer, so he be true
of heart and no dastard. Mark him that weareth it, his sweet
dark countenance, the violet fire in his eyes, the sombre warmth
of his smile, like autumn woods in late sunshine. This is
Lord Juss, lord of this age-remembering castle, than whom
none hath more worship in wide Demonland. Somewhat he
knoweth of art magical, yet useth not that art ; for it sappeth
the life and strength, nor is it held worthy that a Demon should
put trust in that art, but rather in his own might and main.
" Now turn thine eyes to him that leaneth on Juss's left
arm, shorter but mayhap sturdier than he, apparelled in black
silk that shimmers with gold as he moveth, and crowned with
black eagle's feathers among his horns and yellow hair. His
face is wild and keen like a sea-eagle's, and from his bristling
brows the eyes dart glances sharp as a glancing spear. A faint
flame, pallid like the fire of a Will-o'-the-Wisp, breathes ever
and anon from his distended nostrils. This is Lord Spitfire,
impetuous in war.
66

Last, behold on Juss's right hand, yon lord that bulks

mighty as Hercules yet steppeth lightly as a heifer. The
thews and sinews of his great limbs ripple as he moves beneath
a skin whiter than ivory ; his cloak of cloth of gold is heavy with
6
THE CASTLE OF LORD JUSS
jewels, his tunic of black sendaline hath great hearts worked
thereonin rubies and red silk thread. Slung from his shoulders
clanks a two-handed sword, the pommel a huge star-ruby carven
in the image of a heart, for the heart is his sign and symbol.
This is that sword forged by the elves, wherewith he slew the
sea-monster, as thou mayest see in the painting on the wall.
Noble is he of countenance, most like to his brother Juss, but
darker brown of hair and ruddier of hue and bigger of cheek-
bone. Look well on him, for never shall thine eyes behold a
greater champion than the Lord Goldry Bluszco, captain of
the hosts of Demonland ."

Now when the greetings were done and the strains of

the lutes and recorders sighed and lost themselves in the
shadowy vault of the roof, the cup-bearers did fill great gems
made in form of cups with ancient wine, and the Demons
caroused to Lord Juss deep draughts in honour of this day of
his nativity. And now they were ready to set forth by twos
and threes into the parks and pleasaunces, some to take their
pleasure about the fair gardens and fishponds, some to hunt
wild game among the wooded hills, some to disport themselves
at quoits or tennis or riding at the ring or martial exercises ;
that so they might spend the livelong day as befitteth high
holiday, in pleasure and action without care, and thereafter
revel in the lofty presence chamber till night grew old with
eating and drinking and all delight.
But as they were upon going forth, a trumpet was sounded
without, three strident blasts .
" What kill-joy have we here ? " said Spitfire. " The
trumpet soundeth only for travellers from the outlands. I
feel it in my bones some rascal is come to Galing, one that
bringeth ill hap in his pocket and a shadow athwart the sun on
this our day of festival."
،،
Speak no word of ill omen," answered Juss . " Whosoe'er
it be, we will straight dispatch his business and so fall to pleasure
indeed. Some, run to the gate and bring him in. "
The serving man hastened and returned, saying, " Lord,
it is anAmbassador from Witchland and his train. Their ship
made land at Lookinghaven-ness at nightfall. They slept on
board, and your soldiers gave them escort to Galing at break of
day. He craveth present audience."
7
THE WORM OUROBOROS
" From Witchland, ha ? " said Juss. " Such smokes use
ever to go before the fire. "
" Shall's bid the fellow," said Spitfire, " wait on our
pleasure ? It is pity such should poison our gladness."
Goldry laughed and said, " Whom hath he sent us ?
Laxus, think you ? to make his peace with us again for that
vile part of his practised against us off Kartadza, detestably
falsifying his word he had given us ? "
Juss said to the serving man, " Thou sawest theAmbassador.
Who is he ? "
6
"
Lord," answered he, " His face was strange to me. He
is little of stature and, by your highness' leave, the most unlike
to a great lord of Witchland that ever I saw. And, by your
leave, for all the marvellous rich and sumptuous coat a weareth,
he is very like a false jewel in a rich casing."
" “

Well," said Juss, a sour draught sweetens not in the

waiting. Call we in the Ambassador."
Lord Juss sat in the high seat midmost of the dais, with
Goldry on his right in the seat of black opal, and on his left
Spitfire, throned on the alexandrite. On the dais sat likewise
those other lords of Demonland, and the guests of lower
degree thronged the benches and the polished tables as the wide
doors opened on their silver hinges, and the Ambassador with
pomp and ceremony paced up the shining floor of marble and
green tourmaline.
" Why, what a beastly fellow is this ? " said Lord Goldry
in his brother's ear. " His hairy hands reach down to his knees .
A shuffleth in his walk like a hobbled jackass."
" I like not the dirty face of the Ambassador," said Lord
66
Zigg. His nose sitteth flat on the face of him as it were a
dab of clay, and I can see pat up his nostrils a summer day's
journey into his head. If's upper lip bespeak him not a rare
spouter of rank fustian, perdition catch me. Were it a finger's
breadth longer, a might tuck it into his collar to keep his chin
warm of a winter's night."
" I like not the smell of the Ambassador," said Lord
Brandoch Daha. And he called for censers and sprinklers of
lavender and rose water to purify the chamber, and let open
the crystal windows that the breezes of heaven might enter
and make all sweet.
So the Ambassador walked up the shining floor and stood
8
 10

AH

THE LORDS JUSS, GOLDRY BLUSZCO, SPITFIRE, AND BRANDOCH DAHA.

9
THE WORM OUROBOROS
before the lords of Demonland that sat upon the high seats
between the golden hippogriffs. He was robed in a long
mantle of scarlet velvet lined with ermine, with crabs, woodlice,
and centipedes worked thereon in golden thread. His head
was covered with a black velvet cap with a peacock's feather
fastened with a brooch of silver. Supported by his train-
bearers and attendants , and leaning on his golden staff, he with
raucous accent delivered his mission :
66

Juss , Goldry, and Spitfire, and ye other Demons, I come

before you as the Ambassador of Gorice XI., most glorious
King of Witchland, Lord and great Duke of Buteny and
Estremerine, Commander of Shulan, Thramnë, Mingos, and
Permio, and High Warden of the Esamocian Marches , Great
Duke of Trace, King Paramount of Beshtria and Nevria and
Prince of Ar, Great Lord over the country of Ojedia, Maltraëny,
and of Baltary and Toribia, and Lord of many other countries,
most glorious and most great, whose power and glory is over all
the world and whose name shall endure for all generations .
And first I bid you be bound by that reverence for my sacred
office of envoy from the King, which is accorded by all people
and potentates, save such as be utterly barbarous, to ambas-
sadors and envoys."
Speak and fear not," answered Juss . " Thou hast mine
oath. And that hath never been forsworn, to Witch or other
barbarian ."
The Ambassador shot out his lips in an O, and threatened
with his head; then grinned, laying bare his sharp and mis-
shapen teeth, and proceeded :
" Thus saith King Gorice, great and glorious, and he
chargeth me to deliver it to you, neither adding any word nor
taking away : ' I have it in mind that no ceremony of homage
or fealty hath been performed before me by the dwellers in my
province of Demonland "
As the rustling of dry leaves strewn in a flagged court when
a sudden wind striketh them, there went a stir among the
guests. Nor might the Lord Spitfire contain his wrath, but
springing up and clapping hand to sword-hilt, as minded to do
a hurt to the Ambassador, " Province ? " he cried. "Are not
theDemons a free people ? And is it tobe endured that Witch-
land should commission this slave to cast insults in our teeth,
and this in our own castle ? "
10
THE CASTLE OF LORD JUSS
A murmur went about the hall, and here and there folk
rose from their seats . The Ambassador drew down his head
between his shoulders like a tortoise, baring his teeth and
blinking with his small eyes. But Lord Brandoch Daha,
lightly laying his hand on Spitfire's arm, said : " The Ambas-
sador hath not ended his message, cousin, and thou hast
frightened him. Have patience and spoil not the comedy.
We shall not lack words to answer King Gorice : no, nor
swords, if he must have them. But it shall not be said of us
of Demonland that it needeth but a boorish message to turn us
from our ancient courtesy toward ambassadors and heralds."
So spake Lord Brandoch Daha, in lazy half-mocking tone,
as one who but idly returneth the ball of conversation ; yet
clearly, so that all might hear. And therewith the murmurs
died down, and Spitfire said, " I am tame. Say thine errand
freely, and imagine not that we shall hold thee answerable
for aught thou sayest, but him that sent thee."
" Whose humble mouthpiece I only am," said the Ambas-
sador, somewhat gathering courage ; " and who, saving your
reverence, lacketh not the will nor the power to take revenge
for any outrage done upon his servants. Thus saith the King :
' I therefore summon and command you, Juss, Spitfire, and
Goldry Bluszco, to make haste and come to me in Witchland
in my fortress of Carcë, and there dutifully kiss my toe, in
witness before all the world that I am your Lord and King,
and rightful overlord of all Demonland.'"
Gravely and without gesture Lord Juss harkened to the
Ambassador, leaning back in his high seat with either arm
thrown athwart the arched neck of a hippogriff. Goldry,
smiling scornfully, toyed with the hilt of his great sword.
Spitfire sat strained and glowering, the sparks crackling at his
nostrils.
" Thou hast delivered all ? " said Juss.
"

All," answered the Ambassador.

" Thou shalt have thine answer," said Juss . " While we
take rede thereon, eat and drink ; " and he beckoned the cup-
bearer to pour out bright wine for the Ambassador. But
the Ambassador excused himself, saying that he was not
athirst, and that he had store of food and wine aboard of his
ship, which should suffice his needs and those of his following.
Then said Lord Spitfire, " No marvel though the spawn
II
THE WORM OUROBOROS
of Witchland fear venom in the cup. They who work com-
monly such villany against their enemies, as witness Recedor
of Goblinland whom Corsus murthered with a poisonous
draught, shake still in the knees lest themselves be so enter-
tained to their destruction ; " and snatching the cup he quaffed
it to the dregs, and dashed it on the marble floor before the
Ambassador, so that it was shivered into pieces .
And the lords of Demonland rose up and withdrew behind
the flowery hangings into a chamber apart, to determine of
their answer to the message sent unto them by King Gorice
of Witchland.
When they were private together, Spitfire spake and said,
" Is it to be borne that the King should put such shame and
mockery upon us ? Could a not at the least have made a
son of Corund or of Corsus his Ambassador to bring us his
defiance, 'stead of this filthiest of his domestics, a gibbering
dwarf fit only to make them gab and game at their tippling bouts
when they be three parts senseless with boosing ? "
Lord Juss smiled somewhat scornfully. " With wisdom,"
he said, " and with foresight hath Witchland made choice of
his time to move against us, knowing that thirty and three of
our well-built ships are sunken in Kartadza Sound in the
battle with the Ghouls, and but fourteen remain to us. Now
that the Ghouls are slain, every soul, and utterly abolished from
this world, and so the great curse and peril of all this world
ended by the sword and great valour of Demonland alone,
now seemeth the happy moment unto these late mouth-friends
to fall upon us. For have not the Witches a strong fleet of
ships, since their whole fleet fled at the beginning of their
fight with us against the Ghouls, leaving us to bear the burden ?
And now are they minded for this new treason, to set upon
us traitorously and suddenly in this disadvantage. For the
King well judgeth we can carry no army to Witchland nor do
aught in his despite, but must be long months a-shipbuilding.
And doubt not he holdeth an armament ready aboard at
Tenemos to sail hither if he get the answer he knoweth we shall
send him ."
" Sit we at ease then," said Goldry, " sharpening our
swords ; and let him ship his armies across the salt sea. Not
a Witch shall land in Demonland but shall leave here his blood
and bones to make fat our cornfields and our vineyards."
12
 THE CASTLE OF LORD JUSS
" Rather," said Spitfire, " apprehend this rascal, and put
to sea to-day with the fourteen ships left us. We can surprise
Witchland in his strong place of Carcë, sack it, and give him to
the crows to peck at, or ever he is well awake to the swiftness
of our answer. That is my counsel."
66

Nay," said Juss, we shall not take him sleeping. Be

certain that his ships are ready and watching in the Witchland
seas, prepared against any rash onset. It were folly to set our
neck in the noose; and little glory to Demonland to await his
coming. This, then, is my rede : I will bid Gorice to the
duello, and make offer to him to let lie on the fortune thereof
the decision of this quarrel."
" A good rede, if it might be fulfilled," said Goldry. "But
never will he dare to stand with weapons in single combat
'gainst thee or 'gainst any of us. Nevertheless the thing shall
be brought about. Is not Gorice a mighty wrastler, and hath
he not in his palace in Carcë the skulls and bones of ninety and
nine great champions whom he hath vanquished and slain in
that exercise ? Puffed up beyond measure is he in his own
conceit, and folk say it is a grief to him that none hath been
found this long while that durst wrastle with him, and wofully
he pineth for the hundredth. He shall wrastle a fall with me ! "
Now this seemed good to them all. So when they had
talked on it awhile and concluded what they would do, glad
of heart the lords of Demonland turned them back to the lofty
presence chamber. And there Lord Juss spake and said :
Demons, ye have heard the words which the King of Witch-
land in the overweening pride and shamelessness of his heart
hath spoken unto us by the mouth of this Ambassador. Now
this is our answer which my brother shall give, the Lord
Goldry Bluszco ; and we charge thee, O Ambassador, to
deliver it truly, neither adding any word nor taking away."
And the Lord Goldry spake : " We, the lords of Demon-
land, do utterly scorn thee, Gorice XI., for the greatest of
dastards, in that thou basely fleddest and forsookest us, thy
sworn confederates, in the sea battle against the Ghouls. Our
swords, which in that battle ended so great a curse and peril to
all this world, are not bent nor broken. They shall be sheathed
in the bowels of thee and thy minions, Corsus to wit, and
Corund, and their sons, and Corinius, and what other evildoers
harbour in waterish Witchland, sooner than one little sea-
13
THE WORM OUROBOROS
pink growing on the cliffs of Demonland shall do thee obeisance.
But, that thou mayest, if so thou wilt, feel our power somewhat ,
I, Lord Goldry Bluszco, make thee this offer : that thou and
I do match ourselves singly each against other to wrastle three
falls at the court of the Red Foliot, who inclineth neither to
our side nor to thine in this quarrel. And we will bind ourselves
by mighty oaths to these conditions, that if I overcome thee,
theDemons shall leave you of Witchland in peace, and ye them,
and the Witches shall forswear for ever their impudent claims
on Demonland. But if thou, Gorice, win the day, then hast
thou the glory of that victory, and withal full liberty to thrust
thy claims upon us with the sword. "
So spake the Lord Goldry Bluszco, standing in great pride
and splendour beneath the starry canopy, and scowling terribly
on the Ambassador from Witchland, so that the Ambassador
was abashed and his knees smote together. And Goldry called
his scribe and made him write the message for Gorice the King
in great characters on a roll of parchment, and the lords
of Demonland sealed it with their seals, and gave it to the
Ambassador.
The Ambassador took it and made haste to depart; but
when he was come to the stately doorway of the presence
chamber, being near the door and amongst his attendants ,
and away from the lords of Demonland, he plucked up heart
a little and turned and said : Rashly and to thy certain
undoing, O Goldry Bluszco, hast thou bidden our Lord the
King to contend with thee in wrastling. For be thou never
so mighty of limb, yet hath he overthrown as mighty. And
he wrastleth not for sport, but will surely work thy life's decay,
and keep the dead bones of thee with the bones of the ninety
and nine champions whom he hath heretofore laid low in that
exercise ."
Therewith, because Goldry and the other lords scowled
upon him terribly, and the guests near the door fell to hooting
and reviling of the Witches, the Ambassador went forth hastily
and hastily down the shining stairs and across the court, as
one who fleeth along a lane on a dark and windy night, daring
not to turn his head lest his eye behold some fearsome thing
prepared to clasp him. So speeding, he was fain to catch up
about his knees the folds of his velvet cloak richly worked with
crabs and creeping things ; and huge whooping and laughter
14
THE CASTLE OF LORD JUSS
went up among the common lag of people without, to behold
his long and nerveless tail thus bared to their unfriendly gaze.
Insomuch that they fell to shouting with one accord, " Though
his mouth be foul he hath a fair tail ! Saw ye not his tail ?
Hurrah for Gorice who hath sent us a monkey for his Ambas-
sador ! "
And with jibe and unmannerly yell the crowd hung lovingly
upon the Ambassador and his train all the way down from
Galing castle to the quays. So that it was like a sweet home-
coming to him to come on board his well-built ship and have
her rowed amain out of Lookinghaven. So when they had
rounded Lookinghaven-ness and were free of the land, they
hoisted sail and voyaged before a favouring breeze eastward
over the teeming deep to Witchland.

15
 II : THE WRASTLING FOR
DEMONLAND

OF THE PROGNOSTICKS WHICH TROUBLED LORD GRO CONCERNING

THE MEETING BETWEEN THE KING OF WITCHLAND AND THE LORD
GOLDRY BLUSZCO ; AND HOW THEY MET , AND OF THE ISSUE OF
THAT WRASTLING .

OW could I have fallen asleep ? " cried Lessingham .

Η " Where is the castle of the Demons, and how did
we leave the great presence chamber where they
saw the Ambassador ? " For he stood on rolling uplands
that leaned to the sea, treeless on every side as far as the eye
might reach ; and on three sides shimmered the sea, kissed by
the sun and roughened by the salt glad wind that charged over
the downs, charioting clouds without number through the
illimitable heights of air.
The little black martlet answered him, " My hippogriff
travelleth as well in time as in space. Days and weeks have
been left behind by us, in what seemeth to thee but the twink-
ling of an eye, and thou standest in the Foliot Isles , a land
happy under the mild regiment of a peaceful prince, on the
day appointed by King Gorice to wrastle with Lord Goldry
Bluszco. Terrible must be the wrastling betwixt two such
champions, and dark the issue thereof. And my heart is afraid
for Goldry Bluszco, big and strong though he be and un-
conquered in war ; for there hath not arisen in all the ages
such a wrastler as this Gorice, and strong he is, and hard and
unwearying, and skilled in every art of attack and defence, and
subtle withal, and cruel and fell like a serpent."
Where they stood the down was cut by a combe that
descended to the sea, and overhanging the combe was the
16
 WRASTLING FOR DEMONLAND
palace of the Red Foliot, rambling and low, with many little
towers and battlements, built of stones hewn from the wall
of the combe, so that it was hard from a distance to discern
what was palace and what native rock. Behind the palace
stretched a meadow, flat and smooth, carpeted with the close
wiry turf of the downs. At either end of the meadow were
booths set up, to the north the booths of them of Witchland,
and to the south the booths of the Demons . In the midst of
the meadow was a space marked out with withies sixty paces
either way for the wrastling ground.
Only the birds of the air and the sea-wind were abroad as
then, save those that walked armed before the Witches' booths ,
six in company, harnessed as for battle in byrnies of shining
bronze, with greaves and shields of bronze and helms that
glanced in the sun. Five were proper slender youths, the
eldest of whom had not yet beard full grown, black-browed
and great of jaw ; the sixth, huge as a neat, topped them by
half a head. Age had flecked with gray the beard that spread
over his big chest to his belt stiffened with studs of iron, but
the vigour of youth was in his glance and in his voice, and in
the tread of his foot, and in his fist so lightly handling his
burlyspear.
Behold, wonder, and lament," said the martlet, " that
the innocent eye of day should be enforced still to look upon
the children of night everlasting. Corund of Witchland and
his cursed sons ."
Lessingham thought, " A most fiery politician is my little
martlet : damned fiends and angels and nothing betwixt for
her. But I'll dance to none of their tunes, but wait for these
things' unfolding."
So walked those back and forth as caged lions before the
Witches' booths, until Corund halted and leaning on his spear
said to one of his sons, " Go in and seek out Gro that I may
speak with him." And the son of Corund went, and returned
anon with Lord Gro, that came with furtive step, yet goodly
and fair to behold. The nose of him was hooked like a sickle
and his eyes great and fair like the eyes of an ox, inscrutable
as they. Lean and spare was his frame. Pale was his face and
pale his delicate hands, and his long black beard was tightly
curled and bright as the coat of a black retriever .
Corund said, " How is it with the King ? "
C 17
THE WORM OUROBOROS
Gro answered him, " He chafeth to be at it ; and to pass
away the time he playeth at dice with Corinius, and the luck
goeth against the King."
" What makest thou of that ? " asked Corund.
And Gro said, " The fortune of the dice jumpeth not
commonly with the fortune of war."
Corund grunted in his beard, and laying his large hand on
LordGro's shoulder," Speak to me a little apart," he said ; and
when they were private, " Darken not counsel," said Corund,
" to me and my sons. Have I not these four years past been
as a brother unto thee, and wilt thou still be secret toward us ? "
But Gro smiled a sad smile and said, " Why should we by
words of ill omen strike yet another blow where the tree
tottereth ? "
Corund groaned. " Omens," said he," increase upon us
from that time forth when the King accepted the challenge,
evilly, and flatly against thy counsel and mine and the counsel
ofall the great ones in the land. Surely the Gods have made
him fey, having ordained his destruction and our humbling
before these Demons." And he said, " Omens thicken upon
us , O Gro. First, the night raven that went widdershins
round about the palace of Carcë, that night when the King
accepted this challenge, and we were all drunken with wine
after our great feasting and surfeiting in his halls. Next, the
stumbling of the King whenas he went upon the poop of the
long ship which bare us on this voyage to these islands. Next,
the squint-eyed cup-bearer that poured out unto us yester-
night. And throughout, the devilish pride and bragging
humour of the King. No more : he is fey. And the dice fall
against him. "
Gro spake and said, " O Corund, I will not hide it from
thee that my heart is heavy as thy heart under shadow of ill
to be. For as I lay sleeping betwixt the strokes of night, a
dream of the night stood by my bed and beheld me with a
glance so fell that I was all adrad and quaking with fear. And
it seemed to me that the dream smote the roof above my bed,
and the roof opened and disclosed the outer dark, and in the
dark travelled a bearded star, and the night was quick with
fiery signs. And blood was on the roof, and great gouts of
blood on the walls and on the cornice of my bed. And the
dream screeched like the screech-owl, and cried, Witchland
18
WRASTLING FOR DEMONLAND
from thy hand, O King ! And methought the whole world was
lighted in a lowe, and with a great cry I awoke out of the
dream."
" Thou art wise," said Corund; " and belike the dream
was a true dream, sent thee through the gate of horn, and
belike it forebodeth events great and evil for the King and for
Witchland."
Gro said, " Disclose it not to the others, for none can
strive with Fate and gain the victory, and it would but cast
down their hearts. But it is fitting we be ready against evil
hap. If (which yet may the Gods forfend) ill come of this
wrastling bout, fail not every one of you ere you act on any
enterprise to take counsel of me. Bare is back without
brother behind it.' Together must we do that we do."
" Thou hast my firm assurance on't," said Corund.
Now began a great company to come forth from the palace
and take their stand on either side of the wrastling ground.
The Red Foliot sate in his car of polished ebony, drawn by six
black horses with flowing manes and tails ; before him went
his musicians, pipers and minstrels doing their craft, and behind
him fifty spearmen, weighed down with armour and ponderous
shields that covered them from chin to toe. Their armour
was stainedwith madder, in such wise that they seemed bathed
in blood. Mild to look on was the Red Foliot, yet kingly. His
skin was scarlet like the head of the green woodpecker. He
wore a diadem of silver, and robes of scarlet trimmed with
black fur.
So when the Foliots were assembled, one stood forth with
ahorn at the command of the Red Foliot and blew three blasts .
Therewith came forth from their booths the lords of Demon-
land andtheir men-at-arms , Juss,Goldry, Spitfire, and Brandoch
Daha, all armed as for battle save Goldry, who was muffled in a
cloak of cloth of gold with great hearts worked thereon in red
silk thread. And from their booths in turn came the lords of
Witchland all armed, and their fighting men, and little love
there was in the glances they and the Demons cast upon each
other. In the midst stalked the King, his great limbs muffled,
like Goldry's, in a cloak : and it was of black silk lined with
black bearskin, and ornamented with crabs worked in diamonds .
The crown of Witchland, fashioned like a hideous crab and
encrusted with jewels so thickly that none might discern the
19
THE WORM OUROBOROS
ironwhereof it was framed, weighed on his beetling brow. His
beard was black and bristly, spade-shaped and thick : his hair
close cropped. His upper lip was shaved, displaying his
sneering mouth, and from the darkness below his eyebrows
looked forth eyes that showed a green light, like those of a
wolf. Corund walked at the King's left elbow, his giant frame
an inch less in stature than the King. Corinius went on the
right, wearing a rich cloak of sky-blue tissue over his shining
armour. Tall and soldier-like was Corinius, and young and
goodly to look upon, with swaggering gait and insolent eye,
thick-lipped withal and somewhat heavy of feature, and the sun
shone brightly on his shaven jowl.
Now the Red Foliot let sound the horn again, and standing
in his ebony car he read out the conditions , as thus :
" O Gorice XI ., most glorious King of Witchland, and O
Lord Goldry Bluszco, captain of the hosts of Demonland, it
is compact betwixt you, and made fast by mighty oaths whereof
I, the Red Foliot, am keeper, that ye shall wrastle three falls
together on these conditions, namely, that if Gorice the King
be victorious, then hath he that glory and withal full liberty
to enforce with the sword his claims of lordship over many-
mountained Demonland : but if victory fall to the Lord
Goldry Bluszco, then shall the Demons let the Witches abide
in peace, and they them, and the Witches shall forswear for
ever their claims of lordship over the Demons. And you, O
King, and you, O Goldry Bluszco, are likewise bound by oath
to wrastle fairly and to abide by the ruling of me, the Red
Foliot, whom ye are content to choose as your umpire. And I
do swear to judge justly between you. And the laws of your
wrastling are that neither shall strangle his adversary with his
hands, nor bite him, nor claw nor scratch his flesh, nor poach
out his eyes, nor smite him with his fists, nor do any other
unfair thing against him, but in all other respects ye shall
wrastle freely together. And he that shall be brought to earth
with hip or shoulder shall be accounted fallen."
The Red Foliot said, " Have I spoken well, O King, and do
you swear to these conditions ? "
The King said, " I swear."
The Red Foliot asked in like manner, " Dost thou swear
to these conditions, O Lord Goldry Bluszco ? "
And Goldry answered him, " I swear. "
20
WRASTLING FOR DEMONLAND
Without more ado the King stepped into the wrastling
ground on his side, and Goldry Bluszco on his, and they cast
aside their rich mantles and stood forth naked for the wrastling.
And folk stood silent for admiration of the thews and sinews
of those twain, doubting which were mightier of build and
likelier to gain the victory. The King stood taller by a little,
and was longer in the arm than Goldry. But the great frame of
Goldry showed excellent proportions, each part wedded to
each as in the body of a God, and if either were brawnier of
chest it was he, and he was thicker of neck than the King.
Now the King mocked Goldry, saying," Rebellious hound,
it is fit that I make demonstration unto thee, and unto these
Foliots and Demons that witness our meeting, that I am thy
King and Lord not by virtue only of this my crown of Witchland,
which I thus put by for an hour, but even by the power of my
body over thine and by my might and main. Be satisfied that
I will not have done with thee until I have taken away thy life,
and sent thy soul squealing bodiless into the unknown. And
thy skull and thy marrow-bones will I have away to Carcë, to
my palace, to be a token unto all the world that I have been the
bane of an hundredth great champion by my wrastling, and
thou not least among them that I have slain in that exercise.
Thereafter, when I have eaten and drunken and made merry
in my royal palace at Carcë, I will sail with my armies over the
teeming deep to many-mountained Demonland. And it shall
be my footstool, and these other Demons the slaves of me, yea,
and the slaves of my slaves."
But the Lord Goldry Bluzsco laughed lightly and said to
the Red Foliot, " O Red Foliot, I am not come hither to contend
with the King of Witchland inwindy railing, but to match my
strength against his, sinew against sinew."
Now they stood ready, and the Red Foliot made a sign with
his hand, and the cymbals clashed for the first bout.
At the clash the two champions advanced and clasped one
another with their strong arms, each with his right arm below
and left arm above the other's shoulder, until the flesh shrank
beneath the might of their arms that were as brazen bands .
They swayed a little this way and that, as great trees swaying
in a storm, their legs planted firmly so that they seemed to grow
out of the ground like the trunks of oak trees. Nor did either
21
THE WORM OUROBOROS
yield ground to other, nor might either win a master hold upon
his enemy. So swayed they back and forth for a long time,
breathing heavily. And now Goldry, gathering his strength ,
gat the King lifted a little from the ground, and was minded
to swing him round and so dash him to earth. But the King,
in that moment when he found himself lifted, leaned forward
mightily and smote his heel swiftly round Goldry's leg on the
outside, striking him behind and a little above the ankle, in such
wise that Goldry was fain to loosen his hold on the King ;
and greatly folk marvelled that he was able in that plight to
save himself from being thrown backward by the King. So
they gripped again until red wheals rose on their backs and
shoulders by reason of the grievous clasping of their arms.
And the King on a sudden twisted his body sideways, with his
left side turned from Goldry ; and catching with his leg
Goldry's leg on the inside below the great muscle of the calf,
and hugging him yet closer, he lurched mightily against him,
striving to pull Goldry backward and so fallupon him and crush
him as they fell to earth. But Goldry leaned violently forward,
ever tightening his hold on the King, and so violently bare he
forward in his strength that the King was baulked of his design ;
and clutched together they fell both to earth side by side with
a heavy crash, and lay bemused while one might count half a
score .

The Red Foliot proclaimed them even in this bout, and

each returned to his fellows to take breath and rest for a space.
Now while they rested, a flittermouse flew forth from the
Witchland booths and went widdershins round the wrastling
ground and so returned silently whence she came. Lord
Gro saw her, and his heart waxed heavy within him. He spake
to Corund and said, " Needs must that I make trial even at
this late hour if there be not any means to turn the King from
further adventuring of himself, ere all be lost."
Corund said, " Be it as thou wilt, but it will be in vain."
So Gro stood by the King and said, " Lord, give over this
wrastling. Great of growth and mightier of limb than any
that you did overcome aforetime is this Demon, yet have you
vanquished him. For you did throw him, as we plainly saw,
and wrongfully hath the Red Foliot adjudged you evenly
matched because in the throwing of him your majesty's self
did fall to earth. Tempt not the fates by another bout. Yours
22
WRASTLING FOR DEMONLAND
is the victory in this wrastling : and now we, your servants,
waitbutyour nod to make a sudden onslaught on these Demons
and slay them, as we may lightly overcome them taken at un-
awares . And for the Foliots, they be peaceful and sheep-like
folk, and will be held in awe when we have smitten the Demons
with the edge of the sword. So may you depart, O King, with
pleasure and great honour, and afterward fare to Demonland
andbring it into subjection."
The King looked sourly upon Lord Gro, and said, " Thy
counsel is unacceptable and unseasonable. What lieth behind
it?"
Gro answered, " There have been omens, O King."
And the King said, " What omens ? "
Gro answered and said, " I will not hide it from you, O
my Lord the King, that in my sleep about the darkest hour
a dream of the night came to my bed and beheld me with a
glance so fell that the hairs of my head stood up and pale terror
gat hold upon me. And methought the dream smote up the
roof above my bed, and the roof yawned to the naked air of the
midnight, that laboured with fiery signs, and a bearded star
travelling in the houseless dark. And I beheld the roof and
the walls one gore of blood. And the dream screeched like
the screech-owl, crying, Witchland from thy hand, O King !
And therewith the whole world seemed lighted in one flame, and
with a shout I awoke sweating from the dream."
But the King rolled his eyes in anger upon Lord Gro and
said, " Well am I served and faithfully by such false scheming
foxes as thou. It ill fits your turn that I should carry this deed
to the end with mine own hand only, and in the blindness of
your impudent folly ye come to me with tales made for scaring
ofbabes, praying me gently to forgo myglory that thou and thy
fellows may make yourselves big in the world's eyes by deeds of
arms."
Gro said, " Lord, it is not so."
But the King would not hear him, but said, " Methinks
it is for loyal subjects to seek greatness in the greatness of their
King, nor desire to shine of their own brightness. As for this
Demon, when thou sayest that I have overcome him thou
speakest a gross and impudent lie. In this bout I did but
measure myself with him. But thereby know I of a surety
thatwhen I put forth my might he will not be able to withstand
23
THE WORM OUROBOROS
me ; and all ye shall shortly behold how, as one shattereth a
stalk of angelica, I will break and shatter the limbs of this
Goldry Bluszco. As for thee, false friend, subtle fox, unfaith-
ful servant, this long time am I grown weary of thee slinking
up and down my palace devising darkly things I know not :
thou, that art nought akin to Witchland, but an outlander, a
Goblin exile, a serpent warmed in my bosom to my hurt. But
these things shall have an end. When I have put down this
Goldry Bluszco, then shall I have leisure to put down thee
also "
.
And Gro bowed in sorrow of heart before the anger of the
King, and held his peace.
Now was the horn blown for the second bout, and they
stepped into the wrastling ground. At the clashing of the
cymbals the King sprang at Goldry as the panther springeth,
and with the rush bare him backward and well nigh forth of the
wrastling ground. But when they were carried almost among
the Demons where they stood to behold the contest, Goldry
swung to the left and strove as before to get the King lifted off
his feet ; but the King foiled him and bent his ponderous
weight upon him, so that Goldry's spine was like to have been
crushed beneath the murthering violence of the King's arms .
Then did the Lord Goldry Bluszco show forth his great power
as a wrastler, for, even under the murthering clasp of the King,
he by the might that was in the muscles of his brawny chest
shook the King first to the right and then to the left; and the
King's hold was loosened, and all his skill and mastery but
narrowly saved him from a grievous fall. Nor did Goldry
delay nor ponder how next to make trial of the King, but
sudden as the lightning he slackened his hold and turned, and
with his back under the King's belly gave a mighty lift ; and
they that witnessed it stood amazed in expectancy to see the
King thrown over Goldry's head. Yet for all his striving
might not Goldry get the King lifted clean off the ground.
Twice and three times he strove, and at each trial he seemed
further from his aim, and the King bettered his hold. And at
the fourth essay that Goldry made to lift the King over his back
and fling him headlong, the King thrust him forward and
tripped him from behind, so that Goldry was crawled on his
hands and knees. And the King clung to him from behind and
passed his arms round his body beneath the armpits and so
24
 WRASTLING FOR DEMONLAND
back over the shoulders, being minded to clasp his two hands
at the back of Goldry's neck.
Then said Corund, " The Demon is sped already. By
this hold hath the King brought to their bane more than three
score famous champions. He delayeth only till his fingers
be knit together behind the neck of the accursed Demon to
draw the head of him forward until the bones of the neck or the
breastbone be bursten asunder."
" He delayeth over long for my peace," said Gro.
The King's breath came out of him in great puffs and
grunts as he strained to bring his fingers to meet behind Goldry's
neck. Nor was it aught else than the hugeness of his neck
and burly chest that saved the Lord Goldry Bluszco in that
hour from utter destruction. Crawled on his hands and knees
he could nowise escape from the hold of the King, neither lay
hold on him in turn ; howbeit because of the bigness of Goldry's
neck and chest it was impossible for the King to fasten that hold
upon him , for all his striving.
When the King perceived that this was so, and that he but
wasted his strength, he said, " I will loose my hold on thee and
let thee up, and we will stand again face to face. For I deem
it unworthy to grapple on the ground like dogs."
So they stood up, and wrastled another while in silence.
Soon the King made trial once again of the fall whereby he had
sought to throw him in the first bout, twisting suddenly his
right side against Goldry, and catching with his leg Goldry's
leg, and therewith leaning against him with main force. And
when, as before, Goldry bare forward with great violence,
tightening his grip, the King lurched mightily against him, and,
being still ill content to have missed his hold that never hereto-
fore had failed him, he thrust his fingers up Goldry's nose in his
cruel anger, scratching and clawing at the delicate inner parts
ofthe nostrils in such wise that Goldry was fain to draw back
his head. Therewith the King, lurching against him yet more
heavily, gat him thrown a grievous fall on his back, and himself
fell atop of him, crushing him and stunning him on the earth.
And the Red Foliot proclaimed Gorice the King victorious
in this bout.
Therewithal the King turned him back to his Witches, that
loudly acclaimed his mastery over Goldry. He said unto Lord
Gro," It is as I have spoken: the testing first, next the bruising,
25
THE WORM OUROBOROS
and in the last bout the breaking and killing." And the King
looked evilly on Gro. Gro answered him not a word, for his
soul was grieved to see blood on the nails and fingers of the
King's left hand, and he thought he knew that the King must
have been sore bested in this bout, seeing that he must do this
beastly deed or ever he might overcome the might of his
adversary.
But the Lord Goldry Bluszco when he was come to his
senses and had gotten him up from that great fall, spake to the
Red Foliot in mickle wrath, saying, " This devil hath overcome
me by craft, doing that which it is a shame to do, in that he
clawed me with his fingers up my nose."
The sons of Corund raised an uproar at the words of
Goldry, loudly crying that he was the greatest liar and dastard ;
and all they of Witchland shouted and cursed in like manner.
But Goldry shouted in a voice like a brazen trumpet that was
plain tohear above the clamour of the Witches, " O Red Foliot,
judge now fairly betwixt me and King Gorice, as thou art sworn
to do. Let him show his finger nails, if there be not blood on
them. This fall is void, and I claim that we wrastle it anew."
And the lords of Demonland in like manner shouted that this
fall should be wrastled anew .
Now the Red Foliot had seen somewhat of what was done,
and well was he minded to call the bout void. Yet had he
forborne to do this out of fear of King Gorice that had looked
upon him with a basilisk's eye, threatening him. And now,
while the Red Foliot was troubled in his mind, uncertain
between the angry shouts of the Witches and the Demons
whether safety lay rather with his honour or with truckling to
King Gorice, the King spake a word to Corinius, who went
straightway and standing by the Red Foliot spake privily in his
ear. And Corinius menaced the Red Foliot, and said," Beware
lest thy mind be swayed by the brow-beating of the Demons.
Rightfully hast thou adjudged the victory in this bout unto our
Lord the King, and this talk of thrusting of fingers in the nose
is but a pretext and a vile imagination of this Goldry Bluszco,
who, being thrown fairly before thine eyes and before us all,
and perceiving himself unable to stand against the King, now
thinketh with his swaggering he can bear it away, and thinketh
by cheats and subtleties to avoid defeat. If, against thine own
beholding and the witness of us and the plighted word of the
26
WRASTLING FOR DEMONLAND
King, thou art so hardy as to harken to the guileful persuading
of these Demons, yet bethink thee that the King hath over-
borne ninety and nine great champions in this exercise, and this
shall be the hundredth ; and bethink thee, too, that Witchland
lieth nearer to thine Isles than Demonland by many days'
sailing. Hard shall it be for thee to abide the avenging sword
of Witchland if thou do him despite, and against thy sworn
oath as umpire incline wrongfully to his enemies in this dispute."
So spake Corinius ; and the Red Foliot was cowed. Albeit
he believed in his heart that the King had done that whereof
Goldry accused him, yet for terror of the King and of Corinius
thatstoodby and threatened him he durst not speak his thought,
but in sore perplexity gave order for the horn to be blown for
the third bout.
And it came to pass at the blowing of the horn that the
flittermouse fared forth again from the booths of the Witches,
and going widdershins round about the wrastling ground
returned on silent wing whence she came.
When the Lord Goldry Bluszco understood that the Red
Foliot would pay no heed to his accusation, he grew red as
blood. A fearsome sight it was to behold how he swelled in
his wrath, and his eyes blazed like disastrous stars at midnight,
and being wood with anger he gnashed his teeth till the froth
stood at his lips and slavered down his chin. Now the cymbals
clashed for the onset. Therewith ran Goldry upon the King
as one straught ofhis wits, bellowing as he ran, and gripped him
by the right arm with both his hands, one at the wrist and one
near the shoulder. And so it was that, before the King might
move, Goldry spun round with his back to the King and by
his mickle strength and the strength of the anger that was in
him he heaved the King over his head, hurling him as one
hurleth a ponderous spear, head-foremost to the earth. And
the King smote the ground with his head, and the bones of his
head and his spine were driven together and smashed, and
blood flowed from his ears and nose. With the might of that
throwGoldry's wrath departed from him and left him strength-
less, in such sort that he reeled as he went from the wrastling
ground. His brethren, Juss and Spitfire, bare him up on
either side, and put his cloak of cloth ofgold worked with red
hearts about his mighty limbs .
Meanwhile dismay was fallen upon the Witches to behold
27
THE WORM OUROBOROS
their King so caught up on a sudden and dashed upon the
ground, where he lay crumpled in an heap, shattered like the
stalk of an hemlock that one breaketh and shattereth. In great
agitation the Red Foliot came down from his car of ebony and
made haste thither where the King was fallen ; and the lords
of Witchland came likewise thither stricken at heart, and
Corund lifted the King in his burly arms . But the King was
stone dead . So those sons of Corund made a litter with their
spears and laid the King on the litter, and spread over him his
royal mantle of black silk lined with bearskin, and set the crown
of Witchland on his head, and without word spoken bare him
away to the Witches' booths . And the other lords of Witchland
without word spoken followed after.

28
 III : THE RED FOLIOT

OF THE ENTERTAINMENT OF THE WITCHES IN THE PALACE OF THE

RED FOLIOT ; AND OF THE WILES AND SUBTLETIES OF LORD GRO ;
AND HOW THE WITCHES DEPARTED BY NIGHT OUT OF THE FOLIOT
ISLES .

HE Red Foliot gat him back into his palace and sat
in his high seat. And he sent unto the lords of
T Witchland and of Demonland that they should come
and see him. Nor did they delay, but came straightway and
sat on the long benches, the Witches on the eastern side of the
hall and the Demons on the west ; and their fighting men stood
in order on either side behind them. So sat they in the
shadowy hall, and the sun declining to the western ocean shone
through the high windows of the hall on the polished armour
and weapons of the Witches .
The Red Foliot spake among them and said, " A great
champion hath been strook to earth this day in fair and equal
combat. And according to the solemn oaths whereby ye are
bound, and whereof I am the keeper, there is here an end to all
unpeace betwixt Witchland and Demonland, and ye of Witch-
land are to forswear for ever your claims of lordship over the
Demons. Now for a sealing and making fast of this solemn
covenant between you I see no likelier rede than that ye all
join with me here this day in good friendship to forget your
quarrels in drinking of the arvale of King Gorice XI., than
whom hath reigned none mightier nor more worshipful in
all this world, and thereafter depart in peace to your native
lands."
So spake the Red Foliot, and the lords of Witchland assented
thereto.
But Lord Juss answered and said, " O Red Foliot, as to
29
THE WORM OUROBOROS
the oaths sworn between us and the King of Witchland, thou
hast spoken well ; nor shall we depart one tittle from the
article of our oaths, and the Witches may abide in peace for
ever as for us if, as is clean against their use and nature, they
forbear to devise evil against us. For the nature of Witch-
land was ever as a flea, that attacketh a man in the dark. But
we will not eat nor drink with the lords of Witchland, who
bewrayed and forsook us their sworn confederates at the sea-
fight against the Ghouls. Nor we will not drink the arvale
of King Gorice XI ., who worked a shameful and unlawful
sleight against my kinsman this day when they wrastled
together."
So spake Lord Juss, and Corund whispered Gro in the
ear, saying, " Were't not for the privilege of this respected
company, now were the time to set upon them. " But Gro
said, " I prithee yet have patience. This were over hazardous ,
for the luck goeth against Witchland. Let us rather take them
in their beds to-night."
Fain would the Red Foliot turn the Demons from their
resolve, but without avail ; they courteously thanking him
for his hospitality which they said they would enjoy that
night in their booths, being minded on the morrow to take
to their beaked ship and fare over the unvintaged sea to Demon-
land.
Therewith stood up Lord Juss, and with him the Lord
Goldry Bluszco, that went in all his war gear, his horned
helm ofgold and his golden byrny set with ruby hearts, and bare
his two-handed sword forged by the elves wherewith he slew
the beast out of the sea in days gone by ; and Lord Spitfire
that glared upon the lords of Witchland as a falcon glareth,
hungering for her prey ; and the Lord Brandoch Daha that
looked on them, and chiefly on Corinius, with the eye of con-
temptuous amusement, playing idly with the jewelled hilt of
his sword, until Corinius grew ill at ease beneath his gaze and
shifted this way and that in his seat, scowling back defiance.
For all the rich array and goodly port and countenance of
Corinius, he seemed but a very boor beside the Lord Brandoch
Daha, and dearly did each hate the other. So the lords of
Demonland with their fighting men went forth from the hall .
The Red Foliot sent after them and made them in their
30
THE RED FOLIOT
own booths to be served ofgreat plenty ofwine and good and
delicate meats, and sent them musicians and a minstrel to
gladden them with songs and stories of old time, that they
might lack nought of entertainment. But for his other guests
he let bear in the massy cups ofsilver, and the great eared wine
jars holding two firkins apiece, and he let pour forth to the
Witches and the Foliots, and they drank the cup of memory
unto King Gorice XI., slain that day by the hand of Goldry
Bluszco. Thereafter when their cups
cups were brimmed anew
with foaming wine the Red Foliot spake among them and said,
" O ye lords of Witchland, will you that I speak a dirge in
honour ofGorice the King that the dark reaper hath this day
gathered ? " So when they said yea to this, he called to him
his player on the theorbo and his player on the hautboy, and
commanded them saying, " Play me a solemn music." And
they played softly in the Aeolian mode a music that was like
thewailing ofwind through bare branches on a moonless night,
and the Red Foliot leaned forth from his high seat and recited
this lamentation :

I that in heill was and gladness

Am trublit now with great sickness
And feblit with infirmitie :-
Timor Mortis conturbat me.

Ourplesance here is all vain glory,

This fals world is but transitory,
The flesh is bruckle, the Feynd is slee :-
Timor Mortis conturbat me.

The state of man does change and vary,

Now sound, now sick, now blyth, now sary,
Now dansand mirry, now like to die:-
Timor Mortis conturbat me.

No state in Erd here standis sicker ;

As with the wynd wavis the wicker,
So wannis this world's vanitie :-
Timor Mortis conturbat me.
31
THE WORM OUROBOROS
Unto the Death gois all Estatis,
Princis, Prelattis, and Potestatis,
Baith rich and poor of all degree :-
Timor Mortis conturbat me .

He takis the knichtis in to field

Enarmit under helm and scheild ;
Victor he is at all mellie :-
Timor Mortis conturbat me .

That strong unmerciful tyrand

Takis, on the motheris breast sowkand,
The babe full of benignitie :-
Timor Mortis conturbat me.

He takis the campion in the stour,

The captain closit in the tour,
The lady in bour full of bewtie :-
Timor Mortis conturbat me .

He spairis no lord for his piscence,

Na clerk for his intelligence ;
His awful straik may no man flee :-
Timor Mortis conturbat me .

Art-magicianis and astrologis,

Rethoris, logicianis, theologis,
Them helpis no conclusionis slee :-
Timor Mortis conturbat me .

In medecine the most practicianis ,

Leechis , surrigianis, and physicianis,
Themself from Death may nocht supplee :-
Timor Mortis conturbat me.

When the Red Foliot had spoken thus far his dirge, he was
interrupted by an unseemly brawling betwixt Corinius and one
of the sons of Corund. For Corinius, who gave not a fig for
music or dirges, but liked well of carding and dicing, had
brought forth his dice box to play with the son of Corund.
They played awhile to Corinius's great content, for at every
throw he won and the other's purse waxed light. But at this
32
ΤΗ RED FOLIOT
eleventh stanza the son of Corund cried out that the dice of
Corinius were loaded. And he smote Corinius on his shaven
jowl with the dice box, calling him cheat and mangy rascal,
whereupon Corinius drew forth a bodkin to smite him in the
neck withal ; but some went betwixt them, and with much ado
and much struggling and cursing they were parted, and it being
shown that the dice were not loaded, the son of Corund was
fain to make amends to Corinius, and so were they set at one
again.
Now was the wine poured forth yet again to the lords of
Witchland, and the Red Foliot drank deep unto the glory of
that land and the rulers thereof. And he issued command
saying, " Let my Kagu come and dance before us, and there-
after my other dancers. For there is no pleasure whereon the
Foliots do more dearly dote than this pleasure of the dance, and
sweet to us it is to behold delightful dancing, be it the stately
splendour of the Pavane which progresseth as large clouds at
sun-down that pass by in splendour ; or the graceful Alle-
mande ; or the Fandango,which goeth by degrees from languor-
ous beauty to the swiftness and passion of Bacchanals dancing
on the high lawns under a summer moon that hangeth in the
pine trees ; or the joyous maze of the Galliard ; or the Gigue,
dear to the Foliots. Therefore delay not, but let my Kagu
come, that she may dance before us .
Therewith hastened the Kagu into the shadowy hall, moving
softly and rolling a little in her gait, with her head thrust
forward ; and a little flurried was she in her bearing as she
darted this way and that her large and beautiful eyes, mild and
timid, that were like liquid gold heated to redness. Somewhat
like a heron she was, but stouter, and shorter of leg, and her
beak shorter and thicker than the heron's ; and so long and
delicate was her pale gray plumage that hard it was to say
whether it were hair or feathers. So the wind instruments
and the lutes and dulcimers played a Coranto, and the Kagu
tripped up the hall betwixt the long tables, jumping a little and
bowing a little in her step and keeping excellent time to the
music ; and when she came near to the dais where the Red
Foliot sat ravished with delight at her dancing, the Kagu
lengthened her step and glided smoothly and slowly forward
toward the Red Foliot; and so gliding she drew herself up in
stately wise and opened her mouth and drew back her head till
D 33
 THE WORM OUROBOROS
her beak lay tight against her breast, flouncing out her feathers
so that they showed like a widecut skirt with a crinoline, and
the crest that was on her head rose up erect half again her own
height from the ground, and she sailed majestically toward the
Red Foliot. On this wise did the Kagu at every turn that she
took in the Coranto, forth and back along the length of the
Foliots' hall. And they all laughed sweetly at her, being
overjoyed at her dancing. When the dance was done, the
Red Foliot called the Kagu to him and made her sit on the bench
beside him, and stroked her soft gray feathers and made
much of her. All bashfully she sat beside the Red Foliot,
casting her ruby eyes in wonder upon the Witches and their
company.
Next the Red Foliot called for his Cat-bears, that stood
before him foxy-red above but with black bellies, round furry
faces, and innocent amber eyes, and soft great paws, and tails
barred alternately with ruddy rings and creamy; and he said,
" O Cat-bears, dance before us, since dearly we delight in
your dancing."
They asked, " Lord, will you that we perform the
Gigue ?"
And he answered them, " The Gigue, and ye love
me."
So the stringed instruments began a swift movement, and
the tambourines and triangles entered on the beat, and swiftly
twinkled the feet of the Cat-bears in the joyous dance. The
music rippled and ran and the dancers danced till the hall
was awhirl with the rhythm of their dancing, and the Witches
roared applause. On a sudden the music ceased, and the
dancers were still, and standing side by side, paw in furry
paw, they bowed shyly to the company, and the Red Foliot
called them to him and kissed them on the mouth and sent
them to their seats, that they might rest and view the dances
that were to follow .
Next the Red Foliot called for his white Peacocks , coloured
like moonlight, that they might lead the Pavane before the
lords of Witchland. In glorious wise did they spread their
tails for the stately dance, and a fair and lovely sight it was to
see their grace and the grandeur of their carriage as they moved
to the music chaste and noble. With them were joined the
Golden Pheasants, who spread wide their collars of gold,
34
THE RED FOLIOT
and the Silver Pheasants, and the Peacock Pheasants, and the
Estridges, and the Bustards, footing it in pomp, pointing
the toes, and bowing and retiring in due time to the solemn
strains of the Pavane. Every instrument took part in the
stately Pavane : the lutes and the dulcimers, and the theorbos,
and the sackbuts, and the hautboys ; the flutes sweetly warbling
as birds in the upper air, and the silver trumpets, and the horns
that breathed deep melodies trembling with mystery and
tenderness that shakes the heart ; and the drum that beateth
to battle, and the wild throb of the harp, and the cymbals
clashing as the clash of armies And a nightingale sitting
by the Red Foliot sang the Pavane in passionate tones that
dissolved the soul in their sweet, mournful beauty.
The Lord Gro covered his face with his mantle and
wept to hear and behold the divine Pavane ; for as ghosts
rearisen it raised up for him old happy half-forgotten days in
Goblinland, before he had conspired against King Gaslark
and been driven forth from his dear native land, an exile in
waterish Witchland.
Thereafter let the Red Foliot give order for the Galliard.
Joyously swept forth the melody from the stringed instruments,
and two dormice, fat as butter, spun into the hall. Wilder
whirled the music, and the dormice capered ever higher till
they bounded from the floor up to the beams of the vaulted
roof, and down again, and up again to the roof-beams in the
joyful dance. And the Foliots joined in the Galliard, spinning
and capering in mad delight of the dance. And into the hall
twirled six capripeds, footing it lightly as the music swept
ever faster, and a one-footer that leaped hither and thither
about and about, as the flea hoppeth, till the Witches grew
hoarse with singing and shouting and hounding of him on.
Yet ever capered the dormice higher and wilder than any else,
and so swiftly flashed their little feet to the galloping music
that no eye might follow their motion.
But little enow was Lord Gro gladdened by the merry
dance. Sad melancholy sat with him for his companion,
darkening his thoughts and making joy hateful to him as
sunshine to owls of the night. So that he was well pleased
to mark the Red Foliot go softly from his seat on the dais
and forth from the hall by a door behind the arras, and seeing
35
THE WORM OUROBOROS
this, himself departed softly amid the full tide of the Galliard,
forth of that hall of swift movement and gleeful laughter, forth
into the quiet evening, where above the smooth downs the
wind was lulled to sleep in the vast silent spaces of the sky,
and the west was a bower of orange light fading to purple and
unfathomable blue in the upper heaven, and nought was
heard save the murmur of the sleepless sea, and nought seen
save a flight of wildfowl flying against the sunset. Inthis
quietness Gro walked westward above the combe until he came
to the land's edge and stood on the lip of a chalk cliff falling
to the sea, and was ware of the Red Foliot, alone on that high
western cliff, gazing in a study at the dying colours in the
west.

When they had stood for a while without speech, gazing

over the sea, Gro spake and said, " Consider how as day
now dieth in yonder chambers of the west, so hath the glory
departed from Witchland."
But the Red Foliot answered him not, being in a study.
Then Gro said, " Though Demonland lieth where thou
sawest the sun descend, yet eastward out of Witchland must
thou look for the morning splendour. Not more surely shalt
thou behold the sun go up thence to-morrow than thou shalt
see shine forth in short season the glory and honour and power
of Witchland, and beneath her destructive sword her enemies
shall be as grass before the sickle."
The Red Foliot said, " I am in love with peace and the
soft influence of the evening air. Leave me ; or if thou wilt
stay, break not the charm."
" O Red Foliot," said Gro, " art thou in love with peace
indeed ? So should the rising again of Witchland tune sweet
music to thy thought, since we of Witchland love peace, nor
are we stirrers up of strife, but the Demons only. The war
against the Ghouls, whereby the four corners of the earth were
shaken, was hatchedby Demonland "
" Thou speakest," said the Red Foliot, " clean against
thine intention, a great praise of them. For who ever saw
the like of these man-eating Ghouls for corruption ofmanners,
inhuman degeneration, and deluge of iniquities ? Who every
fifth year from time immemorial have had their grand climac-
terical year, and but last year brake forth in never-imagined
ferocity. But if they sail now, 'tis on the dark lake they sail,
36
 THE RED FOLIOT
grieving no earthly seas nor rivers. Praise Demonland, there-
fore, who did put them down for ever."
" I make no question of that," answered Lord Gro. " But
foul water, as soon as fair, will quench hot fire. Sore against
our will did we of Witchland join with the Demons in that
war, foreseeing (as hath been bloodily approved) that the issue
must be butthe puffing up of the Demons, who desire no other
thing than to be lords and tyrants of all the world."
Thou," said the Red Foliot, " wast in thy young days
King Gaslark's man : a Goblin born and bred: his very
foster-brother, nourished at the same breast. Why must I
observe thee, a plain traitor against so good a king ? Whose
perfidy the common people then did openly reprove (as I
did well perceive even so lately as last autumn, when I was in
the city of Zajë Zaculo at the time of their festivities for the
betrothal of the king's cousin german the Princess Armelline
unto the Lord Goldry Bluszco), they carrying filthy pictures
of thee in the street, singing of thee thus :
It was pittie
One so wittie
Malcontent :
Leaving reason
Should to treason
So be bent.

Buthis gifts
Were but shifts
Voidofgrace:
And his braverie
Was but knaverie
Vile and base."

Said Gro, wincing a little, " The art of it agreeth well

with the sentiment, and with the condition of those who
invented it. I will not think so noble a prince as thou art
will set thy sails to the wind of the rabble's most partial hates
and envies. For the vile addition of traitor, I do reject and
spit upon it. But true it is that, regarding not the god of
fools and women, nice opinion, I do steer by mine own lode-
star still. Howbeit, I came not to discourse to thee on so
small a matter as myself. This I would say unto thee with
37
THE WORM OUROBOROS
most sad and serious entertain : Be not lulled to think the
Demons will leave the world at peace : that is farthest from
their intent. They would not listen to thy comfortable words
nor sit at meat with us, so set be they to imagine mischief
against us . What said Juss ? ' Witchland was ever as a
flea ' : ay, as a flea which he itcheth to crush betwixt his
finger-nails . O, if thou be in love with peace, a short way
lieth open to thy heart's desire."
Nought spake the Red Foliot, gazing still into the dim
reflections of the sunset which lingered below a darkening
sky where stars were born. Gro said softly, as a cat purring,
" Where softening unctions failed, sharp surgery bringeth
speediest ease. Wilt thou not leave it to me ? "
But the Red Foliot looked angrily upon him, saying,
" What have I to do with your enmities ? You are sworn to
keep the peace, and I will not abide your violence nor your
breaking of oaths in my quiet kingdom."
Gro said, " Oaths be of the heart, and he that breaketh
them in open fact is oft, as now, no breaker in truth, for already
were they scorned and trampled on by his opposites."
But the Red Foliot said again, " What have I to do with
your enmities that set you by the ears like fighting dogs ?
I am yet to learn that he that hath a righteous heart, and
clean hands, and hateth none, must needs be drawn into the
brawls and manslayings of such as you and the Demons."
Lord Gro looked narrowly upon him, saying, " Thinkest
thou that the strait path of him that affecteth neither side
lieth still open for thee ? If that were thine aim, thou shouldst
have bethought thee ere thou gavest thy judgement on the
second bout. For clear as day it was to us and to thine own
people, and most of all to the Demons, that the King played
foul in that bout, and when thou calledst him victorious thou
didst loudly by that word trumpet thyself his friend, and
unfriends to Demonland. Markedst thou not, when they left
the hall, with what a snake's eye Lord Juss beheld thee ? Not
with us only but with thee he refused to eat and drink, that
so his superstitious scruples may be unhurt when he proceeds
to thy destruction. For on this are they determined. Nothing
is more certain ."
The Red Foliot sank his chin upon his breast, and stood
silent for a space. The hues of death and silence spread
38
 THE RED FOLΙΟ
themselves where late the fires of sunset glowed, and large
stars opened like flowers on the illimitable fields of the night
sky : Arcturus, Spica,Gemini, and the Little Dog, and Capella
and her Kids .
The Red Foliot said, " Witchland lieth at my door. And
Demonland : how stand I with Demonland ? ‫יי‬
And Gro said, " Also to-morrow's sun goeth up out of
Witchland ."
For a while they spoke not. Then Lord Gro took forth
a scroll from his bosom, and said," The harvest of this world
is to the resolute, and he that is infirm of purpose is ground
betwixt the upper and the nether millstone. Thou canst
not turn back : so would they scorn and spurn thee, and we
Witches likewise. And now by these means only may lasting
peace be brought about, namely, by the setting of Gorice of
Witchland on the throne of Demonland, and the utter humbling
of that brood beneath the heel of the Witches . "
The Red Foliot said, " Is not Gorice slain, and drank
we not but now his arvale, slain by a Demon ? and is he
not the second in order of that line who hath so died by a
Demon ? "
" A twelfth Gorice," said Gro, " at this moment of time
sitteth King in Carcë. O Red Foliot, know thou that I am a
reader of the planets of the night and of those hidden powers
that work out the web of destiny. Whereby I know that this
twelfth King of the house of Gorice in Carcë shall be a most
crafty warlock, full of guiles and wiles, who by the might of
his egromancy and the sword of Witchland shall exceed all
earthly powers that be. And ineluctable as the levin-bolt
of heaven goeth out his wrath against his enemies." So
saying, Gro stooped and took a glow-worm from the grass,
saying kindly to it, " Sweeting, thy lamp for a moment," and
breathed upon it, and held it to the parchment, saying, " Sign
now thy royal name to these articles, which require thee not
at all to go to war, but only (in case war shall arise) to be of
our party, and against these Demons that do privily pursue
thy life.'
But the Red Foliot said, " Wherein am I certified that
thou speakest not a lie ? "
Then took Gro a writing from his purse and showed
thereon a seal like the seal of Lord Juss; and there was written :
39
THE WORM OUROBOROS
" Unto Voll al love and truste : and fayll nat whenas thow
saylest upon Wychlande to caste of iij or iv shippes for the
Folyott Isles to putt downe those and brenne the Redd Folyott
in hys hous. For if wee get nat the lyfe of these wormes
chirted owt of them the shame will stikk on us for ever."
And Gro said, " My servant stole this from them while they
spoke with thee in thine hall to-night."
Which the Red Foliot believed, and took from his belt
his ink-horn and his pen, and signed his royal name to the
articles of the treaty proposed to him.
Therewith Lord Gro putup the parchment in his bosom
and said, " Swift surgery. Needs must that we take them
in their beds to-night ; so shall to-morrow's dawn bring glory
and triumph to Witchland, now fixed in an eclipse, and to
the whole world peace and soft contentment."
But the Red Foliot answered him, " My Lord Gro, I have
signed these articles, and thereby stand I bound in enmity
to Demonland. But I will not bewray my guests that have
eaten my salt, be they never so deeply pledged mine enemies .
Be it known to thee, I have set guards on your booths this
night and on the booths of them of Demonland, that no un-
peaceful deeds may be done betwixt you. This which I have
done, by this will I stand, and ye shall both depart to-morrow
in peace, even as ye came. Because I am your friend and
sworn to your party, I and my Foliots will be on But
when war is between Witchland and Demonland. yourI side
will
not suffer night-slayings nor murthers in my Isles."
Now with these words of the Red Foliot, Lord Gro was
as one that walketh along a flowery path to his rest, and in the
last steps a gulf yawneth suddenly athwart the path, and he
standeth a-gape and disappointed at the hither side. Yet in
his subtlety he made no sign, but straight replied, " Righteously
hast thou decreed and wisely, O Red Foliot, for it was truly
said :
Let worthy minds ne'er stagger in distrust
To suffer death or shame for what is just,
and that which we sow in darkness must unfold in the open
light of day, lest it be found withered in the very hour of
maturity. Nor would I have urged thee otherwise, but that
I do throughly fear these Demons, and all my mind was to
40
 THE RED FOLIΟΤ
take their plotting in reverse. Do then one thing only for us.
Ifwe set sail homeward and they on our heels, they will fall
upon us at a disadvantage, for they have the swifter ship ;
or if they get to sea before us, they will lie in wait for us on the
highseas. Suffer us then to sail to-night, and do thou on some
pretext delay them here for three days only, that we may get
us home or ever they leave the Foliot Isles.
" I will not gainsay thee in this," answered the Red Foliot,
" for here is nought but what is fair and just and lieth with
mine honour. I will come to your booths at midnight and
bring you down to your ship."
When Gro came to the Witches' booths he found them
guarded even as the Red Foliot had said, and the booths of
them of Demonland in like manner. So went he into the
royal booth where the King lay in state on a bier of spear-
shafts, robed in his kingly robes over his armour that was
painted black and inlaid with gold, and the crown of Witchland
on his head. Two candles burned at the head of King Gorice
and two at his feet; and the night wind blowing through the
crannies of the booth made them flare and flicker, so that
shadows danced unceasingly on the wall and roof and floor.
On the benches round the walls sat the lords of Witchland
sullen of countenance, for the wine was dead in them. Bale-
fully they eyed Lord Gro at his coming in, and Corinius sate
upright in his seat and said, " Here is the Goblin, father and
fosterer of our misfortunes. Come, let us slay him."
Gro stood among them with head erect and held Corinius
with his eye, saying, " We of Witchland are not run lunatic,
my Lord Corinius, that we should do this gladness to the
Demons, to bite each at the other's throat like wolves. Me-
thinks if Witchland be the land of my adoption only, yet have
I not done least among you to ward off sheer destruction
from her in this pass we stand in. If ye have aught against
he, let me hear it and answer it."
Corinius laughed a bitter laugh. " Harken to the fool !
Are we babies and milksops, thinkest thou, and is it not clear
as day thou stoodest in the way of our falling on the Demons
when we might have done so, urging what silly counsels I
know not in favour of doing it by night ? And now is night
come, and we close prisoned in our booths, and no chance to
41
THE WORM OUROBOROS
come at them unless we would bring an hornets' nest of Foliots
about our ears and give warning of our intent to the Demons
and every living soul in this island. And all this has come
about since thy slinking off and plotting with the Red Foliot.
But now hath thy guile overreached itself, and now we will
kill thee, and so an end of thee and thy plotting."
With that Corinius sprang up and drew his sword, and the
other Witches with him. But Lord Gro moved not an eyelid,
only he said, " Hear mine answer first. All night lieth before
us, and 'tis but a moment's task to murther me.
Therewith stood forth the Lord Corund with his huge
bulk betwixt Gro and Corinius, saying in a great voice, " Whoso
shall point weapon 'gainst him shall first have to do with me,
though it were one of my sons. We will hear him. If he clear
not himself, then will we hew him in pieces."
They sat down, muttering. And Gro spake and said,
" First behold this parchment, which is the articles of a solemn
covenant and alliance, and behold where the Red Foliot hath
set his sign manual thereto. True, his is a country of no might
in arms, and we might tread him down and ne'er feel the
leavings stick to our boot, and little avail can their weak help
be unto us in the day of battle. But there is in these Isles a
meetly good road and riding-place for ships, which if our
enemies should occupy, their fleet were most aptly placed to
do us all the ill imaginable. Is then this treaty a light benefit
where now we stand ? Next, know that when I counselled you
take the Demons in their beds 'stead of fall upon them in the
Foliots ' hall, I did so being advertised that the Red Foliot had
commanded his soldiers to turn against us or against the
Demons, whichever first should draw sword upon the other.
And when I went forth from the hall it was, as Corinius hath
so deeply divined, to plot with the Red Foliot ; but the aim of
my plotting I have shown you, on these articles of alliance.
And indeed, had I as Corinius vilely accuseth me practised with
the Red Foliot against Witchland, I had hardly been so simple
as return into the mouth of destruction when I might have bided
safely in his palace."
Now when Gro perceived that the anger of the Witches
against him was appeased by his defence, wherein he spake
cunninglybothtrue words and lies, he spake again among them
saying," Little gain have I of all my pains and thought expended
42
THE RED FOLIOT
by me for Witchland. And better it were for Witchland if
my counsel were better heeded. Corund knoweth how, to
mine own peril, I counselled the King to wrastle no more after
the first bout, and if he had ta'en my rede, rather than suspect
me and threaten me with death, we should not be now to bear
him home dead to the royal catacombs in Carcë."
Corund said, " Truly hast thou spoken."
" In one thing only have I failed," said Gro ; " and it can
shortly be amended. The Red Foliot, albeit of our party, will
not be won to attack the Demons by fraud, nor will he suffer
us smite them in these Isles. Some fond simple scruples hang
like cobwebs in his mind, and he is stubborn as touching this .
But I have prevailed upon him to make them tarry here for three
days' space, while we put to sea this very night, telling him,
which he most innocently believeth, that we fear the Demons ,
and would flee home ere they be let loose to take us at a dis-
advantage on the high seas. And home we will indeed ere
they set sail, yet not for fear of them, but rather that we may
devise a deadly blow against them or ever they win home to
Demonland."
" What blow, Goblin ? " said Corinius .
And Gro answered and said, " One that I will devise upon
with our Lord the King, Gorice XII ., who now awaiteth us
in Carcë. And I will not blab it to a wine-bibber and a dicer
who hath but now drawn sword against a true lover of Witch-
land." Whereupon Corinius leaped up in mickle wrath to
thrust his sword into Gro. But Corund and his sons restrained
him.

In due time the stars revolved to midnight, and the Red

Foliot came secretly with his guards to the Witches' booths .
The lords of Witchland took their weapons and the men-at-
arms bare the goods, and the King went in the midst on his
bier of spear-shafts. So went they picking their way in the
moonless night round the palace and down the winding path
that led to the bed of the combe, and so by the stream westward
toward the sea. Here they deemed it safe to light a torch to
show them the way. Desolate and bleak showed the sides of
the combe in the wind-blown flare ; and the flare was thrown
back from the jewels of the royal crown of Witchland, and from
the armoured buskins on the King's feet showing stark with
43
THE WORM OUROBOROS
toes pointing upward from below his bear-skin mantle, and
from the armour and the weapons of them that bare him and
walked beside him, and from the black cold surface of the little
river hurrying for ever over its bed of boulders to the sea. The
path was rugged and stony, and they fared slowly, lest they
should stumble and drop the King.

44
 IV : CONJURING IN THE IRON
TOWER

OF THE HOLD OF CARCE, AND OF THE MIDNIGHT PRACTICES OF KING

GORICE XII . IN THE ANCIENT CHAMBER, PREPARING DOLE AND
DOOM FOR THE LORDS OF DEMONLAND .

HEN the Witches were come aboard of their ship and

all stowed, and the rowers set in order on the
W benches, they bade farewell to the Red Foliot and
rowed out to the deep, and there hoisted sail and put up their
helm and sailed eastward along the land. The stars wheeled
overhead, and the east grew pale, and the sun came out of the
sea on the larboard bow. Still sailed they two days and two
nights, and on the third day there was land ahead, and morning
rose abated by mist and cloud, and the sun was as a ball of
red fire over Witchland in the east. So they hung awhile off
Tenemos waiting for the tide, and at high water sailed over the
bar and up the Druima past the dunes and mud-flats and the
Ergaspian mere, till they reached the bend of the river below
Carcë. Solitary marsh-land stretched on either side as far as
theeye might reach, with clumps of willow and rare homesteads
showing above the flats. Northward above the bend a bluff
of land fell sharply to the elbow of the river, and on the other
side sloped gently away for a few miles till it lost itself in the
dead level of the marshes. On the southern face of the bluff,
monstrous as a mountain in those low sedge-lands, hung square
and black the fortress of Carcë. It was built of black marble,
rough-hewn
acres . An inner unpolished,
and wall the outworks
with a tower enclosing
at each corner many
formed the
main stronghold, in the south-west corner of which was the
palace, overhanging the river. And on the south-west corner
45
THE WORM OUROBOROS
of the palace, towering sheer from the water's edge seventy
cubits and more to the battlements, stood the keep, a round
tower lined with iron, bearing on the corbel table beneath its
parapet in varying form and untold repetition the sculptured
figure of the crab of Witchland. The outer ward of the fortress
was dark with cypress trees : black flames burning changelessly
to heaven from a billowy sea of gloom. East of the keep was
the water-gate, and beside it a bridge and bridge-house across
the river, strongly fortified with turrets and machicolations and
commanded from on high by the battlements of the keep.
Dismal and fearsome to view was this strong place of Carcë,
most like to the embodied soul of dreadful night brooding on
the waters of that sluggish river : by day a shadow in broad
sunshine, the likeness of pitiless violence sitting in the place of
power, darkening the desolation of the mournful fen ; by
night, a blackness more black than night herself.
Now was the ship made fast near the water-gate, and the
lords of Witchland landed and their fighting men, and the gate
opened to them, and mournfully they entered in and climbed
the steep ascent to the palace, bearing with them their sad
burden of the King. And in the great hall in Carcë was Gorice
XI. laid in state for that night ; and the day wore to its close.
Nor was any word from King Gorice XII .
But when the shades of night were falling, there came a
chamberlain to Lord Gro as he walked upon the terrace without
the western wall of the palace ; and the chamberlain said, " My
lord, the King bids you attend him in the Iron Tower, and he
chargeth you bring unto him the royal crown of Witchland."
Gro made haste to fulfil the bidding of the King, and
betook himself to the great banqueting hall, and all reverently
he lifted the iron crown of Witchland set thick with priceless
gems, and went by a winding stair to the tower, and the
chamberlain went before him. When they were come to the
first landing, the chamberlain knocked on a massive door that
was forthwith opened by a guard ; and the chamberlain said,
66

My lord, it is the King's will that you attend his majesty

in his secret chamber at the top of the tower." And Gro
marvelled, for none had entered that chamber for many years.
Long ago had Gorice VII. practised forbidden arts therein,
and folk said that in that chamber he raised up those spirits
whereby he gat his bane. Sithence was the chamber sealed,
46
CONJURING IN IRON TOWER
nor had the late Kings need of it, since little faith they placed
in art magical, relying rather on the might of their hands and
the sword of Witchland. But Gro was glad at heart, for the
opening of this chamber by the King met his designs half way.
Fearlessly he mounted the winding stairs that were dusky with
the shadows of approaching night and hung with cobwebs and
strewn with the dust of neglect, until he came to the small low
door of that chamber, and pausing knocked thereon and
harkened for the answer .
And one said from within, " Who knocketh ? " and Gro
answered, " Lord, it is I, Gro." And the bolts were drawn
and the door opened, and the King said, " Enter." And Gro
entered and stood in the presence of the King.
Now the fashion of the chamber was that it was round,
filling the whole space of the loftiest floor of the round donjon
keep. It was now gathering dusk, and weak twilight only
entered through the deep embrasures of the windows that
pierced the walls of the tower, looking to the four quarters of
the heavens. A furnace glowing in the big hearth threw fitful
gleams into the recesses of the chamber, lighting up strange
shapes of glass and earthenware, flasks and retorts, balances ,
hour-glasses, crucibles and astrolabes, a monstrous three-necked
alembic of phosphorescent glass supported on a bain-marie,
and other instruments of doubtful and unlawful aspect. Under
the northern window over against the doorway was a massive
table blackened with age, whereon lay great books bound in
black leather with iron guards and heavy padlocks. And in a
mighty chair beside this table was King Gorice XII., robed in
his conjuring robe of black and gold, resting his cheek on his
hand that was lean as an eagle's claw. The low light, mother
ofshade and secrecy, that hovered in that chamber moved about
the still figure of the King, his nose hooked as the eagle's beak,
his croppedhair, his thick close-cut beard and shaven upper lip,
his high cheek-bones and cruel heavy jaw, and the dark eaves of
his brows whence the glint of green eyes showed as no friendly
lamp to them without. The door shut noiselessly, and Gro
stood before the King. The dusk deepened, and the firelight
pulsed and blinked in that dread chamber, and the King leaned
without motion on his hand, bending his brow on Gro ; and
there was utter silence save for the faint purr of the furnace.
In a while the King said, " I sent for thee, because thou
47
 THE WORM OUROBOROS
alone wast so hardy as to urge to the uttermost thy counsel
upon the King that is now dead, Gorice XI. of memory ever
glorious. And because thy counsel was good. Marvellest
thou that I wist of thy counsel ? "
Gro said, " O my Lord the King, I marvel not of this .
For it is known to me that the soul endureth, albeit the body
perish."
66

66
Keep thou thy lips from overspeech," said the King.
These be mysteries whereon but to think may snatch thee
into peril, and whoso speaketh of them, though in so secret
a place as this, and with me only, yet at his most bitter peril
speaketh he."
Gro answered, " O King, I spake not lightly ; moreover,
you did tempt me by your questioning. Nevertheless I am
utterly obedient to your majesty's admonition."
The King rose from his chair and walked towards Gro,
slowly. He was exceeding tall, and lean as a starved cor-
morant. Laying his hands upon the shoulders of Gro, and
bending his face to Gro's, " Art not afeared," he asked, " to
abide me in this chamber, at the close of day ? Or hast not
thought on't, and on these instruments thou seest, their use
and purpose, and the ancient use of this chamber ? "
Gro blenched never a whit, but stoutly said, " I am not
afeared, O my Lord the King, but rather rejoiced I at your
summons . For it jumpeth with mine own designs, when I
1 took counsel secretly in my heart after the woes that the Fates
fulfilled for Witchland in the Foliot Isles. For in that day,
O King, when I beheld the light of Witchland darkened and
her might abated in the fall of King Gorice XI. of glorious
memory, I thought on you, Lord, the twelfth Gorice raised
up King in Carcë ; and there was present to my mind the word
of the soothsayer of old, where he singeth :
Ten, eleven, twelf I see
In sequent varietie
Ofpuissaunce and maistrye
With swerd, sinwes, and grammarie,
In the holde of Carcë
Lordinge it royally.
And being minded that he singleth out you, the twelfth, as
potent in grammarie, all my care was that these Demons
48
CONJURING IN IRON TOWER
should be detained within reach of your spells until we should
have time to win home to you and to apprise you of their
farings, that so you might put forth your power and destroy
them by art magic or ever they come safe again to many-
mountained Demonland."
The King took Gro to his bosom and kissed him, saying,
" Art thou not a very jewel of wisdom and discretion ? Let
me embrace thee and love thee for ever . "
Then the King stood back from him, keeping his hands
onGro's shoulders, and gazed piercingly upon him for a space
in silence. Then kindled he a taper that stood in an iron
candlestick by the table where the books lay, and held it to
Gro's face. And the King said, " Ay, wise thou art and of
good discretion, and some courage hast thou. But if thou
be to serve me this night, needs must I try thee first with
terrors till thou be inured to them, as tried gold runneth in
the crucible ; or if thou be base metal only, till that thou be
eaten up by them."
Gro said unto the King," For many years, Lord, or ever
I came to Carcë, I fared up and down the world, and I am
acquainted with objects of terror as a child with his toys. I
have seen in the southern seas, by the light of Achernar and
Canopus, giant sea-horses battling with eight-legged cuttle-
fishes in the whirlpools of the Korsh. Yet was I unafraid.
I was in the isle Ciona when the fires of the pit brast forth in
that isle and split it as a man's skull is split with an axe, and
the green gulfs of the sea swallowed that isle, and the stench
andSthe
the steam hung in the air for days where the burning
rock and earth had sizzled in the ocean. Yet was I unafraid.
Also was I with Gaslark in the flight out of Zajë Zaculo, when
theGhouls took the palace over our heads, and portents walked
in his halls in broad daylight, and the Ghouls conjured the
sun out of heaven. Yet was I unafraid. And for thirty days
and thirty nights wandered I alone on the face of the Moruna
in Upper Impland, where scarce a living soul hath been :
and there the evil wights that people the air of that desert
dogged my steps and gibbered at me in darkness. Yet was
I unafraid ; and came in due time to Morna Moruna, and
thence, standing on the lip of the escarpment as it were on the
edge of the world, looked southaway where never mortal eye had
gazed aforetime, across the untrodden forests of the Bhavinan.
E 49
THE WORM OUROBOROS
And in that skyey distance, pre-eminent beyond range on
range of ice-robed mountains, I beheld two peaks throned
for ever between firm land and heaven in unearthly loveliness :
the spires and airy ridges of Koshtra Pivrarcha, and the wild
precipices that soar upward from the abysses to the queenly
silent snow-dome of Koshtra Belorn."
When Gro had ended, the King turned him away and,
taking from a shelf a retort filled with a dark blue fluid, set it
on a bain-marie, and a lamp thereunder. Fumes of a faint
purple hue came forth from the neck of the retort, and the
King gathered them in a flask. He made signs over the
flask and shook forth into his hand therefrom a fine powder.
Then said he unto Gro, holding out the powder in the open
palm of his hand, " Look narrowly at this powder." And
Gro looked. The King muttered an incantation, and the
powder moved and heaved, and was like a crawling mass of
cheesemites in an overripe cheese. It increased in volume
in the King's hand, and Gro perceived that each particular
grain had legs. The grains grew before his eyes, and became
the size of mustard seeds, and then of barleycorns, swiftly
crawling each over other. And even as he marvelled, they
waxed great as kidney beans , and now was their shape and
seeming clear to him, so that he beheld that they were small
frogs and paddocks ; and they overflowed from the King's
hand as they waxed swiftly in size, pouring on to the floor.
And they ceased not to increase and grow ; and now were
they large as little dogs, nor might the King retain more than
a single one, holding his hand under its belly while it waved
its legs in the air ; and they were walking on the tables and
jostling on the floor. Pallid they were, and permeable to
light like thin horn, and their hue a faint purple, even as the
hue of the vapour whence they were engendered. And now
was the room filled with them so that they mounted perforce
one on another's shoulders, and they were of the bigness of
well fatted hogs ; and they goggled their eyes at Gro and
croaked. The King looked narrowly on Gro, who stood in
the presence of that spectacle, the crown of Witchland in his
hands ; and the King marked that the crown trembled not a
whit in Gro's hands that held it. So he said a certain word,
and the paddocks and the frogs grew small again, shrinking
more swiftly than they had grown, and so vanished.
50
CONJURING IN IRON TOWER
The King now took from the shelf a ball the size of the
egg of an estridge, of dark green glass. He said unto Gro,
" Look well at this glass and tell me what thou seest." Gro
answered him, " I see a shifting shadow within." The King
commanded him saying," Dash it down with all thy strength
upon the floor." The Lord Gro lifted the ball with both
hands above his head, and it was ponderous as a ball of lead,
and according to the command of Gorice the King he hurled
it on the floor, so that it was pashed in pieces. And, behold,
a puff of thick smoke burst forth from the fragments of the
ball and took the form of one of human shape and dreadful
aspect, whose two legs were two writhing snakes ; and it stood
in the chamber so tall that the head of it touched the vaulted
ceiling, viewing the King and Gro malevolently and menacing
them. The King caught down a sword that hung against
the wall, and put it in Gro's hand, shouting, " Smite off the
legs of it ! and delay not, or thou art but dead ! " Gro smote
and cut off the left leg of the evil wight, easily, as it were
cutting of butter. But from the stump came forth two fresh
snakes a-writhing ; and so it fared likewise with the right leg,
but the King shouted, " Smite and cease not, or thou art but
a dead dog ! " and ever as Gro hewed a snake in twain forth
came two more from the wound, till the chamber was a maze
of their wriggling forms. And still Gro hewed with a will,
until the sweat stood on his brow, and he said, panting between
the strokes, " O King, I have made him many-legged as a
centipede : must I make him a myriapod ere night's decline ? "
And the King smiled, and spake a word of hidden meaning ;
and therewith the turmoil was gone as a gust of wind departeth,
and nought left save the shivered splinters of the green ball on
the chamber floor .
" Wast not afeared ? " asked the King, and when Gro said
nay, " Methinks these sights of terror should much afflict
thee," said the King," since well I know thou art not skilled
in art magical."
" Yet am I a philosopher," answered Lord Gro ; " and
somewhat know I of alchymy and the hidden properties of
this material world : the virtues of herbs, plants, stones, and
minerals, the ways of the stars in their courses, and the in-
fluences of those heavenly bodies. And I have held converse
with birds and fishes in their degree, and that generation
51
 THE WORM OUROBOROS
which creepeth on the earth is not held in scorn by me, but
oft talk I in sweet companionship with the eft of the pond,
and the glow-worm, and the lady-bird, and the pismire, and
their kind, making them my little gossips. So have I a certain
lore which lighteth me in the outer court of the secret temple
of grammarie and art forbid, albeit I have not peered within
that temple. And by my philosophy, O King, I am certified
concerning these apparitions which you have raised for me,
that they be illusions and phantasms only, able to terrify the
soul indeed of him that knoweth not divine philosophy, but
without bodily power or essence. Nor is aught to fear in such,
save the fear itself wherewith they strike the simple."
Then said the King," By what token knowest thou this ? "
And the Lord Gro made answer unto him, " O King, as
a child weaveth a daisy-chain, thus easily did you conjure
up these shapes of terror. Not in such wise fareth he that
calleth out of the deep the deadly terror indeed ; but with
toil and sweat and with straining of thought, will, heart, and
sinew fareth he."
The King smiled. " Thou sayest true. Now, therefore,
since phantasmagoria maketh not thy heart to quail, I present
thee a more material horror."
And he lighted the candles in the great candlesticks of
iron and opened a little secret door in the wall of the chamber
near the floor ; and Gro beheld iron bars within the little door,
and heard a hissing from behind the bars. The King took a
key of silver of delicate construction, the handle slender and
three spans in length, and opened the iron grated door. And
the King said, " Behold and see, that which sprung from the
egg of a cock, hatched by the deaf adder. The glance of its
eye sufficeth to turn to stone any living thing that standeth
before it. Were I but for one instant to loose my spells
whereby I hold it in subjection, in that moment would end
my life days and thine. So strong in properties of ill is this
serpent which the ancient Enemy that dwelleth in darkness
hath placed uponthis earth, to be a bane unto the children of
men, but an instrument of might in the hand of enchanters
and sorcerers ."
Therewith came forth that offspring of perdition from its
hole, strutting erect on its two legs that were the legs of a
cock ; and a cock's head it had, with rosy comb and wattles ,
52
CONJURING IN IRON TOWER
but the face of it like no fowl's face of middle-earth but
rather a gorgon's out of Hell. Black shining feathers grew on
its neck, but the body of it was the body of a dragon with scales
that glittered in the rays of the candles, and a scaly crest
stood on its back ; and its wings were like bats' wings, and
its tail the tail of an aspick with a sting in the end thereof,
and from its beak its forked tongue flickered venomously.
And the stature of the thing was a little above a cubit. Now
because of the spells of King Gorice whereby he held it en-
sorcelled it might not cast its baneful glance upon him, nor
upon Gro, but it walked back and forth in the candle light,
averting its eyes from them. The feathers on its neck were
fluffed up with anger and wondrous swiftly twirled its scaly
tail, and it hissed ever more fiercely, irked by the bonds of the
King's enchantment ; and the breath of it was noisome, and
hung in sluggish wreaths about the chamber. So for a while
it walked before them, and as it looked sidelong past him
Gro beheld the light of its eyes that were as sick moons burning
poisonously through a mist of greenish yellow in the dusk of
night. And strong loathing seized him, so that his gorge rose
to behold the thing, and his brow and the palms of his hands
became clammy, and he said, " My Lord the King, I have
looked steadfastly on this cockatrice and it affrighteth me no
whit, but it is loathly in my sight, so that my gorge riseth
because of it," and with that he fell a-vomiting. And the
King commanded that serpent back into its hole, whither it
returned, hissing wrathfully.
Now the King poured forth wine, speaking a charm over
the cup, and when the bright wine had revived Lord Gro,
the King spake saying, " It is well, O Gro, that thou hast
shown thyself a philosopher indeed, and of heart intrepid.
Yet even as no blade is utterly tried until one try it in very
battle, where if it snap woe and doom wait on the hand that
wields it, so must thou in this midnight suffer a yet fiercer
furnace-heat of terror, wherein if thou be reduced we are both
lost eternally, and this Carce and all Witchland blasted with
us for ever in ruin and oblivion. Durst abide this trial ? "
Gro answered, " I am hot to obey your word, O King.
For well know I that it is idle to hope by phantoms and illusions
to appal the Demons, and that against the Demons the deadly
eye of thy cockatrice were turned in vain. Stout of heart
53
THE WORM OUROBOROS
are they, and instructed in all lore, and Juss a sorcerer of ancient
power, who hath charms to blunt the glance of basilisk or
cockatrice. He that would strike down the Demons must
conjure indeed."
66

Great," said the King, " is the strength and cunning of

the seed of Demonland. By main strength have they now
shown mastery over us, as sadly witnesseth the overthrow
of Gorice XI . , 'gainst whom no mortal could stand up and
wrastle and not die, till cursed Goldry, drunk with spleen
and envy, slew him in the Foliot Isles. Nor was there any
aforetime to outdo us in feats of arms , and Gorice X., victori-
ous in single combats without number, made our name glorious
over all the world. Yet at the last he gat his death, out of all
expectation and by what treacherous sleight I know not, stand-
ing in single combat against the curled step-dancer from
Krothering. But I, that am skilled in grammarie, do bear a
mightier engine against the Demons than brawny sinews or
the sword that smiteth asunder. Yet is mine engine perilous
to him that useth it."
Therewith the King unlocked the greatest of those books
that lay by on the massive table, saying in Gro's ear, as one
who would not be overheard, " This is that awful book of
grammarie wherewith in this same chamber, on such a night,
Gorice VII . stirred the vasty deep. And know that from this
circumstance alone ensued the ruin of King Gorice VII., in
that, having by his hellish science conjured up somewhat
from the primaeval dark, and being utterly fordone with the
sweat and stress of his conjuring, his mind was clouded for
a moment, in such sort that either he forgot the words writ
in this grammarie, or the page whereon they were writ, or
speech failed him to speak those words that must be spoken,
or might to do those things which must be done to complete
the charm. Wherefore he kept not his power over that which
he had called out of the deep, but it turned upon him and tare
him limb from limb. Such like doom will I avoid, renewing
in these latter days those self-same spells, if thou durst stand
by me undismayed the while I utter my incantations. And
shouldst thou mark me fail or waver ere all be accomplished,
then shalt thyself lay hand on book and crucible and fulfil
whatsoever is needful, as I shall first show thee. Or quailest
thou at this ? "
54
CONJURING IN IRON TOWER
Gro said, " Lord, show me my task. And I will carry
it, though all the Furies of the pit flock to this chamber to say
‫دو‬
me nay.
So the King instructed Gro, rehearsing to him those acts
that were needful, and making known unto him the divers
pages of the grammarie whereon were writ those words which
must be spoken each in its due time and sequence. But
the King pronounced not yet those words, pointing only to
them in the book, for whoso speaketh those words in vain
and out of season is lost. And now when the retorts and
beakers with their several necks and tubes and the appurten-
ances thereof were set in order, and the unhallowed processes
of fixation, conjunction, deflagration, putrefaction, and rubefi-
cation were nearing maturity, and the baleful star Antares
standing by the astrolabe within a little of the meridian signified
the instant approach of midnight, the King described on the
floor with his conjuring rod three pentacles inclosed within a
seven-pointed star, with the signs of Cancer and of Scorpio
joinedby certain runes. And in the midst of the star he limned
the image of a green crab eating of the sun. And turning to
the seventy-third page of his great black grammarie the King
recited in a mighty voice words of hiddenmeaning, calling on
the name that it is a sin to utter.
Now when he had spoken the first spell and was silent,
there was a deadly quiet in that chamber, and a chill in the air
as of winter. And in the quiet Gro heard the King's breath
coming and going, as of one who hath rowed a course. Now
the blood rushed back to Gro's heart and his hands and feet
became cold and a cold sweat brake forth on his brow. But
for all that, he held yet his courage firm and his brain ready.
The King motioned to Gro to break off the tail of a certain
drop of black glass that lay on the table ; and with the snapping
of its tail the whole drop fell in pieces in a coarse black powder.
Gro by the King's direction gathered that powder and dropped
it in the great alembic wherein a green fluid seethed and
bubbled above the flame of a lamp ; and the fluid became red
asblood, and the body of the alembic filled with a tawny smoke,
and sparks of sun-like brilliance flashed and crackled through
the smoke. Thereupon distilled from the neck of the alembic
awhite oil incombustible, and the King dipped his rod in that
oil and described round the seven-pointed star on the floor the
55
THE WORM OUROBOROS
figure of the worm Ouroboros, that eateth his own tail. And
he wrote the formula of the crab below the circle, and spake
his second spell.
When that was done, yet more biting seemed the night air
and yet more like the grave the stillness of the chamber. The
King's hand shook as with an ague as he turned the pages of
the mighty book. Gro's teeth chattered in his head. He
gritted them together and waited. And now through every
window came a light into the chamber as of skies paling to the
dawn. Yet not wholly so; for never yet came dawn at midnight,
nor from all four quarters of the sky at once, nor with such
swift strides of increasing light, nor with a light so ghastly.
The candle flames burned filmy as the glare waxed strong from
without : an evil pallid light of bale and corruption, wherein
the hands and faces of the King Gorice and his disciple showed
death-pale, and their lips black as the dark skin of a grape
where the bloom has been rubbed off from it. The King cried
terribly, " The hour approacheth ! " And he took a phial of
crystal containing a decoction of wolf's jelly and salamander's
blood, and dropped seven drops from the alembic into the
phial and poured forth that liquor on the figure of the crab
drawn on the floor. Gro leaned against the wall, weak in body
but with will unbowed . So bitter was the cold that his hands
and feet were benumbed, and the liquor from the phial con-
gealed where it fell. Yet the sweat stood in beads on the fore-
head of the King by reason of the mighty striving that was his,
and in the overpowering glare of that light from the underskies
he stood stiff and erect, hands clenched and arms outstretched,
and spake the words LURO VOPO VIR VOARCHADUMIA.
Now with those words spoken the vivid light departed as
a blown-out lamp, and the midnight closed down againwithout.
Nor was any sound heard save the thick panting of the King ;
but it was as if the night held its breath in expectation of that
which was to come. And the candles sputtered and burned
blue. The King swayed and clutched the table with his left
again the King pronounced terribly the word
hand ; and IA
VOARCHADUM .

Thereafter for the space of ten heart-beats silence hung like

a kestrel poised in the listening night. Then went a crash
through earth and heaven, and a blinding wildfire through the
chamber as it had been a thunderbolt. All Carcë quaked, and
56
CONJURING IN IRON TOWER
the chamber was filled with a beating of wings, like the wings of
some monstrous bird. The air that was wintry cold waxed
on a sudden hot as the breath of a burning mountain, and Gro
was near choking with the smell of soot and the smell of brim-
stone. Andthe chamber rocked as a ship riding in a swell with
the wind against the tide. But the King, steadying himself
against the table and clutching the edge of it till the veins on
his lean hand seemed nigh to bursting, cried in short breaths
and with an altered voice, " By these figures drawn and by
these spells enchanted, by the unction of wolf and salamander,
by the unblest sign of Cancer now leaning to the sun, and by
the fiery heart of Scorpio that flameth in this hour on night's
meridian, thou art my thrall and instrument. Abase thee and
serve me, worm of the pit. Else will I by and by summon out
of ancient night intelligences and dominations mightier far
than thou, and they shall serve mine ends, and thee shall they
chain with chains of quenchless fire and drag thee from torment
to torment through the deep."
Therewith the earthquake was stilled, and there remained
but a quivering of the walls and floor and the wind of those
unseenwings and the hot smell of soot and brimstone burning.
And speech came out of the teeming air of that chamber,
strangely sweet, saying, " Accursed wretch that troublest our
quiet, what is thy will ? " The terror of that speech made the
throat of Gro dry, and the hairs on his scalp stood up.
The King trembled in all his members like a frightened
horse, yet was his voice level and his countenance unruffled
as he said hoarsely, " Mine enemies sail at day-break from the
Foliot Isles. I loose thee against them as a falcon from my
wrist. I give thee them. Turn them to thy will : how or
where it skills not, so thou do but break and destroy them off
the face of the world. Away ! "
But now was the King's endurance clean spent, so that
his knees failed him and he sank like a sick man into his mighty
chair. But the room was filled with a tumult as of rushing
waters, and a laughter above the tumult like to the laughter
ofsouls condemned. And the King was reminded that he had
left unspoken that word which should dismiss his sending.
But to such weariness was he now come and so utterly was his
strength gone out from him in the exercise of his spells, that
his tongue clave to the roof of his mouth, so that he might not
57
THE WORM OUROBOROS
speak the word ; and horribly he rolled up the whites of his
eyes beckoning to Gro, the while his nerveless fingers sought to
turn the heavy pages of the grammarie. Then sprang Gro
forth to the table, and against it sprawling, for now was the
great keep of Carcë shaken anew as one shaketh a dice box, and
lightnings opened the heavens , and the thunder roared un-
ceasingly, and the sound of waters stunned the ear in that
chamber, and still that laughter pealed above the turmoil .
And Gro knew that it was now with the King even as it had been
with Gorice VII. in years gone by, when his strength gave forth
and the spirit tare him and plastered those chamber-walls with
his blood. Yet was Gro mindful, even in that hideous storm
of terror, ofthe ninety-seventh page whereon the King had
shown him the word of dismissal, and he wrenched the book
from the King's palsied grasp and turned to the page. Scarce
had his eye found the word, when a whirlwind of hail and sleet
swept into the chamber, and the candles were blown out and
the tables overset. And in the plunging darkness beneath the
crashing of the thunder Gro pitching headlong felt claws
clasp his head and body. He cried in his agony the word, that
was the word TRIPSARECOPSEM, and so fell a-swooning.
It was high noon when the Lord Gro came to his senses
in that chamber. The strong spring sunshine poured through
the southern window, lighting up the wreckage of the night.
The tables were cast down and the floor strewn and splashed
with costly essences and earths spilt from shattered phials and
jars and caskets : aphroselmia, shell of gold, saffron of gold,
asem, amianth, stypteria of Melos, confounded with man-
dragora, vinum ardens, sal armoniack, devouring aqua regia,
little pools and scattered globules of quicksilver, poisonous
decoctions of toadstools and of yewberries, monkshood, thorn-
apple, wolf's bane and black hellebore, quintessences of
dragon's blood and serpent's bile ; and with these, splashed
together and wasted, elixirs that wise men have died a-dreaming
of: spiritus mundi, and that sovereign alkahest which dissolveth
every substance dipped therein, and that aurum potabile which
being itself perfect induceth perfection in the living frame.
And in this welter of spoiled treasure were the great conjuring
books hurled amid the ruin of retorts and aludels of glass and
lead and silver, sand-baths, matrasses, spatulae, athanors, and
58
CONJURING IN IRON TOWER
other instruments innumerable of rare design, tossed and broken
onthe chamber floor. The King's chair was thrown against the
furnace, and huddled against the table lay the King, his head
thrown back, his black beard pointing skyward, showing his
sinewy hairy throat. Gro looked narrowly at him ; saw that he
seemed unhurt and slept deep ; and so, knowing well that sleep
is a present remedy for every ill, watched by the King in silence
all day till supper time, for all he was sore an-hungered.
When at length the King awoke, he looked about him in
amaze. " Methought I tripped at the last step of last night's
journey," he said. " And truly strange riot hath left its foot-
prints in my chamber."
Gro answered, " Lord, sorely was I tried ; yet fulfilled I
your behest."
The King laughed as one whose soul is at ease, and standing
upon his feet said unto Gro, " Take up the crown of Witchland
and crown me. And that high honour shalt thou have, because
I do love thee for this night gone by."
Now without were the lords of Witchland assembled in
the courtyard, being bound for the great banqueting hall to
eat and drink, unto whom the King came forth from the gate
below the keep, robed in his conjuring robe. Wondrous
bright sparkled the gems of the iron crown of Witchland
above the heavy brow and cheek-bones and the fierce dis-
dainful lip of the King, as he stood there in his majesty, and
Growith the guard of honour stood in the shadow of the gate.
And the King said," My lords Corund and Corsus and Corinius
and Gallandus, and ye sons of Corsus and of Corund, and
ye other Witches, behold your King, the twelfth Gorice,
crowned with this crown in Carcë to be King of Witchland
and of Demonland. And all countries of the world and the
rulers thereof, so many as the sun doth spread his beams over,
shall do me obeisance, and call me King and Lord."
All they shouted assent, praising the King and bowing
down before him .
Then said the King," Imagine not that oaths sworn unto
the Demons by Gorice XI. of memory ever glorious bind me
any whit. I will notbe at peace with this Juss and his brethren,
but do account them all mine enemies. And this night have
I made a sending to take them on the waste of waters as they
sail homeward to many-mountained Demonland. "
59
THE WORM OUROBOROS
Corund said, " Lord, your words are as wine unto us.
And well we guessed that the principalities of darkness were
afoot last night, seeing all Carcë rocked and the foundations
thereofroseand fell as the breast of the large earth a-breathing."
When they were come into the banqueting hall, the King
said, " Gro shall sit at my right hand this night, since manfully
hath he served me." And when they scowled at this, and
spake each in the other's ear, the King said, " Whoso among
you shall so serve me and so water the growth of this Witchland
as hath Gro in this night gone by, unto him will I do like
honour." But unto Gro he said, " I will bring thee home
to Goblinland in triumph, that wentest forth an exile. I will
pluck Gaslark from his throne, and make thee king in Zajë
Zaculo, and all Goblinland shalt thou hold for me in fee,
exercising dominion over it."

60
 V: KING GORICE'S SENDING

OF KING GASLARK, AND OF THE COMING OF THE SENDING UPON THE

DEMONS ON THE HIGH SEAS ; WITH HOW THE LORD JUSS BY
THE EGGING ON OF HIS COMPANIONS WAS PERSUADED TO AN
UNADVISED RASHNESS .

HE next morning following that night when King

Gorice XII . sat crowned in Carcë as is aforesaid, was
TGaslark a-sailing on the middle sea, homeward from the
east. Seven ships of war he had, and they steered in column
south-westward close hauled on the starboard tack. Greatest
and fairest among them was she who led the line, a greatdragon
of war painted azure of the summer sea with towering head of
a worm, plated with gold and wrought with overlapping scales,
gaping defiance from her bows, and a worm's tail erect at
the poop. Seventy and five picked men of Goblinland sailed
on that ship, clad in gay kirtles and byrnies of mail and armed
with axes, spears, and swords. Their shields, each with his
device, hung at the bulwarks. On the high poop sat King
Gaslark, his sturdy hands grasping the great steering paddle.
Goodly of mien and well knit were all they of Goblinland
that went on that great ship, yet did Gaslark outdo them all
ingoodliness and strength and all kingliness. He wore a silken
kirtle of Tyrian purple. Broad wristlets of woven gold were
on his wrists. Dark-skinned was he as one that hath lived
all his days in the hot sunshine : clean-cut of feature, somewhat
hooky-nosed, with great eyes and white teeth and tight-curled
black moustachios. Nought restful was there in his presence
and bearing, but rashness and impetuous fire ; and he was
wild to look on, swift and beautiful as a stag in autumn.
Teshmar, that was the skipper of his ship, stood at his
61
THE WORM OUROBOROS
elbow. Gaslark said to him, " Is it not one of the three gallant
spectacles of the world, a good ship treading the hastening
furrows of the sea like a queen in grace and beauty, scattering
up the wave-crests before her stem in a glittering rain ? "
" Yea, Lord," answered he ; " and what be the other two ? "
" One that I most unhappily did miss, whereof but yesterday
we had tidings : to behold such a battling of great champions
and such a victory as Lord Goldry obtained upon yonder
vaunting tyrant."
" The third shall be seen, I think," said Teshmar, " when
the Lord Goldry Bluszco shall in your royal palace of Zajë
Zaculo, amid pomp and high rejoicing, wed the young princess
your cousin : most fortunate lord, that must be lord of her
whom all just censure doth acknowledge the ornament of
earth, the model of heaven, the queen of beauty." "

" Kind Gods hasten the day," said Gaslark. For truly
'tis a most sweet lass, and those kinsmen of Demonland my
dearest friends. But for whose great upholding time and
again, Teshmar, in days gone by, where were I to-day and
my kingdom, and where thou and all of you ? " The king's
brow darkened a little with thought. After a time he began to
say, " I must have more great action: these trivial harryings ,
spoils of Nevria, chasing of Esamocian black-a-moors , be
toys not worthy of our great name and renown among the
nations. Something I would enact that shall embroil and
astonish the world, even as the Demons when they purged
earth of the Ghouls, ere I go down into silence."
Teshmar was staring toward the southern bourne. He
pointed with his hand : " There rideth a great ship, O king.
And methinks she hath a strange look."
Gaslark gazed earnestly at her for an instant, then straight-
way shifted his helm and steered towards her. He spake no
more, staring ever as he sailed, marking ever as the distance
lessened more and more particulars of that ship. Her silken
sail fluttered in tatters from the yard ; she rowed feebly, as
one groping in darkness, with barely strength to stay her from
drifting stern-foremost before the wind. So hung she on the
sea, as one struck stupid by some blow, doubting which way
her harbour lay or which way her course. As a thing which
hath been held in the flame of a monstrous candle, so seemed
she, singed and besmirched with soot. Smashed was her
62
 KING GORICE'S SENDING
proud figure-head, and smashed was her high forecastle, and
burned and shattered the carved timbers of the poop and the
fair seats that were thereon. She leaked, so that a score of
her crew must be still a-baling to keep her afloat. Of her
fifty oars, half were broken or gone adrift, and many of the
ship's company lay wounded and some slain under her thwarts .
And now was King Gaslark ware as he drew near that
here was the Lord Juss on her ruined poop a-steering, and
by him Spitfire and Brandoch Daha. Their jewelled arms
and gear and rich attire were black with most stinking soot,
and it was as though admiration and grief and anger were
so locked and twined within them that none of these
passions might win forth to outward showing on their frozen
countenances .
When they were within hailing distance, Gaslark hailed
them. They answered him not, only beholding him with
alien eyes. But they stopped the ship, and Gaslark lay aboard
ofher and came on board and went up on the poop and greeted
them. And he said, " Well met in an ill hour. What's the
matter ? "
The Lord Juss made as if to speak, but no word came.
Only he took Gaslark by both hands and sat down with a great
groan on the poop, averting his face. Gaslark said, " O Juss,
for so many a time as thou hast borne part in my evils and
succoured me, surely right requireth I have part of thine ? "
But Juss answered in a thick, strange voice all unlike
himself, " Mine, sayest thou, O Gaslark ? What in the
stablished world is mine, that am thus in a moment reived of
him that was mine own heartstring, my brother, the might
of mine arm, the chiefest citadel of my dominion ? " And he
burst into a great passion ofweeping.
King Gaslark's rings were driven into the flesh of his
fingers by the grip of Juss's strong hands on his. But he
scarce wist of the pain, such agony of mind was in him for the
loss of his friend, and for the bitterness and wonder that it
was to behold these three great lords of Demonland weep
like frightened women, and all their ship's company of tried
men of war weeping and wailing besides. And Gaslark
saw well that their lordly souls were unseated for a season
because of some dreadful fact, the havoc whereof his eyes
most woefully beheld, while its particulars were yet dark to
63
THE WORM OUROBOROS
him, yet with a terror in darkness that might well make his
heart to quail.
By much questioning he was at last well advertised of
what had befallen : how they the day before, in broad noon,
on such a summer sea, had heard a noise like the flapping
of wings outstretched from one edge of the sky to another,
and in a moment the calm sea was lifted up and fell again
and the whole sea clashed together and roared, yet was the
ship not sunken. And there was a tumult about them of
thunder and raging waters and black night and wildfire in
the night; which presently passing away and the darkness
lifting, the sea lay solitary as far as eye might reach. " And
nothing is more certain," said Juss, " than that this is a sending
ofKing Gorice XII. spoken of by the prophets as a great clerk
of necromancy beyond all other this world hath seen. And
this is his vengeance for the woes we wrought for Witchland
in the Foliot Isles. Against such a peril I had provided certain
amulets made of the stone alectorian, which groweth in the
gizzard of a cock hatched on a moonless night when Saturn
burneth in a human sign and the lord of the third house is in
the ascendant. These saved us, albeit sorely buffeted, from
destruction : all save Goldry alone. He, by some cursed
chance, whether he neglected to wear the charm I gave him,
or the chain of it was broken in the plunging of the ship, or by
some other means 'twas lost : when daylight came again, we
stood but three on this poop where four had stood. More
I know not."

" O Gaslark," said Spitfire, " our brother that is stolen

from us, with us it surely lieth to find him and set him free."
But Juss groaned and said, " In which star of the unclimbed
sky wilt thou begin our search ? Or in which of the secret
streams of ocean where the last green rays are quenched in
oozy darkness ? "
Gaslark was silent for a while. Then he said, " I think
nought likelier than this, that Gorice hath caught away Goldry
Bluszco into Carcë, where he holdeth him in duress. And
thither must we straightway to deliver him."
Juss answered no word. But Gaslark seized his hand,
saying, " Our ancient love and your oft succouring of Goblin-
land in days gone by make this my quarrel. Hear now my
rede. As I fared from the east through the Straits of Rinath
64
KING GORICE'S SENDING
I beheld a mighty company of forty sail, bound eastward to
the Beshtrian sea. Well it was they marked us not as we lay
under the isles of Ellien in the dusk of evening. For touching
later at Norvasp in Pixyland we learned that there sailed
Laxus with the whole Witchland fleet, being minded to work
evil deeds among the peaceful cities of the Beshtrian seaboard.
And as well met were an antelope with a devouring lion, as
I and my seven ships with those ill-doers in such strength on
the high seas. But now, behold how wide standeth the door
to our wishes. Laxus and that great armament are safe harrying
eastward-ho. I make question whether at this moment more
than nine score or ten score fighting men be left in Carcë.
I have here of mine own nigh on five hundred. Never was
fairer chance to take Witchland with his claws beneath the
table, and royally may we scratch his face ere he get them forth
again. " And Gaslark laughed for joy of battle, and cried,
" O Juss, smiles it not to thee, this rede of mine ? "
66

Gaslark," said Lord Juss, " nobly and with that open
hand and heart that I have loved in thee from of old hast thou
made this offer. Yet not so is Witchland to be overcome,
but after long days of labour only, and laying of schemes and
building of ships and gathering of hosts answerable to the
strength we bare of late against the Ghouls when we destroyed
them."
Nor for all his urging might Gaslark move him any whit.
But Spitfire sat by his brother and spake privately to
him : " Kinsman, what ails thee ? Is all high heart and
swiftness to action crushed out of Demonland, and doth but
the unserviceable juiceless skin remain to us ? Thou art
clean unlike that thou hast ever been, and could Witchland
behold us now well might he judge that base fear had ta'en
hold upon us, seeing that with the odds of strength so fortun-
ately of our side we shrink from striking at him."
Juss said in Spitfire's ear, " This it is, that I do misdoubt
me of the steadfastness of the Goblins . Too like to fire
among dead leaves is the sudden flame of their valour, a poor
thing to rely on if once they be checked. So do I count it
folly trusting in them for our main strength to go up against
Carcë. Also it is but a wild fancy that Goldry hath been
transported into Carcë."
But Spitfire leaped up a-cursing, and cried out, " O Gas
F 65
THE WORM OUROBOROS
lark, thou wert best fare home to Goblinland. But we will
sail openly to Carcë and crave audience of the great King,
entreating him suffer us to kiss his toe, and acknowledging him
to be our King and us his ill-conditioned, disobedient children.
So may he haply restore unto us our brother, when he hath
chastised us, and haply of his mercy send us home to Demon-
land, there to fawn upon Corsus or vile Corinius, or whom-
soever he shall set up in Galing for his Viceroy. For with
Goldry hath all manliness departed out of Demonland, and
we be milksops that remain, and objects of scorn and spitting."
Now while Spitfire spake thus in wrath and sorrow of
heart, the Lord Brandoch Daha fared fore and aft on the
gangway about and about, as a caged panther fareth when
feeding time is long overdue. And at whiles he clapped
hand to the hilt of his long and glittering sword and rattled
it in the scabbard. At length, standing over against Gaslark,
and eyeing him with a mocking glance, " O Gaslark, " he
said, " this that hath befallen breedeth in me a cruel per-
turbation which carries my spirits outwards, stirring up a
tempest in my mind and preparing my body to melancholy,
and madness itself. The cure of this is only fighting. Where-
fore if thou love me, Gaslark, out with thy sword and ward
thyself. Fight I must, or this passion will kill me quite out.
'Tis pity to draw upon my friend, but sith we be banned from
fighting with our enemies, what choice remaineth ? "
Gaslark laughed and seized him playfully by the arms,
saying, " I will not fight with thee, how prettily soe'er thou
ask it, Brandoch Daha, that savedst Goblinland from the
Witches " ; but straight grew grave again and said to Juss,
" O Juss , be ruled. Thou seest what temper thy friends are
in. All we be as hounds tugging against the leash to be loosed
against Carcë in this happy hour, that likely cometh not again."
Now when Lord Juss perceived them all against him,
and hot-mouthed for that attempt, he smiled scornfully and
said, " O my brother and my friends, what echoes and quail-
pipes are you become who seem to catch wisdom by imitating
her voice ? But ye be mad like March hares, every man of
you, and myself too. Break ice in one place, 'twill crack in
more. And truly I care not greatly for my life now thatGoldry
is gone from me. Cast we lots, then, which of us three shall
fare home to Demonland with this our ship, that is but a lame
66
KING GORICE'S SENDING
duck since this sending. And he on whom the lot shall fall
must fare home to concert the raising of a mighty fleet and
armament to carry on our war against the Witches."
So spake LordJuss, and all they who had but ashort hour ago
felt themselves in such point that there was in them no hope of
convalescence nor of life,had nowtheir spirits raised in a seeming
drunkenness, and thought only on the gladness of battle.
The lords of Demonland marked each his lot and cast it
in the helm of Gaslark, and Gaslark shook the helm, and there
leapt forth the lot of the Lord Spitfire. Right wrathful was
he. So the lords of Demonland did off their armour and
their costly apparel that was black with soot, and let cleanse
it. Sixty of their fighting men that were unscathed by the
sending went aboard one of Gaslark's ships, and the crew of
that ship manned the ship of Demonland, and Spitfire took
the steering paddle, and the Demons that were hurt lay in the
hold of the hollow ship. They brought forth a spare sail
and hoisted it in place of that that was destroyed ; so in sore
discontent, yet with a cheerful countenance, the Lord Spitfire
set sail for the west. And Gaslark the king sat by the steering
paddle of his fair dragon of war, and by him the Lord Juss
and the Lord Brandoch Daha, who was like a war-horse
impatient for battle. Her prow swung north and so round
eastaway, and her sail broidered with flower-de-luces smote
the mast and filled to the north-west wind, and those other
six fared after her in line ahead with white sails unfurled,
striding majestic over the full broad billows .

67
VI : THE CLAWS OF WITCHLAND

OF KING GASLARK'S LEADING IN THE ATTEMPT ON CARCË IN THE DARK ,

AND HOW HE PROSPERED THEREIN , AND OF THE GREAT STAND
OF LORD JUSS AND LORD BRANDOCH DAHA.

N the evening of the third day, whenas they drew near

to within sight of the Witchland coast, they brailed up
their sails and waited for the night, that so they might
make the landfall after dark; for little to their mind it was
that the King should have news of their farings. This was
their plan, to beach their ships on the lonely shore some two
leagues north of Tenemos, whence it was but two hours'
march across the fen to Carcë. So when the sun set and all
the ways were darkened they muffled their oars and rowed
silently to the low shore that showed strangely near in the
darkness, yet ever seemed to flee and keep its distance as they
rowed toward it. Coming at length ashore, they drew their
ships up on the beach. Some fifty men of the Goblins they
left to guard the ships, while the rest took their weapons .
And when they were marshalled they marched inland over
the sand-dunes and so on to the open fen; and seeing that the
most of them by far were of Goblinland, it was agreed between
those three, Juss, Brandoch Daha, and Gaslark, that Gaslark
should have command of this emprise. So fared they silently
across the marshes, that were firm enough for marching so
it were done circumspectly, rounding the worst moss-hags
and the small lochs that were scattered here and there. For
the weather had been fine for a season, and little new water
stood on the marsh. But as they drew near to Carcë the
weather worsened and fine rain began to fall. And albeit
there was little comfort marching through the drizzling murk
68
THE CLAWS OF WITCHLAND
ofnight towards that fortress of evil name, yet was Lord Juss
glad at the rain, since it favoured surprise, and on surprise
hung all their hopes.
About the middle night they halted within four hundred
paces of the outer walls of Carcë, that loomed ghostly through
the watery curtain, silent as it had been a tomb where Witch-
land lay in death, rather than the mailed shell wherein so great
a power sat waiting. The sight of that vast bulk couched
shadowy in the rain lighted the fire of battle in the breast of
Gaslark, nor would aught please him save that they should
go forthwith up to the walls with all their force, and so march
round them seeking where they might break suddenly in and
seize the place. Nor would he listen to the counsel of Lord
Juss, who would send forth detachments to select a spot for
assault and bring back word before the whole force advanced.
" Be sure," said Gaslark, " that they within are all foxed and
cupshotten the third night with swilling of wine, in honour
of such triumph as he hath gotten by his sending, and but a
sorry watch is kept on such a night. For who, say they, shall
come up against Carcë now that the power of Demonland is
stricken in pieces ? The scorned Goblins, ha ? A motion
for laughter and derision. But thine advance guard might
give them warning or ever our main force could seize the
occasion. Nay, but as the Ghouls in an evil day coming
suddenly upon me in Zajë Zaculo gat my palace taken ere we
were well ware of their coming, so must we take this hold of
Carcë. And if thou fearest a sally, right hotly do I desire it.
For if they open the gate we are enough to force an entry in
despite of any numbers they are like to have within."
Now Juss thought ill of this counsel, yet, for a strange
languor that still hung about his wits, he would not gainsay
Gaslark. So crept they in stealth near to the great walls of
Carcë. Softly ever fell the rain, and breathless stood the
cypresses within the outer ward, and blank and dumb and
untenanted frowned the black marble walls of that sleeping
castle. And dour midnight waited over all.
Now Gaslark issued command, bidding them march warily
round the walls northward, for no way was betwixt the lofty
walls and the river on the south and east, but to the north-east
was he hopeful to find a likely place to win into the hold. In
such order went they that Gaslark with an hundred of his
69
THE WORM OUROBOROS
ablest men led the van, and after him came the Demons.
The main strength of the Goblins followed after, with Teshmar
for their captain. Warily they marched, and now were they
on the rising ground that ran back north and west from the
bluff of Carcë to the fen. Full eager were they of Goblinland
and flown with the intoxication of impending battle, and they
of the vanguard fared apace, outstripping the Demons, so that
Juss was fain to hasten after them lest they should lose touch
and fall to confusion. But Teshmar's men feared greatly
to be left behind, nor might he hold them back, but they
must run betwixt the Demons and the walls, meaning to join
with Gaslark. Juss swore under his breath, saying, " See
the unruly rabble of Goblinland. And they will yet be our
undoing."
In such case stood they, nor were Teshmar's folk more
than twenty paces from the walls, when, sudden as night-
lightning, flares were kindled along the walls, dazzling the
Goblins and the Demons and brightly lighting them for
those that manned the walls, who fell a-shooting at them
with spears and arrows and a-slinging of stones. In the same
moment opened a postern gate, whence sallied forth the Lord
Corinius with an hundred and fifty stout lads of Witchland,
shouting, " He that would sup of the crab of Witchland must
deal with the nippers ere he essay the shell " ; and charging
Gaslark's army in the flank he cut them clean in two. As
one wood fared forth Corinius, smiting on either hand with a
two-edged axe with heft lapped with bronze ; and greatly
though the folk of Gaslark outnumbered him, yet were they
so taken at unawares and confounded by the sudden onslaught
of Corinius that they might not abide him but everywhere
gave ground before his onslaught. And many were wounded
and some were slain ; and with these Teshmar of Goblinland,
the master of Gaslark's ship. For smiting at Corinius and
missing of his aim he louted forward with the blow, and
Corinius hewed at him with his axe and the blow came on
Teshmar's neck and so hewed off his head. Now Gaslark
with the best of his fighting men was come some way past the
postern, but whenas they fell to fighting he turned back straight-
way to meet Corinius, calling loudly on his men to rally against
the Witches and drive them back within the walls. So when
Gaslark was gotten through the press to within reach of
70
THE CLAWS OF WITCHLAND
Corinius, he thrust at Corinius with a spear, wounding him in
the arm. But Corinius smote the spear-shaft asunder with
his axe, and leapt upon Gaslark, giving him a great wound
on the shoulder. And Gaslark took to his sword, and many
blows they bandied that made either stagger, till Corinius
struck Gaslark on the helm a great down-stroke of his axe,
as one driveth a pile with a wooden mallet. And because of
the good helm he wore, given by Lord Juss in days gone by
as a gift of love and friendship, was Gaslark saved and his
head not cloven asunder ; for on that helm Corinius's axe
might not bite. Yet with that great stroke were Gaslark's
senses driven forth of him for a season, so that he fell senseless
to the earth. And with his fall came dismay upon them of
Goblinland.
All this befell in the first brunt of the battle, nor were the
lords of Demonland yet fully joined in the mellay, for the
great press of Gaslark's men were between them and the
Witches ; but now Juss and Brandoch Daha went forth
mightily with their following, and took up Gaslark that lay
like one dead, and Juss bade a company of the Goblins bear
him to the ships, and there was he bestowed safe and sound.
But the Witches shouted loudly that King Gaslark was slain ;
and at this chosen time Corund, that was come privily forth
of a hidden door on the western side of Carcë with fifty men,
took the Goblins mightily in the rear. So they, still falling
back before Corinius and Corund, and their hearts sick at
the supposed slaying of Gaslark, waxed full of doubt and
dejection; for in the watery darkness they might nowise per-
ceive by how much they outwent in numbers the men of
Witchland. And panic took them, so that they broke and
fled before the Witches, that came after them resolute, as a
stoat holdeth by a rabbit, and slew them by scores and by
fifties as they fled from Carcë. Scarce three score men of
that brave company of Goblinland that went up with Gaslark
against Carcë won away into the marshes and came to their
ships, escaping pitiless destruction.
But Corund and Corinius and their main force turned
without more ado against the Demons, and bitter was the
battle that befell betwixt them, and great the clatter of their
blows. And now were the odds clean changed about with
the putting of the Goblins out of the battle, since but few of
71
THE WORM OUROBOROS
Witchland were fallen, and they were as four to one against
the Demons, hemming them in and having at them from
every side. And some shot at them from the wall, until a
chance shot came that was like to have stove in Corund's
helm, who straightway sent word that when the rout was
ended he would make lark-pies of the cow-headed doddipole
whosoever he might be that had set them thus a-shooting,
spoiling sport for their comrades and dangering their lives.
Therewith ceased the shooting from the wall.
And now grim and woundsome grew the battle, for the
Demons mightily withstood the onset of the Witches, and the
Lord Brandoch Daha rushed with an onslaught ever and anon
upon Corund or upon Corinius, nor might either of those
great captains bear up long against him, but every time gave
back before Lord Brandoch Daha ; and bitterly cursed they
one another as each in turn was fain to save himself amid the
press of their fighting men. Nor could one hope in one night's
space to behold such deeds of derring-do as were done that
night by Lord Brandoch Daha, that played his sword lightly
as one handleth a willow wand; yet death sat on the point
thereof. In such wise that eleven stout sworders of Witchland
were slain by him, and fifteen besides were sorely wounded.
And at the last, Corinius, stung by Corund's taunts as by a
gadfly, and well nigh bursting for grief and shame at his ill
speeding, leapt upon Lord Brandoch Daha as one reft of his
wits, aiming at him a great two-handed blow that was apt
enough to cleave him to the brisket. But Brandoch Daha
slipped from the blow lightly as a kingfisher flying above an
alder-shadowed stream avoideth a branch in his flight, and
ran Corinius through the right wrist with his sword. And
straight was Corinius put out of the fight. Nor had they
greater satisfaction that went against Lord Juss, who mowed
at them with great swashing blows, beheading some and
hewing some asunder in the midst, till they were fain to keep
clear of his reaping. So fought the Demons in the glare and
watery mist, greatly against great odds, until all were smitten
to earth save those two lords alone, Juss and Brandoch Daha.
Now stood King Gorice on the outer battlements of Carcë,
all armed in his black armour inlaid with gold ; and he beheld
those twain how they fought back to back, and how the Witches
beset them on every side yet nowise might prevail against
72
THE CLAWS OF WITCHLAND
them. And the King said unto Gro that was by him on the
wall, " Mine eyes dazzle in the mist and torchlight. What
be these that maintain so bloody an advantage upon my
"

kemperie-men ?
Gro answered him, " Surely, O King, these be none other
than Lord Juss and Lord Brandoch Daha of Krothering."
The King said, " So by degrees cometh my sending home
to me. For by my art I have intelligence, albeit not certainly,
that Goldry was taken by my sending ; so have I my desire
on him I hold most in hate. And these, saved by their en-
chantments from like ruin, have been driven mad to rush
into the open mouth of my vengeance." And when he had
gazed awhile, the King sneered and said unto Gro, " A sweet
sight, to behold an hundred of my ablest men flinch and duck
before these twain. Till now methought there was a sword
in Witchland, and methought Corinius and Corund not simple
braggarts without power or heart, as here appeareth, since
like boys well birched they do cringe from the shining swords
of Juss and the vile upstart from Krothering."
But Corinius, whostood no longer in the battle but by the
King, full of spleen and his wrist all bloody, cried out, " You
do us wrong, O King. Juster it were to praise my great deed
in ambushing this mighty company of our enemies and putting
them all to the slaughter. And if I prevailed not against this
Brandoch Daha your majesty needs not to marvel, since a
greater than I, Gorice X. of memory ever glorious, was lightly
conquered by him. Wherein methinks I am the luckier,
to have but a gored wrist and not my death. As for these
twain, they be stick-frees, on whom no point or edge may bite.
And nought were more to be looked for, since we deal with
such a sorcerer as this Juss ."
" “

Rather," said the King, are ye all grown milksops .

But I have no further stomach for this interlude, but straight
will end it ."
Therewith the King called to him the old Duke Corsus,
bidding him take nets and catch the Demons therein. And
Corsus, faring forth with nets, by sheer weight of numbers
and with the death of near a score of the Witches at length
gat this performed, and Lord Juss and Lord Brandoch Daha
well tangled in the nets, and lapped about as silkworms in
their cocoons, and so drawn into Carcë. Soundly were they
73
THE WORM OUROBOROS
bumped along the ground, and glad enow were the Witches
to have gotten those great fighters scotched at last. For
utterly spent were Corund and his men, and fain to drop for
very weariness.
So when they were gotten into Carcë, the King let search
with torches and bring in them of Witchland that lay hurt
before the walls ; and any Demons or Goblins that were happed
upon in like case he let slay with the sword. And the Lord
Juss and the Lord Brandoch Daha, still lapped tightly in their
nets, he let fling into a corner of the inner court of the palace
like two bales of damaged goods, and set a guard upon them
until morning.
As the lords of Witchland were upon going to bed they
beheld westward by the sea a red glow, and tongues of fire
burning in the night. Corinius said unto Lord Gro, " Lo
where thy Goblins burn their ships, lest we pursue them as
they flee shamefully homeward in the ship they keep from
the burning. One ship sufficeth, for most of them be dead."
And Corinius betook him sleepily to bed, pausing on the
way to kick at the Lord Brandoch Daha, that lay safely swathed
in his net powerless as then to do him harm.

74
VII : GUESTS OF THE KING IN
CARCË
OF THE TWO BANQUET HALLS THAT WERE IN CARCE, THE OLD AND
THE NEW, AND OF THE ENTERTAINMENT GIVEN BY KING GORICE
XII . IN THE ONE HALL TO LORD JUSS AND LORD BRANDOCH DAHA
AND IN THE OTHER TO THE PRINCE LA FIREEZ ; AND OF THEIR
LEAVE-TAKING WHEN THE BANQUET WAS DONE.

HE morrow of that battle dawned fair on Carcë . Folk

T lay long abed after their toil, and until the sun was
high nought stirred before the walls. But toward
noon came forth a band sent by King Gorice to bring in the
spoil ; and they took up the bodies of the slain and laid them
in howe on the right bank of the river Druima half a mile
below Carcë, Witches, Demons , and Goblins in one grave
together, and raised up a great howe over them.
Nowwas the sun's heat strong, but the shadow of the great
keep rested still on the terrace without the western wall of the
palace. Cool and redolent of ease and soft repose was that
terrace, paved with flagstones of red jasper, with spleenwort,
assafoetida, livid toadstools, dragons' teeth, and bitter moon-
seed growing in the joints. On the outer edge of the terrace
were bushes of arbor vitae planted in a row, squat and round
like sleeping dormice, with clumps of choke-pard aconite in
the interspaces. Many hundred feet in length was the terrace
from north to south, and at either end a flight of black marble
steps led down to the level of the inner ward and its embattled
wall.
Benches of green jasper massily built and laden with
velvet cushions of many colours stood against the palace wall
facing to the west, and on the bench nearest the Iron Tower
75
THE WORM OUROBOROS
a lady sat at ease, eating cream wafers and a quince tart served
by her waiting-women in dishes of pale gold for her morning
meal. Tall was that lady and slender, and beauty dwelt in
her as the sunshine dwells in the red floor and gray-green
trunks of a beech wood in early spring. Her tawny hair was
gathered in deep folds upon her head and made fast by great
silver pins , their heads set with anachite diamonds. Her
gown was of cloth of silver with a knotted cord-work of black
silk embroidery everywhere decked with little moonstones ,
and over it she wore a mantle of figured satin the colour of
the wood-pigeon's wing, tinselled and overcast with silver
threads . White-skinned she was, and graceful as an antelope.
Her eyes were green, with yellow fiery gleams. Daintily she
ate the tart and wafers, sipping at whiles from a cup of amber,
artificially carved, white wine cool from the cellars below
Carcë ; and a maiden sitting at her feet played on a seven-
stringed lute, singing very sweetly this song :
Aske me no more where Jove bestowes,
When June is past, the fading rose ;
For in your beautie's orient deepe,
These flowers, as in their causes, sleepe.
Aske me no more whether doth stray
The golden atomes of the day ;
For in pure love heaven did prepare
Those powders to inrich your haire.
Aske me no more whether doth hast
The nightingale when May is past ;
For in your sweet dividing throat
She winters and keepes warme her note.
Aske me no more where those starres light,
That downewards fall in dead of night ;
For in your eyes they sit, and there
Fixed become as in their sphere.
Aske me no more if east or west
The Phenix builds her spicy nest ;
For unto you at last shee flies,
And in your fragrant bosome dyes.
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GUESTS IN CARCЁ
" No more," said the lady; " thy voice is cracked this
morning. Is none abroad yet thou canst find to tell me of
last night's doings ? Or are all gone my lord's gate, that I
left sleeping still as though all the poppies of all earth's gardens
breathed drowsiness about his head ? "
" One cometh, madam," said the damosel.
The lady said, " The Lord Gro. He may resolve me.
Though were he in the stour last night, that were a wonder
indeed."
Therewith came Gro along the terrace from the north,
clad in a mantle of dun-coloured velvet with a collar of raised
work of gold upon silver purl ; and his long black curly beard
was perfumed with orange-flower water and angelica. When
they had greeted one another and the lady had bidden her
women stand apart, she said, " My lord, I thirst for tidings .
Recount to me all that befell since sundown. For I slept
soundly till the streaks of morning showed through my chamber
windows, and then I awoke from a flying dream of sennets
sounding to the onset, and torches in the night, and war's
alarums. And there were torches indeed in my chamber
lighting my lord to bed, that answered me no word but straight-
way fell asleep as in utter weariness. Some slight scratches
he hath, but else unhurt. I would not wake him, for balm
is in slumber ; also is he ill to do with if one wake him so.
But the tattle and wild surmise of the servants bloweth as ever
to allpoints of wonder : as that a great armament of Demonland
is disembarked at Tenemos, and all routed last night by my
lord andbyCorinius, and Goldry Bluszco slain in single combat
with the King. Or that Juss hath set a charm on Laxus and
all our fleet, making them sail like parricides against this land,
Juss and the other Demons leading them ; and all slain save
Laxus and Goldry Bluszco, but these brought bound into
Carcë, stark mad and frothing at the lips, and Corinius dead
ofhis wounds after slaying of Brandoch Daha. Or, foolishly,"
and her green eyes lightened dangerously, " that it was my
brother risen in revolt to wrest Pixyland from the overlordship
of Gorice, and joined with Gaslark to that end, and their army
overthrown and both ta'en prisoner."
Gro laughed and said, " Surely, O my Lady Prezmyra,
truth masketh in many a strange disguise when she rideth
rumour's broomstick through kings' palaces. But somewhat
77
THE WORM OUROBOROS
of herself hath she shown thee, if thou conclude that an event
was brought to birth betwixt dark and sunrise to stagger the
world, and that the power of Witchland bloomed forth this
night into unbeholden glory."
" Thou speakest big, my lord," said the lady. " Were
the Demons in it ? "
66

Ay, madam," he said.

" And triumphed on ? and slain ? "
" All slain save Juss and Brandoch Daha, and they taken,"
said Gro .
" Was this my lord's doing ? " she asked.
“

Greatly, as I think," said Gro ; " though Corinius claimeth

for himself, as commonly, the main honour of it."
Prezmyra said, " He claimeth overmuch." And she said,
" There were none in it save Demons ? "
Gro, knowing her thought, smiled and made answer,
" Madam, there were Witches."
66
My Lord Gro," she cried, " thou dost ill to mock me.
Thou art my friend. Thou knowest the Prince my brother
proud and sudden to anger. Thou knowest it chafeth him to
have Witchland over him. Thou knowest the time is many
days overpast when he should bring his yearly tribute to the
King."
Gro's great ox-eyes were soft as he looked upon the Lady
Prezmyra, saying, " Most assuredly am I thy friend, madam.
Belike, if truth were told, thou and thy lord are all the true
friends I have in waterish Witchland : you two, and the King :
but who sleepeth safe in the favour of kings ? Ah, madam,
none of Pixyland stood in the battle yesternight. Therefore
let thy soul be at ease. But my task it was, standing on the
battlements beside the King, to smile and smile while Corinius
and our fighting men made a bloody havoc of four or five
hundred of mine own kinsfolk ."
Prezmyra caught her breath and was silent a moment.
Then, " Gaslark ? "
" The main force was his, it appeareth," answered Lord
Gro. " Corinius braggeth himself his banesman, and certain
it is he felled him to earth. But I am secretly advertised he
was not among the dead taken up this morning."
66

My lord," she said, " my desire for news drinks deep

while thou art fasting. Some, bring meat and wine for my
78
GUESTS IN CARCЁ
LordGro." And two damosels ran and returned with sparkling
goldenwine in a beaker, and a dish of lampreys with hippocras
sauce. So Gro sat him down on the jasper bench and, while
he ate and drank, rehearsed to the Lady Prezmyra the doings
of the night.
When he had ended she said, " How hath the King dealt
with those twain, Lord Juss and Lord Brandoch Daha ? "
Gro answered, " He hath them clapped up in the old
banqueting hall in the Iron Tower." And his brow darkened,
and he said, " "Tis pity thy lord lay thus long abed, and so
came not to the council, where Corsus and Corinius, backed
by thy step-sons
-sons and the sons of Corsus, egged on the King
to use shamefully these lords of Demonland. True is that
distich which admonisheth us-

Know when to speak, for many times it brings

Danger to give the best advice to Kings ;
and little for my health, and little gain withal, had it been
had I then openly withstood them. Corinius is ever watchful
to fling Goblin in my teeth. But Corund weigheth in their
councils as his hand weigheth in battle."
Now as Gro spake came the Lord Corund on the terrace,
calling for still wine to cool his throat withal. Prezmyra
poured forth to him : " Thou art blamed to me for keeping
thy bed, my lord, that shouldst have been devising with the
King touching our enemies ta'en captive in this night gone by."
Corund sat by his lady on the bench and drank. " If
that be all, madam," said he, " then have I little to charge
my conscience withal. For nought lies readier than strike
off their heads, and so bring all to a fit and happy ending."
" Far otherwise," said Gro, " hath the King determined.
He let drag before him Lord Juss and Lord Brandoch Daha,
and with many fleers and jibes, ' Welcome,' he saith, ' to
Carcë. Your table shall not lack store of delicates while ye
are my guests; albeit ye come unbidden.' Therewith he let
drag them to the old banquet hall. And he bade his smiths
drive great iron staples into the wall, whereon he let hang up
the Demons by their wrists, spread-eagled against the wall,
making both wrists and ankles fast to the staples with gyves
of iron. And the King let dight the table before their feet as
for a banquet, that the sight and the savour might torment
79
THE WORM OUROBOROS
them. And he called all us ofhis council thither that we might
praisehis conceit and mock them anew. "
Said Prezmyra, " A great king should rather be a dog
that killeth clean, than a cat that patteth and sporteth with
his prey."
" True it is," said Corund, " that they were safer slain."
He rose from his seat. " "Twere not amiss," he said, " that
I had word with the King."
" Wherefore so ? " asked Prezmyra.
" He that sleepeth late," said Corund, eyeing her humor-
ously, " sometimes hath news for her that riseth betimes to
sit on the western terrace. And this was I come to tell thee,
that I but now beheld eastward from our chamber window,
riding toward Carcë out of Pixyland down the Way of
Kings "
" La Fireez ? " she said .
" Mine eyes be strong enow and clear enow," said Corund,
" but thou'dst scarce require me swear to mine own brother
at three miles' distance. And as for thine, I leave thee the
swearing."
" Who should ride down the Way of Kings from Pixyland,"
cried Prezmyra, " but La Fireez ? "
" That, madam, let Echo answer thee," said Corund.
" And it sticketh in my mind, that the Prince my brother-
in-law is one that tieth to his heartstrings the remembrance of
past benefits . This too, that none did him ever a greater benefit
than Juss, that saved his life six winters back in Impland the
More. Wherefore, if La Fireez be to share our revels this night,
needful it is that the King command these gabblers to keep
silence touching our entertainment of these lords in the old
banquet hall, and in general touching the share of Demonland
in this fighting."
Prezmyra said, " Come, I'll go with thee."
They found the King on the topmost battlements above the
water-gate with his lords about him, gazing eastaway toward
the long low hills beyond which lay Pixyland. But when
Corund began to open his mind to the King, the King said,
" Thou growest old, O Corund, and like a good-for-nothing
chapman bringest not thy wares to market ere the market be
done. I have already ta'en order for this, and straitly charged
my people that nought befell last night save a faring of the
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GUESTS IN CARCЁ
Goblins against Carcë, and their overthrow, and my chasing of
them with a great slaughter into the sea. Whoso by speech or
sign shall reveal to La Fireez that the Demons were in it, or
that these enemies of mine are thus entertained by me to their
discomfort in the old banquet hall, he shall lose nothing but
his life."
Corund said, " It is well, O King. "
The King said, " Captain general, what is our strength ? "
Corinius answered, " Seventy and three were slain, and the
others for the most part hurt : I among them, that am thus
one-handed for the while. I will not engage to find you,
O King, fifty sound men in Carcë."
“

My Lord Corund," said the King, " thine eyes pierced

ever a league beyond the best among us, young or old. How
many makest thou yon company ?
Corund leaned on the parapet and shaded his eyes with his
hand that was broad as a smoked haddock and covered on the
back with yellow hairs growing somewhat sparsely, as the hairs
on the skin of a young elephant. " He rideth with three score
horse, O King. One or two more I give you for good luck,
but if a have a horseman fewer than sixty, never love me more.
The King muttered an imprecation. " It is the curse of
chance bringeth him thus pat when I have my powers abroad
and am left with too little strength to awe him if he prove
irksome. One of thy sons, O Corund, shall take horse and
ride south to Zorn and Permio and muster a few score fighting
men from the herdsmen and farmers with what speed he may.
It is commanded."

Now was the afternoon wearing to evening when the Prince

La Fireez was come in with all his company, and greetings done,
and the tribute safe bestowed, and sleeping room appointed for
him and his. And now were all gathered together in the great
banquet hall that was built by Gorice XI . , when he was first
made King, in the south-east corner of the palace ; and it far
exceeded in greatness and magnificence the old hall where Lord
Juss and Lord Brandoch Daha were held in duress. Seven
equal walls it had, of dark green jasper, specked with bloody
spots. In the midst of one wall was the lofty doorway, and in
the walls right and left of this and in those that inclosed the
angle opposite the door were great windows placed high, giving
G 81
THE WORM OUROBOROS
light to the banquet hall. In each of the seven angles of the
wall a caryatide, cut in the likeness of a three-headed giant from
ponderous blocks of black serpentine, bowed beneath the mass
of a monstrous crab hewn out of the same stone. The mighty
claws of those seven crabs spreading upwards bare up the dome
of the roof, that was smooth and covered all over with paintings
of battles and hunting scenes and wrastling bouts in dark and
smoky colours answerable to the gloomy grandeur of that
chamber. On the walls beneath the windows gleamed weapons
of war and of the chase, and on the two blind walls were nailed
up all orderly the skulls and dead bones of those champions
which had wrastled aforetime with King Gorice XI . or ever he
appointed in an evil hour to wrastle with Goldry Bluszco.
Across the innermost angle facing the door was a long table
and a carven bench behind it, and from the two ends of that
table, set square with it, two other tables yet longer and benches
by them on the sides next the wall stretched to within a short
space of the door. Midmost of the table to the right of the
door was a high seat of old cypress wood, great and fair, with
cushions of black velvet broidered with gold, and facing it at
the opposite table another high seat, smaller, and the cushions
ofit sewn with silver. In the space betwixt the tables five iron
braziers, massive and footed with claws like an eagle's, stood
in a row, and behind the benches on either side were nine great
stands for flamboys to light the hall by night, and seven behind
the cross bench, set at equal distances and even with the walls .
The floor was paved with steatite, white and creamy, with veins
of rich brown and black and purple and splashes of scarlet.
The tables resting on great trestles were massy slabs of a dusky
polished stone, powdered with sparks of gold as small as atoms .
The women sat on the cross-bench, and midmost of them
the Lady Prezmyra, who outwent the rest in beauty and queen-
liness as Venus the lesser planets of the night. Zenambria,
wife to Duke Corsus, sat on her left, and on her right Sriva,
daughter to Corsus, strangely fair for such a father. On the
upper bench, to the right of the door, the lords of Witchland
sat above and below the King's high seat, clad in holiday attire,
and they of Pixyland had place over against them on the lower
bench. The high seat on the lower bench was set apart for
La Fireez. Great plates and dishes of gold and silver and
painted porcelain were set in order on the tables, laden with
82
GUESTS IN CARCĒ
delicacies . Harps and bagpipes struck up a barbaric music, and
the guests rose to their feet, as the shining doors swung open
and Gorice the King followed by the Prince his guest entered
that hall .
Like a black eagle surveying earth from some high mountain
the King passed by in his majesty. His byrny was of black
chainmail, its collar, sleeves, and skirt edged with plates of dull
gold set with hyacinths and black opals. His hose were black,
cross-gartered with bands of sealskin trimmed with diamonds .
On his left thumb was his great signet ring fashioned in gold
in the semblance of the worm Ouroboros that eateth his own
tail : the bezel of the ring the head of the worm, made of a
peach-coloured ruby of the bigness of a sparrow's egg. His
cloak was woven of the skins of black cobras stitched together
with gold wire, its lining of black silk sprinkled with dust of
gold. The iron crown of Witchland weighed on his brow, the
claws of the crab erect like horns ; and the sheen of its jewels
was many-coloured like the rays of Sirius on a clear night of
frost and wind at Yule-tide.
The Prince La Fireez went in a mantle of black sendaline
sprinkled everywhere with spangles of gold, and the tunic
beneath it of rich figured silk dyed deep purple of the Pasque
flower. From the golden circlet on his head two wings sprung
aloft exquisitely fashioned in plates of beaten copper veneered
with jewels and enamels and plated with precious metals to the
semblance of the wings of the oleander hawk-moth. He was
something below the common height, but stout and strong and
sturdily knit, with red crisp curly hair, broad-faced and ruddy,
clean-shaved, with high wide-nostrilled nose and bushy red
heavy eyebrows, whence his eyes, most like his lady sister's,
sea-green and fiery, shot glances like a lion's.
When the King was come into his high seat, with Corund
and Corinius on his left and right in honour of their great deeds
of arms, and La Fireez facing him in the high seat on the lower
bench, the thralls made haste to set forth dishes ofpickledgrigs
and oysters in the shell, and whilks , snails, and cockles fried in
olive oil and swimming in red and white hippocras. And the
feasters delayed not to fall to on these dainties, while the cup-
bearer bore round a mighty bowl of beaten gold filled with
sparkling wine the hue of the yellow sapphire, and furnished
with six golden ladles resting their handles in six half-moon
83
THE WORM OUROBOROS
shaped nicks in the rim of that great bowl. Each guest when
the bowl was brought to him must brim his goblet with the
ladle, and drink unto the glory of Witchland and the rulers
thereof.
Somewhat greenly looked Corinius on the Prince, and
whispering Heming, Corund's son, inthe ear, who sat next him,
he said, " True it is that La Fireez is the showiest of men in all
that belongeth to gear and costly array. Mark with what
ridiculous excess he affecteth Demonland in the great store of
jewels he flaunteth, and with what an apish insolence he sitteth
at the board. Yet this lobcock liveth only by our sufferance,
and I see a hath not forgot to bring with him to Witchland the
price of our hand withheld from twisting of his neck."
Now were borne round dishes of carp, pilchards, and
lobsters, and thereafter store enow of meats : a fat kid roasted
whole and garnished with peas on a spacious silver charger,
kid pasties, plates of neats' tongues and sweetbreads, sucking
rabbits in jellies, hedgehogs baked in their skins, hogs' haslets,
carbonadoes, chitterlings, and dormouse pies. These and
other luscious meats were borne round continually by thralls
who moved silent on bare feet ; and merry waxed the talk as
the edge of hunger became blunted a little, and the cockles of
men's hearts were warmed with wine.
" What news in Witchland ? " asked La Fireez .
" I have heard nought newer," said the King, " than the
slaying of Gaslark." And the King recounted the battle in the
night, setting forth as in a frank and open honesty every
particular of numbers, times, and comings and goings ; save
that none might have guessed from his tale that any of Demon-
land had part or interest in that battle.
La Fireez said, " Strange it is that he should so attack you .
An enemy might smell some cause behind it."
" Our greatness," said Corinius, looking haughtily at him,
" is a lamp whereat other moths than he have been burnt.
I count it no strange matter at all."
Prezmyra said, " Strange indeed, were it any but Gaslark.
But sure with him no wild sudden fancy were too light but it
should chariot him like thistle-down to storm heaven itself."
" A bubble of the air, madam : all fine colours without and
empty wind within. I have known other such," said Corinius,
still resting his gaze with studied insolence on the Prince.
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 GUESTS IN CARCЁ
"
Prezmyra's eye danced. " O my Lord Corinius," said she,
change first thine own fashion, I pray thee, ere thou convince
gay attire of inward folly, lest beholding thee we misdoubt thy
precept-or thy wisdom."
Corinius drank his cup to the drains and laughed. Some-
what reddened was his insolent handsome face about the cheeks
and shaven jowl, for surely was none in that hall more richly
apparelled than he. His ample chest was cased in a jerkin
of untanned buckskin plated with silver scales, and he wore
a collar of gold that was rough with smaragds and a long
cloak of sky-blue silk brocade lined with cloth of silver. On
his left wrist was a mighty ring of gold, and on his head a
wreath ofblackbryony and sleeping nightshade. Gro whispered
Corund in the ear, " He bibbeth it down apace, and the hour
is yet early. This presageth trouble, since ever with him
indiscretion treadeth hard on the heels of surliness as he waxeth
drunken."
Corund grunted assent, saying aloud, " To all peaks of
fame might Gaslark have climbed, but for this same rashness.
Nought more pitiful hath been heard to tell of than his great
sending into Impland, ten years ago, when, on a sudden conceit
that a should lay all Impland under him and become the
greatest king in all the world, he hired Zeldornius and Helter-
anius and Jalcanaius Fostus "
" The three most notable captains found on earth," said
La Fireez .
" Nothing is more true," said Corund. " These he hired,
and brought 'em ships and soldiers and horses and such a
clutter of engines of war as hath not been seen these hundred
years, and sent 'em-whither ? To the rich and pleasant lands
of Beshtria ? No. To Demonland ? Not a whit. To this
Witchland, where with a twentieth part the power a hath now
risked all and suffered death and doom ? No ! but to yonder
hell-besmitten wilderness of Upper Impland, treeless, waterless ,
not a soul to pay him tribute had he laid it under him save
wandering bands of savage Imps, with more bugs on their
bodies than pence in their purses, I warrant you. Or was he
minded to be king among the divels of the air, ghosts, and
hob-thrushes that be found in that desert ? "
" Without controversy there be seventeen several sorts of
divels on the Moruna," said Corsus, very loud and sudden, so
85
THE WORM OUROBOROS
that all turned to look on him; " fiery divels, divels of the
air, terrestrial divels, as you may say, and watery divels, and
subterranean divels. Without controversy there be seven seen
sorts , seventeen several sorts of hob-thrushes, and several sorts
of divels, and if the humour took me I could name them all
by rote."
Wondrous solemn was the heavy face of Corsus, his eyes,
baggy underneath and somewhat bloodshed, his pendulous
cheeks, thick blubber under-lip, and bristly gray moustachios
and whiskers. He had eaten, mainly to provoke thirst, pickled
olives, capers, salted almonds , anchovies , fumadoes , and
pilchards fried with mustard, and now awaited the salt
chine of beef to be a pillow and a resting place for new
potations.
The Lady Zenambria asked, " Knoweth any for certain
what fate befell Jalcanaius and Helteranius and Zeldornius and
their armies ? "
" Heard I not," said Prezmyra, " that they were led by
Will-o' -the-Wisps to the regions Hyperborean, and there made
kings ? "
" Told thee by the madge-howlet, I fear me, sister," said
La Fireez . " Whenas I fared through Impland the More, six
years ago, there was many a wild tale told me hereof, but
nought within credit."
Now was the chine served in amid shallots on a great dish
of gold, borne by four serving men, so weighty was the dish
and its burden. Some light there glowed in the dull eye of
Corsus to see it come, and Corund rose up with brimming
goblet, and the Witches cried, " The song of the chine, O
Corund ! " Great as a neat stood Corund in his russet velvet
kirtle, girt about with a broad belt of crocodile hide edged with
gold. From his shoulders hung a cloak of wolf's skin with
the hair inside, the outside tanned and diapered with purple
silk. Daylight was nigh gone, and through a haze of savours
rising from the feast the flamboys shone on his bald head set
about with thick grizzled curls, and on his keen gray eyes , and
his long and bushy beard. He cried, " Give me a rouse, my
lords ! and if any fail to bear me out in the refrain, I'll ne'er
love him more." And he sang this song of the chine in a voice
like the sounding of a gong; and all they roared in the refrain
till the piled dishes on the service tables rang :
86
GUESTS IN CARCЁ
Bring out the Old Chyne, the Cold Chyne to me,
And how Ile charge him come and see,
Brawn tusked, Brawn well sowst and fine,
With a precious cup of Muscadine :
How shall I sing, how shall I look,
In honour of the Master-Cook ?

The Pig shall turn round and answer me,

Canst thou spare me a shoulder ? a wy, a wy.
The Duck, Goose, and Capon, good fellows all three,
Shall dance thee an antick, so shall the Turkey :
But O ! the Cold Chyne, the Cold Chyne for me :
How shall I sing, how shall I look,
Inhonour of the Master-Cook ?

With brewis Ile noynt thee from head to th' heel,

Shal make thee run nimbler than the new oyld wheel ;
With Pye-crust wee'l make thee
The eighth wise man to be ;
But O ! the Old Chyne, the Cold Chyne for me :
How shall I sing, how shall I look,
Inhonour of the Master-Cook ?

When the chine was carved and the cups replenished, the
King issued command saying," Call hither my dwarf, and let
him act his antick gestures before us."
Therewith came the dwarf into the hall, mopping and
mowing, clad in a sleeveless jerkin of striped yellow and red
mockado. And his long and nerveless tail dragged on the floor
behind him.
" Somewhat fulsome is this dwarf," said La Fireez.
"
Speak within door, Prince," said Corinius . " Know'st
not his quality ? A hath been envoy extraordinary from King
Gorice XI . of memory ever glorious unto Lord Juss in Galing
and the lords of Demonland. And 'twas the greatest courtesy
we could study to do them, to send 'em this looby for our
ambassador ."
The dwarf practised before them to the great content of
the lords of Witchland and their guests, save for his japing
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
upon Corinius and the Prince, calling them two peacocks, so
like in their bright plumage that none might tell either from
other ; which somewhat galled them both.
And now was the King's heart waxen glad with wine, and
he pledged Gro, saying, " Be merry, Gro, and doubt not that
I will fulfil my word I spake unto thee, and make thee king in
Zajë Zaculo."
66
Lord, I am yours for ever," answered Gro. But
methinks I am little fitted to be a king. Methinks I was
ever a better steward of other men's fortunes than of mine
own."
Whereat the Duke Corsus, that was sprawled on the table
well nigh asleep, cried out in a great voice but husky withal,
" A brace of divels broil me if thou sayst not sooth ! If thine
own fortunes come off but bluely, care not a rush. Give me
some wine, a full weeping goblet. Ha ! Ha ! whip it away !
Ha ! Ha ! Witchland ! When wear you the crown of Demon-
land, O King ? "
" How now, Corsus," said the King, " art thou drunk ? "
But La Fireez said, " Ye sware peace with the Demons in
the Foliot Isles, and by mighty oaths are ye bound to put by
for ever your claims of lordship over Demonland. I hoped
your quarrels were ended."
،،

Why so they are," said the King.

Corsus chuckled weakly. " Ye say well : very well, 0
King, very well, La Fireez. Our quarrels are ended. No
room for more. For, look you, Demonland is a ripe fruit
ready to drop me thus in our mouth." Leaning back he gaped
his mouth wide open, suspending by one leg above it an
hortolan basted with its own dripping. The bird slipped
through his fingers, and fell against his cheek, and so on to
his bosom, and so on the floor, and his brazen byrny and
the sleeves of his pale green kirtle were splashed with the
gravy.
Whereat Corinius let fly a great peal of laughter ; but
La Fireez flushed with anger and said, scowling," Drunkenness ,
my lord, is a jest for thralls to laugh at."
" Then sit thou mum, Prince," said Corinius, " lest thy
quality be called in question. For my part I laugh at my
thoughts, and they be very choice."
But Corsus wiped his face and fell a-singing :
88
GUESTS IN CARCЁ
Whene'er I bib the wine down,
Asleepe drop all my cares.
Afig for fret,
A fig for sweat,
A fig care I for cares .
Sith death must come, though I say nay,
Why grieve my life's days with affaires ?
Come, bib we then the wine down
OfBacchus faire to see ;
For alway while we bibbing be,
Asleepe drop all our cares.
With that, Corsus sank heavily forward again on the table.
And the dwarf, whose japes all else in that company had taken
well even when themselves were the mark thereof, leaped up
and down, crying, " Hear a wonder ! This pudding singeth.
When with two platters, thralls ! ye have served it o' the board
without a dish. One were too little to contain so vast a deal
ofbullock's blood and lard. Swift, and carve it ere the vapours
burst the skin ."
" I will carve thee, filth," said Corsus, lurching to his feet ;
and catching the dwarf by the wrist with one hand he gave him
agreat box on the ear with the other. The dwarf squealed and
bit Corsus's thumb to the bone, so that he loosed his hold ;
and the dwarf fled from the hall, while the company laughed
pleasantly.
" So flieth folly before wisdom which is in wine," said the
"

King. The night is young : bring me botargoes , and caviare

and toast. Drink, Prince. The red Thramnian wine that is
thick like honey wooeth the soul to divine philosophy. How
vain a thing is ambition. This was Gaslark's bane, whose
enterprises of such pitch and moment have ended thus, in a
kind of nothing. Or what thinkest thou, Gro, thou which art
aphilosopher ? "
“

Alas, poor Gaslark," said Gro. " Had all grown to his
mind, and had he 'gainst all expectation gotten us overthrown,
even so had he been no nearer to his heart's desire than when
he first set forth. For he had of old in Zajë Zaculo eating and
drinking and gardens and treasure and musicians and a fair
wife, all soft ease and contentment all his days. And at the
last, howsoe'er we shape our course, cometh the poppy that
abideth all of us by the harbour of oblivion hard to cleanse.
89
THE WORM OUROBOROS
Dry withered leaves of laurel or of cypress tree, and a little
dust. Nought else remaineth."
" With a sad brow I say it," said the King : " I hold him
wise that resteth happy, even as the Red Foliot, and tempteth
not the Gods by over-mounting ambition to his dejection."
La Fireez had thrown himself back in his high seat with
his elbows resting on its lofty arms and his hands dangling idly
on either side. With head held high and incredulous smile he
harkened to the words of Gorice the King.
Gro said in Corund's ear, " The King hath found strange
kindness in the cup."
" I think thou and I be clean out o' fashion," answered
Corund, whispering," that we be not yet drunken ; the cause
whereof is that thou drinkest within measure, which is good,
and me this amethyst at my belt keepeth sober, were I never
so surfeit-swelled with wine ."
La Fireez said, " You are pleased to jest, O King. For
my part, I had as lief have this musk-million on my shoulders
as a head so blockish as to want ambition."
" If thou wert not our princely guest," said Corinius, " I
had called that spoke in the right fashion of a little man.
Witchland affecteth not such vaunts, but can afford to speak
as our Lord the King in proud humility. Turkey cocks do
strut and gobble; not so the eagle, who holdeth the world at
his discretion."
" Pity on thee," cried the Prince, " if this cheap victory
turn thee so giddy. Goblins ! "
Corinius scowled. Corsus chuckled, saying to himself
but loud enough for all to hear, " Goblins, quotha ? They
were small game had they been all. Ay, there it is : had they
been all."
The King's brow was like a foul black cloud. The women
held their breath. But Corsus, blandly insensible of these
gathering thunders, beattime on the table with his cup, drowsily
chanting to a most mournful air :
When birds in water deepe do lie,
And fishes in the air doe flie,
When water burns and fire doth freeze,
And oysters grow as fruits on trees-
A resounding hecup brought him to a full close.
90
 GUESTS IN CARCЁ
The talk had died down, the lords of Witchland, ill at ease,
studying to wear their faces to the bent of the King's looks.
But Prezmyra spake, and the music of her voice came like a
refreshing shower. " This song of my Lord Corsus," she said,
" made me hopeful for an answer to a question in philosophy ;
but Bacchus, you see, hath ta'en his soul into Elysium for a
season, and I fear me nor truth nor wisdom cometh from his
mouth to-night. And this was my question, whether it be
true that all animals of the land are in their kind in the sea ?
My Lord Corinius, or thou, my princely brother, can you
resolve me ? "
"

Why, so it is received, madam," said La Fireez. " And

inquiry will show thee many pretty instances : as the sea-frog,
the sea-fox, the sea-dog, the sea-horse, the sea-lion, the sea-
bear. And I have known the barbarous people of Esamocia
eat of a conserve of sea-mice mashed and brayed in a mortar
with the flesh of that beast named bos marinus, seasoned with
salt and garlic."
" Foh ! speak to me somewhat quickly," cried the Lady
Sriva, " ere in imagination I taste such nasty meat. Prithee,
yonder gold peaches and raisins of the sun as an antidote."
" Lord Gro will instruct thee better than I," said La Fireez .
" For my part, albeit I think nobly of philosophy, yet have I
little leisure to study it. Oft have I hunted the badger, yet
never answered that question of the doctors whether he hath
the legs of one side shorter than of the other. Neither know
I, for all the lampreys I have eat, how many eyes the lamprey
hath, whether it be nine or two."
Prezmyra smiled : " O my brother, thou art too too smoored,
I fear me, in the dust of action and the field to be at accord
with these nice searchings. But be there birds under the sea,
my Lord Gro ? "
Gro made answer, " In rivers, certainly, though it be but
birds of the air sojourning for a season. As I myself have
found them in Outer Impland, asleep in winter time at the
bottom of lakes and rivers, two together, mouth to mouth,
wing to wing. But in the spring they revive again, and by
and by are the woods full of their singing. And for the sea,
there be true sea-cuckows, sea-thrushes, and sea-sparrows, and
many_more."
" It is passing strange," said Zenambria.
91
THE WORM OUROBOROS
Corsus sang :
When sorcerers do leave their charme,
When spiders do the fly no harme.

Prezmyra turned to Corund saying, " Was there not a

merry dispute betwixt you, my lord, concerning the toad and
the spider, thou maintaining that they do poisonously destroy
one another, and my Lord Gro that he would show thee to
the contrary ? ”
" 'Twas even so, lady," said Corund, " and it is yet in
controversy."
Corsus sang :
And when the blackbird leaves to sing,
And likewise serpents for to sting,
Then you may saye, and justly too,
The old world now is turned anew :

and so sank back into bloated silence .

66

My Lord the King," cried Prezmyra, " I beseech you

give order for the ending of this difference between two of your
council, ere it wax to dangerous heat. Let them be given a
toad, O King, and spiders without delay, that they may make
experiment before this goodly company.'
Therewith all fell a-laughing, and the King commanded a
thrall, who shortly brought fat spiders to the number of seven
and a crystal wine-cup, and inclosed with them beneath the
cup a toad, and set all before the King. And all beheld them
eagerly.
" I will wager two firkins of pale Permian wine to a bunch
of radishes," said Corund, " that victory shall be given unto
the spiders . Behold how without resistance they do sit upon
his head and pass all over his body."
Gro said, " Done."
،،
" Thou wilt lose the wager, Corund," said the King.
This toad taketh no hurt from the spiders, but sitteth quiet
out of policy, tempting them to security, that upon advantage
he may swallow them down."
While they watched, fruits were borne in: queen-apples,
almonds, pomegranates and pistick nuts ; and fresh bowls and
jars of wine, and among them a crystal flagon of the peach
92
GUESTS IN CARCЁ
coloured wine of Krothering vintaged many summers ago in
the vineyards that stretch southward toward the sea from below
the castle of Lord Brandoch Daha.
Corinius drank deep, and cried, " Tis a royal drink, this
wine of Krothering ! Folk say it will be good cheap this
summer."
Whereat La Fireez shot a glance at him, and the King
marking it said in Corinius's ear, " Wilt thou be prudent ?
Let not thy pride flatter thee to think aught shall avail thee,
any more than my vilest thrall, if by thy doing this Prince smell
out my secrets."
By then was the hour waxing late, and the women took
their leave, lighted to the doors in great state by thralls with
flamboys . In a while, when they were gone, " A plague of all
spiders ! " cried Corund. " Thy toad hath swallowed one
already."
“

Two more ! " said Gro. " Thy theoric crumbleth apace,
O Corund. He hath two at a gulp, and but four remain."
The Lord Corinius, whose countenance was now aflame
with furious drinking, held high his cup and catching the
“

Prince's eye, " Mark well , La Fireez," he cried, a sign and

a prophecy. First one ; next two at a mouthful ; and early
after that, as I think, the four that remain. Art not afeared
lest thou be found a spider when the brunt shall come ? "
“

Hast drunk thyself horn-mad, Corinius ? " said the King

under his breath, his voice shaken with anger.
" He is as witty a marmalade-eater as ever I conversed
with," said La Fireez, " but I cannot tell what the dickens
he means ."
" That," answered Corinius, " which should make thy
smirking face turn serious. I mean our ancient enemies, the
haskardly mongrels of Demonland. First gulp, Goldry, taken
heaven knows whither by the King's sending in a deadly scud
ofwind ”
" The devil damn thee ! " cried the King, " what drunken
brabble is this ? "
But the Prince La Fireez waxed red as blood, saying,
" This it is then that lieth behind this hudder mudder, and
ye go to war with Demonland ? Think not to have my help
therein."
" We shall not sleep the worse for that," said Corinius.
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
" Our mouth is big enough for such a morsel of marchpane
as thou, if thou turn irksome."
" Thy mouth is big enough to blab the secretest intelligence,
as we now most laughably approve," said La Fireez. " Were
I the King, I would draw lobster's whiskers on thy skin, for
a tipsy and a prattling popinjay."
" An insult ! " cried the Lord Corinius, leaping up. " I
would not take an insult from the Gods in heaven. Reach me
a sword, boy ! I will make Beshtrian cut-works in his guts."
66

Peace, on your lives ! " said the King in a great voice,

while Corund went to Corinius and Gro to the Prince to quiet
them. " Corinius is wounded in the wrist and cannot fight,
and belike his brain is fevered by the wound. "
"Heal him, then, of this carving the Goblins gave him,
and I will carve him like a capon," said the Prince.
" Goblins ! " said Corinius fiercely. " Know, vile fellow,
the best swordsman in the world gave me this wound. Had
it been thou that stood before me, I had cut thee into steaks,
that art caponed already."
But the King stood up in his majesty, saying, " Silence,
on your lives ! " And the King's eyes glittered with wrath,
and he said, " For thee, Corinius, not thy hot youth and
rebellious blood nor yet the wine thou hast swilled into that
greedy belly of thine shall mitigate the rigour of my displeasure.
Thy punishment I reserve unto to-morrow. And thou, La
Fireez, look thou bear thyself more humbly in my halls. Over
pert was the message brought me by thine herald at thy coming
hither this morning, and too much it smacked of a greeting
from an equal to an equal, calling thy tribute a gift, though it,
and thou, and all thy principality are mine by right to deal
with as seems me good. Yet did I bear with thee: unwisely,
as I think, since thy pertness nourished by my forbearance
springeth up yet ranker at my table, and thou insultest and
brawlest in my halls. Be advised, lest my wrath forge thunder-
bolts against thee."
The Prince La Fireez answered and said, " Keep frowns
and threats for thine offending thralls, O King, since me they
affright not, and I laugh them to scorn. Nor am I careful to
answer thine injurious words ; since well thou knowest my old
friendship unto thine house, O King, and unto Witchland, and
by what bands of marriage I am bound in love to the Lord
94
GUESTS IN CARCЁ
Corund, to whom I gave my lady sister. If it suit not my
stomach to proclaim like a servile minister thy suzerainty, yet
needest thou not to carp at this, since thy tribute is paid thee,
ay, and in over-measure. But unto Demonland am I bound,
as all the world knoweth, and sooner shalt thou prevail upon
the lamps of heaven to come down and fight for thee against
the Demons than upon me. And unto Corinius that so
boasteth I say that Demonland hath ever been too hard for you
Witches. Goldry Bluszco and Brandoch Daha have shown
you this. This is my counsel unto thee, O King, to make
peace with Demonland : my reasons, first that thou hast no
just cause of quarrel with them, next (and this should sway
thee more) that if thou persist in fighting against them it will
be the ruin of thee and of all Witchland."
The King bit his fingers with signs of wonderful anger,
and for a minute's time no sound was in that hall. Only
Corund spake privately to the King saying, " Lord, O for all
sakes swallow your royal rage. You may whip him when my
son Hacmon returneth, but till then he outnumbers us, and
your own party so overwhelmed with wine that, trust me, I
would not adventure the price of a turnip on our chances if it
come to fighting."
Troubled at heart was Corund, for well he knew how dear
beyond account his lady wife held the keeping of the peace
betwixt La Fireez and the Witches .
In this moment Corsus, somewhat roused in an evil hour
out of lethargy by the loud talk and movement, began to sing :
When all the prisons hereabout
Have justled all their prisoners out,
Because indeed they have no cause
To keepe 'em inby common laws .
Whereat Corinius, in whom wine and quarrelling and the
King's rebukes had lighted a fire of reckless and outrageous
malice before which all counsels of prudence or policy were
dissipated like wax in a furnace, shouted loudly, " Wilt see our
prisoners, Prince, i' the old banquet hall, to prove thyself an
ass ? "
" What prisoners ? " cried the Prince, springing to his
feet. " Hell's furies ! I am weary of these dark equivocations
and will know the truth."
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
" Why wilt thou rage so beastly ? " said the King. " The
man is drunk. No more wild words ."
" Thou canst not daff me so. I will know the truth," said
La Fireez .
“
So thou shalt," said Corinius. " This it is : that we
Witches be better men than thou and thy hen-hearted Pixies ,
and better men than the accursed Demons . No need to hide
it further. Two of that brood we have laid by the heels , and
nailed 'em up on the wall of the old banquet hall, as farmers
nail up weasels and polecats on a barn door. And there shall
they bide till they be dead: Juss and Brandoch Daha. "
" O most villanous lie ! " said the King. " I'll have thee
hewn in pieces."
But Corinius said, " I nurse your honour, O King. We
must no longer skulk before these Pixies ."
" Thou diest for it," said the King, " and it is a lie."
Now was dead silence for a space. At last the Prince sat
down slowly. His face was white and drawn, and he spake
unto the King, slowly and in a quiet voice : " O King, that
I was somewhat hot with you, forgive me. And if I have
omitted any form of allegiance due to you, think rather that in
my blood it is to chafe at such ceremonies than that I had any
lack of friendship unto you or ever dreamed of questioning
your over-lordship. Aught that you shall require of me and
that lieth with mine honour, aught of ceremony or fealty, will
I with joy perform. And, save against Demonland, is my
sword ready against your enemies. But here, O King, tottereth
a tower ready to fall athwart our friendship and pash it in
pieces. It is known to you, O King, and to all the lords of
Witchland, that my bones were whitening these six years in
Impland the More if Lord Juss had not saved me from the
barbarous Imps that followed Fax Fay Faz, who besieged me
four months with my small following shut up in Lida Nanguna.
My friendship shall you have, O King, if you yield me up my
friends."
But the King said, " I have not thy friends."
" Show me then the old banquet hall," said the Prince.
The King said, " I will show it thee anon."
" I will see it now," said the Prince, and he rose from his
seat.

" I will dissemble with thee no longer," said the King.

96
GUESTS IN CARCI
RCË
" I do love thee well. But when thou askest me to yield up
to thee Juss and Brandoch Daha, thou askest a thing all Pixy-
land and thy dear heart's blood were unable to purchase from
me. These be my worst enemies. Thou knowest not at what
cost of toil and danger I have at last laid hand on them. And
now let not thy hopes make thee an unbeliever, when I
swear to thee that Juss and Brandoch Daha shall rot and die
inprison."
And for all his gentle speeches, and offers of wealth and
rich advantage and upholding in peace and war, might not
La Fireez shake the King. And the King said, " Forbear,
La Fireez, or thou wilt vex me. They must rot."
So when the Prince La Fireez saw that he might not move
the King by soft words, he took up his fair crystal goblet, egg-
shaped with three claws of gold to stand withal welded to a
collar of gold about its middle bossed with topazes , and hurled
it at Gorice the King, so that the goblet smote him on the
forehead, and the crystal was brast asunder with the force of
the blow, and the King's forehead laid open, and the King
strook senseless .
Therewith was huge uproar in the banquet hall ; nor would
Corund that any should have speedier hand therein than he,
but catching up his two-edged sword and crying, " Look to
the King, Gro ! Here's distressful revels ! " he leaped upon
the table. And his sons likewise and Gallandus and the other
Witches seized their weapons, and in like manner did La Fireez
and his men ; and there was battle in the great hall in Carcë.
Corinius, whose left hand only might as now wield weapon,
even so sprang forth in most gallant wise, calling upon the
Prince with many vile words to abide his onset. But the fumes
ofunbridled potations, that being flown to his brain had made
him frantic mad, wrought in his legs more foggily, dulling their
wonted nimbleness. And his foot sliding in a puddle of spilt
wine he fell backward a grievous fall, striking his head against
the polishedtable. And Corsus that was now well nigh speech-
less and quite stupefied with drink, so that a baby might tell as
well as he what meant this hubbub, reeled cup in hand,
shouting, " Drunkenness is better for the body than physic !
Drink always, and you shall never die ! " So shouting he was
smitten square in the mouth by a breast of veal flung at him
by Elaron of Pixyland, the captain
H
of the Prince's bodyguard,
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
and so fell like a hog athwart Corinius, and there lay without
sense or motion. Then were the tables overset, and wounds
given and taken, and swiftly ran the tide of vantage against the
Witches . For albeit the Pixies were none such great soldiers
as they of Witchland, yet this served them mightily that they
were well nigh sober and their foes as so many casks filled with
wine, staggering and raving for the most part from their long
tippling and quaffing. Nor did Corund's amethyst avail him
throughly, but the wine clogged his veins so that he waxed
scant of breath and his strokes lighter and slower than they
were wont.
Now for the love he bare his sister Prezmyra and for his
old kindness sake for Witchland, the Prince charged his men
to fight only for the overpowering of the Witches, slaying none
if so it might be, and on their lives to look to it that the Lord
Corund took no hurt. And when they had fairly gotten the
mastery, La Fireez made certain of his folk take jars of wine
and therewith souse Corund and his men most lustily in the
face, while others held them at weapon's point, until by the
power of the wine both within and without they were well
brought under. And they barricaded the great doorway of the
hall with the benches and table tops and heavy oaken trestles ,
and La Fireez charged Elaron hold the door with the most of
his following, and set guards without each window that none
might come forth from the hall.
But the Prince himself took flamboys and went six in
company to the old banquet hall, overpowered the guard,
brake open the doors, and so stood before Lord Juss and Lord
Brandoch Daha that hung shackled to the wall side by side.
Something dazzled they were in the sudden torch-light, but
Lord Brandoch Daha spake and hailed the Prince, and his
mocking haughty lazy accents were scarcely touched with
hollowness , for all his hunger-starving and long watching and
the cark and care of his affliction . " La Fireez ! " he said.
،،

Day ne'er broke up tillnow. Andmethought ye were yonder

false fitchews fostered in filth and fen, the spawn of Witchland,
returned again to fleer and flout at us ."
La Fireez told them how things had gone, and he said,
" Occasion gallopeth apace. Upon this bargain do I loose you,
that ye come incontinently with me out of Carcë, and seek no
revenge to-night upon the Witches. "
98
GUESTS IN CARCЁ
Juss said yea to this ; and Brandoch Daha laughed, saying,
" Prince, I so love thee, I could refuse thee nothing, were it
shave half my beard and go in fustian till harvest-time, sleep in
my clothes, and discourse pious nothings seven hours a day
with my lady's lap-dog. This night we be utterly thine. An
instant only bear with us : this fare shows too good to rest
untasted after so much looking on. It were discourteous too
to leave it so." Therewith, their chains being now stricken off,
he eat a great slice of turkey and three quails boned and served
in jelly, and Juss a dozen plovers' eggs and a cold partridge.
Lord Brandoch Daha said, " I prithee break the egg-shells ,
Juss, when the meat is out, lest some sorcerer should prick or
write thy name thereon, and so mischief thy person." And
pouring out a stoup of wine, he quaffed it off, and filling it
again, " Perdition catch me if it be not mine own wine of ‫دو‬

Krothering ! Saw any a carefuller host than King Gorice ?

And he pledged Lord Juss in the second cup, saying, " I will
drinkwith thee next in Carcë when the King of Witchland and
all the lords thereof are slain ."
Thereafter they took their weapons that lay by on the table,
set there to distress their souls and with little expectation they
should so take them up again; and glad at heart albeit some-
what stiff of limb they went forth with La Fireez from that
banquet hall.
When they were come into the court-yard Juss spake and
said, " Herein might honour hold us back even hadst thou
made no bargain with us, La Fireez. For great shame it were
to us and we fell upon the lords of Witchland when they were
drunk and unable to meet us in equal battle. But let us ere
we be gone from Carcë ransack this hold for my kinsman
Goldry Bluszco, since for his sake only and in hope to find
him here we fared on this journey."
"

So you touch no other thing but only Goldry if ye shall

find him, I am content," said the Prince.
So when they had found keys they ransacked all Carcë, even
to the dread chamber where the King had conjured and the
vaults and cellars below the river. But it availed not.
And as they stood in the court-yard in the torch-light there
came forth on a balcony the Lady Prezmyra in her nightgown,
disturbed by this ransacking. Ethereal as a cloud she seemed,
pavilioned in the balmy night, as a cloud touched by the exhala-
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 THE WORM OUROBOROS
tions of the unrisen moon. " What transformation is this ? "
said she. " Demons loose in the court ? "
“

" Content thee, dear heart," said the Prince. Thy man
is safe, and all else beside as I think ; save that the King hath a
broken head, the which I lament, and will without question
soon be healed. They lie all in the banquet hall to-night, being
too sleepy-sodden with the feast to take their chambers ."
Prezmyra cried, " My fears are fallen upon me. Art thou
broken with Witchland ? "
66
That may I not forejudge," he answered. " Tell them
to-morrow that nought I did inhatred, and nought but what
I was by circumstance enforced to. For I am not such a
coward nor so great a villain as leave my friends caged up while
strength is left me to work for their setting free."
" You must straightway forth from Carcë," said Prezmyra,
" and that o' the instant. My step-son Hacmon, which was sent
to gather strength to awe thee if need were, rideth by now from
the south with a great company. Thy horses are fresh, and
ye may well outdistance the King's men if they ride after you.
Ifthou wilt not yet raise up a river of blood betwixt us, begone."
" Why fare thee well, then, sister. And doubt it not, these
rifts 'tween me and Witchland shall soon be patched up and
forgot." So spake the Prince with a merry voice, yet grieved
at heart. For well he weened the King should never pardon
him that blow, nor his robbing him of his prey.
But she said, sadly," Farewell, my brother. And my heart
tells me I shall never see thee more. When thou took'st these
from prison, thou didst dig up two mandrakes shall bring
sorrow and death to thee and to me and to all Witchland. "
The Prince was silent, but Lord Juss bowed to Prezmyra
saying, " Madam, these things be on the knees of Fate. But
imagine not that while life and breath be in us we shall leave
to uphold the Prince thy brother. His foes be our foes for
this night sake."
" Thou swearest it ? " she said.
He answered, " Madam, I swear it unto thee and unto him."
The Lady Prezmyra withdrew sadly to her chamber. And-
in short space she heard their horse-hooves on the bridge, and
looking forth beheld where they galloped on the Way of Kings
diminthecoppery light of a waning moon rising over Pixyland.
So sate she by the window of Corund's lofty bed-chamber
100
GUESTS IN CARCЁ
gazing through the night, long after her brother and the lords
of Demonland and her brother's men were ridden beyond her
seeing, long after their last hoof-beat had ceased to echo on
the road. In a while fresh horse-hooves sounded from the south,
and a noise as of many riding in company ; and she knew it
was young Hacmon back from Permio.

ΙΟΙ
VIII : THE FIRST EXPEDITION TO
IMPLAND

OF THE HOME- COMING OF THE DEMONS, AND HOW LORD JUSS WAS
TAUGHT IN A DREAM WHITHER HE MUST SEEK FOR TIDINGS OF HIS
DEAR BROTHER . AND HOW THEY TOOK COUNSEL AT KROTHERING ,
AND DETERMINED OF THEIR EXPEDITION TO IMPLAND .

IDSUMMER night, ambrosial, starry-kirtled, walked

on the sea, as the ship that brought the Demons
M home drew nigh to her journey's end. The cloaks
of Lord Juss and Lord Brandoch Daha, who slept on the poop,
were wet with dew. Smoothly they had passage through that
charmed night, where winds were hushed asleep and nought
was heard save the waves talking beneath the bows of the ship,
the lilting changeless song of the steersman, and the creak, dip,
and swash of oars keeping time to his singing. Vega burned
like a sapphire near the zenith, and Arcturus low in the north-
west, beaconing over Demonland. In the remote south-east .
Fomalhaut rose from the sea, a lonely splendour in the dim
region of Capricorn and the Fishes.
So rowed they till day broke, and a light wind sprang up
fresh and keen. Juss waked, and stood up to scan the gray
glassy surface of the sea spread to vast distances where sky and
water faded into one. Astern, great clouds bridged the gates of
day, boilingupwards into crags of wine-dark vapour and burning
plumes of sunrise. In the stainless spaces of the sky above these
sailed the horned moon, frail and wan as a white foam-flower
blown from the waves. Westward, facing the thunder-smoke of
dawn, the fine far ridge of Kartadza was like cut crystal against
the sky : the first island sentinel of many-mountainedDemon-
land, his topmost cliffs dawn-illumined with pale gold and
102
FIRST IMPLAND EXPEDITION
amethyst while yet the lesser heights lay obscure, lapped in the
folds of night. And with the opening day the mists swathing
the mountain's skirts were lifted up in billowy masses that grew
and shrank and grew again, made restless by the wayward winds
which morning waked in the hollow-mountain side, and torn
by them into wisps and streamers. Some were blown upward,
steaming up the great gullies in the rocks below the peak, while
now and then a puff of cloud swam free for a minute, floated
a minute's space as ready to sail skyward, then indolently
stooped again to the mountain wall to veil it in an unsubstantial
fleece of golden vapour. And now all the western seaboard of
Demonland lay clear to view, stretching fifty miles and more
from Northhouse Skerries past the Drakeholms and the low
downs of Kestawick and Byland, beyond which tower the
mountains of the Scarf, past the jagged sky-line of the Thorn-
backs and the far Neverdale peaks overhanging the wooded
shores of Onwardlithe and Lower Tivarandardale, to the
extreme southern headland, filmy-pale in the distance, where
the great range of Rimon Armon plunges its last wild bastion
in the sea.
As a lover gazing on his mistress, so gazed Lord Juss on
Demonland rising from the sea. No word spake he till they
came off Lookinghaven-ness and could see where beyond the
beaked promontory the sound opened between Kartadza and
the mainland. Albeit the outer sea was calm, the air in the
sound was thick with spray from the churning of the waters
among the reefs and swallowing shoals. For the tide ran like
a mill-race through that sound, and the roaring of it was plain
to hear at two miles' distance where they sailed. Juss said,
" Mindest thou my shepherding of the Ghoul fleet into yonder
jaws ? I would not tell thee for shame whenas the fit was on
me. But this is the first day since the sending came upon us
that I have not wished in my heart that the Races of Kartadza
had gulped me down also and given me one ending with the
accursed Ghouls ."
Lord Brandoch Daha looked swiftly upon him and was
silent.
Now in a short while was the ship come into Lookinghaven
and alongside of the marble quay. There amid his folk stood
Spitfire, who greeted them, saying," I made all ready to bring
three of you home in triumph from your ship, but Volle
103
THE WORM OUROBOROS
counselled against it. Glad am I that I took his counsel, and
put by those things I had prepared. They had cut me to the
heart to see them now. "
Juss answered him, " O my brother, this noise of hammers
in Lookinghaven, and these ten keels laid on the slips ,
show me ye have been busied on things nearer our needs
than bay-leaves and the instruments of joy since thou camest
home."
So they took horse, and while they rode they related to
Spitfire all that had befallen since their faring to Carcë. In
such wise came they north past the harbour, and so over
Havershaw Tongue to Beckfoot where they took the upper
path that climbs into Evendale close under the screes of
Starksty Pike, and so came a little before noon to Galing.
The black rock of Galing stands at the end of the spur
that runs down from the south ridge of Little Drakeholm,
dividing Brankdale from Evendale. On three sides the cliffs
fall sheer from the castle walls to the deep woods of oak and
birch and rowan tree which carpet the flats of Moongarth
Bottom and feather the walls of the gill through which the
Brankdale beck plunges in waterfall after waterfall. Only on
the north-east may aught save a winged thing come at the
castle, across a smooth grass-grown saddle less than a stone's
throw in width. Over that saddle runs the paven way leading
from the Brankdale road to the Lion Gate, and within the gate
is that garden of the grass walk between the yews where
Lessingham stood with the martlet nine weeks before, when
first he came to Demonland .

When night fell and supper was done, Juss walked alone on
the walls of his castle, watching the constellations burn in the
moonless sky above the mighty shadows of the mountains ,
listening to the hooting of the owls in the woods below and
the faint distant tinkle of cow-bells, and breathing the fragrance
borne up from the garden on the night wind that even in high
summer tasted keen of the mountains and the sea. These
sights and scents and voices of the holy night so held him in
thrall that it wanted but an hour of midnight when he left the
battlements, and called the sleepy house-carles to light him to
his chamber in the south tower of Galing.
Wondrous fair was the great four-posted bed of the Lord
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FIRST IMPLAND EXPEDITION
Juss, builded of solid gold, and hung with curtains of dark-blue
tapestry whereon were figured sleep-flowers. The canopy
above the bed was a mosaic of tiny stones, jet, serpentine, dark
hyacinth, black marble, bloodstone, and lapis lazuli, so con-
founded in a maze of altering hue and lustre that they might
mock the palpitating sky of night. And therein was the like-
ness of the constellation of Orion, held by Juss for guardian of
his fortunes, the stars whereof, like those beneath the golden
canopy in the presence chamber, were jewels shining of their
own light, yet with a milder radiance, as glow-worms' sheen or
deadwoodglimmering in the dark. For Betelgeuze was a ruby
shining, and a diamond for Rigel, and pale topazes for the
other stars . The four posts of the bed were of the thickness
of a man's arm in their upper parts, but their lower parts great
as his waist and carven in the image of birds and beasts : at the
foot of the bed a lion for courage and an owl for wisdom, and
at the head an alaunt for faithfulness of heart and a kingfisher
for happiness. On the cornice of the bed and on the panels
above the pillow against the wall were carved Juss's deeds of
derring-do; and the latest carving was of the sea-fight with the
Ghouls. To the right of the bed stood a table with old books
of songs and books of the stars and of herbs and beasts and
travellers' tales, and there was Juss wont to lay his sword beside
him while he slept. All the walls were panelled with dark
sweet-smelling wood, and armour and weapons hung thereon.
Mighty chests and almeries hasped and bound with gold stood
against the wall, wherein he kept his rich apparel. Windows
opened to the west and south, and on each window-ledge stood
abowl of palestjade filled with white roses; and the air entering
the bed-chamber was laden with their scent.
About cock-crow came a dream unto Lord Juss, standing
by his head and touching his eyes so that he seemed to wake
and look about the chamber. And he seemed to behold an
evil beast all burning as a drake, busy in his chamber, with
many heads, the most venomous that ever he the days of his
life had seen, and about it its five fawns, like to itself but smaller.
It seemed to Juss that in place of his sword there lay a great
spear of fair workmanship on the table by his bed ; and it
seemed to him in his dream that this spear had been his all his
life, and was his greatest treasure, and that with it he might
accomplish all things and without it scarcely aught to his mind.
105
THE WORM OUROBOROS
He laboured to reach out his hand to the spear, but some power
withheld him so that for all his striving he might not stir. But
that beast took up the spear in its jaws, and went with it forth
from the chamber. It seemed to Juss that the power that held
him departed with the departing of the beast, so that he leaped
up and snatched down weapons from the wall and made an
onslaught on the fawns of that fell beast that were tearing down
the woven hangings and marring with their fiery breath the
figure of the kingfisher at the head of his bed. All the chamber
was full of the reek of burning, and he thought his friends were
with him in the chamber, Volle and Vizz and Zigg and Spitfire
and Brandoch Daha, fighting with the beasts, and the beasts
prevailed against them. Then it seemed to him that the bed-
post carven in the likeness of an owl spake to him in his dream
inhuman speech; and the owl said, " O fool, that shaltjustly
be put in great misery without end, except thou bring back the
spear. Hast thou forgot that this only is thy greatest treasure
and most worthiest thy care ? "
Therewith came back that grim and grisful beast into the
chamber, and Juss assailed it, crying to the owl, " Uncivil owl,
where thenmust I find my spear that this beast hath hidden ? "
And it seemed to him that the owl made answer, " Inquire
in Koshtra Belorn ."
So tumultuous was Lord Juss's dream that he was flung at
waking out of bed on to the deerskin carpets of the floor, and
his right hand clutched the hilt of his great sword where it lay
on the table by his bed, whereas in his dream he had beheld the
spear. Mightily moved was he ; and forthwith clothed himself,
and faring through the dim corridors came to Spitfire's chamber,
and sat on the bed and waked him. And Juss told him his
dream, and said," I hold myself clean of all blame hereabout,
for from thatday forth this only hath beenmy care,how to find
my dear brother and fetch him home, and only then to wreak
myself on the Witches. And what was this spear in my dream
if not Goldry ? This vision of the night kindleth for us a
beacon fire we needs must seek to. It bade me inquire in
Koshtra Belorn, and till that be done never will I rest nor so
much as think on aught besides."
Spitfire answered and said, " Thou beest our oldest brother,
and I shall follow and obey thee in all that thou wilt do or
shalt ordain hereof."
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FIRST IMPLAND EXPEDITION
Then fared Juss to the guest-chamber, where Lord
Brandoch Daha lay a-sleeping, and waked him and told him
all. Brandoch Daha snuggled him under the bedclothes and
said, " Let me be and let me sleep yet two hours. Then will
I rise and bathe and array myself and eat my morning meal,
and thereafter will I take rede with thee and tell thee somewhat
for thine advantage. I have not slept in a goose-feather
bed and sheets of lawn these many weeks. If thou plague
me now, by God, I will incontinently take horse over the
Stile to Krothering, and let thee and thine affairs go to
the devil."
So Juss laughed and left him in peace. And later when
they had eaten they walked in a plashed alley, where the air
was cool and the purple shadow on the path was dappled with
bright flecks of sunshine. Lord Brandoch Daha said, " Thou
knowest that Koshtra Belorn is a great mountain, beside which
our mountains of Demonland would seem but little hills un-
remarked, and that it standeth in the uttermost parts of earth
beyond the wastes of Upper Impland, and thou mightest search
a year through all the peopled countries of the world and
not find one living soul who had so much as beheld it from
afar."
" This much I know," said Lord Juss.
" Is thine heart utterly bent on this journey ? " said
Brandoch Daha. " Or is it not preposterous, and a thing to
comfort our enemies, that we should thus at the bidding of a
dream fly to far and perilous lands, rather than pay Witchland
presently for the shame he hath done us ? "
Juss answered him, " My bed is hallowed by spells of such
a virtue that no naughty dream flown through the ivory gate
nor no noisome wizardry hath power to trouble his sleep who
sleepeth there. This dream is true. For Witchland there is
time enow. If thou wilt not go with me to Koshtra Belorn ,
I must go without thee."
66

Enough," said Lord Brandoch Daha. " Thou knowest

for thee I tie my purse with a spider's thread. Then fare we
must to Impland, and herein may I help thee. For listen while
I tell thee a thing. Whenas I slew Gorice X. in Goblinland,
Gaslark gave me, along with other good gifts, a great curiosity :
a treatise or book copied out on parchment by Bhorreon his
secretary, wherein it speaketh of all the ways to Impland and
107
THE WORM OUROBOROS
what countries and kingdoms lie next to the Moruna and the
fronts thereof, and the marvels that be found in those lands.
And all that is writ in this book was set down faithfully by
Bhorreon after the telling of Gro, the same which now hath
part with the Witchlanders. Great honour had Gro as then
from Gaslark for his far journeyings and for that which is
written in this book of wonders ; and this it was that had first
put it in Gaslark's mind to send that expedition into Impland,
which so reduced him and came so wretchedly to nought. If
then thou wilt seek to Koshtra Belorn, come home with me
to-day and I will show thee my book."
So spake Lord Brandoch Daha, and Lord Juss straightway
ordered forth the horses, and sent messengers to Volle under
Kartadza and to Vizz at Darklairstead bidding them meet him
at Krothering with what speed they might. It was four hours
before noon when Juss, Spitfire, and Brandoch Daha rode down
from Galing and through the woods of Moongarth Bottom at
the foot of the lake, taking the main bridle road up Breaking-
dale, that runs by the western margin of Moonmere under the
buttresses of the Scarf. They rode slowly, for the sun was
strong on their backs. Glassy was the lake and like a turquoise,
and the birch-clad slopes to the east and north and the bare
rugged ridges of Stathfell and Budrafell beyond were mirrored
in its depths. On the left as they rode, the spurs of the Scarf
impended from on high in piled bastions of black porphyry
like giants' castles ; and little valleys choked with monstrous
boulders, among which the silver birches crowding showed like
tiny garden plants, ran steeply back between the spurs. Up
those valleys appeared successively the main summits of the
Scarf, savage and remote, frowning downward as it were
between their own knees : Glaumry Pike, Micklescarf, and
Illstack. By noon they had climbed to the extreme head of
Breakingdale, and halted on the Stile, a little beyond the water-
shed, under the sheer northern wall of Ill Drennock. Before
them the pass plunged steeply into Amadardale. The lower
reach of Switchwater shone fifteen miles or more to the west,
well nigh hidden in the heat-haze. Nearer at hand in the
north-west lay Rammerick Mere, bosomed among the smooth-
backed Kelialand hills and the easternmost uplands of Shal-
greth Heath, with the sea beyond ; and on the valley floor,
near the watersmeet where Transdale runs into Amadardale,
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 FIRST IMPLAND EXPEDITION
it was possible to descry the roofs of Zigg's house at Many
Bushes.
When they came down thither, Zigg was out a-hunting.
So they left word with his lady wife and drank a stirrup cup
and rode on, up Switchwater Way, and for twelve miles and
more along the southern shore of Switchwater. So dropped
they intoGashterndale, and thence rounding the western slopes
of Erngate End came up on to Krothering Side when the
shadows were lengthening in the golden summer evening.
The Side ran gently west for a league or more to where
Thunderfirth lay like beaten gold beneath the sun. Across the
Firth the pine-forests of Westmark, old as the world, rose
toward Brocksty Edge and Gemsar Edge : a far-flung amphi-
theatre of bare cliff and scree shutting in the prospect to the
north. High on the left towered the precipices ofErngate End ;
southward and south-eastward lay the sea. So rode they down
the Side, through deep peaceful meadows fair with white ox-eye
daisies, bluebells and yellow goatsbeard and sea campion, deep-
blue gentians, agrimony and wild marjoram, and pink clover
and bindweed and great yellow buttercups feasting on the sun.
And on an eminence beyond which the land fell away more
steeply toward the sea, the onyx towers of Krothering standing
above woods and gardens showed milk-white against heaven
and the clear hyaline.
When they were now but half a mile from the castle Juss
said, " Behold and see. The Lady Mevrian hath espied us
from afar, and rideth forth to bring thee home."
Brandoch Daha cantered ahead to meet her : a lady light
ofbuild and exceeding fair to look upon, brave of carriage like
a war-horse, soft of feature, clear-browed, gray-eyed and
proud-eyed: sweet-mouthed, but not as one who can speak
nought but sweetness. Her robe was of pale buff-coloured
silk, with corsage covered as by a spider's web with fine golden
threads ; and she wore a point-lace ruffle stiffened with gold
and silver wire and spangled with little diamonds. Her deep
hair, black as the raven's wing, was fastened with pins of gold,
and a yellow rose that nestled in its coils was as the moon
looking forth among thick clouds of night.
“

Doings be afoot, my lady sister," said Lord Brandoch

Daha. " One King of Witchland have we done down since
we sailed hence ; and guested in Carcë with another, little
109
THE WORM OUROBOROS
to our content. All which things I'll tell thee anon. Now
lieth our road south for Impland, and Krothering is but our
caravanserai . "
She turned her horse, and they rode all in company into
the shadow of the ancient cedars that clustered to the north of
the home-meads and pleasure gardens, stately, gaunt-limbed,
flat-browed, bleak against the sky. On the left a lily-paven lake
slept cool beneath mighty elms, with a black swan near the
bank and her four cygnets dozing in a row, their heads tucked
beneath their wings, so that they looked like balls ofgray-brown
froth floating on the water. The path leading to the bridge-
gate zig-zagged steeply up the mound between low broad
balustrades of white onyx bearing at intervals square onyx pots ,
planted some with yellow roses and some with wondrous
flowers, great and delicate, with frail white shell-like petals.
Deep, mysterious centres had those flowers, thick with soft
hairs within, and dark within with velvety purple streaked with
black and blood colour and dust of gold.
The castle of Lord Brandoch Daha standing at the top of
the mound was circled by a ditch both broad and deep. The
gate before the drawbridge was of iron gilded and richly
wrought. The towers and gate-house were of white onyx like
the castle itself, and on either hand before the gate was a
colossal marble hippogriff, standing more than thirty feet high
at the withers ; and the wings and hooves and talons of the
hippogriffs and their manes and forelocks were overlaid with
gold, and their eyes carbuncles of purest lustre. Over the
gate was written in letters of gold :
Ye braggers an' a' ,
Be skeered and awa'
Frae Brandoch Daha.

But to tell even a tenth part of the marvels rich and beautiful
that were in the house of Krothering : its cool courts and
colonnades rich with gems and fragrant with costly spices and
strange blooms : its bed-chambers where, caught like Aphro-
dite in her golden net, the spirit of sleep seemed ever to shake
slumber from its plumes, and none might be waking long in
those chambers but sweet sleep overcame their eyelids : the
Chamber of the Sun and the Chamber of the Moon, and the
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 FIRST IMPLAND EXPEDITION
great middle hall with its high gallery and ivory stair : to tell
of all these were but to cloy imagination with picturing in one
while of over-much glory and splendour.
Nought befell that night save the coming of Zigg before
sun-down, and of those brethren Volle and Vizz in the night,
having ridden hard in obedience to the word of Juss. In the
morning when they had eaten their day-meal the lords of
Demonland went down into the pleasaunces, and with them the
Lady Mevrian. And in an alley that was roofed with beams of
cedar resting on marble pillars, the beams and pillars smothered
with dark-red roses, they sat looking eastward across a sunk
garden. The weather was sweet and gracious, and thick dew
lay on the pale terraced lawns that led down among flower beds
to the fish-pond in the midst. The water made a cool mirror
whereon floated yellow and crimson water-lilies opening to the
sky. All the greens and flower-colours glowed warm and clean,
but soft withal and shadowy, veiled in the gray haze of the
summer morning .
They sat here and there as they listed on chairs and benches,
near a huge tank or vase of dark green jade where sulphur-
coloured lilies grew in languorous beauty, their back-curled
petals showing the scarlet anthers ; and all the air was heavy
with their sweetness. The great jade vase was round and flat
like the body of a tortoise, open at the top where the lilies grew.
It was carved with scales, as it were the body of adragon, and
a dragon's head a-gaping reared itself at one end, and at the
other the tail curved up and over like the handle of a basket,
and the tail had little fore and hind feet with claws, and a
smaller head at the end of the tail gaped downwards biting at
the large head. Four legs supported the body, and each leg
was a small dragon standing on its hind feet, its head growing
into the parent body as the thigh or shoulder joint should join
the trunk. In the curve ofthe creature's neck, his back propped
against its head, sat the Lord Brandoch Daha in graceful ease,
one foot touching the ground, the other swinging free ; and in
his hands was the book, bound in dark puce-coloured goatskin
and gold, given him by Gaslark in years gone by. Zigg watched
him idly turn the pages while the others talked. Leaning
toward Mevrian he whispered in her ear, " Is not he able and
shapen for to subdue and put under him all the world : thy
III
THE WORM OUROBOROS
brother ? A man of blood and peril, and yet so fair to behold
that it is a marvel ? "
Her eyes danced. She said, " It is pure truth, my lord."
Now spake Spitfire saying, " Read forth to us, I pray thee,
the book of Gro; for my soul is afire to set forth on this faring."
“

'Tis writ somewhat crabbedly," said Brandoch Daha,

" and most damnably long. I spent half last night a-searching
on't, and 'tis most apparent no other way lieth to these moun-
tains save by the Moruna, and across the Moruna is (if Gro say
true) but one way, and that from the Gulf of Muelva : ' a xx
dayes journeye from northe by south-est.' For here he telleth
of watersprings by the way, but he saith in other parts of the
desert be no watersprings, save only springs venomous, where
' The water riketh like a sething potte continually, having
sumwhat a sulphureous and sumwhat onpleasant savor,' and,
' The grownd nurysheth here no plante nor herbe except yt
bee venomous champinions or tode stooles . "
" If he say true ? " said Spitfire. " He is a turncoat and
a renegado. Wherefore not therefore a liar ? "
" But a philosopher," answered Juss. " I knew him well
of old in Goblinland, and I judge him to be one who is not
false save only in policy. Subtle of mind he is, and dearly
loveth plotting and scheming, and, as I think, perversely
affecteth ever the losing side if he be brought into any quarrel ;
and this hath dragged him oft-times to misfortune. But in
this book of his travels he must needs speak truth, as it seemeth
to me, to be true to his own self."
The Lady Mevrian looked approvingly on Lord Juss and
her eye twinkled. For well it liked her humour to hear men's
natures so divined.
“
" O Juss, friend of my heart," said Lord Brandoch Daha,
thy words proceed, as ever they did, from the true fount of
wisdom, and I embrace them and thee. This book is a guide
which we shall follow not helter-skelter but as old men ofwar.
If then the right road to Morna Moruna lie from the Gulf of
Muelva, were we not best sail straight thitherward and lay up
our ships in that Gulf where the coast and the country side be
without habitation, rather than fare to some nearer haven of
Outer Impland such as Arlan Mouth whither thou and Spitfire
fared six summers ago ? "
" Not Arlan Mouth, o' this journey," said Juss. " Some
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FIRST IMPLAND EXPEDITION
sport perchance we might obtain there had we leisure for
fighting with the accursed inhabitants, but every day's delay
we now do make holdeth my brother another day in bondage.
The princes and Fazes of the Imps have many strong walled
towns and towers in all those coastlands, and hard by in a
mediamnis of the river Arlan, in Orpish , is the great castle of
Fax Fay Faz, whereto Goldry and I drave him home from
Lida Nanguna."
""
Tis an ill coast too, to find a landing," said Brandoch
Daha, turning the leaves of the book. " As he saith, ' Ymplande
the More beginnith at the west syde of the mowth of Arlan
and occupiethe all the lond unto the hedeland Sibrion, and
therefro sowth awaye to the Corshe, by gesse a vij hundered
myles , wherby the se is not ther of nature favorable nor no
haven is or cumming yn meete for shippes.""
So after some talk and searching of that book of Gro they
determined this should be their plan: to fare to Impland by
way of the Straits of Melikaphkhaz and the Didornian Sea,
and so lay up their ships in the Gulf of Muelva, and landing
there start straightway across the wilderness to Morna Moruna,
even as Gro had described the way.
" Ere we leave it," said Brandoch Daha, " hear what he
speaketh concerning Koshtra Belorn. This he beheld from
Morna Moruna, whereof he saith : ' The contery is hylly, sandy,
and baren of wood and corne, as forest ful of lynge, mores, and
mosses, with stony hilles. Here is a mighty stronge and
usid borow for flying serpens in sum baren, hethy, and sandy
grownd, and thereby the litle round castel of Morna Moruna
stondith on Omprenne Edge, as on the limit of the worlde, sore
wether beten and yn ruine. This castelle was brent in tyme
of warre, spoyled and razyd by Kynge Goriyse the fourt of
Wytchlande in auncient dayes. And they say there was blame-
lesse folke dwellid therein and ryghte gentle, nor was ther any
need for Goreyse to have usid them so cruellie, when hee cawsyd
the hole howsholde there to appere before hym and then slawe
sum owt of hande, and the residew he throughe all downe the
steep cliffe. And but few supervivid after the gret falle, and
these fled awaye thorough the untrodden forests of Bavvynaune
andwithoute question perysht ther yn great sorwe and miserie.
Sum fable that it was for thys cruel facte sake that King Goriyse
was eat by divels on the Moruna with al hys hoste, one man
I 113
THE WORM OUROBOROS
onely cumming home again to tell of these thynges bifallen.'
Now mark : ' From Morna Moruna I behelde sowthawaye two
grete mowntaynes standing over Bavvinane as two Queenes in
bewty seted in the skye by estimacion xx legues fro hence above
meny more ise robed mowntaines supereminente. The wyche
as I lernyd was Coschtre Belourne the one and the othere
Koshtre Pivrarca. And I veuyed them continuallie unto the
going downe of the sun, and that was the fayrest sighte and the
most bewtifullest and gallant marvaille that mine eyen hath
sene. Therewith talkid I with the smaule thynges that dwell
there in the ruines and in the busschis growing round abowte
as it ys my wonte, and amongst them one of those byrdes
cawld martlettes that have feete so litle that they seime to have
none. And thys litle martlette sittynge in a frambousier or
raspis busche tolde mee that none may come alive unto Coschtra
Beloorn, for the mantycores of the mowntaines will certeynely
ete his brains ere he come thither. And were he so fortunate
as scape these mantycores, yet cowlde hee never climbe up the
gret cragges of yce and rocke on Koschtre Beloorn, for none is
so stronge as to scale them but by art magicall, and such is the
vertue of that mowntayne that no magick avayleth there, but
onlie strength and wisdome alone, and as I seye these woulde
not avayl to climbe those cliffes and yce ryvers. "
" What be these mantichores of the mountains that eat
men's brains ? " asked the Lady Mevrian .
،،
" This book is so excellent well writ," said her brother,
that thine answer appeareth on this same page : ' The beeste
Mantichora, whych is as muche as to saye devorer of menne,
rennith as I herde tell, on the skirt of the mowntaynes below
the snow feldes. These be monstrous bestes, ghastlie and ful
ofhorrour, enemies to mankinde, of a red coloure, with ij rowes
of huge grete tethe in their mouthes. It hath the head of a
man, his eyen like a ghoot, and the bodie of a lyon lancing owt
sharpe prickles fro behinde. And hys tayl is the tail of a
scorpioun. And is more delyverer to goo than is fowle to flee.
And hys voys is as the roaryng of x lyons.' "
" These beasts ," said Spitfire, " were alone enough to draw
me thither. I shall bring thee home a small one, madam, to
keep chained in the court."
" That should dash me from thy friendship for ever,
cousin," said Mevrian, stroking the feathery ears of her little
114
FIRST IMPLAND EXPEDITION
marmoset that cuddled in her lap. " That which feedeth on
brains were overnourished in Demonland, and belike would
overrun the whole country-side."
" Send it to Witchland," said Zigg. " Where when it
hath eat up Gro and Corund it may sup lightly on the King ,
and then most fortunately starve for lack of its proper
nutriment."
Juss stood up from his seat. " Thou and I and Spitfire,"
said he to Brandoch Daha, " must to work roundly and gather
strength , for 'tis already midsummer. You, Vizz, Volle, and
Zigg, must have the warding of our homes whiles we be gone.
We cannot be less than two thousand swords on this faring."
" How many ships, Volle," asked Lord Brandoch Daha,
" canst thou give us, busked and boun, ere this moon wane ? "
" There be fourteen afloat," said Volle. " Besides these,
tenkeels lie on the slips at Lookinghaven, and nine more hath
Spitfire but now laid down on the beach before his house at
Owlswick."
66
Thirty and three in sum," said Spitfire. " You see we
have not twiddled our thumbs whilst ye were gone."
Juss paced back and forth with great strides, his brow
clouded and his jaw clenched. In a while he said, " Laxus
hath forty sail, dragons of war. I am not so idle-headed as
fare without an army into Impland, but certain it is that if our
ill-willers would move war against us we stand in apparent
weakness, here or abroad, to throw back their onset. "
Volle said, " Of these nineteen ships a-building no more
than two can take the water before a month be past, and but
seven more ere six months' time, push we never so mightily
the work ."
" The season weareth, and my brother wasteth in duress .
We must sail ere another moon grow old," said Juss .
Volle said, " Then with sixteen sail thou sailest, O Juss ;
and then thou leavest us not one ship at home till more be
finished and launched ."
"How can we leave you so ? " cried Spitfire.
But Brandoch Daha looked towards his lady sister, met her
glance, and was satisfied. " The choice lieth fair before us,"
saidhe. " If we will eat the egg, little need to debate whether
the shell must go."
Mevrian rose from her seat laughing, and said, " Then let
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
the council rise, my lords." And her eyes grew serious, and
she said, " Shall they make rhymes upon us that we of Demon-
land, whom men repute and hold the mightiest lords in all the
world, hung sheepishly back from this high needful enterprise
lest, our greatest captains being abroad, our enemies might
haply take us at home at disadvantage ? It shall not be said
ofthe women of Demonland that they upheld such counsels."

116
 IX : SALAPANTA HILLS

OF THE LANDING OF LORD JUSS AND HIS COMPANIONS IN OUTER IMPLAND

AND THEIR MEETING WITH ZELDORNIUS, HELTERANIUS, AND
JALCANAIUS FOSTUS ; AND OF THE TIDINGS TOLD BY MIVARSH,
AND THE DEALINGS OF THE THREE GREAT CAPTAINS ON THE HILLS
OF SALAPΡΑΝΤΑ .

N the thirty and first day after that council held in

Krothering, the fleet of Demonland put to sea from
O Lookinghaven : eleven dragons of war and two great
ships of burthen, bound for the uttermost seas of earth in
quest of the Lord Goldry Bluszco. Eighteen hundred Demons
fared on that expedition, and not a man among them that was
not a complete soldier. For five days they rowed southaway
on a windless sea, and on the sixth the sea-cliffs of Goblinland
came out of the haze on their starboard bow. They rowed
south along the land, and on the tenth day out from Looking-
haven passed under the Ness of Ozam, journeying thence four
days with a favouring wind over the open seas to Sibrion. But
now, when they had rounded that dark promontory and were
about steering east along the coast of Impland the More, and
less than tendays' journey lay betwixt them and their haven in
Muelva, a dismal tempest suddenly surprised them. For
forty days it swept them in hail and sleet over wide-wallowing
ocean, without a star, without a course ; till, on a fierce mid-
night of wind and darkness and roaring waters was Juss's and
Spitfire's ship and other four in her company driven on the
rocks on a lee shore and broken in pieces. Hardly, and after
long battling among great waves, those brethren won ashore,
weary and hurt. In the inhospitable light of a wet and windy
dawn they mustered on the beach such of their folk as had
escaped out of the mouth of destruction ; and they were three
hundred and thirty and three.
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 THE WORM OUROBOROS
Spitfire, beholding these things, spake and said, " This
land hath a villanous look stirreth my remembrance, as but
to behold verjuice soureth the mouth of him who once tasted
thereof. Rememberest thou this land ? "
Juss scanned the low long coast-line that swept north and
west to an estuary, and beyond ran westwards till it was lost
in the scud and driving spray. Desolate birds flew above the
welter of the surges. He said, " Certainly this is Arlan Mouth ,
where least of all I had choosed to come a-land with so small a
head of men . Yet shalt thou prove here, as it hath ever been,
how all occasions are but steps for us to climb fame by."
" Our ships lost," cried Spitfire, " and the more part of
our men, and worst of all, Brandoch Daha that is worth ten
thousand. Easilier shall a little ant bib this ocean dry, than
shall we in this taking perform our enterprise." And he cursed
and blasphemed, saying, " Cursed be the malice of the sea,
which, having broke our power, now speweth us ashore here
to our mere undoing ; and so hath done great succour to the
King of Witchland, and unto all the world beside great damage."
But Juss answered him, " Think not that these contrary
winds come of fortune or by the influence of malignant and
combustive stars. This weather bloweth out of Carcë . Even
as these very waves thou beholdest have each his back-wash
or undertow, so followeth after every sending an undertow
of evil hap, whereby, albeit in essence a less deadly thing, many
have been drowned and washed away who stood unremoved
against the main stroke of the breaker. So were we twice since
that day brought near to our bane : first, when our judgement
being darkened with a strange distraction we went up with
Gaslark against Carcë ; next, when this storm wrecked us here
by Arlan Mouth. Though by mine art I rebated the King's
sending, yet against the maleficial undertow that followed it
my charms avail not, nor the virtues of all sorcerous herbs
that grow."
" Are these things so, and wilt thou yet be temperate ? "
said Spitfire.
" Content thee," said Juss. " The sands run down. A
certain time only runneth this stream for our hurt ; it must
now have well nigh spent itself, and it were too perilous for him
to conjure a second time, as last May he conjured in Carcë."
" Who told thee that ? " asked Spitfire.
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SALAPANΤΑ HILLS
" I do but conjecture it," answered he, " from my studying
of certain prophetic writings touching the princes of that blood
and line. Whereby it appeareth (yet not clearly, but riddle-
wise) that if one and the same King, essaying a second time in
his own person an enterprise in that kind, should fail, and the
powers of darkness destroy him, then is not his life spilt alone
(as it fortuned aforetime unto Gorice VII . at his first attempt),
but there shall be an end for ever of the whole house of Gorice
which hath for so many generations reigned in Carcë."
"

Well," said Spitfire," so stand we to our chance. Old

muckhills will bloom at last."

Now for nineteen days fared those brethren and their

company eastward through Outer Impland : first across a
country of winding sleepy rivers and reedy lakes innumerable,
then by rolling uplands and champaign ground. At length,
on an even, they came upon a heath running up eastward to a
range of tumbled hills. The hills were not lofty nor steep, but
rugged of outline and their surface rough with crags and
boulders, so that it was a maze of little eminences and valleys
grown upon by heather and fern and rank sad-coloured grass,
with stunted thorn trees and junipers harbouring in the clefts
of the rocks. On the water-shed, as on an horse's withers ,
looking west to the red October sunset and south to the far line
of the Didornian Sea, they came upon a spy-fortalice, old and
desolate, and one sitting in the gate. For very joy their hearts
melted within them, when they knew him for none other than
Brandoch Daha.
So they embraced him as one beyond hope risen from the
grave. And he said, " Through the Straits of Melikaphkhaz
was I borne, and wrecked at last on the lonely shore ten leagues
southward from this spot, whither I won alone, having lost my
ship and all my dear companions. In my mind it was that ye
must fare by this road to Muelva if ye suffered shipwreck in the
outer coasts of Impland.
Harken," he said, " and I will tell you a wonder. A
seven-night have I awaited you in this roosting-stead of daws
and owls. And it is a caravanserai of great armies that pass by
in the wilderness, and having parleyed with two I await the
third. For well I think that here I have made discovery of a
great mystery, one that hath engaged the speculations of wise
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
men for years. For on that day of my coming hither, when
sunset was red, as now you see it, behold an army marching up
from the east with great flags a-flaunting in the wind and all
kinds of music. Which I beholding, methought if these be
enemies, then goeth down my life's days with honour, and if
friends, then cometh provender from those waggons of burthen
that follow this army. A weighty argument ; since not so
much as the smell of victuals had I, save nasty nuts and berries
of the open field, since I came forth of the sea. So went I,
taking my weapons, on the walls of this spy-fortalice and hailed
them, bidding them say forth their quality. And he that was
their captain rode up under the walls, and hailed me with all
courtesy and noble port. And who think ye 'twas ? "
They answered nought.
" One that hath been famous," said he, " up and down the
earth for a marvellous valorous and brave soldier of fortune.
Have ye forgot that enterprise of Gaslark that had its burying
in Impland ? "
" Was he little and dark," asked Juss, " like a keen
dagger suddenly unsheathed at midnight ? Or bright with the
splendour of a pennoned spear at ajousting on high holiday ?
Or was he dangerous of aspect like an old sword, rusty in the
midst but bright at point and edge, brought forth for deeds of
"

destiny at the fated day ?

" Thine arrow striketh in the triple ring o' the mark," said
Lord Brandoch Daha. " Great of growth he was, and a very
peacock ofsplendour in his panoply of war ; and a great pitch-
black stallion bare him. So I spake him fair, saying, ' O most
magnificent and godlike Helteranius, conqueror in an hundred
fights, what makest thou these long years in Outer Impland
with this great head of men ? And what dark lodestone draws
you these nine years, since with great sound of trumpets and
tramp of horses thou and Zeldornius and Jalcanaius Fostus
went forth to make Impland Gaslark's footstool ; since which
time all the world believeth you lost and dead ? ' And he
beheld me with alien eyes , and made answer, ' O Brandoch
Daha, the world journeyeth to its silly will, but I fare alway
with my purpose before me. Be it nine years, or but nine
moons, or nine ages, what care I ? Zeldornius would I en-
counter and engage him in battle, that still fleeth before my
face. Eat and drink with me to-night ; but think not to detain
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SALAΡΑΝΤΑ HILLS
me nor to turn me to idle thoughts beside my purpose. For
with the dawning of the day I must forth again in quest of
Zeldornius .'
" So I ate and drank and was merry that night with
Helteranius in his pavilion of silk and gold. And with the
dawn he marshalled his army and marched westward toward
theplains.
And on the third day, as I sat without this wall, cursing
your slow coming, behold an army marching from the east
and one leading them mounted on a small dun horse ; and he
was clad in black armour shining like the raven's wing, with
black eagle's plumes in his helm, and eyes like the eyes of a
cat-a-mountain, full of sparkling flame. Little was he, and
fierce of face, and lithe, and hard to look on and tireless to look
on like a stoat. And I hailed him from where I sat, saying,
' O most notable and puissant Jalcanaius Fostus, shatterer of
the hosts of men, whitherward over the lonely heaths forlorn,
thou and thy great armament ? ' And he lighted down from
his horse, and took me by the arms with both his hands, and
said, ' If a man dream, to speak with dead men betokens profit.
And art not thou of the dead, O Brandoch Daha ? For in
forgotten days, that now spring up in my mind as flowers in a
weed-choked garden after many years, so bloomest thou in my
memory : great among the great ones of the world that was,
thou and thine house in Krothering above the sea-lochs in
many-mountained Demonland. But oblivion, like a sounding
sea, soundeth betwixt me and those days ; and the noise of the
surf stoppeth mine ears, and the mist of the sea darkeneth mine
eyes that strain for a sight of those far times and the deeds
thereof. Yet for those dead days' sake, eat with me and drink
with me to-night, since here for a night once more I pitch my
moving tent on Salapanta Hills. And to-morrow I fare onward.
For never may rest bring balm to my soul until I find out
Helteranius and smite his head from his shoulders. Great
shame to him but little marvel is it, that he still courseth before
me as an hare. For traitors were ever dastards. And who
ever heard tell of a more hellish devilish damned traitor than
he ? Nine years ago, when Zeldornius and I made ready to
decide our quarrels by battle, word came to me in a lucky hour
how that this Helteranius with cunning colubrine and malice
viperine and sleights serpentine went about to attack me in
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
the rear. So turned I right about to crush him, but the fat
chuff- cat was fled . '
" So spake Jalcanaius Fostus ; and I ate and drank with
him that night, and caroused with him in his tent. And at
break of day he struck camp and rode westaway with his
army."
Brandoch Daha ceased, and looked eastward toward the
gates of night. And lo, an army faring up from the lower
moor-lands, toward them on the ridge, horsemen and footmen
in dense array, and their captain on a great brown horse riding
in the van. Long-limbed he was and lean, all armed in dusty
rusty armour hacked and dinted in an hundred fights, with
worn leather gauntlets on his hands and a faded campaigning
cloak thrown back from his shoulders. He carried his casque
at his saddle-bow and his head was bare : the head of an old
lean hunting-dog, with white hair swept back from a rugged
brow where blue veins showed ; great-nosed and bony-
faced, with huge bushy white moustachios and eyebrows,
and blue eyes gleaming from cavernous eye - sockets. His
horse was curst-looking, with ears laid back and blood-shed
dangerous eyes, and he in the saddle sat erect and unyielding
as a lance.
When he and his army came up upon the ridge, he drew
rein and hailed the Demons. And he said," On every ninth
day these nine years have I beheld this lonely place of earth,
as I pursued after Jalcanaius Fostus that still eludeth me and
still fleeth before me ; and this is strange, since he was ever a
great fighter and engaged these nine years past to do battle with
me. And now fear cometh upon me that eld draweth a veil of
illusion athwart mine eyes, portending the approach of death
or ever I perform my will. For here in the uncertain light of
evening rise up before me shapes and semblances as of guests
of Gaslark the king in Zajë Zaculo in days gone by : old friends
of Gaslark's out of many-mountained Demonland : Brandoch
Daha, that slew the King of Witchland, and Spitfire of Owlswick,
and Juss his brother, the same which had lordship over all the
Demons ere we fared to Impland. Ghosts and back-comers of
a world forgot. But ifye be right flesh and blood, speak and
discover yourselves ."
Juss answered him, " O most redoubtable Zeldornius
and in war invincible, well might a man expect spirits of
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 SALAPANΤΑ HILLS
the dead on these quiet hills about cockshut time. And if
thou deem us such, how much more shall we, that be
wanderers new-shipwrecked out of hungry seas, suppose thee
but a shade, and these great hosts of thine but fetches of
the dead that be departed, steaming up from Erebus as
daylight dies ? "
" O most renowned and redoubtable Zeldornius ," said
Brandoch Daha, " thou wast once my guest in Krothering.
To resolve thy doubts and ours, bid us to supper. It were
matter indeed if spirits bodiless were able to bib wine and eat
up earthly bake-meats."
So Zeldornius let pitch his tents, and appointed the fifth
hour before midnight for those lords of Demonland to sup with
him. Ere they forgathered in Zeldornius's tent they spake
among themselves, and Spitfire said, " Was ever such a wonder
or such a pitiful trick o' the Fates as bringeth these three great
captains to waste the remnant of their days in this remote
wilderness ? Doubt not but there's practice in it, that maketh
them march these long years this changeless round, each fleeing
one that would fain encounter him, and still seeking another
that flies before him ."
" Never went man with that look of the eyes Zeldornius
hath," said Juss," but he was a man ensorcelled."
" With such a look," said Brandoch Daha, " went Helter-
anius and Jalcanaius. But mark our interest. 'Twere good
to break the charm and claim their help for our pains. Shall's
show the old lion all the truth of this fact to-night ? "
So spake Lord Brandoch Daha, and those brethren deemed
his counsel good. So at supper, when men's hearts were
gladdened with good cheer, the Lord Juss sate him down by 1

Zeldornius and opened to him this matter, saying," O renowned

Zeldornius, how befalleth it that these nine years thou pursuest
after Jalcanaius Fostus, shatterer of hosts, and what was your
difference betwixt you that set you by the ears ? "
Zeldornius said, " O Juss, must I answer thee by reasons
in this matter that is ruled by the high stars and Fate that lays
men at their length ? Enough for thee that unpeace befell
betwixt me and Jalcanaius mighty in war, and it was confirmed
between us that by the arbitrament of the bloody field we
should end our difference. But he abode me not; and these
nine years I seek to meet with him in vain."
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
" There was a third of you," said Juss. " What tidings
hast thou of Helteranius ? "
Zeldornius answered him, " No tidings. "
Wilt thou," said Juss, " that I enlighten thee hereon ? "
Zeldornius said, " Thou and thy fellows alone of the
children of men have spoken with me since these things began.
For they that dwelt in this region fled years ago, accounting the
place accursed. A paltry crew they were, and mean meat
enow for our swords. Speak then, if thou meanest me well,
and show me all. "
" Helteranius," said Lord Juss, " pursueth thee these nine
years, as thou pursuest Jalcanaius Fostus. My cousin here
hath seen him but six days ago, in this same place, and talked
with him, and shook him by the hand, and knew his mind.
Surely ye be all three holden by some enchantment, that being
old comrades in arms so strangely and to so little purpose do
pursue each the other's life. I prithee let us be a mean betwixt
you all to set you at one again, and free you from so strange a
thraldom ."
But with those words spoken was Zeldornius grown red as
blood. In a while he said, " It were black treachery. I'll not
credit it."
But Lord Brandoch Daha answered him, " From his own
lips I received it, O Zeldornius. And thereto I plight my
troth. This besides, that Jalcanaius Fostus was turned from
battling with thee nine years ago (as he himself hath told me,
and made firm his saying with most fearful oaths), by intelli-
gence brought him that Helteranius was in that hour minded
to take him in the rear. "
Ay," said Spitfire, " and unto this day he marcheth on
Helteranius's track as thou on his ."
With those words spoken was Zeldornius grown yellow as
old parchment, and his white moustachios bristled like a lion's .
He sat silent awhile, then, resting upon Juss the cold and steady
gaze of his blue eyes , " The world comes back to me," he said,
" and this memory therewith, that they of Demonland were
truth-tellers whether to friend or foe, and ever held it shame
to cog and lie." All they bowed gravely and he said with a
great lowe of anger in his eyes, " This Helteranius deviseth
against me, it well appeareth, the self-same treachery whereof
he was falsely accused to Jalcanaius Fostus. There were no
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SALAPANΤΑ HILLS
likelier place to crush him than here on Salapanta ridge. If I
stand here to abide his onset, the lie of the ground befriendeth
me, and Jalcanaius cometh at his heels to gather the broken
meats after I have made my feast."
Brandoch Daha said in Juss's ear, " Our peacemaking taketh
a pretty turn. Heels i' the air : monstrous unladylike !"
But nought they could say would move Zeldornius. So
in the end they offered him their backing in this adventure.
" And when the day is won, then shalt thou lend us thy might
in our enterprise, and aid us in our wars with Witchland that
be for to come."
But Zeldornius said, " O Juss and ye lords of Demonland,
I yield you thanks ; but ye shall not meddle in this battle.
For we came three captains with our hosts unto this land, and
beheld the land, and laid it under us. Ours it is, and if any
meddle or make with us, were we never so set at enmity one
with another, we must join together in his despite and bring
him to bane. Be still then, and behold and see what birth fate
shall bring forth on Salapanta Hills. But if I live, thereafter
shall ye have my friendship and my help in all your enterprises
whatsoever."
For awhile he sat without speech, his stark veined hands
clenched on the board before him ; then rising, went without
word to the door of his pavilion to study the night. Then
turned he back to Lord Juss, and spake to him : " Know that
whenthis moon now past was but three days old I began to be
troubled with a catarrh or rheum which yet troubleth me ;
and well thou wottest that whoso falleth sick on the third day
of the moon's age, he will die. To-night also is a new moon,
and of a Saturday ; and that betokeneth fighting and bloodshed.
Also the wind bloweth from the south ; and he that beginneth
that game with a south wind shall have the victory. With such
uncertain blackness and brightness openeth the door of Fate
before me."
Juss bowed his head, and said, " O Zeldornius, thy speech
is sooth."
" I was ever a fighter," said Zeldornius .
Far into the night sat they in the tent of renowned Zel-
dornius, drinking and talking of life and destiny and old wars
and the chances of war and great adventure ; and an hour after
midnight they parted, and Juss and Spitfire and Brandoch Daha
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
betook them to their rest in the watch-tower on the ridge of
Salapanta.

On such wise passed three days by, Zeldornius waiting with

his army on the hill, and the Demons supping with him nightly.
And on the third day he drew out his army as for battle, expect-
ing Helteranius. But neither that day nor the next nor the
next day following brought sight nor tidings of Helteranius ,
and strange it seemed to them and hard to guess what turn of
fortune had delayed his coming. The sixth night was over-
cast, and mirk darkness covered the earth. When supper was
done, as the Demons betook themselves to their sleeping place,
they heard a scuffle and the voice of Brandoch Daha, who went
foremost of them, crying, " Here have I caught a heath-dog's
whelp. Give me a light. What shall I do with him ? "
Men were roused and lights brought, and Brandoch Daha
surveyed that which he held pinioned by the arms, caught by
the entrance to the fortalice : one with scared wild-beast eyes
in a swart face, golden ear-rings in his ears, and a thick close-
cropped beard interlaced with gold wire twisted among its
curls ; bare-armed, with a tunic of otter-skin and wide hairy
trousers cross-stitched with silver thread, a circlet of gold on
his head, and frizzed dark hair plaited in two thick tails that
hung forward over his shoulders. His lips were drawn back,
like a cross-grained dog's snarling betwixt fear and fierceness,
and his white pointed teeth and the whites of his eyes flashed
in the torch-light.
So they had him with them into the tower, and set him
before them, and Juss said, " Fear not, but tell forth unto us
thy name and lineage, and what brings thee lurking in the night
about our lodging. We mean thee no hurt, so thou practise
not against us and our safety. Art thou a dweller in this
Impland, or a wanderer, like as we be, from countries beyond
the seas ? hast thou companions, and if so, where be they, and
what, and how many ? "
And the stranger gnashed upon them with his teeth, and
said, " O devils transmarine, mock not but slay."
Juss entreated him kindly, giving him meat and drink, and
in a while made question of him once more, " What is thy
name ? "
Whereto he replied, " O devil transmarine, pity of thine
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SALAPANΤΑ HILLS
ignorance sith thou know'st not Mivarsh Faz." And he fell
into a great passion of weeping, crying aloud, " Woe worth the
woe that is fallen upon all the land of Impland ! ”
" What's the matter ? " said Juss .
But Mivarsh ceased not to wail and to lament, saying,
" Out harrow and alas for Fax Fay Faz and Illarosh Faz and
Lurmesh Faz and Gandassa Faz and all the great ones in the
land ! " And when they would have questioned him he cried
again, " Curse ye bitterly Philpritz Faz, which betrayed us into
the hand of the devil ultramontane in the castle of Orpish. "
" What devil is this thou speakest of ? " asked Juss .
" He hath come," he answered, " over the mountains out
of the north country, that alone was able to answer Fax Fay
Faz. And the voice of his speech is like unto the roaring of
a bull ."
" Out of the north ? " said Juss, giving him more wine, and
exchanging glances with Spitfire and Brandoch Daha. " I
would hear more of this ."
Mivarsh drank, and said, " O devils transmarine, ye give
me strong waters which comfort my soul, and ye speak me
soft words . But shall I not fear soft words ? Soft words were
spoke by this devil ultramontane, when he and cursed Philpritz
spake soft words unto us in Orpish : unto me, and unto Fax
Fay Faz, and Gandassa, and Illarosh, and unto all of us, after
our overthrow in battle against him by the banks of Arlan. "
Juss asked, " Of what fashion is he to look on ? "
" He hath a great yellow beard beflecked with gray," said
Mivarsh, " and a bald shiny pate, and standeth big as a neat. "
Juss spake apart to Brandoch Daha, " There's matter in it
if this be true." And Brandoch Daha poured forth unto
Mivarsh and bade him drink again, saying, " O Mivarsh Faz,
we be strangers and guests in wide-flung Impland. Be it
known to thee that our power is beyond ken, and our wealth
transcendeth the imagination of man. Yet is our benevolence
of like measure with our power and riches, overflowing as honey
from our hearts unto such as receive us openly and tell us that
which is. Only be warned, that if any lie to us or assay craftily
todelude us, not the mantichores that lodge beyond the Moruna
were more dreadful to that man than we."
Mivarsh quailed, but answered him, " Use me well, you
were best, and you shall hear from me nought but what is true.
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
First with the sword he vanquished us, and then with subtle
words invited us to talk with him in Orpish, pretending friend-
ship. But they are all dead that harkened to him. For when
he held them closed up in the council room in Orpish, himself
went secretly forth, while his men laid hands on Gandassa Faz
and on Illarosh Faz, and on Fax Fay Faz that was greatest
amongst us, and on Lurmesh Faz, and cut off their heads and
set them up on poles without the gate. And our armies that
waited without were dismayed to see the heads of the Fazes of
Impland so set on poles, and the armies of the devils ultra-
montane still threatening us with death. And this big bald
bearded devil spake them of Impland fair, saying these that he
had slain were their oppressors and he would give them their
hearts' desire if they would be his men, and he would make
them free, every man, and share out all Impland amongst them.
So were the common sort befooled and brought under by this
bald devil from beyond the mountains, and now none with-
standeth him in all Impland. But I that had held back from
his council in Orpish, fearing his guile, hardly escaped from
my folk that rose against me. And I fled into the woods and
wildernesses ."
66

Where last saw ye him ?" asked Juss .

Mivarsh answered him, " A three days' journey north-west
of this, at Tormerish in Achery."
" What made he there ? " asked Juss.
Mivarsh answered, " Still devising evil."
66

Against whom ? " asked Juss .

Mivarsh answered, " Against Zeldornius, which is a devil
transmarine ."
" Give me some more wine," said Juss, " and fill again a
beaker for Mivarsh Faz. I do love nought so much as tale-
telling a-nights. With whom devised he against Zeldornius ? "
Mivarsh answered, " With another devil from beyond seas ;
I have forgot his name."
" Drink and remember," said Juss ; " or if 'tis gone from
thee, paint me his picture. "
" He hath about my bigness," said Mivarsh, that was little
of stature. " His eyes be bright, and he somewhat favoureth
this one," pointing at Spitfire, " though belike he hath not all
so fierce a face. He is lean-faced and dark of skin. He goeth
in black iron . "
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" Is he Jalcanaius Fostus ? " asked Juss.
AndMivarsh answered, " Ay."
" There's musk and amber in thy speech," said Juss. “ I
must have more of it. What mean they to do ? "
"
This ," said Mivarsh : " As I sat listening in the dark
without their tent, it was made absolute that this Jalcanaius
had been deceived in supposing that another devil transmarine,
whom men call Helteranius, had been minded to do treacher-
ously against him ; whereas, as the bald devil made him
believe, 'twas no such thing. And so it was concluded that
Jalcanaius should send riders after Helteranius to make peace
between them, and that they two should forthwith join to
kill Zeldornius, one falling on him in the front and the other
in the rear."
"

So 'tis come to this ? " said Spitfire.

" And when they have Zeldornius slain," said Mivarsh,
" then must they help this bald-pate in his undertakings."
" And so pay him for his redes ? " said Juss .
And Mivarsh answered, " Even so. "
" One thing more I would know," said Juss . " How great
a following hath he in Impland ? "
" The greatest strength that he can make," answered
Mivarsh, " of devils ultramontane is as I think two score
hundred. Many Imps beside will follow him, but they have
but our country weapons."
Lord Brandoch Daha took Juss by the arm and went forth
with him into the night. The frosted grass crunched under
their tread : strange stars blinked in the south in awindy space
betwixt cloud and sleeping earth, Achernar near the meridian
bedimming all lesser fires with his pure radiance.
" So cometh Corund upon us as an eagle out of the sightless
blue," said Brandoch Daha, " with twelve times our forces to
let us the way to the Moruna, and all Impland like a spaniel
smiling at his heel ; if indeed this simple soul say true, as I
think he doth."
" Thou fallest all of a holiday mood," said Juss , " at the
first scenting of this great hazard."
" O Juss," cried Brandoch Daha, " thine own breath
lighteneth at it, and thy words come more sprightly forth. Are
not all lands, all airs, one country unto us, so there be great
doings afoot to keep bright our swords ? "
K 129
THE WORM OUROBOROS
Juss said, " Ere we sleep I will inform Zeldornius how the
wind shifteth. He must face both ways now, till this field be
cut. This battle must not go against him, for his enemies be
engaged (if Mivarsh say true) to give the help of their swords
to Corund."
So fared they to Zeldornius's tent, and Juss said by the
way, " Of this be satisfied : Corund bareth not blade on the hills
of Salapanta. The King hath intelligencers to keep him
advertised of all enchanted circles of the world, and well he
knoweth what influences move here, and with what danger to
themselves outlanders draw sword here, as witness the doom
fulfilled these nine years by these three captains. Therefore
will Corund, instructed in these things by his master that sent
him, look to deal with us otherwhere than in this charmed
corner of the earth. And he were as well take a bear by the
tooth as meddle in the fight that now impendeth, and so bring
upon him these three seasoned armies joined in one for his
destruction ."
They passed the guard with the watchword, and waked
Zeldornius and told him all. And he, muffled in his great
faded cloak, went forth to see guards were set and all sure
against an onslaught from either side. And standing by his
tent to give good night to those lords of Demonland, he said,
" It likes me better so. I ever was a fighter ; so, one fight
more."

The morrow dawned and passed uneventful, and the

morrow's morrow. But on the third morning after the coming
of Mivarsh, behold, east and west, great armies marching from
the plains, and Zeldornius's array drawn up to meet them on
the ridge, with weapons gleaming and horses champing and
trumpets blowing the call of battle. No greetings were betwixt
them, nor so much as a message of challenge or defiance, but
Jalcanaius with his black riders rushed to the onset from the
west and Helteranius from the east. But Zeldornius, like a
gray old wolf, snapping now this way now that, stemmed the
tide of their onslaught. So began the battle great and fell, and
continued the livelong day. Thrice on either side Zeldornius
went forth with a great strength of chosen men, in so much
that his enemies fled before him as the partridge doth before
the sparrow-hawk ; and thrice did Helteranius and thrice
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SALAPANΤΑ HILLS

Jalcanaius Fostus rally and hurl him back, mounting the ridge
anew .

But when it drew near to evening, and the dark day

darkened toward night, the battle ceased,dying down suddenly
into silence . Those lords of Demonland came down from their
tower, and walked among the heaps of dead men slain toward
a place of slabby rock in the neck of the ridge. Here, alone
on that field, Zeldornius leaned upon his spear, gazing down-
ward in a study, his arm cast about the neck of his old brown
horse who hung his head and sniffed the ground. Through a
rift in the western clouds the sun glared forth ; but his beams
were not so red as the ling and bent of Salapanta field.
As Juss and his companions drew near, no sound was heard
save from the fortalice behind them : a discordant plucking of
a harp, and the voice of Mivarsh where he walked and harped
before the walls, singing this ditty :
The hag is astride
This night for to ride ;
The devill and shee together :
Through thick and through thin,
Now out and then in,
Though ne'er so foule be the weather.
A thorn or a burr
She takes for a spurre,
With a lash of a bramble she rides now ;
Through brakes and through bryars,
O're ditches and mires ,
She followes the spirit that guides now.
No beast for his food
Dares now range the wood,
But husht in his laire he lies lurking ;
While mischeifs, by these,
On land and on seas,
At noone of night are a working.
The storme will arise
And trouble the skies ;
This night, and more for the wonder,
The ghost from the tomb
Affrighted shall come,
Cal'd out by the clap of the thunder.
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
When they were come to Zeldornius, the Lord Juss spake
saying, " O most redoubtable Zeldornius, renowned in war,
surely thy prognostications by the moon were true. Behold
the noble victory thou hast obtained upon thine enemies."
But Zeldornius answered him not, still gazing downwards
before his feet. And there was Helteranius fallen, the sword
of Jalcanaius Fostus standing in his heart, and his right hand
grasping still his own sword that had given Jalcanaius his
bane-sore.
So looked they awhile on those two great captains slain.
And Zeldornius said, " Speak not comfortably to me of victory,
O Juss . So long as that sword, and that, had his master alive,
I did not more desire mine own safety than their destruction
who with me in days gone by made conquest of wide Impland.
And see with what a poisoned violence they laboured my un-
doing, and in what an unexpected ruin are they suddenly
broken and gone." And as one grown into a deep sadness he
said, " Where were all heroical parts but in Helteranius ? and
a man might make a garment for the moon sooner than fit the
o'erleaping actions of great Jalcanaius, who now leaveth but
his body to bedung that earth that was lately shaken at his
terror. I have waded in red blood to the knee ; and in this
hour, in my old years, the world is become for me a vision only
and a mock-show. "
Therewith he looked on the Demons, and there was that
in his eyes that stayed their speech .
In a while he spake again, saying, " I sware unto you my
furtherance if I prevailed. But now is mine army passed away
as wax wasteth before the fire, and I wait the dark ferryman
who tarrieth for no man. Yet, since never have I wrote mine
obligations in sandy but in marble memories, and since victory
is mine, receive these gifts : and first thou, O Brandoch Daha,
my sword, since before thou wast of years eighteen thou wast
among men-at-arms. Mightily may
accounted the mightiest an
it avail thee, as me in time goneby. And unto thee, O Spit-
fire, I give this cloak. Old it is, yet may it stand thee in good
stead, since this virtue it hath that he who weareth it shall not
fall alive into the hand of his enemies. Wear it for my sake.
But unto thee, O Juss, give I no gift, for rich thou art of all
good gifts : only my good will give I unto thee, ere earth gape
for me."
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SALAPANΤΑ HILLS
So they thanked him well. And he said, " Depart from
me, since now approacheth that which must complete this
day's undoing.”
So they fared back to the spy-fortalice, and night came
down on the hills. A great wind moaning out of the hueless
west tore the clouds as a ragged garment, revealing the lonely
moon that fled naked betwixt them. As the Demons looked
backward in the moonlight to where Zeldornius stood gazing
on the dead, a noise as of thunder made the firm land tremble
and drowned the howling of the wind. And they beheld how
earth gaped for Zeldornius .
After that, the dark shut down athwart the moon, and night
and silence hung on the field of Salapanta.

133
 X : THE MARCHLANDS OF THE
MORUNA

OF THE JOURNEY OF THE DEMONS FROM SALAPANTA TO ESHGRAR OGO :

WHEREIN IS SET DOWN CONCERNING THE LADY OF ISHNAIN
NEMARTRA , AND OTHER NOTABLE MATTERS .

IVARSH FAZ came betimes on the morrow to the

lords of Demonland, and found them ready for the
M road. So he asked them where their journey lay, and
they answered, " East."
66

Eastward," said Mivarsh, " all ways lead to the Moruna.

None may go thither and not die. "
But they laughed and answered him, " Do not too narrowly
define our power, sweet Mivarsh, restraining it to thy capacities.
Know that our journey is a matter determined of, and it is fixed
with nails of diamond to the wall of inevitable necessity."
They took leave of him and went their ways with their small
army. For four days they journeyed through deep woods
carpeted with the leaves of a thousand autumns, where at mid-
most noon twilight dwelt among hushed woodland noises, and
solemn eyeballs glared nightly between the tree-trunks, gazing
on the Demons as they marched or took their rest.
The fifth day, and the sixth and the seventh, theyjourneyed
by the southern margin of a gravelly sea, made all of sand and
gravel and no drop of water, yet ebbing and flowing alway with
great waves as another sea doth, never standing still and never
at rest. And always by day and night as they came through the
desert was a great noise very hideous and a sound as it were of
tambourines and trumpets ; yet was the place solitary to the
eye, and no living thing afoot there save their company faring
to the east.
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MARCHLANDS OF THE MORUNA
On the eighth day they left the shore of that waterless sea
and came by broken rocky ground to the descent to a wide vale,
shelterless and unfruitful, with the broad stony bed of a little
river winding in the strath. Here, looking eastward, they
beheld in the lustre of a late bright-shining sun a castle of red
stone on a terrace of the fell-side beyond the valley. Juss said,
" We can be there before nightfall, and there will we take
guesting." When they drew near they were ware, betwixt
sunset and moonlight, of one sitting on a boulder in their path
about a furlong from the castle, as if gazing on them and await-
ing their coming. But when they came to the boulder there
was no such person. So they passed on their way toward the
castle, and when they looked behind them, lo, there was he
sitting on the boulder bearing his head in his hands : a strange
thing, which would cause any man to abhor.
The castle gate stood open, and they entered in, and so by
thecourt-yard to a great hall, with the board set as for a banquet,
and bright fires and an hundred candles burning in the still air ;
but no living thing was there to be seen, nor voice heard in all
that castle. Lord Brandoch Daha said, " In this land to fail of
marvels only for an hour were the strangest marvel. Banquet
we lightly and so to bed." So they sat down and ate, and drank
of the honey-sweet wine, till all thoughts of war and hardship
and the unimagined perils of the wilderness and Corund's great
army preparing their destruction faded from their minds, and
the spirit of slumber wooed their weary frames .
Then a faint music, troublous in its voluptuous wild sweet-
ness, floated on the air, and they beheld a lady enter on the
dais. Beautiful she seemed beyond the beauty of mortal
women. In her dark hair was the likeness of the horned moon
in honey - coloured cymophanes every stone whereof held a
straight beam of light imprisoned that quivered and gleamed
as sunbeams quiver wading in the clear deeps of a summer sea.
She wore a coat-hardy of soft crimson silk, close fitting, so that
she did truly apparel her apparel and with her own loveliness
made it more sumptuous . She said, " My lords and guests in
Ishnain Nemartra, there be beds of down and sheets of lawn
for all ofyou that be aweary. But know that I keep a sparrow-
hawk sitting on a perch in the eastern tower, and he that will
wake my sparrow-hawk this night long, alone without any
company and without sleep, I shall come to him at the night's
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 THE WORM OUROBOROS
end and shall grant unto him the first thing that he will ask me
of earthly things." So saying she departed like a dream.
Brandoch Daha said," Cast we lots for this adventure."
But Juss spake against it, saying, " There's likely some guile
herein. We must not in this accursed land suffer aught to
seduce our minds, but follow our set purpose. We must not
be of those who go forth for wool and come home shorn."
Brandoch Daha and Spitfire mocked at this, and cast lots
between themselves. And the lot fell upon Lord Brandoch
Daha. " Thou shalt not deny me this," said he to Lord Juss ,
" else will I never more do thee good."
" I never could yet deny thee anything," answered Juss .
" Art not thou and I finger and thumb ? Only forget not,
whatsoe'er betide, wherefore we be come hither.'
" Art not thou and I finger and thumb ? " said Brandoch
Daha. " Fear nothing, O friend of my heart. I'll not
forget it. "
So while the others slept, Brandoch Daha waked the
sparrow-hawk, night-long in the eastern chamber. For all
that the cold hillside without was rough with hoar-frost the
air was warm in that chamber and heavy, disposing strongly to
sleep. Yet he closed not an eye, but still beheld the sparrow-
hawk, telling it stories and tweaking it by the tail ever and anon
as it grew drowsy. And it answered shortly and boorishly,
looking upon him malevolently.
And with the golden dawn, behold that lady in the shadowy
doorway. At her entering in, the sparrow-hawk clicked its
wings as in anger, and without more ado tucked its beak
beneath its wing and went to sleep. But that bright lady,
looking on the Lord Brandoch Daha, spake and said, " Require
it of me, my Lord Brandoch Daha, that which thou most
desirest of earthly things ."
But he, as one bedazzled, stood up saying, " O lady, is not
thy beauty at the dawn of day an irradiation that might dispel
the mists of hell ? My heart is ravished with thy loveliness
and only fed with thy sight. Therefore thy body will I have,
and none other thing earthly."
" Thou art a fool," she cried," that knowest not what thou
askest. Of all things earthly mightest thou have taken choose ;
but I am not earthly."
He answered, " I will have nought else."
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MARCHLANDS OF THE MORUNA
" Thou dost embrace then a great danger," said she, " and
loss of all thy good luck, for thee and thy friends beside."
But Brandoch Daha, seeing how her face became on a
sudden such as are new-blown roses at the dawning, and her
eyes wide and dark with love-longing, came to her and took
her in his arms and fell to kissing and embracing of her. On
such wise they abode for awhile, that he was ware of no thing
else on earth save only the sense-maddening caress of that
lady's hair, the perfume of it, the kiss of her mouth, the
swell and fall of that lady's breast straining against his. She
said in his ear softly, " I see thou art too masterful. I
see thou art one who will be denied nothing, on whatsoever
thine heart is set. Come." And they passed by a heavy-
curtained doorway into an inner chamber, where the air was
filled with the breath of myrrh and nard and ambergris , a
fragrancy as of sleeping loveliness. Here, amid the darkness
of rich hangings and subdued glints of gold, a warm radiance
of shaded lamps watched above a couch, great and broad and
downy-pillowed. And here for a long time they solaced them
with love and all delight.
Even as all things have an end, he said at the last, " O my
lady, mistress of hearts, here would I abide ever, abandoning
all else for thy love sake. But my companions tarry for me
in thine halls below, and great matters wait on my direction.
Give me thy divine mouth once again, and bid me adieu."
She was lying as if asleep across his breast : smooth-
skinned, white, warm, with shapely throat leaned backward
against the spice-odorous darknesses of her unbound hair ; one
tress, heavy and splendid like a python, coiled between white
arm and bosom. Swift as a snake she turned, clinging fiercely
about him, pressing fiercely again to his her insatiable sweet
fervent lips, crying that here must he dwell unto eternity in
the intoxication of perfect love and pleasure.
But when in the end, gently constraining her to loose him
and let him go, he arose and clothed and armed him, that lady
caught about her a translucent robe of silvery sheen, as when
the summer moon veils but not hides with a filmy cloud her
beauties' splendour, and so standing before him spake and
said, " Go then. This is got by casting of pearls to hogs. I
may not slay thee, since over thy body I have no other power .
But because thou shalt not laugh overmuch, having required
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
me of that which was beyond the pact and being enjoyed is now
slighted of thee and abused, therefore know, proud man, that
three gifts I here will grant thee thereto of mine own choosing.
Thou shalt have war and not peace. He that thou worst hatest
shall throw down and ruin thy fair lordship, Krothering Castle
and the mains thereof. And though vengeance shall overtake
him at the last, by another's hand than thine shall it come, and
to thine hand shall it be denied ."
Therewith she fell a-weeping. And the Lord Brandoch
Daha, with great resolution, went forth from the chamber. And
looking back from the threshold he beheld both that and the
outer chamber void of lady and sparrow-hawk both. And a
great weariness came suddenly upon him. So, going down, he
found Lord Juss and his companions sleeping on the cold
stones, and the banquet hall empty of all gear and dank with
moss and cobwebs, and bats sleeping head-downward among
the crumbling roof-beams ; nor was any sign of last night's
banqueting. So Brandoch Daha roused his companions, and
told Juss how he had fared, and of the weird laid on him by
that lady.
And they went greatly wondering forth of the accursed
castle of Ishnain Nemartra, glad to come off so scatheless.
On that ninth day of their journey from Salapanta they
came through waste lands of stone and living rock, where not
so much as an earth-louse stirred with life. Gorges split the
earth here and there : rock-walled labyrinths of gloom, un-
visited for ever by sunbeam or moonbeam, turbulent in their
depths with waters that leaped and churned for ever, never
still and never silent. So was that day's journey tortuous ,
turning now up now down along those river banks to find
crossing places.
When they were halted at noon by the deepest rift they
had yet beheld, there came one hastening to them and fell down
by Juss and lay panting face to earth as breathless from long
running. And when they raised him up, behold Mivarsh Faz ,
harnessed in the gear of a black rider of Jalcanaius Fostus and
armed with axe and sword. Great was his agitation, and he
speechless for lack of breath. They used him kindly, and gave
him to drink from a great skin of wine, Zeldornius's gift, and
anon he said , " He hath armed countless hundreds of our folk
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MARCHLANDS OF THE MORUNA
with weapons taken from Salapanta field. These, led by the
devils his sons, with Philpritz cursed of the gods, be gone
before to hold all the ways be-east of you. Night and day have
I riddenand run to warn you. Himself, with his main strength
of devils ultramontane, rideth hot on your tracks ."
They thanked him well, marvelling much that he should be
at such pains to advertise them of their danger . " I have eat
your salt, " answered he, " and moreover ye are against this
naughty wicked baldhead that came over the mountains to
oppress us. Therefore I would do you good. But I can little.
For I am poor, that was rich in land and fee. And I am alone,
that had formerly five hundred spearmen lodging in my halls
to do my pleasure."
“

There's need to do quickly that we do," said Lord

Brandoch Daha. " How great start of him hadst thou ? "
" He must be upon you in an hour or twain," said Mivarsh,
and fell a-weeping.
" To cope him in the open," said Juss, " were great glory,
and our certain death."
" Give me to think, but a minute's while," said Brandoch
Daha. And while they busked them he walked musing by the
lip of that ravine, switching pebbles over the edge with his
sword. Then he said, " This is without doubt that stream
Athrashah spoken of by Gro. O Mivarsh, runneth not this
flood of Athrashah south to the salt lakes of Ogo Morveo, and
was there not thereabout a hold named Eshgrar Ogo ? "
Mivarsh answered, " This is so. But never heard I of any
so witless as go thither. Here where we stand is the land fear-
some enough ; but Eshgrar Ogo standeth at the very edge of
the Moruna. No man hath harboured there these hundred
years."
" Standeth it yet ? " said Brandoch Daha.
" For all I wot of," answered Mivarsh .
،،

،،
Is it strong ? " he asked .
In old times it was thought no place stronger," answered
Mivarsh . But ye were as well die here by the hand of the
devils ultramontane, as there be torn in pieces by bad spirits."
Brandoch Daha turned him about to Juss. " It is resolved ? "
said he. Juss answered, " Yea ; " and forthwith they started
at a great pace south along the river .
" Methought you should have been gotten clean away ere
139
THE WORM OUROBOROS
this," said Mivarsh as they went. " This is but nine or ten
days' journey, and 'tis now the sixteenth day since ye did leave
me on Salapanta Hills ."
Brandoch Daha laughed. " Sixteenth! " said he. " Thou'lt
be rich, Mivarsh, if thou reckon gold pieces o' this fashion
thou dost days. This is but our ninth day's journey."
But Mivarsh stood stoutly to it, saying that was the seventh
day after their departure when Corund first came to Salapanta,
" And I fleeing now nine days before his face chanced on your
tracks, and now out of all expectation on you." Nor for all
their mocking would he be turned from this. And when, as
they still pressed through the desert southward, the sun declined
and set in a clear sky, behold the moon a little past her full :
and Juss saw that she was seven days older than on that night
she was when they came to Ishnain Nemartra. So he showed
this wonder to Brandoch Daha and Spitfire, and much they
marvelled.
" You are much to thank me," said Brandoch Daha, " that
I kept you not a full year awaiting of me. Beshrew me, but
that seven days' space seemed to me but an hour ! "
Likely enow, to thee," said Spitfire somewhat greenly.
" But all we slept the week out on the cold stones, and I am
half lamed yet with the ache on't."
66

Nay," said Juss, laughing ; " I will not have thee blame
him ."
The moon was high when they came to the salt lakes that
lay one a little above the other in rocky basins. Their waters
were like rough silver, and the harsh face of the wilderness was
black and silver in the moonlight ; and it was as a country of
dead bones , blind and sterile beneath the moon. Betwixt the
lakes a rib of rock rose monstrous to an eminence crag-begirt
on every side, with dark walls ringing it round above the cliffs .
Thither they hastened, and as they climbed and stumbled
among the crags a she-owl squeaked on the battlements and
tookwing ghost-like above their heads. The teeth of Mivarsh
Faz chattered, but right glad were the Demons as they won up
the rocks and entered at last into that deserted burg. Without,
the night was still ; but fires were burning in the desert east-
ward, and others as they watched were kindled in the west, and
soon was the circle joined of twinkling points of red round
about Eshgrar Ogo and the lakes.
140
MARCHLANDS OF THE MORUNA
Juss said, " By an hour have we forestalled them. And
behold how he ringeth us about as men ring a scorpion in
flame."
So they made all sure, and set the guard, and slept until
past dawn. But Mivarsh slept not, for terror of hob-thrushes
from the Moruna.

141
XI : THE BURG OF ESHGRAR OGO

OF THE LORD CORUND'S BESIEGING OF THE BURG ABOVE THE LAKES

OF OGO MORVEO , AND WHAT BEFELL THERE BETWIXT HIM AND
THE DEMONS ; WHEREIN IS ALSO AN EXAMPLE HOW THE SUBTLE
OF HEART STANDETH AT WHILES IN GREAT DANGER OF HIS DEATH .

HEN the Lord Corund knew of a surety that he held

Wdight supper in his tent, and made a surfeit ofvenison
pasties and heath-cocks and lobsters from the lakes. There-
with he drank nigh a skinful of sweet dark Thramnian wine, in
such sort that an hour before midnight, becoming speechless,
he was holpen by Gro to his couch and slept a great deep sleep
till morning.
Gro watched in the tent, his right elbow propped on the
table, his cheek resting on his hand, his left hand reaching
forward with delicate fingers toying now with the sleek heavy
perfumed masses of his beard, now with the goblet whence he
sipped ever and anon pale wine of Permio. His thoughts
inconstant as insects in a summer garden flitted ever round
and round, resting now on the scene before him, the great form
of his general wrapt in slumber, now on other scenes sundered
by great gulfs of time or weary leagues of perilous ways . So
thatinone instant he saw in fancy that lady in Carcë welcoming
her lord returned in triumph, and him, may be, crowned king of
new-vanquished Impland ; andin the next, swept from the future
to the past, beheld again the great sending-off in Zajë Zaculo,
Gaslark in his splendour on the golden stairs saying adieu to
those three captains and their matchless armament foredoomed
todogs and crows on Salapanta Hills ; and always , like a gloomy
background darkening his mind, loomed the yawning void,
142
THE BURG OF ESHGRAR OGO
featureless and vast, beyond the investing circle of Corund's
armies : the blind blasted emptiness of the Moruna.
With such fancies, melancholy like a great bird settled upon
his soul. The lights flickered in their sockets, and for very
weariness Gro's eyelids closed at length over his large liquid
eyes ; and, too tired to stir from his seat to seek his couch, he
sank forward on the table, his head pillowed on his arms . The
red glow of the brazier slumbered ever dimmer and dimmer
on the slender form and black shining curls of Gro, and on the
mighty frame of Corund where he lay with one great spurred
booted leg stretched along the couch, and the other flung out
sideways resting its heel on the ground.
It wanted but two hours of noon when a sunbeam striking
through an opening in the hangings of the tent shone upon
Corund's eyelids, and he awoke fresh and brisk as a youth on
a hunting morn. He waked Gro, and giving him a clap on the
shoulder, " Thou wrongest a fair morn," he said. " The devil
damn me black as buttermilk if it be not great shame in thee ;
and I, that was born this day six and forty years as the years
come about, busy with mine affairs since sunrise."
Gro yawned and smiled and stretched himself. " Ο
Corund," he said, " counterfeit a livelier wonder in thine eyes
if thou wilt persuade me thou sawest the sunrise. For I think
that were as new and unexampled a sight for thee as any I
could produce to thee in Impland."
Corund answered, " Truly I was seldom so uncivil as
surprise Madam Aurora in her nightgown. And the thrice
or four times I have been forced thereto, taught me it is an
hour of crude airs and mists which breed cold dark humours in
thebody, an hour when the torch of life burns weakest. Within
there ! bring me my morning draught."
The boy brought two cups of white wine, and while they
drank, " A thin ungracious drink is the well-spring," said
Corund : a drink for queasy - stomached skipjacks : for
"

sand- levericks, not for men. And like it is the day-spring :

an ungrateful sapless hour, an hour for stab-i'-the-backs and
cold-blooded betrayers. Ah, give me wine," he cried, " and
noon-day vices, and brazen-browed iniquities."
" Yet there's many a deed of profit done by owl-light,"
saidGro.
143
THE WORM OUROBOROS
" Ay," said Corund : " deeds of darkness : and there, my
lord, I'm still thy scholar. Come, let's be doing." And taking
his helm and weapons, and buckling about him his great wolfskin
cloak, for the air was eager and frosty without, he strode forth.
Gro wrapped himself in his fur mantle, drew on his lambskin
gloves, and followed him.
" If thou wilt take my rede," said Lord Gro, as they looked
on Eshgrar Ogo stark in the barren sunlight, " thou'lt do this
honour to Philpritz, which I question not he much desireth, to
suffer him and his folk take first knock at this nut. It hath a
hard look. Pity it were to waste good Witchland blood in a
first assault, when these vile instruments stand ready to our
purpose."
Corund grunted in his beard, and with Gro at his elbow
paced in silence through the lines, his keen eyes searching ever
the cliffs andwalls of Eshgrar Ogo, till in some half-hour's space
he halted again before his tent, having made a complete circuit
of the burg. Then he spake : " Put me in yonder fighting-
stead, and if it were only but I and fifty able lads to man the
walls, yet would I hold it against ten thousand."
Gro held his peace awhile, and then said, " Thou speakest
this in all sadness ? "
" In sober sadness," answered Corund, squaring his
shoulders at the burg.
" Then thou'lt not assault it ? "
Corund laughed. " Not assault it, quotha ! That were
a sweet tale 'twixt the boiled and the roast in Carcë : I'd not
assault it ! "
" Yet consider," said Gro, taking him by the arm. “
So
shapeth the matter in my mind: they be few and shut up in
a little place, in this far land, out of reach and out ofmind of all
succour. Were they devils and not men, the multitude of our
armies and thine own tried qualities must daunt them. Be
the place never so cocksure, doubt not some doubts thereof
must poison their security. Therefore before thou risk a
repulse which must dispel those doubts use thine advantage.
Bid Juss to a parley. Offer him conditions : it skills not what.
Bribe them out into the open."
" A pretty plan," said Corund. " Thou'lt merit wisdom's
crown if thou canst tell me what conditions we can offer that
they would take. And whilst thou riddlest that, remember
144
THE BURG OF ESHGRAR OGO
that though thou and I be masters hereabout, another reigns in
Carcë."
Lord Gro laughed gently. " Leave jesting," he said, " Ο
Corund, and never hope to gull me to believe thee such a babe
in policy. Shall the King blame us though we sign away
Demonland, ay and the wide world besides, to Juss to lure him
forth? Unless indeed we were so neglectful of our interest as
suffer him, once forth, to elude our clutches ."
" Gro," said Corund, " I love thee. But hardly canst thou
receive things as I receive them that have dealt all my days in
great stripes, given and taken in the open field. I sticked not
to take part in thy notable treason against these poor snakes of
Impland that we trapped in Orpish. All's fair against such
dirt. Besides, great need was upon us then, and hard it is for
an empty sack to stand straight. But here is far other matter.
All's won here but the plucking of the apple: it is the very
main of my ambition to humble these Demons openly by the
terror of my sword : wherefore I will not use upon them cogs
and stops and all thy devilish tricks, such as should bring me
more of scorn than of glory in the eyes of aftercomers."
So speaking, he issued command and sent an herald to go
forth beneath the battlements with a flag of truce. And the
herald cried aloud and said : " From Corund of Witchland
unto the lords of Demonland : thus saith the Lord Corund,
' I hold this burg of Eshgrar Ogo as a nut betwixt the crackers .
Come down and speak with me in the batable land before the
burg, and I swear to you peace and grith while we parley, and
thereto pledge I mine honour as a man of war."
So when the due ceremonies were performed, the Lord
Juss came down from Eshgrar Ogo and with him the lords
Spitfire and Brandoch Daha and twenty men to be their body-
guard. Corund went to meet them with his guard about him,
and his four sons that fared with him to Impland, Hacmon,
namely, and Heming and Viglus and Dormanes : sullen and
dark young men, likely of look, of a little less fierceness than
their father. Gro, fair to see and slender as a racehorse, went
at his side, muffled to the ears in a cloak of ermine ; and behind
came Philpritz Faz helmed with a winged helm of iron and
gold. Agilded corselet had Philpritz, and trousers ofpanther's
skin, and he came a-slinking at Corund's heel as the jackal
slinks behind the lion.
L 145
THE WORM OUROBOROS
When they were met, Juss spake and said, " This would
I know first, my Lord Corund, how thou comest hither, and
why, and by what right thou disputest with us the ways east-
ward out of Impland."
Corund answered, leaning on his spear, " I need not answer
thee in this. And yet I will. How came I ? I answer thee,
over the cold mountain wall of Akra Skabranth. And 'tis a
feat hath not his fellow in man's remembrance until now, with
so great a force and in so short a space of time."
" "Tis well enough," said Juss. " I'll grant thee thou hast
outrun mine expectations of thee."
" Next thou demandest why," said Corund. " Suffice it
for thee that the King hath had advertisement of your farings
into Impland and your designs therein. For to bring these to
nought am I come."
" There was many firkins of wine drunk dry in Carcë,"
said Hacmon, " and many a noble person senseless and spewing
on the ground ere morn for pure delight, when cursed Goldry
was made away. We were little minded these healths should
be proved vain at last."
" Was that ere thou rodest from Permio ? " said Lord
Brandoch Daha. " The merry god wrought of our side that
night, if my memory cheat not."
" Thou demandest last," said Corund, " my Lord Juss, by
what right I bar your passage eastaway. Know, therefore, that
not of mine own self speak I unto you, but as vicar in wide-
fronted Impland of our Lord Gorice XII ., King of Kings ,
most glorious and most great. There remaineth no way out
for you from this place save into the rigour of mine hands .
Therefore let us, according to the nature of great men, agree
to honourable conditions. And this is mine offer, O Juss .
Yield up this burg of Eshgrar Ogo, and therewith thy sealed
word in a writing acknowledging our Lord the King to be King
of Demonland and all ye his quiet and obedient subjects, even
as we be. And I will swear unto you of my part, and in the
name of our Lord the King, and give you hostages thereto,
that ye shall depart in peace whither you list with all love and
safety."
The Lord Juss scowled fiercely on him. " O Corund,"
،،

he said, as little as we do understand the senseless wind, so

little we understand thy word. Oft enow hath gray silver been
146
THE BURG OF ESHGRAR OGO

in the fire betwixt us and you Witchlanders ; for the house of

Gorice fared ever like the foul toad, that may not endure to
smell the sweet savour of the vine when it flourisheth . So for
this time we will abide in this hold, and withstand your most
grievous attempts ."
" With free honesty and open heart," said Corund, " I
made thee this offer ; which if thou refuse I am not thy lackey
to renew it."
Gro said, " It is writ and sealed, and wanteth but thy sign-
manual, my Lord Juss," and with the word he made sign to
Philpritz Faz that went to Lord Juss with a parchment. Juss
put the parchment by, saying, " No more: ye are answered,"
and he was turning on his heel when Philpritz, louting forward
suddenly, gave him a great yerk beneath the ribs with a dagger
slipped from his sleeve. But Juss wore a privy coat that turned
the dagger. Howbeit with the greatness of that stroke he
staggered aback.
Now Spitfire clapped hand to sword, and the other Demons
with him, but Juss loudly shouted that they should not be
truce-breakers but know first what Corund would do. And
Corund said, " Dost hear me, Juss ? I had neither hand nor
part in this."
Brandoch Daha drew up his lip and said, " This is nought
but what was to be looked for. It is a wonder, O Juss, that
thou shouldst hold out to such mucky dogs a hand without a
whip in it."
" Such strokes come home or miss merely," said Gro softly
in Corund's ear, and he hugged himself beneath his cloak,
looking with furtive amusement on the Demons. But Corund "

with a face red in anger said, " It is thine answer, O Juss ?

Andwhen Juss said, " It is our answer, O Corund," Corund said
violently, " Then red war I give you ; and this withal to testify
our honour. " And he let lay hands on Philpritz Faz and with
his own hand hacked the head from his body before the eyes of
both their armies. Then in a great voice he said, " As bloodily
as I have revenged the honour of Witchland on this Philpritz,
so will I revenge it on all ofyou or ever I draw off mine armies
from these lakes of Ogo Morveo."
So the Demons went up into the burg, and Gro and Corund
home to their tents. " This was well thought on," said Gro,
" to flaunt the flag of seeming honesty, and with the motion
147
THE WORM OUROBOROS
rid us of this fellow that promised ever to grow thorns to make
uneasy our seat in Impland."
Corund answered him not a word .
In that same hour Corund marshalled his folk and assaulted
Eshgrar Ogo, placing those of Impland in the van. They
prospered not at all. Many a score lay slain without the walls
that night ; and the obscene beasts from the desert feasted on
their bodies by the light of the moon.
Next morning the Lord Corund sent an herald and bade
the Demons again to a parley. And now he spake only to
Brandoch Daha, bidding him deliver up those brethrenJuss and
Spitfire, " And if thou wilt yield themto my pleasure, then shalt
thou and all thy people else depart in peace without conditions."
" An offer indeed," said Lord Brandoch Daha; " if it be
not in mockery. Say it loud, that my folk may hear."
Corund did so, and the Demons heard it from the walls of
theburg.
Lord Brandoch Daha stood somewhat apart from Juss and
Spitfire and their guard. " Libel it me out," he said. " For
good as I now must deem thy word, thine hand and seal must
I have to show my followers ere they consent with me in such
a thing."
" Write thou," said Corund to Gro. " To write my name
is all my scholarship." And Gro took forth his ink-horn and
wrote in a great fair hand this offer on a parchment. " The
most fearfullest oaths thou knowest," said Corund; and Gro
wrote them, whispering, " He mocketh us only." But Corund
said, " No matter : 'tis a chance worth our chancing," and
slowly and with labour signed his name to the writing, and
gave it to Lord Brandoch Daha.
Brandoch Daha read it attentively, and tucked it in his
bosom beneath his byrny. " This," he said," shall be a keep-
sake for me of thee, my Lord Corund. Reminding me," and
here his eyes grew terrible, so long as there surviveth a soul
of you in Witchland, that I am still to teach the world throughly
what that man must abide that durst affront me with such an
offer ."
Corund answered him, " Thou art a dapper fellow. It is
a wonder that thou wilt strut in the tented field with all this
womanish gear. Thy shield : how many of these sparkling
148
THE BURG OF ESHGRAR OGO
baubles thinkest thou I'd leave in it were we once come to
knocks ? "
" I'll tell thee," answered Lord Brandoch Daha. " For
every jewel that hath been beat out of my shield in battle, never
yet went I to war that I brought not home an hundredfold to
set it fair again, from the spoils I obtained from mine enemies .
Now this will I bid thee, O Corund, for thy scornful words :
I will bid thee to single combat, here and in this hour. Which
if thou deny, then art thou an open and apparent dastard."
Corund chuckled in his beard, but his brow darkened
somewhat. " I pray what age dost thou take me of ? " said he.
"

I bare a sword when thou was yet in swaddling clothes.

Behold mine armies, and what advantage I hold upon you.
Oh, my sword is enchanted, my lord : it will not out of the
scabbard."
Brandoch Daha smiled disdainfully, and said to Spitfire,
" Mark well, I pray thee, this great lord of Witchland. How
many true fingers hath a Witch on his left hand ? "
"As many as on his right," said Spitfire.
" Good. And how many on both ? "
" Two less than a deuce," said Spitfire; " for they be false
fazarts to the fingers' ends ."
66

Very well answered," said Lord Brandoch Daha.

" You're pleasant," Corund said. " But your fusty jibes
move me not a whit. It were a simple part indeed to take
thine offer when all wise counsels bid me use my power and
crush you."
" Thou'dst kill me soon with thy mouth," said Brandoch
Daha. " In sum, thou art a brave man when it comes to roar-
ing and swearing : a big bubber of wine, as men say to drink
drunk is an ordinary matter with thee every day in the week ;
but I fear thou durst not fight. "
" Doth not thy nose swell at that ? " said Spitfire.
But Corund shrugged his shoulders. " A footra for your
baits ! " he answered. " I am scarce bounden to do such a
kindness to you of Demonland as lay down mine advantage
and fight alone, against a sworder. Your old foxes are seldom
takeninspringes." “

" I thought so," said Lord Brandoch Daha. Surely the

frog will have hair sooner than any of you Witchlanders shall
dare to stand me ."
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
So ended the second parley before Eshgrar Ogo. The
same day Corund essayed again to storm the hold, and grievous
was the battle and hard put to it were they of Demonland to
hold the walls. Yet in the end were Corund's men thrown
back with great slaughter. And night fell, and they returned
to their tents .

" Mine invention," said Gro, when on the next day they
took counsel together," hath yet some contrivance in her purse
which shall do us good, if it fall but out to our mind. But I
doubt much it will dislike thee."
“

Well, say it out, and I'll give thee my censure on't, "
said Corund.
Gro spake : " It hath been shown we may not have down
this tree by hewing above ground. Let's dig about the roots .
And first give them a seven-night's space for reckoning up their
chances, that they may see morning and evening from the burg
thine armies set down to invest them. Then, when their hopes
are something sobered by that sight, and want of action hath
trained their minds to sad reflection, call them to parley, going
straight beneath the wall ; and this time shalt thou address
thyself only to the common sort, offering them all generous and
free conditions thou canst think on. There's little they can
ask that we'd not blithely grant them if they'll but yield us up
their captains . "
" It mislikes me," answered Corund. " Yet it may serve.
But thou shalt be my spokesman herein. For never yet went
I cap in hand to ask favour of the common muck o' the world,
nor I will not do it now ."
" O but thou must," said Gro . " Of thee they will receive
in good faith what in me they would account but practice."
" That's true enough," said Corund. " But I cannot
stomach it. Withal, I am too rough spoken."
Gro smiled. " He that hath need of a dog," he said,
" calleth him ' Sir Dog.' Come, come, I'll school thee to it.
Is it not a smaller thing than months of tedious hardship in
this frozen desert ? Bethink thee too what honour it were to
thee to ride home to Carcë with Juss and Spitfire and Brandoch
Daha bounden in a string."
Not without much persuasion was Corund won to this.
Yet at the last he consented. For seven days and seven nights
150
THE BURG OF ESHGRAR OGO
his armies sat before the burg without sign ; and on the eighth
dayhe bade the Demons to a parley, and when that was granted
went with his sons and twenty men-at-arms up the great rib of
rock between the lakes, and stood below the east wall of the
burg. Bitter chill was the air that day. Powdery snow light-
fallen blew in little wisps along the ground, and the rocks were
slippery with an invisible coat of ice. Lord Gro, being
troubled with an ague, excused himself from that faring and
kept his tent.
Corund stood beneath the walls with his folk about him.
" I have matter of import," he cried, " and 'tis needful it be
heard both by the highest and the lowest amongst you. Ere
I begin, summon them all to this part of the walls : a look-out
is enow to shield you of the other parts from any sudden
onslaught, which besides I swear to you is clean without my
purpose." So when they were thick on the wall above him,
he began to say, " Soldiers of Demonland, against you had I
never quarrel. Behold how in this Impland I have made
freedom flourish as a flower. I have strook off the heads of
Philpritz Faz , and Illarosh, and Lurmesh, and Gandassa, and
Fax Fay Faz, that were the lords and governors here afore-
time, abounding in all the bloody and crying sins, oppression,
gluttony, idleness, cruelty, and extortion. And ofmy clemency
I delivered all their possessions unto their subjects to hold and
order after their own will alone, who before did put on patience
and enduredwith much heart-burning the tyranny of these Fazes ,
until by me they found a remedy for their more freedom. In
like manner, not against you do I war, O men of Demonland ;
but against the tyrants that enforced you for their private gain
to suffer hardship and death in this remote country : namely,
against Juss and Spitfire that came hither in quest of their
cursed brother whom the might of the great King hath happily
removed. And against Brandoch Daha am I come, of insolence
untamed, who liveth a chambering idle life eating and drinking
and exercising tyranny, while the pleasant lands of Krothering
and Failze and Stropardon, and the dwellers in the isles,
Sorbey, Morvey, Strufey, Dalney, and Kenarvey, and they of
Westmark and all the western parts of Demonland groan and
wax lean to feed his luxury. To your hurt only have these
three led you, as cattle to the slaughter. Deliver them to me,
that I may chastise them, and I, that am great viceroy of
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
Impland, will make you free and grant you lordships : a lordship
for every man of you in this my realm of Impland."
While Corund spake, the Lord Brandoch Daha went among
the soldiers bidding them hold their peace and not murmur
against Corund. But those that were most hot for action he
sent about an errand preparing what he had in mind. So that
when the Lord Corund ceased from his declaiming, all was
ready to hand, and with one voice the soldiers of Lord Juss
that stood upon the wall cried out and said, " This is thy word,
O Corund, and this our answer," and therewith flung down upon
him from pots and buckets and every kind of vessel a deluge
of slops and offal and all filth that came to hand. A bucketful
took Corund in the mouth, befouling all his great beard, so that
he gave back spitting. And he and his, standing close beneath
thewall, and little expecting so sudden and ill an answer, fared
shamefully, being all well soused and bemerded with filth and lye.
Therewith went up great shouts of laughter from the walls .
But Corund cried out, "O filth of Demonland, this is my latest
word with you. And though 'twere ten years I must besiege
this hold, yet will I take it over your heads. And very ill to do
with shall ye find me in the end, and very puissant, proud,
mighty, cruel , and bloody in my conquest.'
“

What, lads ? " said Lord Brandoch Daha, standing on the

battlements, " have we not fed this beast with pig-wash enow,
but he must still be snuffing and snouking at our gate ? Give
me another pailful."
So the Witches returned to their tents with great shame.
So hot was Corund in anger against the Demons, that he stayed
not to eat nor drink at his coming down from Eshgrar Ogo, but
straight gathered force and made an assault upon the burg, the
mightiest he had yet essayed ; and his picked men of Witch-
land were in that assault, and he himself to lead them. Thrice
by main fury they won up into the hold, but all were slain who
set foot therein, and Corund's young son Dormanes wounded
to the death. And at even they drew off from the battle.
There fell in that fight an hundred and four-score Demons , and
of the Imps five hundred, and of the Witches three hundred
and ninety and nine. And many were hurt of either side.
Wrath sat like thunder on Corund's brow at supper-time.
He ate his meat savagely, thrusting great gobbets in his mouth,
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THE BURG OF ESHGRAR OGO
crunching the bones like a beast, taking deep draughts of wine
with every mouthful, which yet dispelled not his black mood.
Over against him Gro sat silent, shivering now and then for all
that he kept his ermine cloak about him and the brazier stood
at his elbow. He made but a poor meal, drinking mulled wine
in little sips and dipping little pieces of bread in it.
So wore without speech that cheerless and unkindly meal,
until the Lord Corund, looking suddenly across the board at
Gro and catching his eye studying him, said, " That was a
bright star of thine and then shined clear upon thee when thou
tookest this bout of shivering fits and so wentest not with me
to be soused with muck before the burg."
" Who would have dreamed," answered Gro, " of their
using so base and shameful a part ? "
"Not thou, I'll swear," said Corund, looking evilly upon
him and marking, as he thought, a twinkling light in Gro's eyes .
Gro shivered again, sipped his wine, and shifted his glance
uneasily under that unfriendly stare.
Corund drank awhile in silence, then flushing suddenly a
darker red, said, leaning heavily across the board at him,
" Dost know why I said 'not thou ' ? "
" 'Twas scarce needful, to thy friend," said Gro.
" I said it," said Corund, " because I know thou didst look
for another thing when thou didst skulk shamming here."
" Another thing ? "
" Sit not there like some prim-mouthed miss feigning an
“
innocence all know well thou hast not," said Corund, or I'll
kill thee. Thou plottedst my death with the Demons. And
because thyself hast no shred of honour in thy soul, thou hadst
not the wit to perceive that their nobility would shrink from
such a betrayal as thy hopes entertained."
Gro said, " This is a jest I cannot laugh at ; or else 'tis
madman's brabble."
Dissembling cur," said Corund, " be sure that I hold
him not less guilty that holds the ladder than him that mounts
the wall. It was thy design they should smite us at unawares
when we went up to them with this proposal thou didst urge
on me so hotly."
Gro made as if to rise . " Sit down ! " said Corund.
" Answer me ; didst not thou egg on the poor snipe Philpritz
to that attempt on Juss ? "
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" He told me on't," said Gro.
" O, thou art cunning," said Corund. " There too I see
thy treachery. Had they fallen upon us, thou mightest have
thrown thyself safely upon their mercy."
" This is foolishness," said Gro. " We were far stronger."
"" Tis so," said Corund. " When did I charge thee with
wisdom and sober judgement ? With treachery I know thou
art soaked wet."
" And thou art my friend ! " said Gro.
Corund said in a while, “ I have long known thee to be
both a subtle and dissembling fox, and now I durst trust thee
no more, for fear I should fall further into thy danger. I am
resolved to murther thee ."
Gro fell back in his chair and flung out his arms . " I have
been here before," he said. " I have beheld it, in moonlight
and in the barren glare of day, in fair weather and in hail and
snow, with the great winds charging over the wastes. And I
knew it was accursed. From Morna Moruna, ere I was born
or thou, O Corund, or any of us, treason and cruelty blacker
than night herself had birth, and brought death to their begetter
and all his folk. From Morna Moruna bloweth this wind
about the waste to blast our love and bring us destruction.
Ay, kill me ; I'll not ward myself, not i' the smallest."
66

'Tis small matter, Goblin," said Corund, " whether thou

shouldst or no. Thou art but a louse between my fingers, to
kill or cast away as shall seem me good."
" I was King Gaslark's man," said Gro, as if talking in a
dream; " and between a man and a boy near fifteen years I
served him true and costly. Yet it was my fortune in all that
time and at the ending thereof only to get a beard on my chin
and remorse at heart. To what scorned purpose must I plot
against him ? Pity of Witchland, of Witchland sliding as then
into the pit of adverse luck, 'twas that made force upon me.
And I served Witchland well : but fate ever fought o' the other
side. I it was that counselled King Gorice XI . to draw out
from the fight at Kartadza. Yet wanton Fortune trod down the
scale for Demonland. I prayed him not wrastle with Goldry
in the Foliot Isles. Thou didst back me. Nought but rebukes
and threats of death gat I therefrom ; but because my redes
were set at nought, evil fell upon Witchland. I helped our
Lord the King when he conjured and made a sending against
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 THE BURG OF ESHGRAR OGO
the Demons. He loved me therefor and upheld me, but great
envy was raised up against me in Carce for that fact. Yet I
bare up, for thy friendship and thy lady wife's were as bright
fires to warm me against all the frosts of their ill-will. And
now, for love of thee, I fared with thee to Impland. And here
by the Moruna where in old days I wandered in danger and in
sorrow, it is fitting I behold at length the emptiness of all my
days."
Therewith Gro fell silent a minute, and then began to say :
“ O Corund, I'll strip bare my soul to thee before thou kill me.
It is most true that until now, sitting before Eshgrar Ogo, it
hath been present to my heart how great an advantage we held
against the Demons, and the glory of their defence, so little a
strength against us so many, and the great glory of their flinging
ofus back, these things were a splendour to my soul beholding
them. Such glamour hath ever shone to me all my life's days
when I behold great men battling still beneath the bludgeonings
of adverse fortune that, howsoever they be mine enemies, it
lieth not in my virtue to withhold from admiration of them and
well nigh love. But never was I false to thee, nor much less
ever thought, as thou most unkindly accusest me, to compass
thy destruction."
" Thou dost whine like a woman for thy life," said Corund.
Cowardly hounds never stirred pity in me." Yet he moved
not, only looking dourly on Gro.
Gro plucked forth his own sword, and pushed it towards
Corund hilt-foremost across the board. " Such words are
worse than sword-thrusts betwixt us twain," said he. " Thou
shalt see how I'll welcome death. The King will praise thee,
when thou showest the cause. And it will be sweet news to
Corinius and them that have held me in their hate, that thy
love hath cast me off, and thou hast rid them of me at last."
But Corund stirred not. After a space, he filled another
cup, and drank, and sat on. And Gro sat motionless before
him. At last Corund rose heavily from his seat, and pushing
Gro's sword back across the table, " Thou'dst best to bed,
said he. " But the night air's o'er shrewd for thine ague.
Sleep on my couch to-night."
The day dawned cold and gray, and with the dawn Corund
ordered his lines round about Eshgrar Ogo and sat down for
155
THE WORM OUROBOROS
asiege. For ten days he sat before the burg, and nought befell
from dawn till night, from night till dawn : only the sentinels
walked on the walls and Corund's folk guarded their lines.
On the eleventh day came a bank of fog rolling westward
from the Moruna, chill and dank, blotting out the features of
the land. Snow fell, and the fog hung on the land, and night
came of such a pitchy blackness that even by torch-light a man
might not see his hand stretched forth at arm's length before
him. Five days the fog held. On the fifth night, it being the
twenty-fourth of November, in the darkness of the third hour
after midnight, the alarm was sounded and Corund summoned
by a runner from the north with word that a sally was made
from Eshgrar Ogo, and the lines bursten through in that quarter,
and fighting going forward in the mirk. Corund was scarce
harnessed and gotten forth into the night, when a second runner
came hot-foot from the south with tidings of a great fight there-
away. All was confounded in the dark, and nought certain,
save that the Demons were broken out from Eshgrar Ogo. In
a space, as Corund came with his folk to the northern quarter
andjoined in the fight, came a message from his son Heming that
Spitfire and a number with him were broken out at the other
side and gotten away westward, and a great band chasing him
back towards Outer Impland ; and therewith that more than
an hundred Demons were surrounded and penned in by the
shore of the lakes, and the burg entered and taken by Corund's
folk ; but of Juss and Brandoch Daha no certain news, save
that they were not of Spitfire's company, but were with those
against whom Corund went in person, having fared forth north-
away. So went the battle through the night. Corund himself
had sight of Juss, and exchanged shots with him with twirl-
spears in a lifting of the fog toward dawn, and a son ofhis bare
witness ofBrandoch Daha in that same quarter, and had gotten
a great wound from him.
When night was past, and the Witches returned from the
pursuit, Corund straitly questioned his officers, and went him-
self about the battlefield hearing each man's story and viewing
the slain. Those Demons that were hemmed against the lakes
had all lost their lives, and some were taken up dead in other
parts, and some few alive. These would his officers let slay, but
Corund said, " Since I am king in Impland, till that the King
receive it of me, it is not this handful of earth-lice shall shake
156
THE BURG OF ESHGRAR OGO
my safety here ; and I may well give them their lives, that
fought sturdily against us." So he gave them peace. And he
said unto Gro, " Better that for every Demon dead in Ogo
Morveo ten should rise up against us, if but Juss only and
Brandoch Daha were slain ."
" I'll be in the tale with thee, if thou wilt proclaim them
dead," said Gro. " And nothing is likelier, if they be gone
with but two or three on to the Moruna, than that such a tale
should come true ere it were told in Carcë."
66
" Pshaw ! " said Corund, to the devil with such false
feathers . What's done shows brave enow without them :
Impland conquered, Juss's army minced to a gallimaufry,
himself and Brandoch Daha chased like runaway thralls up on
the Moruna. Where if devils tear them, 'tis my best wish
come true. If not, thou'lt hear of them, be sure. Dost think
these can survive on earth and not raise a racket that shall be
heard from hence to Carcë ? ”

157
 XII : KOSHTRA PIVRARCHA

OF THE COMING OF THE LORDS OF DEMONLAND TO MORNA MORUNA,

WHENCE THEY BEHELD THE ZIMIAMVIAN MOUNTAINS, SEEN ALSO
BY GRO IN YEARS GONE BY ; AND OF THE WONDERS SEEN BY
THEM AND PERILS UNDERGONE AND DEEDS DONE IN THEIR
ATTEMPT ON KOSHTRA PIVRARCHA, THE WHICH ALONE OF ALL
EARTH'S MOUNTAINS LOOKETH DOWN UPON KOSHTRA BELORN ;
AND NONE SHALL ASCEND UP INTO KOSHTRA BELORN THAT HATH
NOT FIRST LOOKED DOWN UPON HER .

OW it is to be said of Lord Juss and Lord Brandoch

Daha that they, finding themselves parted from their
N people in the fog, and utterly unable to find them,
when the last sound of battle had died away wiped and put up
their bloody swords and set forth at a great pace eastward.
Only Mivarsh fared with them of all their following. His lips
were drawn back a little, showing his teeth, but he carried
himself proudly as one who being resolved to die walks with a
quiet mind to his destruction. Day after day they journeyed,
sometimes in clear weather, sometimes in mist or sleet, over
the changeless desert, without a landmark, save here a little
sluggish river, or here a piece of rising ground, or a pond, or a
clump of rocks : small things which faded from sight amid the
waste ere they were passed by a half-mile's distance. So was
each day like yesterday, drawing to a morrow like to it again.
And always fear walked at their heel and sat beside them sleep-
ing : clanking of wings heard above the wind, a brooding hush
ofmenace in the sunshine, and noises out of the void of darkness
as of teeth chattering. So came they on the twentieth day to
Morna Moruna, and stood at even in the sorrowful twilight by
the little round castle, silent on Omprenne Edge .
From their feet the cliffs dropped sheer. Strange it was,
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 KOSHTRA PIVRARCHA
standing on that frozen lip of the Moruna, as on the limit of
the world, to gaze southward on a land of summer, and to
breathe faint summer airs blowing up from blossoming trees
and flower-clad alps. In the depths a carpet of huge tree-tops
clothed a vast stretch of country, through the midst of which,
seen here and there in a bend of silver among the woods , the
Bhavinan bore the waters of a thousand secret mountain
solitudes down to an unknown sea. Beyond the river the deep
woods, blue with distance, swelled to feathery hill-tops with
some sharper-featured loftier heights bodying cloudily beyond
them. The Demons strained their eyes searching the curtain
of mystery behind and above those foot-hills ; but the great
peaks, like great ladies, shrouded themselves against their
curious gaze, and no glimpse was shown them of the
snows .

Surely to be in Morna Moruna was to be in the death

chamber of some once lovely presence. Stains of fire were on
the walls. The fair gallery of open wood-work that ran above
the main hall was burnt through and partly fallen in ruin, the
blackened ends of the beams that held itjutting blindly in the
gap. Among the wreck of carved chairs and benches, broken
and worm-eaten, some shreds of figured tapestries rotted, the
home now of beetles and spiders. Patches of colour, faded
lines, mildewed and damp with the corruption of two hundred
years, lingered to be the memorials, like the mummied skeleton
of a king's daughter long ago untimely dead, of sweet gracious
paintings on the walls. Five nights and five days the Demons
and Mivarsh dwelt in Morna Moruna, inured to portents till
theymarkedthem as little as men mark swallows at theirwindow.
In the still night were flames seen, and flying forms dim in the
moonlit air ; and in moonless nights unstarred, moans heard
and gibbering accents : prodigies beside their beds, and ridings
in the sky, and fleshless fingers plucking at Juss unseen when
he went forth to make question of the night.
Cloud and mist abode ever in the south, and only the foot-
hills showed of the great ranges beyond Bhavinan. But on the
evening of the sixth day beforeYule, it being the nineteenth of
December when Betelgeuze stands at midnight on the meridian,
awind blew out of the north-west with changing fits of sleet
and sunshine. Day was fading as they stood above the cliff.
All the forest land was blue with shades of approaching night :
159
THE WORM OUROBOROS
the river was dull silver : the wooded heights afar mingled their
outlines with the towers and banks of turbulent deep blue
vapour that hurtled inceaseless passage through the upper air.
Suddenly a window opened in the clouds to a space of clean wan
wind-swept sky high above the shaggy hills. SurelyJuss caught
his breath in that moment, to see those deathless ones where they
shone pavilioned in the pellucid air, far, vast, and lonely, most
like to creatures of unascended heaven, of wind and of fire all
compact, too pure to have aught of the gross elements of earth
or water. It was as if the rose-red light of sun-down had been
frozen to crystal and these hewn from it to abide to everlasting,
strong and unchangeable amid the welter of earthborn mists
below and tumultuous sky above them. The rift ran wider,
eastward and westward, opening on more peaks and sunset-
kindled snows . And a rainbow leaning to the south was like a
sword of glory across the vision.
Motionless , like hawks staring from that high place of
prospect, Juss and Brandoch Daha looked on the mountains
of their desire.
Juss spake, haltingly as one talking in a dream. The
sweet smell, this gusty wind, the very stone thy foot standeth
on: I know them all before. There's not a night since we
sailed out of Lookinghaven that I have not beheld in sleep
these mountains and known their names ."
" Who told thee their names ? " asked Lord Brandoch Daha.
،،
My dream," Juss answered. " And first I dreamed it in
mine own bed in Galing when I came home from guesting with
thee last June. And they be true dreams that are dreamed
there." And he said, " Seest thou where the foot-hills part to
a dark valley that runneth deep into the chain, and the moun-
tains are bare to view from crown to foot ? Mark where,
beyond the nearer range, bleak-visaged precipices, cobweb-
streaked with huge snow corridors, rise to a rampart where the
rock towers stand against the sky. This isthe great ridge of
Koshtra Pivrarcha, and the loftiest of those spires his secret
mountain-top."
As he spoke, his eye followed the line of the eastern ridge,
where the towers , like dark gods going down from heaven,
plunge to aparapet which runs level above a curtain ofavalanche-
fluted snow. He fell silent as his gaze rested on the sister peak
that east of the gap flamed skyward in wild cliffs to an airy
160
KOSHTRA PIVRARCHA
snowy summit, soft-lined as a maiden's cheek, purer than dew,
lovelier than a dream .
While they looked the sunset fires died out upon the
mountains, leaving only pale hues of death and silence. “ If
thy dream," said Lord Brandoch Daha," conducted thee down
this Edge, over the Bhavinan, through yonder woods and hills,
up through the leagues of ice and frozen rock that stand betwixt
us and the main ridge, up by the right road to the topmost
snows of Koshtra Belorn : that were a dream indeed."
" All this it showed me," said Juss," up to the lowest rocks
of the great north buttress of Koshtra Pivrarcha, that must first
be scaled by him that would go up to Koshtra Belorn. But
beyond those rocks not even a dream hath ever climbed. Ere
the light fades, I'll show thee our pass over the nearer range."
He pointed where a glacier crawled betwixt shadowy walls
down from a torn snow-field that rose steeply to a saddle. East
of it stood two white peaks, and west of it a sheer-faced and
long-backed mountain like a citadel, squat and dark beneath the
wild sky-line of Koshtra Pivrarcha that hung in air beyond it.
" The Zia valley," said Juss, " that runneth into Bhavinan.
There lieth our way : under that dark bastion called by the
Gods Tetrachnampf. "
On the morrow Lord Brandoch Daha came to Mivarsh Faz
and said, " It is needful that this day we go down from Om-
prenne Edge. I would for no sake leave thee on the Moruna,
but 'tis no walking matter to descend this wall. Art thou a
cragsman ? "
" I was born," answered he, " in the high valley of
Perarshyn by the upper waters of the Beirun in Impland.
There boys scarce toddle ere they can climb a rock. This
climb affrights me not, nor those mountains. But the land is
unknown and terrible, and many loathly ones inhabit it, ghosts
and eaters of men. O devils transmarine, and my friends , is it
not enough ? Let us turn again, and if the Gods save our lives
we shall be famous for ever, that came unto Morna Moruna
and returned alive."
But Juss answered and said, " O Mivarsh Faz, know that
not for fame are we come on this journey. Our greatness
already shadoweth all the world, as a great cedar tree spreading
his shadow in a garden ; and this enterprise, mighty though it
M 161
THE WORM OUROBOROS
be, shall add to our glory only so much as thou mightest add
to these forests of the Bhavinan by planting of one more tree.
But so it is, that the great King of Witchland, practising in
darkness in his royal palace of Carcë such arts of grammarie
and sendings magical as the world hath not been grieved with
until now, sent an ill thing to take my brother, the LordGoldry
Bluszco, who is dear to me as mine own soul. And They that
dwell in secret sent me word in adream, bidding me, if I would
have tidings of my dear brother, inquire in Koshtra Belorn.
Therefore , O Mivarsh, go with us if thou wilt, but if thou wilt
not, why, fare thee well. For nought but my death shall stay
me from going thither."
AndMivarsh, bethinking him that if the mantichores of the
mountains should devour him along with those two lords, that
were yet a kindlier fate than all alone to abide those things he
wist of on the Moruna, put on the rope, and after commending
himself to the protection ofhis gods followed Lord Brandoch
Daha down the rotten slopes of rock and frozen earth at the
head of a gully leading down the cliff.
For all that they were early afoot, yet was it high noon ere
they were off the rocks. For the peril of falling stones drove
them out from the gully's bed first on to the eastern buttress
and after, when that grew too sheer, back to the western wall.
And in an hour or twain the gully's bed grew shallow and it
narrowed to an end, whence Brandoch Daha gazed between
his feet to where, a few spear's lengths below, the smooth slabs
curved downward out of sight and the eye leapt straight from
their clean-cut edge to shimmering tree-tops that showed tiny
as mosses beyond the unseen gulf of air. So they rested
awhile ; then returning a little up the gully forced a way out
on to the face and made a hazardous traverse to a new gully
westward of the first, and so at last plunged down a long fan
of scree and rested on soft fine turf at the foot ofthe cliffs.
Little mountain gentians grew at their feet ; the pathless
forest lay like the sea below them ; before them the mountains
of the Zia stood supreme : the white gables of Islargyn, the
lean dark finger of Tetrachnampf nan Tshark lying back above
the Zia Pass pointing to the sky, and west of it, jutting above
the valley, the square bastion of Tetrachnampf nan Tsurm.
The greater mountains were for the most part sunk behind
this nearer range, but Koshtra Belorn still towered above the
162
KOSHTRA PIVRARCHA
Pass. As a queen looking down from her high window, so
she overlooked those green woods sleeping in the noon-day ;
and on her forehead was beauty like a star. Behind them
where they sat, the escarpment reared back in cramped per-
spective, a pile of massive buttresses cleft with ravines leading
upward from that land of leaves and waters to the hidden
wintry flats of the Moruna.
That night they slept on the fell under the stars, and next
day, going down into the woods, came atdusk to an open glade
by the waters of the broad-bosomed Bhavinan. The turf was
like a cushion, a place for elves to dance in. The far bank
full half a mile away was wooded to the water with silver
birches, dainty as mountain nymphs, their limbs gleaming
through the twilight, their reflections quivering in the depths
of the mighty river. In the high air day lingered yet, a faint
warmth tingeing the great outlines of the mountains , and
westward up the river the young moon stooped above the trees .
East of the glade a little wooded eminence, no higher than a
house, ran back from the river bank, and in its shoulder a
hollow cave.
" How smiles it to thee ? " said Juss . " Be sure we shall
find no better place than this thou seest to dwell in until the
snows melt and we may on. For though it be summer all the
year round in this fortunate valley, it is winter on the great
hills, and until the spring we were mad to essay our enterprise."
“

Why then," said Brandoch Daha, turn we shepherds

awhile. Thou shalt pipe to me, and I'll foot thee measures
shall make the dryads think they ne'er went to school. And
Mivarsh shall be a goat-foot god to chase them ; for to tell thee
truth country wenches are long grown tedious to me. O, 'tis
a sweet life. But ere we fall to it, bethink thee, O Juss : time
marcheth, and the world waggeth : what goeth forward in
Demonland till summer be come and we home again ? "
"Also my heart is heavy because of my brother Spitfire, "
saidJuss. "O, 'twas an ill storm, and ill delays."
“

Away with vain regrettings," said Lord Brandoch Daha.

" For thy sake and thy brother's fared I on this journey, and
it is known to thee that never yet stretched I out mine hand
upon aught that I have not taken it, and had my will of it."
So they made their dwelling in that cave beside deep-
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
eddying Bhavinan, and before that cave they ate their Yule
feast, the strangest they had eaten all the days of their lives :
seated, not as of old, on their high seats of ruby or of opal, but
on mossy banks where daisies slept and creeping thyme ;
lighted not by the charmed escarbuncle of the high presence
chamber in Galing, but by the shifting beams of a brushwood
fire that shone not on those pillars crowned with monsters that
were the wonder of the world but on the mightier pillars of the
sleeping beechwoods. And in place of that feigned heaven of
jewels self-effulgent beneath the golden canopy at Galing, they
ate pavilioned under a charmed summer night, where the great
stars of winter, Orion, Sirius , and the Little Dog, were raised
up near the zenith, yielding their known courses in the southern
sky to Canopus and the strange stars of the south. When the
trees spake, it was not with their winter voice of bare boughs
creaking, but with whisper of leaves and beetles droning in
the fragrant air. The bushes were white with blossom, not
with hoar-frost, and the dim white patches under the trees were
not snow, but wild lilies and wood anemones sleeping in the
night.
All the creatures of the forest came to that feast, for they
were without fear, having never looked upon the face of man.
Little tree-apes , and popinjays, and titmouses, and coalmouses ,
and wrens, and gentle round-eyed lemurs, and rabbits, and
badgers, and dormice, and pied squirrels, and beavers from the
streams , and storks, and ravens, and bustards, and wombats ,
and the spider-monkey with her baby at her breast : all these
came to gaze with curious eye upon those travellers. And not
these alone, but fierce beasts of the woods and wildernesses :
the wild buffalo, the wolf, the tiger with monstrous paws, the
bear, the fiery-eyed unicorn, the elephant, the lion and she-lion
in their majesty, came to behold them in the firelight in that
quiet glade.
" It seems we hold court in the woods to-night," said Lord
Brandoch Daha. " It is very pleasant. Yet hold thee ready
with me to put some fire-brands amongst 'em if need befall.
'Tis likely some of these great beasts are little schooled in court
ceremonies ."
Juss answered, " And thou lovest me, do no such thing.
There lieth this curse upon all this land of the Bhavinan, that
whoso, whether he be man or beast, slayeth in this land or
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 KOSHTRA PIVRARCHA
doeth here any deed of violence, there cometh down a curse
upon him that in that instant must destroy and blast him for
ever off the face of the earth. Therefore it was I took away
from Mivarsh his bow and arrows when we came down from
Omprenne Edge, lest he should kill game for us and so a worse
thing befall him."
Mivarsh harkened not, but sat all a-quake, looking intently
on a crocodile that came ponderously out upon the bank. And
now he began to scream with terror, crying, " Save me ! let
me fly ! give me my weapons ! It was foretold me by a wise
woman that a cocadrill-serpent must devour me at last ! "
Whereat the beasts drew back uneasily, and the crocodile,
his small eyes wide, startled by Mivarsh's cries and violent
gestures, lurched with what speed he might back into the
water.

Now in that place Lord Juss and Lord Brandoch Daha and
Mivarsh Faz abode for four moons' space. Nothing they
lacked of meat and drink, for the beasts of the forest, finding
them well disposed, brought them of their store. Moreover,
there came flying from the south, about the ending of the year,
amartlet which alighted in Juss's bosom and said to him, " The
gentle Queen Sophonisba, fosterling of the Gods, had news of
your coming. And because she knoweth you both mighty
men of your hands and high of heart, therefore by me she
sent you greeting."
Juss said, " O little martlet, we would see thy Queen face
to face, and thank her."
" Ye must thank her," said the bird, " in Koshtra Belorn."
Brandoch Daha said, " That shall we fulfil. Thither only
do our thoughts intend."
" Your greatness," said the martlet, " must approve that
word. And know that it is easier to lay under you all the world
in arms than to ascend up afoot into that mountain."
“

Thywingsweretoo weak to lift me, else I'd borrow them,"

said Brandoch Daha.
But the martlet answered, " Not the eagle that flieth against
the sun may alight on Koshtra Belorn. No foot may tread
her, save of those blessed ones to whom the Gods gave leave
ages ago, till they be come that the patient years await : men
like unto the Gods in beauty and in power, who of their own
165
 THE WORM OUROBOROS

might and main, unholpen by magic arts, shall force a passage

up to her silent snows.
Brandoch Daha laughed. " Not the eagle ? " he cried,
" but thou, little flitter-jack ? "
"

Nought that hath feet," said the martlet. " I have

none."
The Lord Brandoch Daha took it tenderly in his hand and
held it high in the air, looking to the high lands in the south.
The birches swaying by the Bhavinan were not more graceful
nor the distant mountain-crags behind them more untameable
to behold than he. " Fly to thy Queen," he said, " and say
thou spakest with Lord Juss beside the Bhavinan and with
Lord Brandoch Daha of Demonland. Say unto her that we
be they that were for to come; and that we, of our own might
and main, ere spring be well turned summer, will come up to
her in Koshtra Belorn to thank her for her gracious sendings."
Now when it was April, and the sun moving among the
signs of heaven was about departing out ofAries and entering
intoTaurus, and the melting ofthe snows in the high mountains
had swollen all the streams to spate, filling the mighty river so
that he brimmed his banks and swept by like a tide-race, Lord
Juss said, " Now is the season propitious for our crossing of the
flood of Bhavinan and setting forth into the mountains."
،،
Willingly," said Lord Brandoch Daha. " But shall's
walk it, or swim it, or take to us wings ? To me, that have
many a time swum back and forth over Thunderfirth to whet
mine appetite ere I brake my fast, 'tis a small matter of this
river stream howso swift it runneth . But with our harness and
weapons and all our gear, that were far other matter."
" Is it for nought we are grown friends with them that
do inhabit these woods ? " said Juss. " The crocodile shall
bear us over Bhavinan for the asking."
" It is an ill fish," said Mivarsh; " and it sore dislikes me."
" Then here thou must abide," said Brandoch Daha. " But
be not dismayed, I will go with thee. The fish may bear us
both at a draught and not founder."
" It was a wise woman foretold it me," answered Mivarsh,
" that such a kind of serpent must be my bane. Yet be it
according to your will. "
So they whistled them up the crocodile ; and first the Lord
166
KOSHTRA PIVRARCHA
Juss fared over Bhavinan, riding on the back of that serpent
with all his gear and weapons of war, and landed several
hundred paces down stream for the stream was very strong ;
and thereafter the crocodile returning to the north bank took
the Lord Brandoch Daha and Mivarsh Faz and put them across
in like manner. Mivarsh put on a gallant face, but rode as
near the tail as might be, fingering certain herbs from his
wallet that were good against serpents, his lips moving in
urgent supplication to his gods. When they were come ashore
they thanked the crocodile and bade him farewell and went
their way swiftly through the woods. And Mivarsh, as one
new loosed from prison, went before them with a light step,
singing and snapping his fingers .
Now had they for three days or four a devious journey
through the foot-hills, and thereafter made their dwelling for
forty days' space in the Zia valley, above the gorges. Here
the valley widens to a flat - floored amphitheatre, and lean
limestone crags tower heavenward on every side. High in the
south, couched above great gray moraines, the Zia glacier,
wrinkle-backed like some dragon survived out of the elder
chaos, thrusts his snout into the valley. Here out of his
caves of ice the young river thunders, casting up a spray
where rainbows hover in bright weather. The air blows sharp
from the glacier, and alpine flowers and shrubs feed on the
sunlight.
Here they gathered them good store of food. And every
morning they were afoot before the sunrise, to ascend
the mountains and make sure their practice ere they should
attempt the greater peaks. So they explored all the spurs of
Tetrachnampf and Islargyn, and those peaks themselves ; the
rock peaks of the lower Nuanner range overlooking Bhavinan ;
the snow peaks east of Islargyn : Avsek, Kiurmsur, Myrsu,
Byrshnargyn, and Borch Mehephtharsk, loftiest of the range,
by all his ridges, dwelling a week on the moraines of the
Mehephtharsk glacier above the upland valley of Foana ; and
westward the dolomite group of Burdjazarshra and the great
wall of Shilack .
Nowwere their muscles by these exercises grown like bands
of iron, and they hardy as mountain bears and sure of foot as
mountain goats. So on the ninth day of May they crossed the
Zia Pass and camped on the rocks under the south wall of
167
THE WORM OUROBOROS
Tetrachnampf nan Tshark. The sun went down, like blood,
in a cloudless sky. On either hand and before them, the snows
stretched blue and silent. The air of those high snowfields
was bitter cold. Aleague and more to the south a line of black
cliffs bounded the glacier-basin. Over that black wall, twelve
miles away, Koshtra Belorn and Koshtra Pivrarcha towered
against an opal heaven.
While they supped in the fading light, Juss said, " The
wall thou seest is called the Barriers of Emshir. Though
over it lieth the straight way to Koshtra Pivrarcha, yet is it
not our way, but an ill way. For, first, that barrier hath till
now been held unclimbable, and so proven even by half-gods
that alone assayed it. "
" I await not thy second reason," said Brandoch Daha.
" Thou hast had thy way until now, and now thou shalt give
me mine in this, to come with me to-morrow and show how
thou and I make of such barriers a puff of smoke if they stand
in the path between us and our fixed ends."
" Were it only this," answered Juss, " I would not gain-
say thee. But not senseless rocks alone are we set to deal
with if we take this road. Seest thou where the Barriers end
in the east against yonder monstrous pyramid of tumbled
crags and hanging glaciers that shuts out our prospect east-
away ? Menksur men call it, but in heaven it hath a more
dreadful name : Ela Mantissera, which is to say, the Bed of
the Mantichores. O Brandoch Daha, I will climb with thee
what unscaled cliff thou list, and I will fight with thee against
the most grisfullest beasts that ever grazed by the Tartarian
streams. But both these things in one moment of time, that
were a rash part and a foolish."
But Brandoch Daha laughed, and answered him, " To
nought else may I liken thee, O Juss, but to the sparrow-
camel. To whom they said, ' Fly,' and it answered, ' I cannot,
for I am a camel ' ; and when they said, ' Carry,' it answered,
' I cannot, for I am a bird.' "
" Wilt thou egg me on so much ? " said Juss.
،،

Ay," said Brandoch Daha, " if thou wilt be assish."

" Wilt thou quarrel ? " said Juss .
،،
Thou knowest me,'," said Brandoch Daha.
" Well," said Juss," thy counsel hath been right once and
saved us, for nine times that it hath been wrong, and my
168
 KOSHTRA PIVRARCHA
counsel saved thee from an evil end. If ill behap us, it shall
be set down that it had from thy peevish will original." And
they wrapped them in their cloaks and slept.
On the morrow they rose betimes and set forth south
across the snows that were crisp and hard for the frosts of
the night. The Barriers, as it were but a stone's-throw
removed, stood black before them ; starlight swallowed up
size and distance that showed only by walking, as still they
walked and still that wall seemed no nearer nor no larger.
Twice and thrice they dipped into a valley or crossed a raised-
up fold of the glacier ; till they stood at break of day below
the smooth blank wall frozen and bleak, with never a ledge in
sight great enough to bear snow, barring their passage south-
ward.
They halted and ate and scanned the wall before them.
And ill to do with it seemed. So they searched for an ascent,
and found at last a spot where the glacier swelled higher, a
mile or less from the western shoulder of Ela Mantissera.
Here the cliff was but four or five hundred feet high ; yet
smooth enow and ill enow to look on ; yet their likeliest
choice.
Some while it was ere they might get a footing on that
wall, but at length Brandoch Daha, standing on Juss's shoulder,
found him a hold where no hold showed from below, and
with great travail fought a passage up the rock to a stance
some hundred feet above them, whence sitting sure on a
broad ledge great enough to hold six or seven folk at a time
he played up Lord Juss on the rope and after him Mivarsh.
Anhour and a half it cost them for that short climb .
" The north-east buttress of Ill Stack was children's gruel
to this," said Lord Juss.
" There's more aloft," said Lord Brandoch Daha, lying
back against the precipice, his hands clasped behind his head,
his feet a-dangle over the ledge. " In thine ear, Juss : I
would not go first on the rope again on such a pitch for all the
wealth of Impland."
" Wilt repent and return ? " said Juss .
“

If thou'lt be last down," he answered. " If not, I'd

liever risk what waits untried above us. If it prove worse,
I am confirmed atheist ."
Lord Juss leaned out, holding by the rock with his right
169
THE WORM OUROBOROS
hand, scanning the wall beside and above them. An instant
he hung so, then drew back. His square jaw was set, and
his teeth glinted under his dark moustachios something
fiercely, as a thunder-beam betwixt dark sky and sea in a
night of thunder. His nostrils widened, as of a war-horse
at the call of battle ; his eyes were like the violet levin-brand,
and all his body hardened like a bowstring drawn as he grasped
his sharp sword and pulled it forth grating and singing from
its sheath.
Brandoch Daha sprang afoot and drew his sword,
Zeldornius's loom . " What stirreth ? " he cried. " Thou
look'st ghastly. That look thou hadst when thou tookest the
helm and our prows swung westward toward Kartadza Sound,
and the fate of Demonland and all the world beside hung in
thine hand for wail or bliss ."
" There's little sword-room," said Juss. And again he
looked forth eastward and upward along the cliff. Brandoch
Daha looked over his shoulder. Mivarsh took his bow and
set an arrow on the string.
،،

It hath scented us down the wind," said Brandoch Daha.

Small time was there to ponder. Swinging from hold to
hold across the dizzy precipice, as an ape swingeth from
bough to bough, the beast drew near. The shape of it was
as a lion, but bigger and taller, the colour a dull red, and
it had prickles lancing out behind, as of a porcupine ; its
face a man's face, if aught so hideous might be conceived
of human kind, with staring eyeballs, low wrinkled brow,
elephant ears, some wispy mangy likeness of a lion's mane,
huge bony chaps, brown blood-stained gubber-tushes grinning
betwixt bristly lips. Straight for the ledge it made, and as
they braced them to receive it, with a great swing heaved a
man's height above them and leaped down upon their ledge
from aloft betwixt Juss and Brandoch Daha ere they were well
aware of its changed course. Brandoch Daha smote at it a
great swashing blow and cut off its scorpion tail ; but it clawed
Juss's shoulder, smote down Mivarsh, and charged like a
lion upon Brandoch Daha, who, missing his footing on the
narrow edge of rock, fell backwards a great fall, clear of the
cliff, down to the snow an hundred feet beneath them.
As it craned over, minded to follow and make an end of
him, Juss smote it in the hinder parts and on the ham, shearing
170
KOSHTRA PIVRARCHA
away the flesh from the thigh bone, and his sword came with
a clank against the brazen claws of its foot. So with a horrid
bellow it turned on Juss, rearing like a horse ; and it was three
heads greater than a tall man in stature when it reared aloft,
and the breadth of its chest like the chest of a bear. The
stench of its breath choked Juss's mouth and his senses sickened,
but he slashed it athwart the belly, a great round-armed blow,
cutting open its belly so that the guts fell out. Again he
hewed at it, but missed, and his sword came against the rock,
and was shivered into pieces. So when that noisome vermin
fell forward on him roaring like a thousand lions, Juss grappled
with it, running in beneath its body and clasping it and thrust-
ing his arms into its inward parts, to rip out its vitals if so he
might. So close he grappled it that it might not reach him
with its murthering teeth, but its claws sliced off the flesh
from his left knee downward to the ankle bone, and it fell
on him and crushed him on the rock, breaking in the bones
of his breast. And Juss, for all his bitter pain and torment,
and for all he was well nigh stifled by the sore stink of the
creature's breath and the stink of its blood and puddings
blubbering about his face and breast, yet by his great strength
wrastled with that fell and filthy man-eater. And ever he
thrust his right hand, armed with the hilt and stump of his
broken sword, yet deeper into its belly until he searched out
its heart and did his will upon it, slicing the heart asunder
like a lemon and severing and tearing all the great vessels
about the heart until the blood gushed about him like a spring.
And like a caterpillar the beast curled up and straightened
out in its death spasms, and it rolled andfell from that ledge,
agreat fall, and lay by Brandoch Daha, the foulest beside the
fairest of all earthly beings, reddening the pure snow with
its blood. And the spines that grew on the hinder parts of the
beast went out and in like the sting of a new-dead wasp that
goes out and in continually. It fell not clean to the snow,
as by the care of heaven was fallen Brandoch Daha, but smote
an edge of rock near the bottom, and that strook out its brains .
There it lay in its blood, gaping to the sky.
Now was Juss stretched face downward as one dead, on
that giddy edge of rock. Mivarsh had saved him, seizing him
by the foot and drawing him back to safety when the beast
fell. A sight of terror he was, clotted from head to toe with
171
THE WORM OUROBOROS
the beast's blood and his own. Mivarsh bound his wounds
and laid him tenderly as he might back against the cliff, then
peered down a long while to know if the beast were dead
indeed.
When he had gazed downward earnestly so long that his
eyes watered with the strain, and still the beast stirred not,
Mivarsh prostrated himself and made supplication saying
aloud, " O Shlimphli, Shlamphi, and Shebamri, gods of my
father and my father's fathers, have pity of your child, if as
I dearly trow your power extendeth over this far and for-
bidden country no less than over Impland, where your child
hath ever worshipped you in your holy places, and taught
my sons and my daughters to revere your holy names, and
made an altar in mine house, pointed by the stars in manner
ordained from of old, and offered up my seventh-born son
and was minded to offer up my seventh-born daughter thereon,
in meekness and righteousness according to your holy will ;
but this I might not do, since you vouchsafed me not a seventh
daughter, but six only. Wherefore I beseech you, of your
holy names' sake, strengthen my hand to let down this my
companion safely by the rope, and thereafter bring me safely
down from this rock, howsoever he be a devil and an un-
believer ; O save his life, save both their lives. For I am
sure that if these be not saved alive, never shall your child
return, but in this far land starve and die like an insect that
dureth but for a day."
So prayed Mivarsh. And belike the high Gods were
moved to pity of his innocence, hearing him so cry for help
unto his mumbo-jumbos, where no help was ; and belike
they were not minded that those lords of Demonland should
there die evilly before their time, unhonoured, unsung. How-
soever, Mivarsh arose and made fast the rope about Lord
Juss, knotting it cunningly beneath the arms that it might
not tighten in the lowering and crush his breast and ribs,
and so with much ado lowered him down to the foot of the
cliff. Thereafter came Mivarsh himself down that perilous
wall, and albeit for many a time he thought his bane was
upon him, yet by good cragsmanship spurred by cold necessity
he gat him down at last. Being down, he delayed not to
minister to his companions, who came to themselves with
heavy groaning. But when Lord Juss was come to himself
172
KOSHTRA PIVRARCHA
he did his healing art both on himself and on Lord Brandoch
Daha, so that in a while they were able to stand upon their
feet, albeit something stiff and weary and like to vomit. And
itwas by then the third hour past noon.
While they rested, beholding where the beast mantichora
lay in his blood, Juss spake and said, " It is to be said of thee,
O Brandoch Daha, that thou to-day hast done both the worst
and the best. The worst, when thou wast so stubborn set
to fare upon this climb which hath come within a little of
spilling both thee and me. The best, whenas thou didst
smite off his tail. Was that by policy or by chance ? "
،،

Why," said he, " I was never so poor a man of my hands

that I need turn braggart. 'Twas handiest to my sword, and
it disliked me to see it wagging. Did aught lie on it ? "
66

" The sting of his tail," answered Juss , were competent

for thine or my destruction, and it grazed but our little finger. "
" Thou speakest like a book," said Brandoch Daha. " Else
might I scarce know thee for my noble friend, being berayed
with blood as a buffalo with mire. Be not angry with me,
if I am most at ease to windward of thee."
Juss laughed. " If thou be not too nice," he said, " go
tothe beast and dabble thyself too with the blood of his bowels .
Nay, I mock not ; it is most needful. These be enemies not
of mankind only, but each of other : walking every one by
himself, loathing every one his kind living or dead, so that in
all the world there abideth nought loathlier unto them than
the blood of their own kind, the least smell whereof they do
abhor as a mad dog abhorreth water. And 'tis a clinging
smell. So are we after this encounter most sure against
them."

That night they camped at the foot of a spur of Avsek, and

set forth at dawn down the long valley eastward. All day they
heard the roaring of mantichores from the desolate flanks of
Ela Mantissera that showed now no longer as a pyramid but
as a long-backed screen, making the southern rampart of that
valley. It was ill going, and they somewhat shaken. Day
was nigh gone when beyond the eastern slopes of Ela they came
where the white waters of the river they followed thundered
together with a black water rushing down from the south-west.
Below, the river ran east in a wide valley dropping afar to tree
173
THE WORM OUROBOROS
clad depths. In the fork above the watersmeet the rocks
enclosed a high green knoll, like some fragment of a kindlier
clime that over-lived into an age of ruin.
" Here, too," said Juss, " my dream walked with me. And
if it be ill crossing there where this stream breaketh into a
dozen branching cataracts a little above the watersmeet, yet
well I think 'tis our only crossing." So, ere the light should
fade, they crossed that perilous edge above the water-falls ,
and slept on the green knoll.
That knoll Juss named Throstlegarth, after a thrush that
waked them next morning, singing in a little wind-stunted
mountain thorn that grew among the rocks. Strangely sounded
that homely song on the cold mountain side, under the un-
hallowed heights of Ela, close to the confines of those enchanted
snows which guard Koshtra Belorn.
No sight of the high mountains had they from Throstle-
garth, nor, for a long while, from the bed of that straight steep
glen of the black waters up which now their journey lay.
Rugged spurs and buttresses shut them in. High on the left
bank above the cataracts they made their way, buffeted by the
wind that leaped and charged among the crags, their ears sated
with the roaring sound of waters, their eyes filled with the spray
blown upward. And Mivarsh followed after them. Silent
they fared, for the way was steep and in such a wind and such a
noise of torrents a man must shout lustily if he would be heard.
Very desolate was that valley, having a dark aspect and a ghast-
ful, such as a man might look for in the infernal glens ofPyri-
phlegethon or Acheron. No living thing they saw, save at
whiles high above them an eagle sailing down the wind, and
once abeast's form running in the hollow mountain side. This
stood at gaze, lifting up its foul human platter-face with
glittering eyes bloody and great as saucers ; scented its fellow's
blood, started, and fled among the crags .
So fared they for the space of three hours, and so, coming
suddenly round a shoulder of the hill, stood on the upper
threshold of that glen at the gates of a flat upland valley. Here
they beheld a sight todarken all earth's glories and strike dumb
all her singers with its grandeur. Framed in the crags of the
hillsides, canopied by blue heaven, Koshtra Pivrarcha stood
before them. So huge he was that even here at six miles'
distance the eye might not at a glance behold him, but must
174
KOSHTRA PIVRARCHA
sweep back and forth as over a broad landscape from the
ponderous roots of the mountain where they sprang black and
sheer from the glacier, up the vast face, where buttress was
pileduponbuttress and tower upon tower in a blinding radiance
of ice-hung precipice and snow-filled gully, to the lone heights
where like spears menacing high heaven the white teeth ofthe
summit-ridge cleft the sky. From right to left he filled nigh
a quarter of the heavens, from the graceful peak of Ailinon
looking over his western shoulder, to where on the east the
snowy slopes of Jalchi shut in the prospect, hiding Koshtra
Belorn.
They camped that evening on the left moraine of the High
Glacier of Temarm. Long spidery streamers of cloud, filmy as
the gauze of a lady's veil, blew eastward from the spires on the
ridge, signs of wild weather aloft.
Juss said, " Glassy clear is the air. That forerunneth
not fair weather ."
" Well, time shall wait for us if need be," said Brandoch
Daha. " So mightily my desire crieth unto me from those
horns of ice that, having once looked on them, I had as lief
die as leave them unclimbed. But ofthee, O Juss, I make some
marvel. Thou wast bidden inquire in Koshtra Belorn, and
sure she were easier won than Koshtra Pivrarcha, going behind
Jalchi by the snowfields and so avoiding her great western cliffs ."
" There is a saw in Impland," answered Juss, " " Ware of
a tall wife.' Even so there lieth a curse on any that shall
attempt Koshtra Belorn that hath not first looked down upon
her; and he shall have his death or ever he have his will. And
from one point only of earth may a man look down on Koshtra
Belorn ; and 'tis from yonder unascended tooth of ice where
thou seest the last beam burn. For that is the topmost pinnacle
of Koshtra Pivrarcha. And it is the highest point of the
stablished earth."
They were silent a minute's space. Then Juss spake :
" Thou wast ever greatest amongst us as a mountaineer.
Which way likes thee best for our climbing up him ? "
66
" O Juss," said Brandoch Daha, on ice and snow thou
art my master. Therefore give me thy rede. For mine own
choice and pleasure, I have settled it this hour and more :
namely to ascend into the gap between the two mountains ,
and thence turn westward up the east ridge of Pivrarcha. "
175
THE WORM OUROBOROS
" It is the fearsomest climb to look on," said Juss, " and
belike the grandest, and for both counts I had wagered it thy
choice. That gap hight the Gates of Zimiamvia. It, and the
Koshtra glacier that runneth up to it, lieth under the weird
I told thee of. It were our death to adventure there ere we had
looked down upon Koshtra Belorn ; which done, the charm
is broke for us, and from that time forth it needeth but our own
might and skill and a high heart to accomplish whatsoever we
desire."
66

Why then, the great north buttress," cried Brandoch

Daha. " So shall she not behold us as we climb, until we come
forth on the highest tooth and overlook her and tame her to
our will."
So they supped and slept. But the wind cried among the
crags all night long, and in the morning snow and sleet blotted
out the mountains. All day the storm held, and in a lull they
struck camp and came down again to Throstlegarth, and there
abode nine days and nine nights in wind and rain and battering
hail.
On the tenth day the weather abated, and they went up
and crossed the glacier and lodged them in a cave in the rock
at the foot of the great north buttress of Koshtra Pivrarcha.
At dawn Juss and Brandoch Daha went forth to survey the
prospect. They crossed the mouth of the steep snow-choked
valley that ran up to the main ridge betwixt Ashnilan on the
west and Kosintra Pivrarcha on the east, rounded the base of
Ailinon, and climbed from the west to a snow saddle some three
thousand feet up the ridge of that mountain, whence they might
view the buttress and choose their way for their attempt.
" 'Tis a two days' journey to the top," said Lord Brandoch
Daha. " If night on the ridge freeze us not to death, I dread
no other hindrance. That black rib that riseth half a mile
above our camp, shall take us clean up to the crest of the
buttress, striking it above the great tower at the northern end.
If the rocks be like those we camped on, hard as diamond and
rough as a sponge, they shall not fail us but by our own neglect.
As I live, I ne'er saw their like for climbing."
" So far, well," said Juss .
" Above," said Brandoch Daha, " I'd drive thee a chariot
until we come to the first great kick o' the ridge. That must
we round, or ne'er go further, and on this side it showeth ill
176
KOSHTRA PIVRARCHA
enough, for the rocks shelve outward. If they be iced, there's
work indeed. Beyond that, I'll prophesy nought, O Juss, for
I can see nought clear save that the ridge is hacked into clefts
and steeples. How we may overcome them must be put to the
proof. It is too high and too far to know. This only : where
we would go, there have we gone until now. And by that
ridge lieth, if any way there lieth, the way to this mountain top
that we crossed the world to climb . "

Next day with the first paling of the skies they arose all
three and set forth southward over the crisp snows. They
roped at the foot of the glacier that came down from the saddle,
some five thousand feet above them, where the main ridge dips
between Ashnilan and Koshtra Pivrarcha. Ere the brighter
stars were swallowed in the light of morning they were cutting
their way among the labyrinthine towers and chasms of the
ice-fall. Soon the new daylight flooded the snowfields of the
High Glacier of Temarm, dyeing them green and saffron and
palest rose. The snows of Islargyn glowed far away in the
north to the right of the white dome of Emshir. Ela Mantis-
sera blocked the view north - eastward. The buttress that
bounded their valley on the east plunged it in shadow blue as
a summer sea. High on the other side the great twin peaks of
Ailinon and Ashnilan, roused by the warm beams out of their
frozen silence of the night, growled at whiles with avalanches
and falling stones .
Juss was their leader in the ice-fall, guiding them now along
high knife-edges that fell away on either hand to unsounded
depths, now within the very lips of those chasms, along the
bases of the ice-towers. These, five times a man's height,
some square, some pinnacled, some shattered or piled with
the ruins of their kind, leaned above the path, as ready to fall
and overwhelm the climbers and dash their bones for ever down
to those blue-green secret places of frost and silence where the
chips of ice chinked hollow as Juss pressed onward, cutting his
steps with Mivarsh's axe. At length the slope eased and they
walked out on the unbroken surface of the glacier, and passing
by a snow-bridge over the great rift betwixt the glacier and
the mountain side came two hours before noon to the foot of the
rock-rib that they had scanned from Ailinon.
Now was Brandoch Daha to lead them. They climbed face
N 177
 THE WORM OUROBOROS
to the rock, slowly and without rest, for sound and firm as the
rocks were the holds were small and few and the cliffs steep .
Here and there a chimney gave them passage upward, but the
climb was mainly by cracks and open faces of rock, a trial of
main strength and endurance such as few might sustain for a
short while only : but this wall was three thousand feet in
height. By noon they gained the crest, and there rested on
the rocks too weary to speak, looking across the avalanche-
swept face of Koshtra Pivrarcha to the corniced parapet that
ended against the western precipices of Koshtra Belorn.
For some way the ridge of the buttress was broad and level.
Then it narrowed suddenly to the width of a horse's back, and
sprang skyward two thousand feet and more. Brandoch Daha
went forward and climbed a few feet up the cliff. It bulged
out above him, smooth and holdless. He tried it once and
again, then came down saying, " Nought without wings."
Then he went to the left. Here hanging glaciers overlooked
the face from on high, and while he gazed an avalanche of ice-
blocks roared down it. Then he went to the right, and here
the rocks sloped outward, and the sloping ledges were piled
with rubbish and the rocks rotten and slippery with snow and
ice. So having gone a little way he returned, and, " O Juss,"
he said," wilt take it right forth, and that must be by flying, for
hold there is none : or wilt go east and dodge the avalanche :
or west, where all is rotten and slither and a slip were our
destruction ? "
So they debated, and at length decided on the eastern road.
Itwas an ill step round the jutting corner ofthe tower, for little
hold there was, and the rocks were undercut below, so that a
stone or a man loosed from that place must fall clear at a bound
three or four thousand feet to the Koshtra glacier and there
be dashed in pieces. Beyond, wide ledges gave them passage
along the wall of the tower, that now swept inward, facing
south. Far overhead, dazzling white in the sunshine, the
broken glacier-edges and splinters jutted against the blue, and
icicles greater than a man hung glittering from every ledge :
a sight heavenly fair, whereof they yet had little joy, hastening
as they had not hastened in their lives before to be out of the
danger of that ice-swept face.
Suddenly was a noise above them like the crack of a giant
whip, and looking up they beheld against the sky a dark mass
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KOSHTRA PIVRARCHA
which opened like a flower and spread into a hundred fragments .
The Demons and Mivarsh hugged the cliffs where they stood,
but there was little cover. All the air was filled with the
shrieking of the stones, as they swept downwards like fiends
returning to the pit, and with the crash of them as they dashed
against the cliffs and burst in pieces. The echoes rolled and
reverberated from cliff to distant cliff, and the limbs of the
mountain seemed to writhe as under a scourge. When it was
done, Mivarsh was groaning for pain of his left wrist sore hurt
with a stone. The others were scatheless .
Juss said to Brandoch Daha, " Back, howsoever it dislike
thee."
Back they went; and an avalanche of ice crashed down
the face which must have destroyed them had they proceeded.
" Thou dost misjudge me," said Brandoch Daha, laughing.
" Give me where my life lieth on mine own might and main ;
then is danger meat and drink to me, and nought shall turn
me back. But here on this cursed cliff, on the ledges whereof
a cripple might walk at ease, we be the toys of chance. And
it were pure folly to abide upon it a moment longer."
" Two ways be left us," said Juss . " To turn back, and
that were our shame for ever ; and to essay the western
traverse ."
" And that should be the bane of any save of me and thee,"
said Brandoch Daha. " And if our bane, why, we shall sleep
sound."
" Mivarsh," said Juss, " is nought so bounden to this
adventure. He hath bravely held by us, and bravely stood
our friend. Yet here we be come to such a pass, I sore mis-
doubt me if it were less danger of his life to come with us
than seek safety alone."
But Mivarsh put on a hardy face. Never a word he spake,
but nodded his head, as who should say, " Forward."
" First I must be thy leech," said Juss. And he bound
up Mivarsh's wrist. And because the day was now far spent,
they camped under the great tower, hoping next day to reach
the top of Koshtra Pivrarcha that stood unseen some six
thousand feet above them .

Next morning, when it was light enough to climb, they

set forth. For two hours' space on that traverse not a moment
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
passed but they were in instant peril of death. They were
not roped, for on those slabbery rocks one man had dragged
a dozen to perdition had he made a slip. The ledges sloped
outward ; they were piled with broken rock and mud ; the
soft red rock broke away at a hand's touch and plunged at a
leap to the glacier below. Down and up and along, and down
and up and up again they wound their way, rounding the base
of that great tower, and came at last by a rotten gully safe to
the ridge above it.
While they climbed, white wispy clouds which had gathered
in the high gullies of Ailinon in the morning had grown to a
mass of blackness that hid all the mountains to the west.
Great streamers ran from it across the gulf below, joined and
boiled upward, lifting and sinking like a full-tided sea, rising
at last to the high ridge where the Demons stood and wrapping
them in a cloak of vapour with a chill wind in its folds, and
darkness in broad noon-day. They halted, for they might
not see the rocks before them. The wind grew boisterous,
shouting among the splintered towers. Snow swept powdery
and keen across the ridge. The cloud lifted and plunged again
like some great bird shadowing them with its wings. From
its bosom the lightning flared above and below. Thunder
crashed on the heels of the lightning, sending the echoes
rolling among the distant cliffs. Their weapons, planted in
the snow, sizzled with blue flame; Juss had counselled laying
them aside lest they should perish holding them. Crouched
in a hollow of the snow among the rocks of that high ridge of
Koshtra Pivrarcha, Lord Juss and Lord Brandoch Daha and
Mivarsh Faz weathered that night of terror. When night
came they knew not, for the storm brought darkness on them
hours before sun-down. Blinding snow and sleet and fire and
thunder, and wild winds shrieking in the gullies till the firm
mountain seemed to rock, kept them awake. They were
near frozen, and scarce desired aught but death, which might
bring them ease from that hellish roundelay.
Day broke with a weak gray light, and the storm died
down. Juss stood up weary beyond speech. Mivarsh said,
" Ye be devils, but of myself I marvel. For I have dwelt
by snow mountains all my days, and many I wot of that have
been benighted on the snows in wild weather. And not one
but was starved by reason of the cold. I speak of them that
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KOSHTRA PIVRARCHA
were found. Many were not found, for the spirits devoured
them."
Whereat Lord Brandoch Daha laughed aloud, saying, " O
Mivarsh, I fear me that in thee I have but a graceless dog.
Look on him, that in hardihood and bodily endurance against
all hardships of frost or fire surpasseth me as greatly as I
surpass thee. Yet is he weariest of the three. Wouldst
know why ? I'll tell thee: all night he hath striven against
the cold, chafing not himself only but me and thee to save us
from frost-bite. And be sure nought else had saved thy carcase."
By then was the mist grown lighter, so that they might
see the ridge for an hundred paces or more where it went up
before them, each pinnacle standing out shadowy and un-
substantial against the next succeeding one more shadowy
still. And the pinnacles showed monstrous huge through
the mist, like mountain peaks in stature.
They roped and set forth, scaling the towers or turning
them, now on this side now on that; sometimes standing on
teeth of rock that seemed cut off from all earth else, solitary
in a sea of shifting vapour ; sometimes descending into a
deep gash in the ridge with a blank wall rearing aloft on the
further side and empty air yawning to left and right. The
rocks were firm and good, like those they had first climbed
from the glacier. But they went but a slow pace, for the
climbing was difficult and made dangerous by new snow and
by the ice that glazed the rocks .
As the day wore the wind was fallen, and all was still
when they stood at length before a ridge of hard ice that shot
steeply up before them like the edge of a sword. The east
side of it on their left was almost sheer, ending in a blank
precipice that dropped out of sight without a break. The
western slope, scarcely less steep, ran down in a white even
sheet of frozen snow till the clouds engulfed it.
Brandoch Daha waited on the last blunt tooth of rock at
the foot of the ice-ridge. " The rest is thine," he cried to
Lord Juss. " I would not that any save thou should tread
him first, for he is thy mountain. "
" Without thee I had never won up hither," answered
Juss ; " and it is not fitting that I should have that glory to
stand first upon the peak when thine was the main achieve-
ment. Go thou before."
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 THE WORM OUROBOROS
" I will not," said Lord Brandoch Daha. " And it is not
so."
So Juss went forward, smiting with his axe great steps
just below the backbone of the ridge on the western side, and
Lord Brandoch Daha and Mivarsh Faz followed in the steps .
Presently a wind arose in the unseen spaces of the sky,
and tore the mist like a rotten garment. Spears of sunlight
blazed through the rifts. Distant sunny lands shimmered
in the unimaginable depths to the southward, seen over the
crest of a tremendous wall that stood beyond the abyss : a
screen of black rock buttresses seamed with a thousand gullies
of glistening snow, and crowned as with battlements with a
row of mountain peaks, savage and fierce of form, that made
the eye blink for their brightness : the lean spires of the
summit-ridge of Koshtra Pivrarcha. These, that the Demons
had so long looked up to as indistant heaven, now lay beneath
their feet. Only the peak they climbed still reared itself
above them, clear now and near to view, showing a bare beetling
cliff on the north-east, overhung by a cornice of snow. Juss
marked the cornice, turned him again to his step-cutting, and
in half an hour from the breaking of the clouds stood on that
unascended pinnacle, with all earth beneath him.
They went down a few feet on the southern side and sat
on some rocks. A fair lake studded with islands lay bosomed
in wooded and crag-girt hills at the foot of a deep-cut valley
which ran down from the Gates of Zimiamvia. Ailinon
and Ashnilan rose near by in the west, with the delicate
white peak of Akra Garsh showing between them. Beyond,
mountain beyond mountain like the sea.
Juss looked southward where the blue land stretched in
fold upon fold of rolling country, soft and misty, till it melted
in the sky. " Thou and I," said he, " first of the children
of men, now behold with living eyes the fabled land of Zimi-
amvia. Is that true, thinkest thou, which philosophers tell
us of that fortunate land : that no mortal foot may tread it,
but the blessed souls do inhabit it of the dead that be departed,
even they that were great upon earth and did great deeds
when they were living, that scorned not earth and the delights
and the glories thereof, and yet did justly and were not dastards
nor yet oppressors ? "
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KOSHTRA PIVRARCHA
" Who knoweth ? " said Brandoch Daha, resting his chin
in his hand and gazing south as in a dream. " Who shall say
he knoweth ? "
They were silent awhile. Then Juss spake saying, " If
thou and I come thither at last, O my friend, shall we remember
Demonland ? " And when he answered him not, Juss said,
" I had rather row on Moonmere under the stars of a summer's
night, than be a King of all the land of Zimiamvia. And I
had rather watch the sunrise on the Scarf, than dwell in glad-
ness all my days on an island of that enchanted Lake of Ravary,
under Koshtra Belorn ."
Now the curtain of cloud that had hung till now about
the eastern heights was rent into shreds, and Koshtra Belorn
stood like a bride before them, two or three miles to eastward,
facing the slanting rays of the sun. On all her vast precipices
scarce a rock showed bare, so encrusted were they with a
dazzling robe of snow. More lovely she seemed and more
graceful in her airy poise than they had yet beheld her. Juss
and Brandoch Daha rose up, as men arise to greet a queen in
her majesty. In silence they looked on her for some minutes.
Then Brandoch Daha spake, saying, " Behold thy bride,
O Juss."

183
 XIII : KOSHTRA BELORN

HOW THE LORD JUSS ACCOMPLISHED AT LENGTH HIS DREAM'S BEHEST,

TO INQUIRE IN KOSHTRA BELORN ; AND WHAT MANNER OF ANSWER
HE RECEIVED .

HAT night they spent safely, by favour of the Gods,

under the highest rags of Koshtra Pivrarcha, in a
T sheltered hollow piled round with snow. Dawn came
like a lily, saffron-hued, smirched with smoke-gray streaks
that slanted from the north. The great peaks stood as islands
above a main of level cloud, out of which the sun walked
flaming, a ball of red-gold fire. An hour before his face
appeared, the Demons and Mivarsh were roped and started
on their eastward journey. Ill to do with as was the crest of
the great north buttress by which they had climbed the
mountain, seven times worse was this eastern ridge, leading
to Koshtra Belorn. Leaner of back it was, flanked by more
profound abysses, deeplier gashed, too treacherous and too
sudden in its changes from sure rock to rotten and perilous :
piled with tottering crags, hung about with cornices of un-
certain snow, girt with cliffs smooth and holdless as a castle
wall. Small marvel that it cost them thirteen hours to come
down that ridge. The sun wheeled towards the west when
they reached at length that frozen edge, sharp as a sickle,
that was in the Gates of Zimiamvia. Weary they were, and
ropeless ; for by no means else might they come down from
the last great tower save by the rope made fast from above.
A fierce north-easter had swept the ridges all day, bringing
snow-storms on its wings. Their fingers were numbed with
cold, and the beards of Lord Brandoch Daha and Mivarsh
Faz stiff with ice.
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KOSHTRA BELORN
Too weary to halt, they set forth again, Juss leading. It
was many hundred paces along that ice-edge, and the sun
was near setting when they stood at last within a stone's throw
of the cliffs of Koshtra Belorn. Since before noon avalanches
had thundered ceaselessly down those cliffs. Now, in the
cool of the evening, all was still. The wind was fallen. The
deep blue sky was without a cloud. The fires of sunset
crept down the vast white precipices before them till every
ledge and fold and frozen pinnacle glowed pink colour, and
every shadow became an emerald. The shadow of Koshtra
Pivrarcha lay cold across the lower stretches of the face on
the Zimiamvian side. The edge of that shadow was as the
division betwixt the living and the dead.
" What dost think on ? " said Juss to Brandoch Daha, that
leaned upon his sword surveying that glory.
Brandoch Daha started and looked on him. Why," said
“

he, on this : that it is likely thy dream was but a lure, sent
thee by the King to tempt us on to mighty actions reserved
for our destruction. On this side at least 'tis very certain
there lieth no way up Koshtra Belorn. "
" What of the little martlet," said Juss, " who, whiles
we were yet a great way off, flew out of the south to greet us
with a gracious message ? "
" Well if it were not a devil of his," said Brandoch Daha.
" I will not turn back," said Juss . " Thou needest not
to come with me." And he turned again to look on those
frozen cliffs .
" No ? " said Brandoch Daha. " Nor thou with me.
Thou'lt make me angry if thou wilt so vilely wrest my words.
Only fare not too securely ; and let that axe still be ready in
thine hand, as is my sword, for kindlier work than step-
cutting. And if thou embrace the hope to climb her by
this wall before us, then hath the King's enchantery made
thee fey."
By then was the sun gone down. Under the wings of night
uplifted from the east, the unfathomable heights of air turned
a richer blue ; and here and there, most dim and hard to see,
throbbed a tiny point of light: the greater stars opening their
eyelids to thegathering dark. Gloom crept upward, brimming
the valleys far below like a rising tide of the sea. Frost and
stillness waited on the eternal night to resume her reign. The
185
THE WORM OUROBOROS
solemn cliffs of Koshtra Belorn stood in tremendous silence,
death-pale against the sky.
Juss came backward a step along the ridge, and laying his
hand on Brandoch Daha's, "Be still," he said, " and behold
this marvel." A little up the face of the mountain on the
Zimiamvian side, it was as if some leavings of the after-glow
had been entangled among the crags and frozen curtains of
snow. As the gloom deepened, that glow brightened and
spread, filling a rift that seemed to go into the mountain.
"
It is because of us," said Juss, in a low voice. " She is
afire with expectation of us. "
No sound was there save of their breath coming and going,
and of the strokes of Juss's axe, and of the chips of ice chinking
downwards into silence as he cut their way along the ridge.
And ever brighter, as night fell, burned that strange sunset
light above them. Perilous climbing it was for fifty feet or
more from the ridge, for they had no rope, the way was hard to
see, and the rocks were steep and iced and every ledge deep in
snow. Yet came they safe at length up by a steep short gully
to the gully's head where it widened to that rift of the wondrous
light. Here might two walk abreast, and Lord Juss and Lord
Brandoch Daha took their weapons and entered abreast into the
rift. Mivarsh was fain to call to them, but he was speechless.
He came after, close at their heels like a dog.
For some way the bed of the cave ran upwards, then dipped
at a gentle slope deep into the mountain. The air was cold,
yet warm after the frozen air without. The rose-red light
shone warm on the walls and floor of that passage, but none
might say whence it shone. Strange sculptures glimmered
overhead, bull-headed men, stags withhumanfaces, mammoths ,
and behemoths of the flood : vast forms and uncertain carved
in the living rock. For hours Juss and his companions pursued
their way, winding downward, losing all sense of north and
south. Little by little the light faded, and after an hour or
two they went in darkness : yet not in utter darkness , but as
of a starless night in summer where all night long twilight
lingers. They went a soft pace, for fear of pitfalls in the
way.
After a while Juss halted and sniffed the air. " I smell
new-mown hay," he said, " and flower-scents. Is this my
fantasy, or canst thou smell them too ? "
186
KOSHTRA BELORN
66

Ay, and have smelt it this half-hour past," answered

Brandoch Daha; " also the passage wideneth before us, and
the roof of it goeth higher as wejourney."
66

This," said Juss," is a great wonder."

They fared onward, and in a while the slope slackened,
and they felt loose stones and grit beneath their feet, and in a
while soft earth. They bent down and touched the earth,
and there was grass growing, and night-dew on the grass, and
daisies folded up asleep. A brook tinkled on the right. So
they crossed that meadow in the dark, until they stood below
a shadowy mass that bulked big above them. In a blind wall
so high the top was swallowed up in the darkness a gate stood
open. They crossed that threshold and passed through a
paved court that clanked under their tread. Before them a
flight of steps went up to folding doors under an archway.
Lord Brandoch Daha felt Mivarsh pluck him by the sleeve.
The little man's teeth were chattering together in his head for
terror. Brandoch Daha smiled and put an arm about him.
Juss had his foot on the lowest step .
In that instant came a sound of music playing, but of what
instruments they might not guess. Great thundering chords
began it, like trumpets calling to battle, first high, then low,
then shuddering down to silence ; then that great call again,
sounding defiance. Then the keys took new voices, groping in
darkness, rising to passionate lament, hovering and dying away
on the wind, until nought remained but a roll as of muffled
thunder, long, low, quiet, but menacing ill. And now out of
the darkness of that induction burst a mighty form, three
ponderous blows, as of breakers that plunge and strike on a
desolate shore ; a pause ; those blows again ; a grinding
pause ; a rushing of wings, as of Furies steaming up from
the pit ; another flight of them dreadful in its deliberation ;
then a wild rush upward and a swooping again ; confusion of
hell, raging serpents blazing through night sky. Then on a
sudden out of a distant key, a sweet melody, long-drawn and
clear, like a blaze of low sunshine piercing the dust-clouds
above a battle-field. This was but an interlude to the terror
of the great main theme that came in tumultuous strides up
again from the deeps, storming to a grand climacteric of fury
and passing away into silence. Now came a majestic figure,
stately and calm, born of that terror, leading to it again :
187
THE WORM OUROBOROS
battlings of these themes in many keys, and at last the great
triple blow, thundering in new strength, crushing all joy and
sweetness as with a mace of iron, battering the roots of life into
a general ruin. But even in the main stride of its outrage and
terror, that great power seemed to shrivel. The thunder-
blasts crashed weaklier, the harsh blows rattled awry, and the
vast frame of conquest and destroying violence sank down
panting, tottered and rumbled ingloriously into silence.
Like men held in a trance those lords of Demonland
listened to the last echoes of the great sad chord where that
music had breathed out its heart, as if the very heart of wrath
were broken. But this was not the end. Cold and serene as
some chaste virgin vowed to the Gods, with clear eyes which
see nought below high heaven, a quiet melody rose from that
grave of terror. Weak it seemed at first, a little thing after
that cataclysm ; a little thing, like spring's first bud peeping
after the blasting reign of cold and ice. Yet it walked un-
dismayed, gathering as it went beauty and power. And on a
sudden the folding doors swung open, shedding a flood of
radiance down the stairs .
Lord Juss and Lord Brandoch Daha watched, as men
watch for a star to rise, that radiant portal. And like a star
indeed, or like the tranquil moon appearing, they beheld after
a while one crowned like a Queen with adiadem of little clouds
that seemed stolen from the mountain sunset, scattering soft
beams of rosy brightness. She stood alone under that mighty
portico with its vast shadowy forms of winged lions in shining
stone black as jet. Youthful she seemed, as one that hath but
justbidden adieu to childhood, with grave sweet lips and grave
black eyes and hair like the night. Little black martlets perched
on her either shoulder, and a dozen more skimmed the air above
her head, so swift of wing that scarcely the eye might follow
them. Meantime, that delicate and simple melody mounted
from height to height, until in a while it burned with all the
fires of summer, burned as summer to the uttermost ember,
fierce and compulsive in its riot of love and beauty. So that,
before the last triumphant chords died down in silence, that
music had brought back to Juss all the glories of the mountains ,
the sunset fires on Koshtra Belorn, the first great revelation
of the peaks from Morna Moruna ; and over all these, as the
spirit of that music to the eye made manifest, the image of that
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KOSHTRA BELORN
Queen so blessed-fair in her youth and her clear brow's sweet
solemn respect and promise : in every line and pose of her fair
form, virginal dainty as a flower, and kindled from withinward
as never flower was with that divinity before the face of which
speech and song fall silent and men may but catch their breath
and worship.
When she spoke, it was with a voice like crystal : " Thanks
be and praise to the blessed Gods. For lo, the years depart ,
and the fated years bring forth as the Gods ordain. And ye
be those that were for to come."
Surely those great lords of Demonland stood like little boys
before her. She said again, " Are not ye Lord Juss and Lord
Brandoch Daha of Demonland, come up to me by the way
banned to all mortals else, come up into Koshtra Belorn ? "
Then answered Lord Juss for them both and said, " Surely,
O Queen Sophonisba, we be they thou namest."
Now the Queen carried them into her palace, and into a
great hall where was her throne and state. The pillars of the
hall were as vast towers, and there were galleries above them,
tier upon tier, rising higher than sight could reach or the light
of the gentle lamps in their stands that lighted the tables and
the floor. The walls and the pillars were of a sombre stone
unpolished, and on the walls strange portraitures : lions ,
dragons, nickers of the sea, spread-eagles , elephants, swans,
unicorns, and other, lively made and richly set forth with curious
colours ofpainting : all of giant size beyond the experience of
human kind, so that to be in that hall was as it were to shelter
in a small spot of light and life, canopied, vaulted, and embraced
by the circumambient unknown.
The Queen sate on her throne that was bright like the face
of a river ruffled with wind under a silver moon. Save for
those little martlets she was unattended. She made those lords
ofDemonland sit down before her face, and there were brought
forth by the agency of unseen hands tables before them and
precious dishes filled with unknown viands. And there played
a soft music, made in the air by what unseen art they knew not.
The Queen said, " Behold, ambrosia which the Gods do
eat and nectar which they drink ; on which meat and wine
myself do feed, by the bounty of the blessed Gods. And the
savour thereof wearieth not, and the glow thereof and the
perfume thereof dieth not for ever."
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
So they tasted of the ambrosia, that was white to look on
and crisp to the tooth and sweet, and being eaten revived
strength in the body more than a surfeit of bullock's flesh,
and of the nectar that was all afoam and coloured like the
inmost fires of sunset. Surely somewhat of the peace of the
Gods was in that nectar divine.
The Queen said, " Tell me, why are ye come ? "
Juss answered, " Surely there was a dream sent me, O
Queen Sophonisba, through the gate of horn, and it bade me
inquire hither after him I most desire, for want of whom my
whole soul languisheth in sorrow this year gone by : even after
my dear brother, the Lord Goldry Bluszco."
His words ceased in his throat. For with the speaking
of that name the firm fabric of that palace quivered like the
leaves of a forest under a sudden squall. Colour went from
the scene, like the blood chased from a man's face by fear, and
all was of a pallid hue, like the landscape which one beholds
of a bright summer day after lying with eyes closed for a space
face-upward under the blazing sun: all gray and cold, the
warm colours burnt to ashes. Withal, followed the appearance
of hateful little creatures issuing from the joints of the paving
stones and the great blocks of the walls and pillars : some like
grasshoppers with human heads and wings of flies, some like
fishes with stings in their tails, some fat like toads, some like
eels a-wriggling with puppy-dogs' heads and asses' ears :
loathly ones, exiles of glory, scaly and obscene.
The horror passed. Colour returned. The Queen sat
like a graven statue, her lips parted. After a while she said
with a shaken voice, low and with downcast eyes, " Sirs, you
demand of me a very strange matter, such as wherewith never
hitherto I have been acquainted. As you are noble, I beseech
you speak not that name again. In the name of the blessed
Gods, speak it not again. "
Lord Juss was silent. Nought good were his thoughts
within him .
In due time a little martlet by the Queen's command
brought them to their bed-chambers. And there in great beds
soft and fragrant they went to rest.
Juss waked long in the doubtful light, troubled at heart.
At length he fell into a troubled sleep. The glimmer of the
lamps mingled with his dreams and his dreams with it, so that
190
IN KOSHTRA BELORN .

191
THE WORM OUROBOROS
scarce he wist whether asleep or waking he beheld the walls
of the bed-chamber dispart in sunder, disclosing a prospect of
vast paths of moonlight, and a solitary mountain peak standing
naked out of a sea of cloud that gleamed white beneath the
moon. It seemed to him that the power of flight was upon
him, and that he flew to that mountain and hung in air behold-
ing it near at hand, and a circle as the appearance of fire round
about it, and on the summit of the mountain the likeness of a
burg or citadel of brass that was green with eld and surface-
battered by the frosts and winds of ages. On the battlements
was the appearance of a great company both men and women,
never still, now walking on the wall with hands lifted up as in
supplication to the crystal lamps of heaven, now flinging them-
selves on their knees or leaning against the brazen battlements
to bury their faces in their hands, or standing at gaze as night-
walkers gazing into the void. Some seemed men of war, and
some great courtiers by their costly apparel, rulers and kings
and kings' daughters, grave bearded counsellors, youths and
maidens and crowned queens. And whenthey went, and when
they stood, and when they seemed to cry aloud bitterly, all was
noiseless even as the tomb, and the faces of those mourners
pallid as a dead corpse is pallid.
Then it seemed to Juss that he beheld a keep of brass flat-
roofed standing on the right, a little higher than the walls, with
battlements about the roof. He strove to cry aloud, but it was
as if some devil gripped his throat stifling him, for no sound
came. For in the midst of the roof, as it were on a bench of
stone, was the appearance of one reclining; his chin resting in
his great right hand, his elbow on an arm ofthe bench, his cloak
about him gorgeous with cloth of gold, his ponderous two-
handed sword beside him with its heart-shaped ruby pommel
darkly resplendent in the moonlight. Nought otherwise
looked he than when Juss last beheld him, on their ship before
the darkness swallowed them ; only the ruddy hues of life
seemed departed from him, and his brow seemed clouded with
sorrow. His eye met his brother's, but with no look of recogni-
tion, gazing as if on some far point in the deeps beyond the star-
shine. It seemed to Juss that even so would he have looked
to find his brother Goldry as he now found him ; his head
unbent for all the tyranny of those dark powers that held him in
captivity : keeping like a God his patient vigil, heedless alike
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KOSHTRA BELORN

ofthe laments of them that shared his prison and of the menace
of the houseless night about him.
The vision passed ; and Lord Juss perceived himself in his
bed again, the cold morning light stealing between the hangings
of the windows and dimming the soft radiance of the lamps.
Now for seven days they dwelt in that palace. No living
thing they encountered save only the Queen and her little
martlets, but all things desirous were ministered unto them
by unseen hands and all royal entertainment. Yet was Lord
Juss heavy at heart, for as often as he would question the
Queen of Goldry, so she would ever put him by, praying him
earnestly not a second time to pronounce that name of terror.
At last, walking with her alone in the cool of the evening on
a trodden path of a meadow where asphodel grew and other
holy flowers beside a quiet stream, he said, " So it is, O Queen
Sophonisba, that when first I came hither and spake with
thee I well thought that by thee my matter should be well
sped. And didst not thou then promise me thy goodness
and grace from thee thereafter ? "
"This is very true," said the Queen.
" Then why," said he, " when I would question thee of
that I make most store of, wilt thou always daff me and put
me by ? "
She was silent, hanging her head. He looked sidelong
for a minute at her sweet profile, the grave clear lines of her
mouth and chin. " Of whom must I inquire," he said, " if
not of thee, which art Queen in Koshtra Belorn and must
know this thing ? "
She stopped and faced him with dark eyes that were like
a child's for innocence and like a God's for splendour. " My
lord, that I have put thee off, ascribe it not to evil intent.
That were an unnatural part indeed in me unto you of Demon-
land who have fulfilled the weird and set me free again to
visit again the world of men which I so much desire, despite
all my sorrows I there fulfilled in elder time. Or shall I
forget you are at enmity with the wicked house of Witchland,
and therefore doubly pledged my friends ? "
" That the event must prove, O Queen," said Lord Juss.
" O saw ye Morna Moruna ? " cried she. " Saw ye it in
the wilderness ? " And when he looked on her still dark and
0 193
 THE WORM OUROBOROS
mistrustful, she said, " Is this forgot ? And methought it
should be mention and remembrance made thereof unto the
end of the world. I pray thee, my lord, what age art thou ? "
" I have looked upon this world," answered Lord Juss,
‫دو‬
" for thrice ten years.'
" And I," said the Queen," but seventeen summers . Yet
that same age had I when thou wast born, and thy grandsire
before thee, and his before him. For the Gods gave me youth
for ever more, when they brought me hither after the realm-
rape that befell our house, and lodged me in this mountain."
She paused, and stood motionless, her hands clasped lightly
before her, her head bent, her face turned a little away so
that he saw only the white curve of her neck and her cheek's
soft outline. All the air was full of sunset, though no sun
was there, but a scattered splendour only, shed from the high
roof of rock that was like a sky above them self-effulgent.
Very softly she began again to speak, the crystal accents of
her voice sounding like the faint notes of a bell borne from
a great way off on the quiet air of a summer evening. " Surely
time past is gone by like a shadow since those days, when
I was Queen in Morna Moruna, dwelling there with my lady
mother and the princes my cousins in peace and joy. Until
Gorice III . came out of the north, the great King of Witch-
land, desiring to explore these mountains, for his pride sake
and his insolent heart ; which cost him dear. 'Twas on
an evening of early summer we beheld him and his folk ride
over the flowering meadows of the Moruna. Nobly was he
entertained by us, and when we knew what way he meant to
go, we counselled him turn back, and the mantichores must
tear him if he went. But he mocked at our advisoes, and on
the morrow departed, he and his, by way of Omprenne Edge.
And" never
That again were they
had been smallseen
lossof
; living man. there befell a
but hereof
great and horrible mischief. For in the spring of the year
came Gorice IV. with a great army out of waterish Witchland,
saying with open mouth of defamation that we were the dead
King's murtherers : we that were peaceful folk, and would
not entertain an action should call us villain for all the wealth
of Impland. In the night they came, when all we save the
sentinels upon the walls were in our beds secure in a quiet
conscience. They took the princes my cousins and all our
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KOSHTRA BELORN

men, and before our eyes most cruelly murthered them. So

that my mother seeing these things fell suddenly into deadly
swoonings and was presently dead. And the King com-
manded them burn the house with fire, and he brake down
the holy altars of the Gods, and defiled their high places .
And unto me that was young and fair to look on he gave this
choice, to go with him and be his slave, other else to be cast
down from the Edge and all my bones be broken. Surely I
chose this rather. But the Gods, that do help every rightful
true cause, made light my fall, and guided me hither safe
through all perils of height and cold and ravening beasts ,
granting me youth and peaceful days for ever, here on the
borderland between the living and the dead.
" And the Gods blew upon all the land of the Moruna in
the fire of their wrath, to make it desolate, and man and beast
cut off therefrom, for a witness of the wicked deeds of Gorice
the King, even as Gorice the King made desolate our little
castle and our pleasant places. The face of the land was
lifted up to high airs where frosts do dwell, so that the cliffs
of Omprenne Edge down which ye came are ten times the
height they were when Gorice III . came down them. So
was an end of flowers on the Moruna, and an end there of
spring and of summer days for ever."
The Queen ceased speaking, and Lord Juss was silent for
a space, greatly marvelling.
66

Judge now," said she, " if your foes be not my foes. It

is not hidden from me, my lord, that you deem me but a
lukewarm friend and no helper at all in your enterprise. Yet
have I ceased not since ye were here to search and to inquire,
and sent my little martlets west and east and south and north
after tidings ofhim thou namedst. They are swift, even as wingy
thoughts circling the stablished world ; and they returned to me
on weary wings, yet with never a word of thy great kinsman. "
Juss looked at her eyes that were moist with tears. Truth
sat in them like an angel. " O Queen," he cried," why need
thy little minions scour the world, when my brother is here
in Koshtra Belorn ? "
She shook her head, saying, " This I will swear to thee,
there hath no mortal come up into Koshtra Belorn save only
thee and thy companions these two hundred years."
But Juss said again, " My brother is here in Koshtra
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
Belorn. Mine eyes beheld him that first night, hedged about
with fires. And he is held captive on a tower of brass on a
peak of a mountain." “
" There be no mountains here," said she, save this in
whose womb we have our dwelling."
" Yet so I beheld my brother," said Juss, " under the
white beams of the full moon."
" There is no moon here," said the Queen.
So Lord Juss rehearsed to her his vision of the night,
telling her point to point of everything. She harkened gravely,
and when he had done, trembled a little and said, " This is a
mystery, my lord, beyond my resolution."
She fell silent awhile. Then she began to say in a hushed
voice, as if the very words and breath might breed some
dreadful matter : " Taken up in a sending maleficial by King
Gorice XII . So it hath ever been, that whensoever there
dieth one of the house of Gorice there riseth up another in
his stead, and so from strength to strength. And death
weakeneth not this house of Witchland, but like the dandelion
weed being cut down and bruised it springeth up the stronger.
Dost thou know why ? "
He answered , " No."
" The blessed Gods," said she, speaking yet lower, " have
shown me many hidden matters which the sons of men know
not neither imagine. Behold this mystery. There is but One
Gorice. And by the favour of heaven (that moveth sometimes
in a manner our weak judgement seeketh in vain to justify)
this cruel and evil One, every time whether by the sword or
in the fulness of his years he cometh to die, departeth the
living soul and spirit of him into a new and sound body, and
liveth yet another lifetime to vex and to oppress the world,
until that body die, and the next in his turn, and so continually ;
having thus in a manner life eternal."
Juss said, " Thy discourse, O Queen Sophonisba, is in a
strain above mortality. This is a great wonder thou tellest
me ; whereof some little part I guessed aforetime, but the
main I knew not. Rightfully, having such a timeless life,
this King weareth on his thumb that worm Ouroboros which
doctors have from of old made for an ensample of eternity,
whereof the end is ever at the beginning and the beginning
at the end for ever more ."
196
KOSHTRA BELORN

" See then the hardness of the thing," said the Queen.
" But I forget not, my lord, that thou hast a matter nearer
thine heart than this : to set free him (name him not !) con-
cerning whom thou didst inquire of me. Touching this,
know it for thy comfort, some ray of light I see. Question
me no more till I have made trial thereof, lest it prove but a
false dawn. If it be as I think, 'tis a trial yet abideth thee
should make the stoutest blench."

197
 XIV : THE LAKE OF RAVARY

OF THE FURTHERANCE GIVEN BY QUEEN SOPHONISBA, FOSTERLING OF

THE GODS, TO LORD JUSS AND LORD BRANDOCH DAHA ; WITH
HOW THE HIPPOGRIFF'S EGG WAS HATCHED BESIDE THE EN-
CHANTED LAKE, AND WHAT ENSUED THEREFROM .

EXT day the Queen came to Lord Juss and Lord

Brandoch Daha and made them go with her, and
N Mivarsh with them to serve them, over the meadows
and down a passage like that whereby they had entered the
mountain, but this led downward. Ye may marvel," she
said, " to see daylight in the heart of this great mountain.
Yet it is but the hidden work of Nature. For the rays of the
sun, striking all day upon Koshtra Belorn and upon her robe
of snow, sink into the snow like water, and so soaking through
the secret places of the rocks shine again in this hollow chamber
where we dwell and in these passages cleft by the Gods to give
us ourgoings out and our comings in. And as sunset followeth
broad day with coloured fires, and moonlight or darkness
followeth sunset, and dawn followeth night ushering the
bright day once more, so these changes of the dark and light
succeed one another within the mountain."
They passed on, ever downward, till after many hours
they came suddenly forth into dazzling sunlight. They stood
at a cave's mouth on a beach of sand white and clean, that
was lapped by the ripples of a sapphire lake : a great lake,
sown with islets craggy and luxuriant with trees and flowering
growths. Many-armed was the lake, winding everywhere in
secret reaches behind promontories that were spurs of the
mountains that held it in their bosom : some wooded or green
with lush flower-spangled turf to the water's edge, some
198
THE LAKE OF RAVARY
with bare rocks abrupt from the water, some crowned with
rugged lines of crag that sent down scree-slopes into the
lake below. It was mid-afternoon, sweet-aired, a day of
dappled cloud-shadows and changing lights. White birds
circled above the lake, and now and then a kingfisher flashed
by like a streak of azure flame. That was a westward facing
beach, at the end of a headland that ran down clothed with
pine-forests with open primrose glades from a spur of Koshtra
Belorn. Northward the two great mountains stood at the head
of a straight narrow valley that ran up to the Gates of Zimi-
amvia. Vaster they seemed than the Demons had yet beheld
them, showing at but six or seven miles' distance a clear sixteen
thousand feet above the lake. Nor from any other point of
prospect were they more lovely to behold : Koshtra Pivrarcha
like an eagle armed, shadowing with wings, and Koshtra Belorn
as a Goddess fallen a-dreaming, gracious as the morning star
of heaven. Wondrous bright were their snows in the sunshine,
yet ghostly and unsubstantial to view seen through the hazy
summer air. Olive trees, gray and soft-outlined like embodied
mist, grew in the lower valleys ; woods of oak and birch and
every forest tree clothed the slopes ; and in the warmer folds
of the mountain sides belts of creamy rhododendrons straggled
upwards even to the moraines above the lower glaciers and
the very margin of the snows .
The Queen watched Lord Juss as his gaze moved to the
left past Koshtra Pivrarcha, past the blunt lower crest of
Gôglio, to a great lonely peak many miles distant that frowned
over the rich maze of nearer ridges which stood above the
lake. Its southern shoulder swept in a long majestic line of
cliffs up to a clean sharp summit ; northward it fell steeplier
away. Little snow hung on the sheer rock faces, save where
the gullies cleft them. For grace and beauty scarce might
Koshtra Belorn herself surpass that peak : but terrible it
looked, and as a mansion of old night, that not high noon-day
could wholly dispossess of darkness.
" There standeth a mountain great and fair," said Lord
Brandoch Daha, " which was hid in cloud when we were on
the high ridges. It hath the look of a great beast couchant."
Still the Queen watched Lord Juss, who looked still on that
peak. Then he turned to her, his hands clenched on the
buckles of his breast-plates. She said, " Was it as I think ? "
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
He took a great breath. " It was so I beheld it in the
beginning," he said, " as from this place. But here are we too
far off to see the citadel of brass, or know if it be truly there."
And he said to Brandoch Daha, " This remaineth, that we climb
that mountain."
" That can ye never do," said the Queen.
" That shall be shown," said Brandoch Daha.
66

List," said she. " Nameless is yonder mountain upon

earth, for until this hour, save only for me and you, the eye of
living man hath not looked upon it. But unto the Gods it
hath a name, and unto the spirits of the blest that do inhabit
this land, and unto those unhappy souls that are held in
captivity on that cold mountain top : Zora Rach nam Psarrion,
standing apart above the noiseless lifeless snow-fields that feed
the Psarrion glaciers ; loneliest and secretest of all earth's
mountains , and most accursed. O my lords," she said,
" Think not to climb up Zora. Enchantments ring round
Zora, so that ye should not get so near as to the edges of the
snow-fields at her feet ere ruin gathered you."
Juss smiled. " O Queen Sophonisba, little thou knowest
our mind, if thou think this shall turn us back."
" I say it," said the Queen," with no such vain purpose ;
but to show you the necessity of that way I shall now tell you
of, since well I know ye will not give over this attempt. To
none save to a Demon durst I have told it, lest heaven should
hold me answerable for his death. But unto you I may with
the less danger commit this dangerous counsel if it be true,
as I was taught long ago, that the hippogriff was seen of old in
Demonland."
" The hippogriff ? " said Lord Brandoch Daha. " What
else is it than the emblem of our greatness ? A thousand years
ago they nested on Neverdale Hause, and there abide unto this
day in the rocks the prints of their hooves and talons. He that
rode it was a forefather of mine and of Lord Juss."
" He that shall ride it again," said Queen Sophonisba, " he
only of mortal men may win to Zora Rach, and if he be
man enough of his hands may deliver him we wot of out of
bondage."
" O Queen," said Juss, " somewhat I know of grammarie
and divine philosophy, yet must I bow to thee for such learning,
that dwellest here from generation to generation and dost
200
THE LAKE OF RAVARY
commune with the dead. How shall we find this steed ? Few
they be, and high they fly above the world, and come to birth
but one in three hundred years . "
She answered, " I have an egg. In all lands else must such
an egg lie barren and sterile, save in this land of Zimiamvia
which is sacred to the lordly races of the dead. And thus
cometh this steed to the birth : when one of might and heart
beyond thewont of man sleepeth in this land with the egg in his
bosom, greatly desiring some high achievement, the fire of his
great longing hatcheth the egg, and the hippogriff cometh out
therefrom, weak-winged at first as thou hast seen a butterfly
new-hatched out his chrysalis. Then only mayst thou mount
him, and if thou be man enow to turn him to thy will he shall
bear thee to the uttermost parts of earth unto thine heart's
desire. But if thou be aught less than greatest, beware that
steed, and mount only earthly coursers. For if there be aught
of dross within thee, and thine heart falter, or thy purpose cool,
or thou forget the level aim of thy glory, then will he toss thee
to thy ruin. "
" Thou hast this thing, O Queen ? " said Lord Juss.
66

My lord," she said softly, " more than an hundred years

ago I found it, while I rambled on the cliffs that are about this
charmed Lake of Ravary. And here I hid it, being taught by
the Gods what thing I had found and knowing what was fore-
ordained, that certain of earth should come at last to Koshtra
Belorn. Thinking in my heart that he that should come
might be of those who bare some great unfulfilled desire, and
might be of such might as could ride to his desire on such
a steed."
They abode, talking little, by the charmed lake's shore till
evening. Then they arose, and went with her to a pavilion
by the lake, built in a grove of flowering trees. Ere they went
to rest, she brought them the hippogriff's egg, great as a man's
body, yet light of weight, rough and coloured like gold. And
she said, " Which of you, my lords ? "
Juss answered, " He, if might and a high heart should only
count ; but I, because my brother it is that we must free from
his dismal place."
So the Queen gave the egg to Lord Juss ; and he, bearing
it in his arms, bade her good-night, saying, " I need no other
laudanum than this to make me sleep."
201
THE WORM OUROBOROS
And the ambrosial night came down. And gentle sleep,
softer than sleep is on earth, closed their eyes in that pavilion
beside the enchanted lake.

Mivarsh slept not. Small joy had he of that Lake of

Ravary, caring for none of its beauties but mindful still of
certain lewd bulks he had seen basking by its shores all through
the golden afternoon. He had questioned one of the Queen's
martlets concerning them, who laughed at him and let him know
that these were crocodiles, wardens of the lake, tame and gentle
toward the heroes of bliss who resorted thither to bathe and
disport themselves . " But should such an one as thou," she
said, " adventure there, they would chop thee up at a mouthful. "
This saddened him. And indeed, little ease of heart had he
since he came out of Impland, and dearly he desired his home,
though it were sacked and burnt, and the men of his own
blood, though they should prove his foes. And well he
thought that if Juss should fly with Brandoch Daha mounted
on hippogriff to that cold mountain top where souls of
the great were held in bondage, he should never win back
alone to the world of men, past the frozen mountains, and
the mantichores, and past the crocodile that dwelt beside
Bhavinan .
He lay awake an hour or twain, weeping quietly, until out
of the giant heart of midnight came to him with fiery clearness
the words of the Queen, saying that by the heat ofgreat longing
in his heart that claspeth it must that egg be hatched, and that
that man should then mount and ride on the wind unto his
heart's desire. Therewith Mivarsh sat up, his hands clammy
with mixed fear and longing. It seemed to him, awake and
alone among the sleepers in that breathless night, that no
longing could be greater than his longing. He said in his
66

heart, I will arise, and take the egg privily from the devil
transmarine and clasp it myself. I do him no wrong thereby,
for said she not it was perilous ? Also every man raketh the
embers to his own cake ."
So he arose, and came secretly to Juss where he lay with his
strong arms circling the egg. A beam of the moon came in
by a window, shining on the face of Juss, that was as the face
ofa God. Mivarsh bent over him and teased the egg gently
from his embrace, praying fervently the while. And, for Juss
202
THE LAKE OF RAVARY
was in a profound slumber, his soul mounting in vision far
from earth, far from that shore divine, to lone regions where
Goldry watched still in frozen mournful patience on the heights
of Zora, at last Mivarsh gat the egg and bare it to his bed.
Very warm it was, crackling to his ear as he embraced it, as of
a power moving from withinwards .
In such wise Mivarsh fell asleep, clasping the egg as a man
should clasp his dearest. And a little before dawn it hatched
in his arms and fell asunder, and he started awake, his arms
about the neck of a strange steed. It went forth into the pale
light before the sunrise, and he with it, holding it fast. The
sheen of its hair was like the peacock's neck ; its eyes like the
changing fires of a star of a windy night. Its nostrils widened
to the breath of the dawn. Its wings unfolded and grew stiff,
their feathers like the tail-feathers of the peacock pheasant,
white with purple eyes, and hard to the touch as iron blades .
Mivarsh was mounted on its back, seizing the shining mane
with both hands, trembling. And now was he fain to
descend, but the hippogriff snorted and reared, and he,
fearing a great fall, clung closer. It stamped with its silver
hoofs, flapping its wings, ramping like a lioness, tearing up
the grass with its claws. Mivarsh screamed, torn between
hope and fear. It plunged forward and leaped into the air
and flew.
The Demons , waked by the whirring of wings, rushed from
the pavilion, to behold that marvel flown against the obscure
west. Wild was its flight, like a snipe dipping and plunging .
And while they looked, they saw the rider flung from his seat
andheard, some moments after, a dull flop and splash of a body
fallen in the lake.
The wild steed vanished, winging toward the upper air.
Rings ran outward from the splash, troubling the surface of
the lake, marring the dark reflection of Zora Rach mirrored
in the sleeping waters .
" Poor Mivarsh ! " cried Lord Brandoch Daha. " After all
the weary leagues I made him go with me." And he threw off
his cloak, took a dagger in his teeth, and swam with great over-
arm strokes out to the spot where Mivarsh fell. But nought
he found of Mivarsh. Only he saw near by on an island beach
a crocodile, big and bloated, that eyed him guiltily and stayed
not for his coming, but lumbering into the water dived and
203
THE WORM OUROBOROS
disappeared. So Brandoch Daha turned and swam ashore
again.
Lord Juss stood as a man stricken to stone. As one
despaired he turned to the Queen, who now came forth to
them wrapped in a mantle of swansdown ; yet high he held his
head. " O Queen Sophonisba, here is that secret glome or
bottom of our days, come when we sniffed the sweetness of
the morning."
"

My lord," said she, " the flies hemerae take life with
the sun and die with the dew. But thou, if thou be truly great,
join not hands with desperation. Let the sad ending of this
poor servant of thine be to thee a monument against such folly.
Earth is not ruined for a single shower. Come back with me to
Koshtra Belorn . "
He looked at the grand peak of Zora, dark against the
66

wakening east. Madam," he said, " thou hast little more

than half my years, and yet by another computation thou art
seven times mine age. I am not light of will, nor thou shalt not
find me a fool to thee. Let us go back to Koshtra Belorn."
They brake their fast quietly and returned by the way they
came. And the Queen said, " My lords Juss and Brandoch
Daha, there be few steeds of such a kind to carry you to Zora
Rach nam Psarrion, and not ye, though ye be beyond the half-
gods in your might and virtue, might have power to ride them
but if ye take them from the egg. So high they fly, so shy
they are, ye should not catch them though ye waited ten men's
lifetimes. I will send my martlets to see if there be another
egg in the world. "
So she despatched them, north and west and south and east.
And in due time those little birds returned on weary wing, all
save one, without tidings .
" All have come back to me," said the Queen, save
Arabella alone. Dangers attend them in the world : birds
of prey, men that slay little birds for their sport. Yet hope
with me that she may come back at last."
But the Lord Juss spake and said, " O Queen Sophonisba,
tohope andwait lieth not in my nature, but to be swift, resolute,
and exact whensoever I see my way before me. This have
I ever approved, that the strawberry groweth underneath the
nettle still. I will assay the ascent of Zora."
Nor might all her prayers turn him from this rashness,
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THE LAKE OF RAVARY
wherein the Lord Brandoch Daha besides did most eagerly
second him.
Two nights and two days they were gone, and the Queen
abode them in great trouble of heart in her pavilion by the
enchanted lake. The third evening came Brandoch Daha back
to the pavilion, bringing with him Juss that was like a man
at point of death, and himself besides deadly sick.
“

" Tell me not anything," said the Queen. Forgetfulness

is the only sovran remedy, which with all my art I will strive to
induce in thy mind and in his. Surely I despaired ever to see
you in life again, so rashly entered into those regions forbid."
Brandoch Daha smiled, but his look was ghastly. " Blame
us not overmuch, dear Queen. Who shoots at the mid-day sun,
though he be sure he shall never hit the mark, yet as sure he
is he shall shoot higher than who aims but at a bush." His
voice broke in his throat ; the whites of his eyes rolled up ;
he caught at the Queen's hand like a frightened child. Then
with a mighty effort mastering himself, " I pray bear with me
a little," he said. " After a little good meats and drinks taken
'twill pass. I pray look to Juss : is a dead, think you ? "
Days passed, and months, and the Lord Juss lay yet as it
were in the article of death tended by his friend and by the-
Queen in that pavilion by the lake. At length when winter
was gone in middle earth, and the spring far spent, back came
that last little martlet on weary wing, she they had long given
up for lost. She sank in her mistress's bosom, almost dead
indeed for weariness. But the Queen cherished her, and gave
her nectar, so that she gathered strength and said, " O Queen
Sophonisba, fosterling of the Gods, I flew for thee east and south
and west and north, by sea and by land, in heat and frost, unto
the frozen poles, about and about. And at the last came to
Demonland, to the range of Neverdale. There is a tarn among
the mountains, that men call Dule Tarn. Very deep it is, and
men that live by bread do hold it for bottomless. Yet hath it a
bottom, and on the bottom lieth an hippogriff's egg, seen by me,
for I flew at a great height above it."
" In Demonland ! " said the Queen. And she said to Lord
Brandoch Daha, " It is the only one. Ye must go home to
fetch it."
Brandoch Daha said, " Home to Demonland ? After we spent
our powers and crossed the world to find the way ? "
205
THE WORM OUROBOROS
But when Lord Juss knew of it, straightway with hope so
renewed began his sickness to depart from him, so that he was
in a few weeks' space very well recovered.
And it was now a full year gone by since first the Demons
came up into Koshtra Belorn.

206
 XV : QUEEN PREZMYRA
HOW THE LADY PREZMYRA DISCOVERED TO LORD GRO WHAT SHE WOULD
HAVE BROUGHT ABOUT FOR DEMONLAND , IN WHICH SHOULD
ALSO APPEAR HER LORD'S YET MORE GREATNESS AND ADVANCE-
MENT : AND HOW HER TOO LOUD SPEAKING OF HER PURPOSE
WAS THE OCCASION WHEREBY THE LORD CORINIUS WAS TO LEARN
THE SWEETNESS OF BLISS DEFERRED .

N that same twenty-sixth night of May, when Lord

Juss and Lord Brandoch Daha beheld from earth's
Ο loftiest pinnacle the land of Zimiamvia and Koshtra
Belorn, Gro walked with the Lady Prezmyra on the western
terrace in Carcë. It wanted yet two hours of midnight. The
air was warm, the sky a bower of moonbeam and starbeam .
Now and then a faint breeze stirred as if night turned in her
sleep. The walls of the palace and the Iron Tower cut off
the terrace from the direct moonlight, and flamboys spreading
their wobbling light made alternating regions of brightness
and gloom. Galloping strains of music and the noise of
revelry came from within the palace.
Gro spake : " If thy question, O Queen, overlie a wish
to have me gone, I am as lightning to obey thee howsoe'er it
grieve me." 66

" 'Twas an idle wonder only," she said. Stay and it

like thee."
" It is but a native part of wisdom," said he, " to follow
the light. When thou wast departed from the hall methought
all the bright lights were bedimmed." He looked at her side-
long as they passed into the radiance of a flamboy, studying
her countenance that seemed clouded with grievous thought.
Fair of all fairs she seemed, stately and splendid ; crowned
with a golden crown set about with dark amethysts . A figure
207
THE WORM OUROBOROS
of a crab-fish topped it above the brow, curiously wrought
in silver and bearing in either claw a ball of chrysolite the
bigness of a thrush's egg.
Lord Gro said, " This too was part of my mind, to behold
those stars in heaven that men call Berenice's Hair, and know
if they can outshine in glory thine hair, O Queen."
Theypaced on in silence. Then, " These phrases of forced
gallantry," she said, sort ill with our friendship, my Lord
Gro. If I be not angry, think it is because I father them on
the deep healths thou hast caroused unto our Lord the King
on this night of nights, when the returning year bringeth
back the date of his sending, and our vengeance upon
Demonland."
66

Madam," he said, " I would but have thee give over this
melancholy. Seemeth it to thee a little thing that the King
hath pleased so singularly to honour Corund thy husband as
give him a king's style and dignity and all Impland to hold
in fee ? All took notice of it how uncheerfully thou didst
receive this royal crown when the King gave it thee to-night,
in honour of thy great lord, to wear in his stead till he come
home to claim it; this, and the great praise spoke by the
King of Corund, which methinks should bring the warmth
of pride to thy cheeks. Yet are all these things of as little
avail against thy frozen scornful melancholy as the weak
winter sun availeth against congealed pools in a black
frost."
" Crowns are cheap trash to-day," said Prezmyra ; " whenas
the King, with twenty kings to be his lackeys, raiseth up now
his lackeys to be kings of the earth. Canst wonder if my
joyance in this crown were dashed some little when I looked
on that other given by the King to Laxus ? "
66
Madam," said Gro, " thou must forgive Laxus in his own
particular. Thou knowest he set not so much as a foot in
Pixyland; and if now he must be called king thereof, that
should rather please thee, being in despite of Corinius that
carried war there and by whatsoever means of skill or fortune
overcame thy noble brother and drave him into exile."
66
Corinius," she answered, " tasteth in that miss that
bane or ill-hap which I dearly pray all they may groan under
who would fatten by my brother's ruin."
" Then should Corinius's grief lift up thy joy," said Gro.
208
 QUEEN PREZMYRA
" Yet certain it is, Fate is a blind puppy : build not on her
next turn."
" Am not I a Queen ? " said Prezmyra. " Is not this
Witchland ? Have we not strength to make curses strong, if
Fate be blind indeed ? ‫יי‬
They halted at the head of a flight of steps leading down
to the inner ward. The Lady Prezmyra leaned awhile on
the black marble balustrade, gazing seaward over the level
marshes rough with moonlight. " What care I for Laxus ? "
she said at last. " What care I for Corinius ? A cast of
hawks flown by the King against a quarry that in dearworthiness
and nobility outshineth an hundred such as they. Nor I will
not suffer mine indignation so to witwanton with fair justice
as persuade me to put the wite on Witchland. It is most
true the Prince my brother practised with our enemies the
downthrow of our fortunes, breaking open, had he but known
it, the gate of destruction for himself and us, that night when
our banquet was turned by him to a battle and our winey
mirths to bloody rages." She was silent for a time, then said,
" Oathbreakers : a most odious name, flat against all humanity.
Two faces in one hood. O that earth would start up and
strike the sins that tread on her ! "
" I see thou lookest west over sea," said Gro.
" There's somewhat thou canst see, then, my Lord Gro,
by owl-light," said Prezmyra .
" Thou didst tell me at the time," he said, " with what
compliments in vows and strange well-studied promises of
friendship the Lord Juss took leave of thee at their escaping
out of Carcë . Yet art thou to blame, O Queen, if thou take
intoo ill part the breaking of such promises given in extremity,
which prove commonly like fish, new, stale, and stinking in
three days."
" Sure, 'tis a small matter," said she, " that my brother
should cast aside all ties of interest and alliance to save these
great ones from an evil death ; and they, being delivered, should
toss him a light grammercy and go their ways, leaving him
to be exterminated out of his own country and, for all they
know or reck, to lose his life. May the great Devil of Hell
torture their souls ! "
" Madam," said Lord Gro, " I would have thee view the
matter soberly, and leave these bitter flashes. The Demons
P 209
THE WORM OUROBOROS
did save thy brother once in Lida Nanguna, and his delivering
of them out of the hand of our Lord the King was but just
payment therefor. The scales hang equal."
She answered, " Do not defile mine ears with their excuses.
They have shamefully abused us ; and the guilt of their black
deed planteth them day by day more firmlier in my deeper-
settled hate. Art thou so deeply read in nature and her large
philosophy, and I am yet to teach thee that deadliest hellebore
or the vomit of a toad are qualified poison to the malice of a
woman ? "
The darkness of a great cloud-bank spreading from the
south swallowed up the moonlight. Prezmyra turned to
resume her slow pacing down the terrace. The yellow fiery
sparkles in her eyes glinted in the flamboys' flare. She looked
dangerous as a lioness, and delicate and graceful like an antelope.
Gro walked beside her, saying, " Did not Corund drive them
forth in winter on to the Moruna, and can they continue there
in life, alone amid so many devouring perils ? "
" O my lord," she cried, " say these good tidings to the
kitchen wenches, not to me. Why, thyself didst enter in
past years the very heart of the Moruna and yet camest off,
else art thou the greatest liar. This only cankerfrets my
soul : that days go by, and months, and Witchland beateth
down all peoples under him, and yet he suffereth the crown
of pride, these rebels of Demonland, to go yet untrodden
under feet. Doth he deem it the better part to spare a foe
and spoil a friend ? That were an unhappy and unnatural
conclusion. Or is he fey, even as was Gorice XI. ? Heaven
foreshield it, yet as ill an end may bechance him and utter
ruin come on all of us if he will withhold his scourge from
Demonland until Juss and Brandoch Daha come home again
to meet with him ."
66

Madam," said Lord Gro, " in these few words thou hast
given me the picture of mine own mind in small. And forgive
me that I bespake thee warily at the first, for these are matters
of heavy moment, and ere I opened my mind to thee I would
know that it agreed with thine. Let the King smite now,
in the happy absence of their greatest champions. So shall
we be in strength against them if they return again, and per-
chance Goldry with them."
She smiled, and it seemed as if all the sultry night freshened
210
QUEEN PREZMYRA
and sweetened at that lady's smile. " Thou art a dear com-
panion to me," she said. " Thy melancholy is to me as some
shady wood in summer, where I may dance if I will, and that
is often, or be sad if I will, and that is in these days oftener
than I would : and never thou crossest my mood. Save but
now thou didst so, to plague me with thy precious flattering
jargon, till I had thought thee skin-changed with Laxus or
young Corinius, seeking such lures as gallants spread their
wings to, to stoop in ladies' bosoms."
" For I would shake thee from this late-received sadness,"
said Gro. And he said, " Thou art to commend me too, since
I spake nought but truth."
"

Oh, have done, my lord," she cried," or I'll dismiss thee

hence." And as they walked Prezmyra sang softly :
He that cannot chuse but love,
And strives against it still,
Never shall my fancy move,
For he loves 'gaynst his will ;
Nor he which is all his own,
And can att pleasure chuse ;
When I am caught he can be gone,
And when he list refuse.
Nor he that loves none but faire,
For such by all are sought ;
Nor he that can for foul ones care,
For his Judgement then is naught ;
Nor he-

She broke off suddenly, saying, " Come, I have shook off
the ill disposition the sight of Laxus bred in me and of his
tawdry crown. Let's think on action. And first, I will tell
thee a thing. This we spoke of hath been in my mind these
two or three moons, ever since Corinius's campaigning in
Pixyland. So when word came of my lord's destroying of the
Demon host, and his driving of Juss and Brandoch Daha like
runaway thralls on the Moruna, I sent him a letter by the
hand of Viglus that bare him from our Lord the King the
king's name in Impland. Therein I expressed how that the
crown of Demonland should be a braver crown for us than this
of Impland, howsoe'er it sparkle, praying him urge upon the
King his sending of an armament to Demonland, and my lord
the leader thereof; or, if he could not as then come home to
211
THE WORM OUROBOROS
ask it, then I entreated him make me his ambassador to lay this
counsel before the King and crave the enterprise for Corund."
" Is not his answer in those letters I brought thee ? "
said Gro .
،،

Ay," said she, " and a very scurvy beggarly lickspittle

answer for a great lord to send to such a matter as I pro-
pounded. Alack, it puffs away all my wifely duty but to
speak on't, and makes me rail like a gangrel-woman.
" I'll walk apart, madam," said Gro," if thou wouldst have
privateness to deliver thy mind."
Prezmyra laughed. " "Tis not all so bad," she said, " and
yet it makes me angry. The enterprise he commends, up
to the hilt, and I have his leave to broach it to the King, as
his mouth-piece, and press it with him out of all ho. But
for the leading on't, he will not have it, he. Corsus must have
it, or Corinius . Stay, let me read it out," and standing near one
of the lights she took a parchment from her bosom. "Pooh!
'tis too fond ; I will not shame my lord to read it, even to thee."
66

Well," said Gro, were I the King, Corund should be

my general to put down Demonland. Corsus he may send,
for he hath done great work in his day, but in mine own
judgement I like him not for such an errand. Corinius he
hath not yet forgiven for his fault at the banquet a year ago."
" Corinius ! " said Prezmyra. " So his butchery of mine
own dear land goeth not only without reward, but hath not
so much as bought him back to favour, thou thinkest ? "
66

" I think not," said Lord Gro. Besides, he is mad

wroth to have plucked that prickly fruit but for another's
eating. He bare himself so presumptuous-ill in the hall
to-night, gleeking and galling at Laxus, slapping of his sword,
and with so many more shameless braves and wanton fashions,
and worst of all his most openly seeking to toy with Sriva, i'
this first month of her betrothal unto Laxus, it will be a wonder
if blood be not spilt betwixt them ere the night be done.
Methinks he is not i' the mood to take the field again without
some sure reward ; and methinks the King, guessing his mind,
would not offer him a new enterprise and so give him the glory
of refusing it."
They stood near the arched gateway that opened on the
terrace from the inner court. Music still sounded from the
great banquet hall of Gorice XI. Under the archway and in
212
QUEEN PREZMYRA
the shadows of the huge buttresses of the walls it was as though
theelements of gloom, expelled from the bright circles round the
flamboys , huddled with sister glooms to make a double darkness .
“

Well, my lord," said Prezmyra, " doth thy wisdom bless

my resolve ? "
" Whate'er it be, yes, because it is thine, O Queen."
" Whate'er it be ! " she cried. " Dost hang in doubt on't ?
What else, but seek audience with the King as my first care
in the morning. Have I not my lord's bidding so far ? "
" And if thy zeal outrun his bidding in one particular ? "
said Gro .
66

Why, just ! " said she. " And if I bring thee not word
ere to-morrow's noon that order is given for Demonland, and
my Lord Corund named his general for that sailing, ay, and
letters sealed for his straight recall from Orpish-
" Hist ! " said Gro. Steps i' the court."
They turned towards the archway, Prezmyra singing under
her breath :
Nor he that still his Mistresse payes,
For she is thrall'd therefore ;
Nor he that payes not, for he sayes
Within, shee's worth no more.
Is there then no kinde of men
Whom I may freely prove ?
I will vent that humour then
In mine own selfe love.

Corinius met them in the gateway, coming from the banquet

house. He halted full in their path to peer closely through the
darkness at Prezmyra, so that she felt the heat of his breath,
heavy with wine. It was too dark to know faces but he knew
her by her stature and bearing.
“ “

Cry thee mercy, madam," he said. Methought an

instant 'twas-but no matter. Your best of rest."
So saying he made way for her with a deep obeisance,
jostling roughly against Gro with the same motion. Gro,
little minded for a quarrel, gave him the wall, and followed
Prezmyra into the inner court.
The Lord Corinius sat him down on the nearest of the
benches, leaned his stalwart back luxuriously upon the cushions
and there rested, thripping his fingers and singing to himself :
213
THE WORM OUROBOROS
What an Ass is he
Waits a woman's leisure
For a minutes pleasure,
And perhaps may be
Gull'd at last, and lose her ;
What an ass is he ?

What need I to care

For a woman's favour ?
If another have her,
Why should I despair ?
When for gold and labour
I can have my share.
If I chance to see
One that's brown, I love her,
Till I see another
Browner is than she ;
For I am a lover
Ofmy liberty.
A rustle behind him on his left made him turn his head.
A figure stole out of the deep shadow of the buttress nearest
the archway. He leapt up and was first in the gate, blocking
it with open arms. " Ah," he cried, " so titmice roost i' the
shade, ha ? What ransom shall I have of thee for making me
keep empty tryst last night ? Ay, and wast creeping hence to
make me a fool once more the night-long and I had not caught
thee."
The lady laughed. " Last night my father kept me by
him ; and to-night, my lord, wouldst thou not have been fitly
served for thy shameless ditty ? Is that a sweet serenade for
ladies' ears ? Sing it again, to thy liberty, and show thyself
an ass ."
" Thou art very bold to provoke me, madam, with not even
a star to be thy witness if I quite thee for't. These flamboys
are old roisterers, grown gray in scenes of riot. They shall
not blab ."
" Nay, if thou speakest in wine I'm gone, my lord ; " and
as he took a step towards her, " and I return not, here or
otherwise, but fling thee off for ever," she said. " I will not
be entreated like a serving-maid. I have borne too long with
thy forced soldier fashions ."
214
QUEEN PREZMYRA
Corinius caught his arms about her, lifting her against
his broad chest so that her toes scarce kept footing on the
ground. " O Sriva," he said thickly, bending his face to hers,
" dost think to light so great a fire, and after walk through it
and not be scorched thereat ? "
Her arms were close pinioned at her sides in that strong
embrace. She seemed to swoon, as a lily swooning in the
flaming noon-day. Corinius bent down his face and kissed her
fiercely, saying, " By all the sweets that ever darkness tasted,
thou art mine to-night."
66

To-morrow," she said, as if stifled.

But Corinius said, " My dearest happiness, to-night."
“

My dear lord," said the Lady Sriva softly, " sith thou
hast made such a conquest of my love, be not a harsh and
froward conqueror. I swear to thee by all the dreadful powers
that clip the earth about, there's matter in it I should to my
father this night, nay more, now on the instant. 'Twas this
only made me avoid thee but now : this, and no light conceit
to vex thee."
" He can attend our pleasure," said Corinius. " 'Tis an
old man, and oft sitteth late at his book."
" How ? and thou leftest him carousing ? " said she.
" There's that I must impart to him ere the wine quite o'erflow
his wits. Even this delay, how sweet soe'er to us, is dangerous."
But Corinius said, " I will not let thee go."
،،

Well," said she, " be a beast, then. But know I'll cry
on a rescue shall make all Carcë run to find us, and my brothers,
ay, and Laxus , if he be a man, shall deal thee bitter payment
for thy violence toward me. But if thou wilt be thy noble self,
and respect my love with friendship, let me go. And if thou
come secretly to my chamber door, an hour past midnight ; I
think thou'lt find no bolt to it."
66

Ha, thou swearest it ? " he said.

She answered, " Else may steep destruction swallow me
quick."
" An hour past midnight. And until then 'tis a year in
my desires , " said he.
" There spoke my noble lover," said Sriva, giving him her
mouth once more. And swiftly she fared through the shadowy
archway and across the court to where in the north gallery
her father Corsus had his chamber.
215
THE WORM OUROBOROS
The Lord Corinius went back to his seat, and there reclined
for a space in slothful ease, humming to an old tune :
My Mistris is a shittle-cock,
Compos'd of Cork and feather ;
Each Battledore sets on her dock,
And bumps her on the leather.
But cast her off which way you Will,
She will requoile to another still-
Fa, la, la, la, la, la.
He stretched his arms and yawned. " Well, Laxus, my
chub-faced meacock, this medicine hath eased powerfully my
discontent. 'Tis but fair, sith I must miss my crown, that
I should have thy mistress. And to say true, seeing how base,
little, and ordinary a kingdom is this of Pixyland, and what a
delectable sweet wagtail this Sriva, whom besides I have these
two years past ne'er looked on but my mouth watered: why,
Imay hold me part paid for the nonce; until I weary of her.
Love is all my life,
For it keeps me doing :
Yet my love and wooing
Is not for a Wife-

"An hour past midnight, ha ? What wine's best for

lovers ? I'll go drink a stoup, and so to dice with some of
these lads to pass away the time till then."

216
 XVI : THE LADY SRIVA'S
EMBASSAGE

HOW THE DUKE CORSUS THOUGHT IT PROPER TO COMMIT AN ERRAND

OF STATE UNTO HIS DAUGHTER : AND HOW SHE PROSPERED THEREIΝ .

RIVA fared swiftly to her father's closet, and finding

her lady mother sewing in her chair, nodding toward
S sleep, two candles at her left and right, she said, " My
lady mother, there's a queen's crown waits the plucking.
'
Twill drop into the foreign woman's lap if thou and my father
bestir you not. Where is he ? Still i' the banquet house ?
Thou or I must fetch him on the instant."
" Fie ! " cried Zenambria. " How thou'st startled me ! Fall
somewhat into a slower speech, my girl. With such wild
sudden talk I know not what thou meanest nor what's the
matter."
But Sriva answered, " Matter of state. Thou goest not ?
Good, then I fetch him. Thou shalt hear all anon, mother ; "
and so turned towards the door. Nor might all her mother's
crying out upon the scandal of their so returning to the banquet
long past the hour of the women's withdrawal turn her from
this. So that the Lady Zenambria, seeing her so wilful,
thought it less evil to go herself ; and so went, and in awhile
returned with Corsus.
Corsus sat in his great chair over against his lady wife,
while his daughter told her tale.
" Twice and thrice," said she, " they passed me by, as
near as I stand to thee, O my father, she leaning most familiarly
on the arm of her curled philosopher. 'Twas plain they
had never a thought that any was by to overhear them. She
said so and so ; " and therewith Sriva told all that was spoke
217
THE WORM OUROBOROS
by the Lady Prezmyra as to an expedition to Demonland, and
as to her purposed speaking with the King, and as to her design
that Corund should be his general for that sailing, and letters
sealed on the morrow for his straight recall from Orpish .
The Duke listened unmoved, breathing heavily, leaning
heavily forward, his elbow on his knees, one great fat hand
twisting and pushing back the sparse gray growth of his
moustachios. His eyes shifted with sullen glance about the
chamber, and his blabber cheeks, scarlet from the feast, flushed
to a deeper hue.
Zenambria said, " Alas, and did not I tell thee long ago,
my lord, that Corund did ill to wed with a young wife ? And
thence cometh now that shame that was but to be looked for .
It is pity indeed of so goodly a man, now past his prime age,
she should so play at fast and loose with his honour, and he at
the far end of the world. Indeed and indeed, I hope he will
revenge it on her at his coming home. For sure I am, Corund
is too high-minded to buy advancement at so shameful a price."
66

Thy talk, wife," said Corsus, " showeth long hair and
a short wit. In brief, thou art a fool."
He was silent for a space, then raised his gaze to Sriva,
where she rested, her back to the massive table, half standing,
half sitting, a dainty jewel-besparkled hand planted on the
table's edge at her either side, her arms like delicate white
pillars supporting that fair frame. Somewhat his dull eye
،،

brightened, resting on her. Come hither," he said, " on my

knee : so."
When she was seated, " 'Tis a brave gown," said he, " thou
wearest to-night, my pretty pug. Red, for a sanguine humour."
His great arm gave her a back, and his hand, huge as a platter,
lay like a buckler beneath her breast. " Thou smell'st passing
sweet ."
" 'Tis malabathrum in the leaf," answered she. “

" I'm glad it likes thee, my lord," said Zenambria. My

woman still protesteth that such, being boiled with wine,
yieldeth a perfume that passeth all other."
Corsus still looked on Sriva. After a while he asked,
" What madest thou on the terrace i' the dark, ha ? "
She looked down, saying, " It was Laxus prayed me meet
him there ."
“
" Hum ! " said Corsus , 'Tis strange then he should
218
 THE LADY SRIVA'S EMBASSAGE
await thee this hour gone by in the paved alley of the privy
court."
" He did mistake me," said Sriva. " And well is he served,
for such neglect."
" So. And thou turnest politician to-night, my little
puss-cat ? " said Corsus . " And thou smellest an expedition
to Demonland ? 'Tis like enow. But methinks the King will
send Corinius ."
" Corinius ? " said Sriva. " It is not thought so. 'Tis
Corund must have it, if thou push not the matter to a decision
with the King to-night, O my father, ere my lady fox be
private with him to-morrow."
" Bah ! " said Corsus. " Thou art but a girl, and knowest
nought. She hath not the full blood nor the resolution to
carry it thus. No, 'tis not Corund stands i' the light, it is
Corinius. It is therefore the King withheld from him Pixyland,
which was his due, and tossed the bauble to Laxus ."
"
Why, 'tis a monstrous thing," said Zenambria, " if
Corinius shall have Demonland, which surely much surpasseth
this crown of Pixyland. Shall this novice have all the meat,
and thou, because thou art old, have nought but the bones
and the parings ? "
" Hold thy tongue, mistress," said Corsus, looking upon
her as one looketh on a sour mixture. " Why hadst not the
wit to angle for him for thy daughter ? "
“

Truly, husband, I'm sorry for it," said Zenambria.

The Lady Sriva laughed, placing her arm about her father's
bullock-neck and playing with his whiskers. " Content thee,"
she said, " my lady mother. I have my choice, and that is very
certain, of these and of all other in Carcë. And now I bethink
me on the Lord Corinius, why, there's a proper man indeed :
weareth a shaven lip too, which, as experienced opinion shall
tell thee, far exceedeth your nasty moustachios."
Well," said Corsus, kissing her, " howe'er it shape, I'll
to the King to-night to move my matter with him. Mean-
while, madam," he said to Zenambria, " I'll have thee take thy
chamber straight. Bolt well the door, and for more safety
I will lock it myself o' the outer side. There's much mirth
toward to-night, and I'd not have these staggering drunken
swads offend thee, as full well might befall, whiles I am on
mine errand of state."
219
THE WORM OUROBOROS
Zenambria bade him good-night, and would have taken
her daughter with her, but Corsus said nay to this, saying, " I'll
see her safe bestowed."
When they were alone, and the Lady Zenambria locked
away in her chamber, Corsus took forth from an oaken cupboard
agreat silver flagon and two chasedgoblets. These he brimmed
with a sparkling yellow wine from the flagon and made Sriva
drink with him not once only but twice, emptying each time her
goblet. Then he drew up his chair and sinking heavily into it
folded his arms upon the table and buried his head upon them .
Sriva paced back and forth, impatient at her father's strange
posture and silence. Surely the wine lighted riot in her veins ;
surely in that silent room came back to her Corinius's kisses hot
upon her mouth, the strength of his arms like bands of bronze
holding her embraced. Midnight tolled. Her bones seemed
to melt within her as she bethought her of her promise, due
in an hour.
66

Father, " said she at last, " midnight hath stricken. Wilt
thou not go ere it be too late ? "
The Duke raised his face and looked at her. He answered
" No." " No," he said again, " where's the profit ? I wax old,
my daughter, and must wither. The world is to the young.
To Corinius ; to Laxus ; to thee. But most of all to Corund,
who if a be old yet hath his mess of sons, and mightiest of all
his wife, to be his ladder to climb thrones withal."
" But thou saidst but now " said Sriva.
" Ay, when thy mammy was by. She cometh to her second
childhood before her time, so as to a child I speak to her.
Corunddid ill to wed with a young wife, ha ? Phrut ! Is not
this the very bulwark and rampire of his fortune ? Didst
ever see a fellow so spurted up in a moment ? My secretary
when I managed the old wars against the Ghouls, and now
climbed clean over me, that am yet nine year his elder. Called
king, forsooth, and like to be ta'en soon (under the King) for
Dominus fac totum throughout all the land if a play this woman
as a should. Will not the King, for such payment as she
intends, give Demonland upon Impland and all the world
beside ? Hell's dignity, that would I, and 'twere offered me. "
He stood up, reaching unsteadily for the wine jug.
Furtively he watched his daughter, shifting his gaze ever as
her eye met his.
220
THE LADY SRIVA'S EMBASSAGE
" Corund," said he, pouring out some wine, " would split
his sides for laughter to hear thy mother's prim-mouthed
brabble : he that hath enjoined upon his wife, there's ne'er
a doubt on't, this very errand, and if he visit it on her at his
coming home 'twill but be with hotter love and gratitude for
that she wins him in our despite. Trust me, 'tis not every
lady of quality shall find favour with a King."
The casement stood open, and while they stood without
speech sounds ofa lute trembled upward from the court below,
and a man's voice, soft and deep, singing this song :
Hornes to the bull,
Hooves to the steede,
To little hayres
Light feete for speed,
And unto lions she giveth tethe
A-gaping dangerouslye.
Fishes to swim,
And birds to flye,
And men to judge
And reeson why,
She teacheth . Yet for womankind
None of these thinges hath she.
For women beautie
She hath made
Their onely shielde
Their onely blade.
O'er sword and fire they triumph stille,
Soe they but beautious be.
The Lady Sriva knew it was Laxus singing to her chamber
window. Her blood beat wildly, the spirit of enterprise
winging her imagination not toward him, nor yet Corinius,
but into paths strangely and perilously inviting, undreamed
of until now. The Duke her father came towards her, thrust-
ing the chairs from his way, and saying, " Corund and his
mess of sons ! Corund and his young Queen ! If he conjure
with the white rose, why not thou and I with the red ? It
hath as fair a look, the devil damn me else, and savoureth as
excellent sweet perfume."
She stared at him big-eyed, with blushing cheeks. He
took her hands in his .
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
" Shall this outland woman," he said, " and her sallow-
cheeked gallant still ruffle it over us ? Long beards, whether
they be white or black, are too huge a blemish in our eye,
methinks. The thing seemeth not supportable, that this
precise madam with her foreign fashions-Dost fear to stand
i' the field against her ? "
Sriva put her forehead on his shoulder and said, scarce
to be heard, " And it come to that, I'll show thee."
" It must be now," said Corsus. Prezmyra, thou hast
told me, seeketh audience betimes i' the morning. Women
are best at night-time, too."
" If Laxus should hear thee ! " she said .
He answered, " Tush, he need never blame thee, even if
he knew on't, and we can manage that. Thy silly mother
prated but now of honour. 'Tis but a school-name ; and if
'twere other, tell me whence springeth the fount of honour
if not from the King of Kings ? If he receive thee, then art
thou honoured, and all they that have to do with thee. I
am yet to learn dishonour lieth on that man or woman whom
the King doth honour."
She laughed, turning from him toward the window, her
66
hands still held in his . Foh , thou hast given me a strong
potion ! and I think that swayeth me more than thy many
arguments, O my father, which to say truth I cannot well
remember because I did not much believe."
Duke Corsus took her by the shoulders. His face over- 66

looked her by a little, for she was not tall of build. By the
Gods," he said," 'tis a stronger sweet scent of the red rose
to make a great man drunk withal than of the white, though
that be a bigger flower." And he said, " Why not, for a
game, for a madcap jest ? A mantle and hood, a mask if
thou wilt, and my ring to prove thee mine ambassador. I'll

attend thee through the court-yard to the foot o' the stairs."
She said nothing, smiling at him as she turned for him to
put the great velvet mantle about her shoulders .
" Ha," said he, " 'tis well seen a daughter is worth ten
sons ."

In the meanwhile Gorice the King sate in his private

chamber writing at a parchment spread before him on the
table of polished marmolite. A silver lamp burned at his left
222
THE LADY SRIVA'S EMBASSAGE
elbow. The window stood open to the night. The King
had laid aside his crown, that sparkled darkly in the shadow
below the lamp. He put down his pen and read again what
he had writ, in manner following :
Fram Me, Gorice the Twelft, Greate Kyng of Wychlande
and of Ympelande and of Daemonlande and of al kyngdomes
the sonne dothe spread hys bemes over, unto Corsus My ser-
vaunte : Thys is to signifye to the that thoue shalt with all con-
venient spede repaire with a suffycyaunt strengthe of menne
and schyppes to Daemonlande, bycause that untowarde and
traytorly cattell that doe there inhabyt are to fele by the the
sharpnes of My correctioun. I wyll the, as holdynge the place
of My generalle ther, that thow enter forcybly ynto the sayd
cuntrie and doe with al dilygence spoyl ravysche and depopulate
that lande, enslavying oppressyng and puttyng to the dethe as
thow shalt thynke moost servychable al them that shal fall ynto
thy powre, and in pertyculer pullyng downe and ruinating all
thayr stronge houlds or castels, as Galinge, Dreppabie, Croth-
ryng, Owleswyke, and othere. Thys enterpryse in head is one
ofthe gretest that ever was since yt is to trampe downe Daemon-
lande and once and for al to cutt thayr coames whose crestes
may daunger us, and thow art toe onderstande that withowt
extraordinair experiens of thy former merrits I wolde not com-
myt to the so greate a chairge, and especially in such a tyme. And
since al gret enterpryses oughte to bee sodeynly and resolutely
prosequuted, therefore thys oughte to bee done and executed
at furthest in harveste nexte. Therefore yt is My commaunde-
mente that thow Corsus take order for the instant furnesshynge
of shippes, seamen, souldiers, horsemen, officiers, and per-
tyculer personnes, wepons, municions, and al other necessaries
whych is thought to be needfull for the armie and hoast whych
shalbe levied for the sayd entrepryse, for whyche this letter
shalbe thy suffycyaunt warrant under My hande. Given
under My signeth of Ouroboros in My pallaice of Carcie thys
xxix daie of may, beynge the vij daie of My yeare II .
The King took wax and a taper from the great gold ink-
stand, and sealed the warrant with the ruby head of the worm
Ouroboros , saying, " The ruby, most comfortable to the
heart, brain, vigour, and memory of man. So, 'tis confirmed."
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
In that instant, when the wax was yet soft of the King's
seal sealing that commission for Corsus, one tapped gently
at the chamber door. The King bade enter, and there came
the captain of his bodyguard and stood before the King, with
word that one waited without, praying instant audience," And
showed me for a token, O my Lord the King, a bull's head
with fiery nostrils graven in a black opal in the bezel of a ring,
which I knew for the signet of my Lord Corsus that his lord-
ship beareth alway on his left thumb. And 'twas this, O
King, that only persuaded me to deliver the message unto
your Majesty in this unseasonable hour. Which if it be a
fault in me, I do humbly hope your Majesty will pardon."
" Knowest thou the man ? " said the King .
He answered, " I might not know him, dread Lord, for
the mask and great hooded cloak he weareth. It is a little
man, and speaketh a husky whisper."
" Admit him," said King Gorice ; and when Sriva was
come in, masked and hooded and holding forth the ring, he
said, " Thou lookest questionable, albeit this token opened a
way for thee. Put off these trappings and let me know thee."
But she, speaking still in a husky whisper, prayed that
they might be private ere she disclosed herself. So the King
bade leave them private.
" Dread Lord," said the soldier, " is it your will that I
stand ready without the door ? "
" No," said the King. " Void the ante-chamber, set the
guard, and let none disturb me." And to Sriva he said, " If
thine errand prove not more honester than thy looks, this is
an ill night's journey for thee. At the lifting of my finger I
am able to metamorphose thee to a mandrake. If indeed
thou beest aught else already."
When they were alone the Lady Sriva doffed her mask
and put back her hood, uncovering her head that was crowned
with two heavy trammels of her dark brown hair bound up
and interwoven above her brow and ears and pinned with
silver pins headed with garnets coloured like burning coals.
The King beheld her from under the great shadow of his brows,
darkly, not by so much as the moving of an eyelid or a linea-
ment of his lean visage betraying aught that passed in his
mind at this disclosing.
She trembled and said, " O my Lord the King, I hope you
224
THE LADY SRIVA'S EMBASSAGE
will indulge and pardon in me this trespass. Truly I marvel
at mine own boldness how I durst come to you."
With a gesture of his hand the King bade her be seated
in a chair on his right beside the table. " Thou needest not
be afraid, madam," he said. " That I admit thee, let it make
thee assured of welcome. Let me know thine errand ."
The fire of her father's wine shuddered down within her
like a low-lit flame in a gust of wind as she sat there alone
with King Gorice XII. in the circle of the lamplight. She
took a deep breath to still her heart's fluttering and said,
" O King, I was much afeared to come, and it was to ask you
a boon: a little thing for you to give, Lord, and yet to me
that am the least of your handmaids a great thing to receive.
But now I am come indeed, I durst not ask it."
The glitter of his eyes looking out from their eaves of
darkness dismayed her; and little comfort had she of the
iron crown at his elbow, bright with gems and fierce with
uplifted claws, or of the copper serpents interlaced that made
the arms of his chair, or of the bright image of the lamp re-
flected in the table top where were red streaks like streaks of
blood and black streaks like edges of swords streaking the
green shining surface of the stone.
Yet she took heart to say, " Were I a great lord had done
your majesty service as my father hath, or these others you
did honour to-night, O King, it had been otherwise." He
said nothing, and still gathering courage she said, " I too
would serve you, O King. And I came to ask you how."
The King smiled. " I am much beholden to thee, madam.
Do as thou hast done, and thou shalt please me well. Feast
and be merry, and charge not thine head with these midnight
questionings, lest too much carefulness make thee grow lean."
" Grow I so, O King ? You shall judge." So speaking
the Lady Sriva rose up and stood before him in the lamplight.
Slowly she opened her arms upwards right and left, putting
back her velvet cloak from her shoulders, until the dark cloak
hanging in folds from either uplifted hand was like the wings
of a bird lifted up for flight. Dazzling fair shone her bare
shoulders and bare arms and throat and bosom. One great
hyacinth stone, hanging by a gold chain about her neck, rested
above the hollow of her breasts. It flashed and slept with
her breathing's alternate fall and swell.
Ω 225
THE WORM OUROBOROS
" You did threaten me, Lord, but now," she said, " to
transmew me to a mandrake. Would you might change me
to a man."
She could read nothing in the crag-like darkness of his
countenance, the iron lip, the eyes that were like pulsing fire-
light out of hollow caves .
" I should serve you better so, Lord, than my poor beauty
may. Were I a man, I had come to you to-night and said, ' O
King, let us not suffer any longer of that hound Juss. Give
me a sword, O King, and I will put down Demonland for you
and tread them under feet . ' "
She sank softly into her chair again, suffering her velvet
cloak to fall over its back. The King ran his finger thought-
fully along the upstanding claws of the crown beside him on
the table.
" Is this the boon thou askest me ? " he said at length.
" An expedition to Demonland ? "
She answered it was .
" Must they sail to-night ? " said the King, still watching her.
She smiled foolishly.
" Only," he said, " I would know what gadfly of urgency
stung thee on to come so strangely and suddenly and after
midnight. "
She paused a minute, then summoning courage : " Lest
another should first come to you, O King," she answered.
66

Believe me, I know of preparations, and one that shall come

to you in the morning praying this thing for another. What
intelligence soever some hath, I am sure of that to be true
that I have."
" Another ? " said the King.
Sriva answered, " Lord, I'll say no names. •But there be
some, O King, be dangerous sweet suppliants, hanging their
hopes belike on other strings than we may tune."
She had bent her head above the polished table, looking
curiously down into its depths. Her corsage and gown of
scarlet silk brocade were like the chalice of a great flower ;
her white arms and shoulders like the petals ofthe
of flower
above it. At length she looked up .
" Thou smilest, my Lady Sriva," said the King.
" I smiled at mine own thought," she said. " You'll laugh
to hear it, O my Lord the King, being so different from what
226
THE LADY SRIVA'S EMBASSAGE
we spoke on. But sure, of women's thoughts is no more
surety nor rest than is in a vane that turneth at all winds."
" Let me hear it," said the King, bending forward, his
lean hairy hand flung idly across the table's edge.
“ "

Why thus it was, Lord," said she. There came me in

mind of a sudden that saying of the Lady Prezmyra when first
she was wed to Corund and dwelt here in Carcë. She said all
the right part of her body was of Witchland but the left Pixy.
Whereupon our people that were by rejoiced much that she
hadgiven the right part of her body to Witchland. Whereupon
she said, but her heart was on the left side."
" And where wearest thou thine ? " asked the King. She
durst not look at him, and so saw not the comic light go like
summer lightning across his dark countenance as she spoke
Prezmyra's name.
His hand had dropped from the table edge ; Sriva felt it
touch her knee. She trembled like a full sail that suddenly
for an instant the wind leaves. Very still she sat, saying in
a low voice, " There's a word, my Lord the King, if you'd
but speak it, should beam a light to show you mine answer."
But he leaned closer, saying, " Dost think I'll chaffer with
thee ? I'll know the answer first i' the dark . "
" Lord," she whispered, " I would not have come to you
in this deep and dead time of the night but that I knew you
noble and the great King, and no amorous surfeiter that should
deal falsely with me."
Her body breathed spices : soft warm scents to make the
senses reel : perfume of malabathrum bruised in wine, essences
ofsulphur-coloured lilies planted inAphrodite's garden. The
King drew her to him. She cast her arms about his neck,
،،

saying close to his ear, Lord, I may not sleep till you tell
me they must sail, and Corsus must be their captain."
The King held her gathered up like a child in his embrace.
He kissed her on the mouth, a long deep kiss. Then he
sprang to his feet, set her down like a doll before him upon
the table by the lamp, and so sat back in his own chair again
and sat regarding her with a strange and disturbing smile.
On a sudden his brow darkened, and thrusting his face
towards hers, his thick black square-cut beard jutting beneath
the curl of his shaven upper lip, " Girl," he said, " who sent
thee o' this errand ? "
227
 THE WORM OUROBOROS
He rolled his eye upon her with such a gorgon look that
her blood ran back with a great leap towards her heart, and she
answered, scarce to be heard, " Truly, O King, my father
sent me .
" Was he drunk when he sent thee ? " asked the King.
"

Truly, Lord, I think he was," said she.

" That cup that he was drunken withal," said King Gorice,
" let him prize and cherish it all his life natural. For if in his
sober senses he should make no more estimation of me than
think to bribe my favours with a bona roba; by my soul, in
his evil health he had sought to do it, for it should cost him
nothing but his life."
Sriva began to weep, saying, " O King, your gentle pardon."
But the King paced the room like a prowling lion. "Did
he fear I should supply Corund in his place ? " said he. " This
was a cocksure way to make me do it, if indeed his practice had
might to move me at all. Let him learn to come to me with his
own mouth if he hope to get good of me. Other else, out of
Carcë let him go and avoid my sight, that all the great masters
ofHell may conduct him thither."
The King paused at length beside Sriva, that was perched
still upon the table, showing a kind of sweetness in tears, sobbing
very pitifully, her face hidden in her two hands. So for a
time he beheld her, then lifted her down, and while he sat in
his great chair, holding her on his knee with one hand, with the
66

other drew hers gently from before her face. Come," he

said, " I blame it not on thee. Give over all thy weeping.
Reach me that writing from the table."
She turned in his arms and stretched a hand out for the
parchment.
" Thou knowest my signet ? " said the King.
She nodded, ay.
Read," said he, letting her go. She stood by the lamp,
and read .
The King was behind her. He took her beneath the arms,
bending to speak hot-breathed in her ear. " Thou seest, I had
already chose my general. Therefore I let thee know it,
because I mean not to let thee go till morning ; and I would not
have thee think thy loveliness, howe'er it please me, moveth
such deep-commanding spells as to sway my policy."
She lay back against his breast, limp and strengthless, while
228
THE LADY SRIVA'S EMBASSAGE
he kissed her neck and eyes and throat ; then her lips met his
in a long voluptuous kiss. Surely the King's hands upon her
were like live coals .
Bethinking her of Corinius, fuming at an open door and
an empty chamber, the Lady Sriva was yet content.

229
 XVII : THE KING FLIES
HIS HAGGARD

HOW THE LADY PREZMYRA CAME TO THE KING ON AN ERRAND OF

STATE , AND HOW SHE PROSPERED THEREIN : WHEREIN IS ALSO
SEEN WHY THE KING WOULD SEND THE DUKE CORSUS INTO DEMON-
LAND ; AND HOW ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF JULY THESE LORDS,
CORSUS , LAXUS , GRO , AND GALLANDUS, SAILED WITH A FLEET
FROM TENEMOS .

N the morn came the Lady Prezmyra to pray audience

Ο of the King, and being admitted to his private chamber
stood before him in great beauty and splendour, saying,
" Lord, I came to thank you as occasion served not for me fitly
so to do last night i' the banquet hall. Sure, 'tis no easy task,
since when I thank you as I would, I must seem too unmindful
of Corund's deserving who hath won this kingdom : but if
I speak too large of that, I shall seem to minish your bounty, O
King. And ingratitude is a vice abhorred."
Madam," said the King," thou needest not to thank me.
And to mine ears great deeds have their own trumpets."
So now she told him of her letters received from Corund
out of Impland. " It is well seen, Lord," said she, " how in
these days you do beat down all peoples under you, and do set
up new tributary kings to add to your great praise in Carcë.
O King, how long must this ill weed of Demonland offend us,
‫دو‬
going still untrodden under feet ?
The King answered her not a word. Only his lip showed
a gleam of teeth, as of a tiger's troubled at his meal.
But Prezmyra said with great hardiness, " Lord, be not
angry with me. Methinks it is the part of a faithful servant
honoured by his master to seek new service. And where lieth
230
THE KING FLIES HIS HAGGARD
likelier service Corund should do you than west over seas, to
lead presently an army naval thither and make an end of them,
ere their greatness stand up again from the blow wherewith last
May you did strike them ? "
Madam," said the King, " this charge is mine. I'll tell
thee when I need thy counsel, which is not now." And
standing up as if to end the matter, he said, " I do intend some
sport to-day. They tell me thou hast a falcon gentle towereth
so well she passeth the best Corinius hath. 'Tis clear calm
weather. Wilt thou take her out to-day and show us the
mounty at a heron ? "
She answered, " Joyfully, O King. Yet I beseech you add
this favour to all your former goodness, to hear me yet one
word. Something persuades me you have already determined
of this enterprise, and by your putting of me off I do fear
your majesty meaneth not Corund shall undertake it but some
other."
Dark and immovable as his own dark fortress facing the
bright morning, Gorice the King stood and beheld her. Sun-
shine streaming through the eastern casement lighted red-gold
smouldering splendours in the heavy coils of that lady's hair,
and flew back in dazzling showers from the diamonds fastened
among those coils. After a space he said, " Suppose I am a
gardener. I go not to the butterfly for counsel. Let her be
glad that there be rose-trees there and red stonecrops for her
delight ; which if any be lacking I'll give her more for the asking,
as I'll give thee more masques and revels and all brave pleasures
in Carcë. But war and policy is not for women."
" You have forgot, O King," said the Lady Prezmyra,
" Corund made me his ambassador." But seeing a blackness
fall upon the King's countenance she said in haste," But not in
all, O King. I will be open as day to you. The expedition
he strongly urged, but not for himself the leading on't."
The King looked evilly upon her. " I am glad to hear
it, " he said. Then, his brow clearing, " Know thou it for
thy good, madam, order is ta'en for this already. Ere winter-
nights return again, Demonland shall be my footstool. There-
fore write to thy lord I gave him his wish beforehand."
Prezmyra's eyes danced triumph. " O the glad day ! " she
cried. " Mine also, O King ? "
" If thine be his," said the King.
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
" Ah," said she," you know mine outgallops it."
" Then school thine, madam," said the King, " to run in
harness. Why think'st thou I sent Corund into Impland, but
that I knew he had excellent wit and noble courage to govern
a great kingdom ? Wouldst have me a wilful child snatch
Impland from him like a sampler half stitched ? "
Then, taking leave of her with more gracious courtesy,
" We shall look to see thee then, madam, o' the third hour
before noon," he said, and smote on a gong, summoning the
captain of his guard. " Soldier," he said, " conduct the
Queen of Impland. And bid the Duke Corsus straight
attend me ."

The third hour before noon the Lord Gro met with Prez-
myra in the gate of the inner court. She had a riding-habit of
dark green tiffany and a narrow ruff edged with margery-
pearls. She said, " Thou comest with us, my lord ? Surely
I am beholden to thee. I know thou lovest not the sport, yet
to save me from Corinius I must have thee. He plagueth me
much this morning with strange courtesies ; though why thus
on a sudden I cannot tell."
66

" In this," said Lord Gro, as in greater matters, I am

thy servant, O Queen. 'Tis yet time enough, though. This
half hour the King will not be ready. I left him closeted with
Corsus, that setteth presently about his arming against the
Demons . Thou hast heard ? "
" Am I deaf," said Prezmyra, " to a bell clangeth through
all Carcë ? ‫יי‬
Alas," said Gro, " that we waked too long last night, and
lay too long abed i' the morning ! "
Prezmyra answered, " That did not I. And yet I'm angry
with myself now that I did not so. "
" How ? Thou sawest the King before the council ? "
She bent her head for yes .
" And he nay-said thee ? "
" With infinite patience," said she, " but most irrevocably.
My lord must hold by Impland till it be well broke to the
saddle. And truly, when I think on't, there's reason in that."
Gro said, " Thou takest it, madam, with that clear brow
of nobleness and reason I had looked for in thee."
She laughed. " I have the main of my desire, if Demonland
232
THE KING FLIES HIS HAGGARD
shall be put down. Natheless, it maketh a great wonder the
King picketh for this work so rude a bludgeon when so many
goodly blades lie ready to his hand. Behold but his armoury.
For, standing in the gateway at the head ofthe steep descent
to the river, they beheld where the lords of Witchland were met
beyond the bridge-gate to ride forth to the hawking. And
Prezmyra said, "Is it not brave, my Lord Gro, to dwell in
Carcë ? Is it not passing brave to be in Carcë, that lordeth
it over all the earth ? "
Now came they down and by the bridge to the Way of
Kings to meet with them on the open mead on the left bank of
Druima. Prezmyra said to Laxus that rode on a black gelding
full of silver hairs, " I see thou hast thy goshawks forth to-day,
my lord."
66

Ay,madam," said he. " There is not a stronger hawk than

these. Withal they are very fierce and crabbed, and I must
keep them private lest they slay all other sort."
"
Sriva, that was by, put forth a hand to stroke them.
Truly," she said, " I love them well, thy goshawks. They
be stout and kingly." And she laughed and said, " Truly
to-day I look not lower than on a King."
" Thou mayst look on me, then," said Laxus, " albeit I
bear not my crown i' the field."
" Tis therefore I'll mark thee not," said she.
Laxus said to Prezmyra, " Wilt thou not praise my hawks,
O Queen ? "
" I praise them," answered she, " circumspectly. For
methinks they fit thy temper better than mine. These be
good hawks, my lord, for flying at the bush. I am for the high
mountee."
Her step - son Heming, black - browed and sullen- eyed,
laughed in his throat, knowing she mocked and thought on
Demonland.
Meanwhile Corinius, mounted on a great white liard like
silver with black ear-tips, mane, and tail, and all four feet black
as coal, drew up to the Lady Sriva and spoke with her apart,
saying secretly so that none but she might hear, " Next time
thou shalt not carry it so, but I will have thee when and where
I would. Thou mayst gull the Devil with thy perfidiousness,
but not me a second time, thou lying cozening vixen."
She answered softly, " Beastly man, I did perform the very
233
THE WORM OUROBOROS
article of mine oath, and left thee an open door last night.
If thou didst look to find me within, that were beyond aught I
promised. And know for that I'll seek a greater than thou, and
a nicer to my liking : one less ready to swap each kitchen slut
onthe lips. I know thy practice, my lord, and thy conditions."
His face flamed red. " Were that my custom, I'd now
amend it. Thou art so true a runt of their same litter, they
shall all be loathly to me as thou art loathly."
" Mew! " said she, " wittily spoke, i' faith ; and right in
the manner of a common horse-boy. Which indeed thou art."
Corinius struck spurs into his horse so that it bounded
aloft ; then cried out and said to Prezmyra, " Incomparable
lady, I shall show thee my new horse, what rounds, what bounds ,
what stop he makes i' the full course of the gallop galliard."
And therewith, trotting up to her, made his horse fetch a close
turn in a flying manner upon one foot, and so away, rising to a
racking pace, an amble, and thence after some double turns
returning at the gallop and coming to a full stop by Prezmyra.
“

'Tis very pretty, my lord," said she. " Yet I would not
bethyhorse."
66 66

66
So, madam ? " he cried. Thy reason ? "
Why," said she, " were I the most temperate, strongest,
and of the gentlest nature i' the world, of the heat of the ginger,
most swift to all high curvets and caprioles , I'd fear my crest
should fall i' the end, tired with thy spur-galling."
Whereat the Lady Sriva fell a-laughing.
Now came Gorice the King among them with his austringers
and falconers and his huntsmen with setters and spaniels and
great fierce boar-hounds drawn in a string. He rode upon a
black mare with eyes fire-red, so tall a tall man's head scarce
topped her withers. He wore a leather gauntlet on his right
hand, on the wrist whereof an eagle sat, hooded and motionless,
gripping with her claws. He said, " It is met. Corsus goeth
not with us : I fly him at higher game. His sons attend him,
losing not an hour in preparation for this journey. The rest,
take pleasure in the chase."
So they praised the King, and rode forth with him eastaway.
The Lady Sriva whispered Corinius in the ear, " Enchantery,
my lord, ruleth in Carcë, and this it must be bringeth it about
that none may see nor touch me 'twixt midnight hour and cock-
crow save he that must be King in Demonland."
234
THE KING FLIES HIS HAGGARD
But Corinius made as not to hear her, turning toward
the Lady Prezmyra, that turned thence toward Gro. Sriva
laughed. Merry of heart she seemed that day, eager as the
small merlin sitting on her fist, and willing at every turn to
have speech with King Gorice. But the King heeded her not
at all, and gave her not a look nor a word.
So rode they awhile, jesting and discoursing, toward the
Pixyland border, rousing herons by the way whereat none made
better sport than Prezmyra's falcons, flown from her fist at
many hundred paces as the quarry rose, and mounting with
it to the clouds in corkscrew flights, ring upon ring, up and up
till the fowl was but a speck in the upper sky, and her falcons
two lesser specks beside it.
But when they were come to the higher ground and the
scrub and underwood, then the King whistled his eagle off
his fist. She flew from him as if she would never have turned
head again, yet presently upon his shout came in ; then soaring
he till the hounds started a wolf
aloft waited on above his head,
out of the brake. Thereon she swooped sudden as a thunder-
bolt ; and the King lighted down and helped her with his
hunting-knife ; and so again, thrice and four times till four
wolves were slain. And that was the greatest sport.
The King made much of his eagle, giving her the last
wolf's lights and liver to gorge herself withal. And he gave her
over to his falconer, and said, " Ride we now into the flats of
Armany, for I will fly my haggard : my haggard eagle caught
this March in the hills of Largos. Many a good night's rest
hath she cost me, to wake her and man her and teach her to
know my call and be obedient. I will fly her now at the big
black boar of Largos that afflicteth the farmers hereabout these
two years past and bringeth them death and loss. So shall
we see good sport, if she be not too coy and wild."
So the King's falconer brought the haggard and the King
took her on his fist. A black eagle she was, red-beaked and
glorious to look on. Her jesses were of red leather with little
silver varvels whereon the crab of Witchland was engraved in
small. Her hood was of red leather tasselled with silver.
First she bated from the fist of the King, screaming and
flapping her wings, but soon was quiet. And the King rode
forth, sending his great brindled hounds before him to put up
the boar ; and all his company followed after.
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
In no long time they roused the boar, that turned red-
eyed and moody-mad on the King's hounds, and charged
among them ripping up the foremost so that her bowels gushed
out. The King unhooded his eagle and flew her off his fist.
But she, wild and ungentle, fastened not upon the boar but on
a hound that held him by the ear. She fixed her cruel claws
in the hound's neck and picked his eyes out ere a man might
speak two curses on her.
Gro, that was by the King, muttered, " O, I like not that.
'
Tis ominous ."
By then was the King ridden up, and thrust the boar
through with his spear, piercing him above and a little behind
the shoulder so that the blade went through the heart of him
and he sank down dying in his blood. Then the King smote
his eagle in his wrath with the butt of his spear-shaft, but
smote her lightly and with a glancing blow, and away she
flew and was lost to sight. And the King was angry, for all
that the boar was slain, for the loss ofhishound andhishaggard,
and for her ill behaviour. So he bade his huntsmen skin the
boar and bring home his skin to be a trophy, and so turned
homeward.
After a while the King called to him the Lord Gro to
ride forward a little with him and out of earshot of the rest.
The King said to him, " Thou hast a discontented look. Is
it that I send not Corund into Demonland to crown the work
he began at Eshgrar Ogo ? Thou babblest besides of omens."
Gro answered, " My Lord the King, pardon my fears.
For omens, indeed 'tis oft as the saw sayeth, ' As the fool
thinketh, so the bell clinketh.' I spake in haste. Who shall
weep Fate from her determined purpose ? But since you
did name Corund's name "
" I named him," said the King," because I am still ringing
in the ears with women's talk. Whereto also I doubt not
thou art privy."
“

Only so much," answered he, " that this is my thought :

he were our best, O King."
“
Haply so," said the King. " But wouldst have me
therefore hold my stroke in the air while occasion knocketh at
the gate ? I'll tell thee, I am potent in art magical, but scarce
may I stay time's wing the while I fetch Corund out of Imp-
land and pack him westaway."
236
THE KING FLIES HIS HAGGARD
Gro held his peace. " Well," said the King, “ I will hear
more from thee."
" Lord," he answered," I like not Corsus."
The King gave him a frump to his face. Gro held his
peace again awhile, but seeing the King would have more, he
said, " Since it likes your majesty to demand my counsel, I
will speak. You know, Lord, ofallyour men in Carcë Corinius
is least my friend, and if I back him you will be little apt to
think me moved by interest. In my clear judgement, if
Corund be barred from this journey (as reason is, I freely
embrace it, he must bide in Impland, both to harvest there
his victories and to deny the road to Juss and Brandoch Daha
if haply they return from the Moruna, and besides, time, as
you most justly say, O King, calleth for speedy action) : if
he be barred, you have no better than Corinius. A complete
soldier, a tried captain, young, fierce, and resolute, and one
that sitteth not down again when once he standeth up till that
his will be accomplished. Send him to Demonland."
" No," said the King. " I will not send Corinius. Hast
thou not seen hawks that be in their prime and full pride for
beauty and goodness, but must be tamed ere they be flown at
the quarry ? Such an one is he, and I will tame him with
harshness and duress till I be certain of him. Also I have
sworn and told him, last year when in his drunkenness he
betrayed my counsel and o'erset all our plans, broke me
from Pixyland and set my prisoners free, that Corund and
Corsus and Laxus should be preferred and advanced before
him until by quiet service he shall purchase my good will
again."
" Give then the glory to Corsus, but to Corinius the rude
work on't for a tiring. Send him as Corsus's secretary, and
your work shall be better performed, O King. "
But the King said, " No. Thou art a fool to think he
would receive it, that being in disgrace could not humble
himself but look bigger than before. And certainly I will
not ask him, and so give him the glory to refuse it."
My Lord the King," said Gro, " when I said unto you ,
I like not Corsus, you did scoff. Yet 'tis no simple niceness
made me say it, but because I do fear he shall prove a
false cloth : he will shrink in the wetting and can abide no
trial."
237
THE WORM OUROBOROS
" By the blight of Sathanas," said the King, " what crazy
talk is this ? Hast forgot the Ghouls twelve years ago ? True,
thou wast not here. And yet, what skills it ? When the fame
hath gone back and forth through all the world of their great
spill when Witchland stood i' the greatest strait that ever she
stood, and more than any other Corsus was to praise for our
delivering. And since then, five years later, when he held
Harquem against Goldry Bluszco, and made him at last to
give over the siege and go home most ingloriously, and else
had all the Sibrion coast been the Demons' appanage not
ours ."
Gro bowed his head, having nought to say. The King
was silent awhile, then bared his teeth. " When I would burn
mine enemy's house," he said, " I choose me a good brand,
full of pitch and rosin, apt to sputter well i' the fire and fry
them. Such an one is Corsus, since he fared to Goblinland
ten years ago, on that ill faring which, had I been King, I
never had agreed to ; when Brandoch Daha took him prisoner
on Lormeron field and despitefully used him, stripped him
stark naked, shaved him all of one side smooth as a tennis ball
and painted him yellow and sent him home with mickle shame
to Witchland. Hell devour me, but I think his heart is in
this enterprise. I think thou'lt see brave doings in Demon-
land when he comes thither."
Still Gro was silent, and the King said after awhile, " I
have given thee reasons enow, I think, why I send Corsus
into Demonland. There is yet this other, that by itself
weigheth not one doit, yet with the others beareth down the
balance if more thou lookest for. Unto mine other servants
great tasks have I given, and great rewards : to Corund Imp-
land and a king's crown therefor, to Laxus the like in Pixyland,
to thee by anticipation Goblinland, for so I do intend. But
this old hunting-dog of mine sitteth yet in's kennel with ne'er
a bone to busy his teeth withal. That is not well, and shall
no longer be neither, since there's no reason for't. "
Lord," said Gro, " in all argument and wise prevision
you have quite o'erset me. Yet my heart misgives me. You
would ride to Galing. You have ta'en an horse therefor with
never a star in's forehead. Instead, I see there is a cloud
in's face ; and such prove commonly furious, dogged, full of
mischief and misfortune."
238
THE KING FLIES HIS HAGGARD
They came down now upon the Way of Kings. Westward
before them lay the marshes, with the great bulk of Carcë
eight or ten miles distant their chiefest landmark, and the
towers of Tenemos breaking the level horizon line beyond it.
The King, after a long silence, looked down on Gro. His lean
rugged countenance was outlined darkly against the sky,
terrible and proud. " Thou too," said he, " shalt be in this
faring to Demonland. Laxus shall have sway afloat, since
that is his element of water. Gallandus shall be secretary
to Corsus, and thou shalt be with them in their counsels.
But the main command , as I have decreed, lieth in Corsus.
I'll not crop his authority, no, not by an hair's breadth. Sith
Juss hath called the main, I will go hazard with Corsus. If
I throw out with him, Hell rot him for a false die. But 'tis
not such a cast shall cast away all my fortune. I have a langret
in my purse shall cross-bite for me i' the end and win me all,
howsoe'er the Demons cog against me."
So ended that day's sporting. And that day, and the next,
and near a month thereafter was the Duke Corsus busied up
and down the land preparing his great armament. And on
the fifteenth day of July was the fleet busked and boun in
Tenemos Roads, and that great army of five thousand men-at-
arms, with horses and all instruments of war, marched from
their camp without Carcë down to the sea.
First of them went Laxus with his guard of mariners, he
wearing the crown of Pixyland and they loudly acclaiming
him as king and Gorice of Witchland as his over-lord. A
gallant man he seemed, ready-looking and hard, well-armed,
with open countenance and bright seaman's eyes, and brown,
crisp, curly beard and hair. Next came the main foot army
heavy-armed with axe and spear and the short Witchland
hanger, yeomen and farmers from the low lands about Carcë
or from the southern vineyards or the hill country against
Pixyland : burly swashing fellows, rough as bears, hardy as
wild oxen, agile as an ape ; four thousand fighting men chose
out by Corsus up and down the land as best for this great
conquest. The sons of Corsus, Dekalajus and Gorius, rode
abreast before them with twenty pipers piping a battle song.
Surely the tramp of that great army on the paven way was like
the tramp of Fate moving from the east. Gorice the King,
239
THE WORM OUROBOROS
sitting in state on the battlements above the water-gate, sniffed
with his nostrils as a lion at the scent of blood. It was early
morn, and the wind hung southerly, and the great banners,
blue and green and purple and gold, each with an iron crab
displayed above it, flaunted in the sun.
Now came four or five companies of horse, four hundred
or more in all, with brazen armour and bucklers and glancing
spears ; and last of all, Corsus himself with his picked legion
of five hundred veterans to bring up the rear, fierce soldiers
of the coast-lands that followed him of old to the eastern main
and Goblinland, and had stood beside him in the great days
when he smote the Ghouls in Witchland. On Corsus's left
and right, a little behind him, rode Gro and Gallandus. Ruddy
of countenance was Gallandus, gay of carriage and likely-
looking, long of limb, with long brown moustachios and large
kind eyes like a dog.
Prezmyra stood beside the King, and with her the ladies
Zenambria and Sriva, watching the long column marching
toward the sea. Heming the son of Corund leaned on the
battlements. Behind him stood Corinius, scornful-lipped,
with folded arms, most glorious in holiday attire, a wreath of
dwale about his brows, and wearing on his mighty breast the
gold badge of the King's captain general in Carcë.
Corsus, as he rode by beneath them, planted on the point
of his sword his great helm of bronze plumed with green-dyed
estridge-plumes and raised it high above his head in homage
to the King. The sparse gray locks of his hair lifted in the
breeze, and pride flamed on the heavy face of him like a
November sunset. He rode a dark bay, heavily built like a
bear, that stepped ponderously as weighed down by his rider's
bulk and the great weight of gear and battle-harness. His
veterans marching at his heel lifted their helms on spear and
sword and bill, singing their old marching song in time to
the clank oftheir mailed feet marching down the Way of Kings :
When Corsus dwelt at Tenemos,
Beside the sea in Tenemos,
Tirra lirra lay,
The Gowles came downe to Tenemos,
They brent his house in Tenemos,
Downe derie downe day.
240
THE KING FLIES HIS HAGGARD
But Corsus carved the Gowls
The coarsest meat
They ere did ete,
He made him garters with their bowels .
Whenhee came home to Tenemos,
Came home agayn to Tenemos,
With a roundelaye.
The King held aloft his staff-royal, returning Corsus his
salute, and all Carcë shouted from the walls .
In such wise rode the Lord Corsus down to the ships with
his great army that should bring bale and woe to Demonland.

R 241
 XVIII : THE MURTHER OF
GALLANDUS BY CORSUS
OF THE UPRISING OF THE WARS OF KING GORICE XII . IN DEMONLAND ;
WHEREIN IS SEEN HOW IN AN OLD MAN OF WAR STIFFNECKEDNESS
AND TYRANNY MAY OVERLIVE GOOD GENERALSHIP, AND HOW A
GREAT KING'S DISPLEASURE DURETH ONLY SO LONG AS IT AGREETH
WITH HIS POLICY .

OUGHT befell to tell of after the sailing of the fleet

from Tenemos till August was nigh spent. Then came
Na ship of Witchland from the west and sailed up the
river to Carcë and moored by the water-gate. Her skipper
went straight aland and up into the royal palace in Carcë and
the new banquet hall, whereas was King Gorice XII. eating
and drinking with his folk. And the skipper gave letters into
the hand of the King.
By then was night fallen, and all the bright lights kindled
in the hall. The feast was three parts done, and thralls poured
forth unto the King and unto them that sat at meat with him
dark wines that crown the banquet. And they set before the
feasters sweetmeats wondrous fair : bulls andpigs and gryphons
and other, made all of sugar paste, some wines and spigots in
their bellies to draw at, and suckets of all sorts cut out of their
bellies to taste of, every one with his silver fork. Mirth and
pleasure was that night in the great hall in Carcë ; but now
were all fallen silent, looking on the King's countenance while
he read his letters. But none might read the countenance of
the King, that was inscrutable as the high blind walls of Carcë
brooding on the fen. So in that waiting silence, sitting in his
great high seat, he read his letters, which were sent by Corsus,
and writ in manner following :
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MURTHER BY CORSUS
" Renouned Kinge and moste highe Prince and Lorde,
Goreiyse Twelft of Wychlonde and of Daemounlonde and of
all kingdomes the sonne dothe spread his bemes over, Corsus
your servaunte dothe prosterate miself befoare your Greateness,
evene befoare the face of the erthe. The Goddes graunte
unto you moste nowble Lorde helthe and continewance and
saffetie meny yeres. After that I hadde receaved my dispache
and leave fram your Majestie wherby you did of your Royall
goodnes geave and graunt unto mee to be cheefe commaundere
of al the warlyke foarces furneshed and sent by you into
Daemonlond, hit may please your Majestie I did with haiste
carry mine armie and all wepons municions vittualls and othere
provicions accordingly toward those partes of Daemonlonde
that lye coasted against the estern seas. Here with xxvij
schyppes and the moare partt of my peopell I sayling upp ynto
the Frith Micklefrith did fynde x or xi Daemouns schyppes
asayling whereof had Vol the commaundemente withowt the
herborough of Lookingehaven, and by and by did mak syncke
all schyppes of the sayd Voll withowt excepcioun and did sleay
themaist paart of them that were with hym and hys ashipboard.
" Nowe I lette you onderstande O my Lorde the Kyng that
or ever wee made the landfalle I severinge my armye ynto ij
trowpes had dispatched Gallandus with xiij schyppes north-
abowt to lande with xv honderede menne at Eccanois, with
commande that hee shoulde thenceawaye fare upp ynto the
hylles thorow Celyalonde and soe sease the passe calld the
Style because none schoulde cum overe fram the west ; for
that is a gode fyghtynge stede as a man myghte verry convenably
hould ageynst gret nomberes yf he bee nat an asse.
" So havinge ridd me wel of Vol, and by my hoep and
secreat intilligence these were thayr entire flete that was nowe
al sonken and putt to distruccioun by mee, and trewly hit was a
paltry werk and light, so few they were agaynst my foarce
agaynst them, I dyd comme alande att the place hyghte Grunda
by the northe perte of the frith wher the watere owt of Break-
ingdal falleth into the se. Here I made make my campe with
the rampyres thereof reachynge to the schore of the salt se
baithe befoare and behynde of me, and drew in supplies and
brent and slawe and sent forth hoarsmen to bryng mee in
intelligence. And on the iv daie hadd notise of a gret powre
and strengtht cumming at me from sowth out of Owleswyke to
243
THE WORM OUROBOROS
assaille mee in Grunda. And dyd fyghte agaynst them and
dyd flinge them backe beinge iv or v thowsand souldiers. Who
returning nexte daie towarde Owlswyke I dyd followe aftir, and
so toke them facynge me in a plaise cauled Crosbie Owtsykes
where they did make shifte to kepe the phords and passages of
Ethrey river very stronge. Heare was bifaln an horable great
murtheringe battell where ThyServaunte dyd oppresse and over-
throwe with mitch dexteritee those Daemons, makynge of them
so bluddie and creuell a slawghter as hathe not been sene afore
not once nor twice in mans memorye, and blythely I tel you
of Vizze theyr cheefe capitaine kild and ded of strips taken at
Crosby felde.
" Soe have I nowe in the holow of my hand by thys victorie
the conquest and possession of al thys lande of Daemonlande,
and doe nowe purpose to dele with thayr castels villages riches
cattellhowssys and peopellin mywaye on al thys estren seaborde
within L miells compas with rapes and murtheres and burnyngs
and all harsche dyscypline according to your Majesties wille.
Anddo stande with mine armie befoare Owleswyk, bluddie Spit-
fyer's notable great castel and forteres that alone yet liveth inthis
lande ofyour daungerous grivious and malitious arche enymies,
and the same Spitfire being att my cominge fledde into the
mowntaynes all do submytt and become your Majesties vassalls.
But I wyll nat conclud nor determyn of peace no not with man
weoman nor chyld of them but kyll them al, havinge always
befoare my minde the satisfactioun of your Princely Pleasure.
" Lest I be too large I leve here to tel you of many rare and
remarcable occurants and observacions whych never the less I
laye by in my mynde to aquent you with agaynst my coming
home or by further writinge. Laxus bearing a kings name do
puffe himself up alledging he wan the sefight but I shall satisfy
your Majestie to the contrary. Gro followeth the wars in as
goode sort as his lean spare bodey will wel beare. Of Gallandus
I nedes must saye he do meddyl too much in my counsailles ,
still desyring me do thus and thus but I will nat. Heretofore
in the like unrespective manner he hath now and then used mee
which I have swolewed but will not no more. Who if hee go
about to calumniate me in any thinge I praye you Lorde let mee
know it though I despise baithe him and all such. And in
acknowledgement of Your highe favors unto meward do kiss
your Majesties hand.
244
 MURTHER BY CORSUS
" Most humbly and reverently untoe my Lorde the Kynge,
undir my seal. CORSUS."
“

The King put up the writing in his bosom. Bring me

Corsus's cup," said he.
They did so, and the King said, " Fill it with Thramnian
wine. Drop me an emerald in it to spawn luck i' the cup,
and drink him fortune and wisdom in victory."
Prezmyra, that had watched the King till now as a mother
watches her child in the crisis of a fever, rose up radiant in
her seat, crying, " Victory ! " And all they fell a-shouting
and smiting on the boards till the roof-beams shook with their
great shouting, while the King drank first and passed on the
cup that all might drink in turn.
But Gorice the King sat dark among them as a cliff of
serpentine that frowns above dancing surges of a springtide
summer sea .

When the women left the banquet hall the Lady Prezmyra
came to the King and said, " Your brow is too dark, Lord, if
indeed this news is all good that lights your heart and mind
from withinward."
The King answered and said," Madam, it is very good news .
Yet remember that hard it is to lift a full cup without spilling."
Now was summer worn and harvest brought in, and on the
twenty-seventh day after these tidings afore-writ came another
ship of Witchland out of the west sailing over the teeming
deep, and rowed on a full tide up Druima and through the
Ergaspian Mere, and so anchored below Carcë an hour before
supper time. That was a calm clear sunshine evening, and
KingGorice rode home from his hunting at that instant when
theship made fast by the water-gate. And there was the Lord
Gro aboard of her ; and the face of him as he came up out of
the ship and stood to greet the King was the colour of quick-
lime a-slaking.
The King looked narrowly at him, then greeting him with
much outward show of carelessness and pleasure made him go
with him to the King's own lodgings. There the King made
Gro drink a great stoup of red wine, and said to him, " I am
all of a muck sweat from the hunting. Go in with me to my
baths and tell me all while I bathe me before supper. Princes
1
245
THE WORM OUROBOROS
ofall men be in greatest danger, for that men dare not acquaint
them with their own peril. Thou look'st prodigious. Know
that shouldst thou proclaim to me all my fleet and army in
Demonland brought to sheer destruction, that should not
dull my stomach for the feast to-night. Witchland is not so
poor I might not pay back such a loss thrice and four times and
yethavemoney in my purse."
So speaking, the King was come with Gro into his great
bath chamber, walled and floored with green serpentine, with
dolphins carved in the same stone to belch water into the baths
that were lined with white marble and sunken in the floor,
both wide and deep, the hot bath on the left and the cold bath,
many times greater, on the right as they entered the chamber.
The King dismissed all his attendants, and made Gro sit on a
bench piled with cushions above the hot bath, and drink more
wine. And the King stripped off his jerkin of black cowhide
and his hose and his shirt of white Beshtrian wool and went
down into the steaming bath. Gro looked with wonder on the
mighty limbs of Gorice the King, so lean and yet so strong to
behold, as if he were built all of iron ; and a great marvel it was
how the King, when he had put off his raiment and royal
apparel and went down stark naked into the bath, yet seemed
to have put off not one whit of his kingliness and the majesty
and dread which belonged to him .
So when he had plunged awhile in the swirling waters of
the bath, and soaped himself from head to foot and plunged
again, the King lay back luxuriously in the water and said
to Gro, " Tell me of Corsus and his sons, and of Laxus and
Gallandus, and of all my men west over seas, as thou shouldest
tell of those whose life or death in our conceit importeth as
much as that of a scarab fly. Speak and fear not, keeping
nothing back nor glozing over nothing. Only that should make
me dreadful to thee if thou shouldst practise to deceive me."
Gro spake and said," My Lord the King, you have letters,
I think, from Corsus that have told you how we came to Demon-
land, and how we gat a victory over Volle in the sea-fight, and
landed at Grunda, and fought two battles against Vizz and
overthrew him in the last, and he is dead."
" Didst thou see these letters ? " asked the King.
Gro answered, " Ay."
" Is it a true tale they tell me ? "
246
MURTHER BY CORSUS
Gro answered, " Mainly true, O King, though somewhat
now and then he windeth truth to his turn, swelling overmuch
his own achievement. As at Grunda, where he maketh too
great the Demons' army, that by a just computation were fewer
than us, and the battle was not ours nor theirs, for while our
left held them by the sea they stormed our camp on the right.
And well I think 'twas to enveagle us into country that should
be likelier to his purpose that Vizz fell back toward Owlswick
in the night. But as touching the battle of Crossby Outsikes
Corsus braggeth not too much. That was greatly fought and
greatly devised by him, who also slew Vizz with his own hands
in the thick of the battle, and made a great victory over them
and scattered all their strength, coming upon them at unawares
and taking them upon advantage."
So saying Gro stretched forth his delicate white fingers to
the goblet at his side and drank. " And now, O King," said he,
leaning forward over his knees and running his fingers through
the black perfumed curls above his ears, " I am to tell you the
uprising of those discontents that infected all our fortunes and
confounded us all. Now came Gallandus with some few men
down from Breakingdale, leaving his main force of fourteen
hundred men or so to hold the Stile as was agreed upon afore-
time. Now Gallandus had advertisement of Spitfire come out
of the west country where he was sojourning when we came
into Demonland, disporting himself in the mountains with
hunting of the bears that do there inhabit, but now come hot-
foot eastward and agathering of men at Galing. And on
Gallandus's urgent asking, was held a council of war three
days after Crossby Outsikes, wherein Gallandus set forth his
counsel that we should fare north to Galing and disperse them.
"All thought well of this counsel, save Corsus. But he
took it mighty ill, being stubborn set to carry out his pre-
determined purpose, which was to follow up this victory of
Crossby Outsikes by so many cruel murthers, rapes, and burn-
ings, up and down the country side in Upper and Lower
Tivarandardale and down by Onwardlithe and the southern
seaboard, as should show those vermin he was their master
whom they did require, and the scourge in your hand, O King,
that must scourge them to the bare bone.
To which Gallandus making answerthat the preparations
at Galing did argue something to be done and not afar off,
247
THE WORM OUROBOROS
and that ' This were a pretty matter, if Owlswick and Drepaby
shall be able to enforce us cast our eyes over our shoulders while
those before us ' (meaning in Galing) ' strike us in the brains ' ;
Corsus answereth most unhandsomely, ' I will not satisfy
myself with this intelligence until I find it more soundly
seconded.' Nor would he listen, but said that this was his
mind, and all we should abide by it or an ill thing should else
befall us : that this south-eastern corner of the land being
gained with great terror and cruelty the neck of the wars in
Demonland should then be broken, and all the others whether
in Galing or otherwhere could not choose but die like dogs ;
that 'twas pure folly, because of the hardness and naughty
ways of the country, to set upon Galing; and that he would
quickly show Gallandus he was lord there. So was the council
broke up in great discontent. And Gallandus abode before
Owlswick, which as thou knowest, O King, is a mighty strong
place, seated on an arm of the land that runneth out into the
sea beside the harbour, and a paven way goeth thereto that is
covered with the sea save at low tide of a spring-tide. And we
drew great store of provisions thither against a siege if such
should befall us . But Corsus with his main forces went south
about the country, murthering and ravishing, on his way to
the new house of Goldry Bluszco at Drepaby, giving out that
from henceforth should folk speak no more of Drepaby Mire
and Drepaby Combust that the Ghouls did burn, but both
should shortly be burnt alike as two cinders."
66

Ay," said the King, coming out of the bath, " and did
he burn it so ? "
Gro answered, " He did, O King."
The King lifted his arms above his head and plunged head
foremost into the great cold swimming bath. Coming forth
anon, he took a towel to dry himself, and holdingan end ofit in
either hand came and stood by Gro, the towel rushing back and
forth behind his shoulders , and said, " Proceed, tell me more."
Lord," said Gro, “ so it was that they in Owlswick gave
up the place at last unto Gallandus, and Corsus came back from
the burning of Drepaby Mire. All the folk in that part of
Demonland had he brought to misery in her most sharp
condition. But now was he to find by sour experience what
that neglect had bred him when he went not north to Galing
as Gallandus had counselled him to do.
248
MURTHER BY CORSUS
" For now was word of Spitfire marching out from Galing
with an hundred and ten score foot and two hundred and fifty
horse. Upon which tidings we placed ourselves in very
warlike fashion and moved north to meet them, and on the
last morn of August fell in with their army in a place called
the Rapes of Brima in the open parts of Lower Tivarandardale.
All we were blithe at heart, for we held them at an advantage
both in numbers (for we were more than three thousand four
hundred fighting men, whereof were four hundred a-horseback),
and in the goodness of our fighting stead, being perched on the
edge of a little valley looking down on Spitfire and his folk.
There we abode for a time, watching what he would do, till
Corsus grew weary of this and said, ' We are more than they.
I will march north and then east across the head of the valley
and so cut them off, that they escape not north again to Galing
after the battle when they are worsted by us.'
" Now Gallandus nay-said this strongly, willing him to
stand and abide their onset ; for being mountaineers they
must certainly choose at length, if we kept quiet, to attack us
up the slope, and that were mightily to our advantage. But
Corsus, that still grew from day to day more hard to deal with,
would not hear him, and at last sticked not to accuse him before
them all (which was most false) that he did practise to gain the
command for himself, and had caused Corsus to be set upon to
have him and his sons murthered as they went from his lodging
the night before.
"And Corsus gave order for the march across their front
as I have told it you, O King; which indeed was the counsel
of a madman. For Spitfire, when he saw our column crossing
the dale-head on his right, gave order for the charge, took us
i' the flank, cut us in two, and in two hours had our army
smashed like an egg that is dropped from a watch -tower on
pavement of hard granite. Never saw I so evil a destruction
wrought on a great army. Hardly and in evil case we won
back to Owlswick with but seventeen hundred men, and of
them some hundreds wounded sore . And if two hundred fell
o' the other side, 'tis a wonder and past expectation, so great
was Spitfire's victory upon us at the Rapes of Brima. And now
was our woe worsened by fugitives coming from the north,
telling how Zigg had fallen upon the small force that was left
to hold the Stile and clean o'erwhelmed them. So were we
249
THE WORM OUROBOROS
now shut up in Owlswick and close besieged by Spitfire and
his army, who but for the devilish folly of Corsus, had ne'er
made head against us.
" An ill night was that, O my Lord the King, in Owlswick
by the sea. Corsus was drunk, and both his sons, guzzling
down goblet upon goblet of the wine from Spitfire's cellars
in Owlswick. Till at last he was fallen spewing on the floor
betwixt the tables, and Gallandus standing amongst us all,
galled to the quick after this shame and ruin of our fortunes,
cried out and said, ' Soldiers of Witchland, I am aweary of
this Corsus : a rioter, a lecher, a surfeiter, a brawler, a spiller
of armies, our own not our enemies', who must bring us all to
hell and we take not order to prevent him.' And he said, ' I
will go home again to Witchland, and have no more share nor
part in this shame.' But all they cried, ' To the devil with
,"

Corsus! Be thou our general.'

Gro was silent a minute. " O King," he said at last, " if
so it be that the malice of the Gods and mine unfortune have
brought me to that case that I am part guilty of that which came
about, blame me not overmuch. Little I thought any word
of mine should help Corsus and the going forward of his bad
enterprise. When all they called still upon Gallandus, saying,
' Ha, ha, Gallandus ! weed out the weeds, lest the best corn
fester ! Be thou our general,' he took me aside to speak with
him; because he said he would take further judgement of me
before he would consent in so great a matter. And I, seeing
deadly danger in these disorders, and thinking that there only
lay our safety if he should have command who was both a
soldier and whose mind was bent to high attempts and noble
enterprises, did egg him forward to accept it. So that he,
albeitunwilling, saidyea to them at last. Which all applauded ;
and Corsus said nought against it, being too sleepy-sodden as
we thought with drunkenness to speak or move.
“

So for that night we went to bed. But in the morn,

O King, was a great clamour betimes in the main court in
Owlswick. And I, running forth in my shirt in the misty gray
of dawn, beheld Corsus standing forth in a gallery before
Gallandus's lodgings that were in an upper chamber. He was
naked to the waist, his hairy breast and arms to the armpits
clotted and adrip with blood, and in his hands two bloody
daggers. He cried in a great voice,' Treason inthe camp,but I
250
MURTHER BY CORSUS
havescotchedit. He that will have Gallandus to his general, come
up and I shall mix his blood with his and make them familiar. "
By then had the King drawn on his silken hose, and a
clean silken shirt, and was about lacing his black doublet
trimmed with diamonds . " Thou tellest me," said he, “ two
faults committed by Corsus. That first he lost me a battle
and nigh half his men, and next did murther Gallandus in a
spleen against him when he would have amended this . "
66

KillingGallandus
him from the shade intoin hishouse
the sleep," saidGro,." " and sending
of darkness
66

Well," said the King, " there be two days in every

month when whatever is begun will never reach completion.
And I think it was on such a day he did execute his purpose
upon Gallandus ."
" The whole camp," said Lord Gro," is up in a mutiny
against him, being marvellously offended at the murther of
so worthy a man in arms. Yet durst they not openly go
against him ; for his veterans guard his person, and he hath
let slice the guts out of some dozen or more that were foremost
inmurmuring at him, so that the rest are afeared to make open
rebellion. I tell you, O King, your army of Demonland is in
great danger and peril. Spitfire sitteth down before Owlswick
in mickle strength, and there is no expectation that we shall
hold out long without supply of men. There is danger too
lest Corsus do some desperate act. I see not how, with so
mutinous an army as his, he can dare to attempt anything at all.
Yet hath he his ears filled with the continual sound of reputa-
tion, and the contempt which will be spread to the disgrace of
him if he repair not soon his fault on the Rapes of Brima. It
is thought that the Demons have no ships, and Laxus com-
mandeth the sea. Yet hard it is to make any going between
betwixt the fleet and Owlswick, and there be many goodly
harbours and places for building of ships in Demonland. If
theycan stop our relieving of Corsus, and prevent Laxus with
a fleet at spring, may be we shall be driven to a great calamity."
" How camest thou off ? " said the King.
" O King," answered Lord Gro, " after this murther in
Owlswick I did daily fear a fig or a knife, so for mine own
health and Witchland's devised all the ways I could to come
away. And gat at last to the fleet by stealth and there took
rede with Laxus, who is most hot upon Corsus for this ill
251
THE WORM OUROBOROS
deed of his, whereby all our hopes may end in smoke, and
prayed me come to you for him as for myself and for all true
hearts of Witchland that do seek your greatness, O King, and
not decay, that you might send them succour ere all be shent.
For surely in Corsus some wild distraction hath overturned
his old condition and spilt the goodness you once did know
in him. His luck hath gone from him, and he is now one that
would fall on his back and break his nose. I pray you strike,
ere Fate strike first and strike us into the hazard."
" Tush ! " said the King. " Do not lift me before I fall.
'
Tis supper time. Attend me to the banquet."
By now was Gorice the King in full festival attire, with
his doublet of black tiffany slashed with black velvet and
broidered o'er with diamonds, black velvet hose cross-gartered
with silver-spangled bands of silk, and a great black bear-skin
mantle and collar of ponderous gold. The Iron crown was
on his head. He took down from his chamber wall, as they
went by, a sword hafted of blue steel with a pommel of blood-
stone carved like a dead man's skull. This he bare naked in
his hand, and they came into the banquet hall.
They that were there rose to their feet in silence, gazing
expectant on the King where he stood between the pillars of
the door with that sharp sword held on high, and the jewelled
crab of Witchland ablaze above his brow. But most they
marked his eyes. Surely the light in the eyes of the King
under his beetle brows was like a light from the under-skies
shed upward from the pit of hell.
He said no word, but with a gesture beckoned Corinius.
Corinius stood up and came to the King, slowly, as a night-
walker, obedient to that dread gaze. His cloak of sky-blue
silk was flung back from his shoulders. His chest, broad as
abull's, swelled beneath the shining silver scales of his byrny,
that was short-sleeved, leaving his strong arms bare to view
with golden rings about the wrists. Proudly he stood before
the King, his head firm planted above his mighty throat and
neck ; his proud luxurious mouth, made for wine-cups and for
ladies' lips, firm set above the square shaven chin and jaw ;
the thick fair curls of his hair bound with black bryony ; the
insolence that dwelt in his dark blue eyes tamed for the while
in face of that green bale-light that rose and fell in the steadfast
gaze of the King.
252
 ..

MURTHER BY CORSUS
When they had so stood silent while men might count
twenty breaths, the King spake saying : " Corinius, receive
the name of the kingdom of Demonland which thy Lord and
King give thee, and make homage to me thereof."
!
The breath of amazement went about the hall. Corinius
kneeled. The King gave him that sword which he held in his
hand, bare for the slaughter, saying, " With this sword, O
Corinius, shalt thou wear out this blemish and blot that until
now rested upon thee in mine eye. Corsus hath proved
1 haggard. He hath made miss in Demonland. His sottish
folly hath shut him up in Owlswick and lost me half his force.
His jealousy, too maliciously and bloodily bent against my
friends 'stead of mine enemies, hath lost me a good captain.
The wonderful disorder and distresses of his army must, if
thou amend it not, swing all our fortune at one chop from bliss
to bale. If this be rightly handled by thee, one great stroke
shall change every deal. Go thou, and prove thy demerits ."
The Lord Corinius stood up, holding the sword point-
downward in his hand. His face flamed red as an autumn sky
when leaden clouds break apart on a sudden westward and
the sun looks out between . " My Lord the King," said he,
66
:
give me where I may sit down : I will make where I may lie
down. Ere another moon shall wax again to the full I will
set forth from Tenemos. If I do not shortly remedy for you
our fortunes which this bloody fool hath laboured to ruinate,
spit in my face, O King, withhold from me the light of your
countenance, and put spells upon me shall destroy and blast
me for ever ."

253
 XIX : THREMNIR'S HEUGH

OF THE LORD SPITFIRE'S BESIEGING OF THE WITCHES IN HIS OWN

CASTLE OF OWLSWICK ; AND HOW HE DID BATTLE AGAINST CORINIUS
UNDER THREMNIR'S HEUGH, AND THE MEN OF WITCHLAND WON
THE DAY .

ORD SPITFIRE sat in his pavilion before Owlswick

Lpleasant warmth within, and lights filled the rich tent
in mickle discontent. A brazier of hot coals made a

with splendour. From without came the noise of rain steadily

falling in the dark autumn night, splashing in the puddles,
pattering on the silken roof. Zigg sat by Spitfire on the bed,
his hawk-like countenance shadowed with an unwonted look
of care. His sword stood between his knees point downward
on the floor. He tipped it gently with either hand now to the
left now to the right, watching with pensive gaze the warm
light shift and gleam in the ball of balas ruby that made the
pommel of the sword.
" Fell it out so accursedly ? " said Spitfire. " All ten,
thou saidst, on Rammerick Strands ? "
Zigg nodded assent.
" Where was he that he saved them not ? " said Spitfire.
" O, it was vilely miscarried ! "
Zigg answered, " " Twas a swift and secret landing in the
dark a mile east of the harbour. Thou must not blame him
unheard ."
" What more remain to us ? " said Spitfire. " Content :
I'll hear him. What ships remain to us, is more to the purpose.
Three by Northsands Eres, below Elmerstead : five on Thro-
water : two by Lychness : two more at Aurwath : six by my
direction on Stropardon Firth : seven here on the beach."
254
THREMNIR'S HEUGH
" Besides four at the firth head in Westmark," said Zigg.
" And order is ta'en for more in the Isles ."
Twenty and nine," said Spitfire," and those in the Isles
beside. And not one afloat, nor can be ere spring. If Laxus
smell them out and take them as lightly as these he burned
under Volle's nose on Rammerick Strands, we do but plough
the desert building them. "
He rose to pace the tent. " Thou must raise me new
forces for to break into Owlswick. 'Fore heaven ! " he said,
" this vexes me to the guts, to sit at mine own gate full two
months like a beggar, whiles Corsus and those two cubs his
sons drink themselves drunk within, and play at cock-shies
with my treasures ."
" O' the wrong side of the wall," said Zigg, " the master-
builder may judge the excellence of his own building."
Spitfire stood by the brazier, spreading his strong hands
above the glow. After a time he spake more soberly. " It
is not these few ships burnt in the north should trouble me ;
and indeed Laxus hath not five hundred men to man his
whole fleet withal. But he holdeth the sea, and ever since
his putting out into the deep with thirty sail from Looking-
haven I do expect fresh succours out of Witchland. 'Tis that
maketh me champ still on the bit till this hold be won again ;
for then were we free at least to meet their landing. But
'twere most unfit at this time of the year to carry on a siege
in low and watery grounds, the enemy's army being on foot
and unengaged. Wherefore, this is my mind, O my friend,
that thou go with haste over the Stile and fetch me supply of
men. Leave force to ward our ships a-building, wheresoever
they be ; and a good force in Krothering and thereabout, for
I will not be found a false steward of his lady sister's safety.
And in thine own house make sure. But these things being
provided, shear up the war-arrow and bring me out of the
west fifteen or eighteen hundred men-at-arms. For I do think
that by me and thee and such a head of men of Demonland
as we shall then command Owlswick gates may be brast open
and Corsus plucked out of Owlswick like a whilk out of his
shell ."
Zigg answered him, " I'll be gone at point of day."
Now they rose up and took their weapons and muffled
themselves in their great campaigning cloaks and went forth
255
THE WORM OUROBOROS
with torch-bearers to walk through the lines, as every night
ere he went to rest it was Spitfire's wont to do, visiting his
captains and setting the guard. The rain fell gentlier. The
night was without a star. The wet sands gleamed with the
lights of Owlswick Castle, and from the castle came by fits
the sound of feasting heard above the wash and moan of the
sullen sleepless sea.
When they had made all sure and were come nigh again
to Spitfire's tent and Zigg was upon saying good-night, there
rose up out of the shadow of the tent an ancient man and
came betwixt them into the glare of the torches. Shrivelled
and wrinkled and bowed he seemed as with extreme age. His
hair and his beard hung down in elf-locks adrip with rain.
His mouth was toothless, his eyes like a dead fish's eyes. He
touched Spitfire's cloak with his skinny hand, saying in a
voice like the night-raven's, " Spitfire, beware of Thremnir's
Heugh ."
Spitfire said, " What have we here ? And which way the
devil came he into my camp ? "
But that aged man still held him by the cloak, saying,
Spitfire, is not this thine house of Owlswick ? And is it
not the most strong and fair place that ever man saw in this
countree ? "
" Filth, unhand me," said Spitfire, " else shall I presently
thrust thee through with my sword, and send thee to the
Tartarus of hell, where I doubt not the devils there too long
await thee."
But that aged man said again," Hot stirring heads are too
easily entrapped. Hold fast, Spitfire, to that which is thine,
and beware of Thremnir's Heugh."
Now was Lord Spitfire wood angry, and because the old
carle still held him by the cloak and would not let him go,
plucked forth his sword, thinking to have stricken him about
the head with the flat of his sword. But with that stroke
went a gust of wind about them, so that the torch-flames were
nigh blown out. And that was strange, of a still windless
night. And in that gust was the old man vanished away like
a cloud passing in the night.
Zigg spake : " The thin habit of spirits is beyond the force
ofweapons."
" Pish ! " said Spitfire. " Was this a spirit ? I hold it
256
THREMNIR'S HEUGH
rather a simulacrum or illusion prepared for us by Witchland's
cunning, to darken our counsel and shake our resolution."
On the morrow while yet sunrise was red, Lord Zigg went
down to the sea-shore to bathe in the great rock pools that
face southward across the little bay of Owlswick. The salt
air was fresh after the rain. The wind that had veered to the
east blew in cold and pinching gusts. In a rift between slate-
blue clouds the low sun flamed blood-red. Far to the south-
east where the waters of Micklefirth open on the main, the low
cliffs of Lookinghaven-ness loomed shadowy as a bank of cloud.
Zigg laid down his sword and spear and looked south-
east across the firth ; and behold, a ship in full sail rounding
the ness and steering northward on the larboard tack. And
when he had put off his kirtle he looked again, and behold,
two more ships a-steering round the ness and sailing hard in
the wake of the first. So he donned his kirtle again and took
his weapons, and by then were fifteen sail a-steering up the firth
in line ahead, dragons of war.
So he fared hastily to Spitfire's tent, and found him yet
abed, for sweet sleep yet nursed in her bosom impetuous
Spitfire ; his head was thrown back on the broidered pillow,
displaying his strong shaven throat and chin ; his fierce mouth
beneath his bristling fair moustachios was relaxed in slumber,
and his fierce eyes closed in slumber beneath their yellow
bristling eyebrows .
Zigg took him by the foot and waked him and told him
all the matter : " Fifteen ships, and every ship (as I might
plainly see as they drew nigh) as full of men as there be eggs
in a herring's roe. So cometh our expectation to the birth."
" And so," said Spitfire, leaping from the couch, " cometh
Laxus again to Demonland, with fresh meat to glut our swords
withal."
He caught up his weapons and ran to a little knoll that
stood above the beach over against Owlswick Castle. And all
the host ran to behold those dragons of war sail up the firth
at dawn of day.
" They dowse sail," said Spitfire, " and put in for
Scaramsey. 'Tis not for nothing I taught these Witchlanders
on the Rapes of Brima. Laxus, since he witnessed that down-
throw of their army, now accounteth islands more wholesomer
S
257
THE WORM OUROBOROS
thanthe mainland, well knowing we have nor sails nor wings to
strike across the firth at him. Yet scarcely by skulking in the
islands shall he break up the siege of Owlswick."
Zigg said, " I would know where be his fifteen other ships ."
" In fifteen ships," said Spitfire, " it is not possible he
beareth more than sixteen hundred or seventeen hundred men
of war. Against so many I am strong enough to-day, should
they adventure a landing, to throw 'em into the sea and still
contain Corsus if he make a sally. If more be added, I am
the less secure. Therefore occasion calleth but the louder for
thy purposed faring to the west."
So the Lord Zigg called him out a dozen men-at-arms and
went a-horseback. By then were all the ships rowed ashore
under the southern spit of Scaramsey, where is good anchorage
for ships . They were there hidden from view, all save their
masts that showed over the spit, so that the Demons might
observe nought of their disembarking.
Spitfire rode with Zigg three miles or four, as far as the
brow of the descent to the fords of Ethreywater, and there bade
66
him farewell. Lightning shall be slow to my hasting," said
Zigg, " till I be back again. Meantime, I would have thee
be not too scornfully unmindful of that old man. "
Chirking of sparrows ! " said Spitfire. " I have forgot
his brabble." Nevertheless his glance shifted southward
beyond Owlswick to the great bluff of tree-hung precipice
that stands like a sentinel above the meadows of Lower Tivaran-
dardale, leaving but a narrow way betwixt its lowest crags and
the sea. He laughed : " O my friend, I am yet a boy in thine
eyes it seemeth, albeit I am well-nigh twenty-nine years old."
" Laugh at me and thou wilt," said Zigg. " Without this
word said I could not leave thee."
66

Well, " said Spitfire, " to lull thy fears , I'll not go a-
birdsnesting on Thremnir's Heugh till thou come back again. "
Now for a week or more was nought to tell of save that
Spitfire's army sat before Owlswick, and they on the island sent
ever and again three or four ships to land suddenly about
Lookinghaven or at the head of the firth, or southaway beyond
Drepaby, as far as the coastlands under RimonArmon, harrying
and burning. And as oft as force was gathered against them,
they fared aboard again and sailed back to Scaramsey. In
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THREMNIR'S HEUGH
those days came Volle from the west with an hundred men and
joined him with Spitfire.
The eighth day of November the weather worsened, and
clouds gathered from the west and south, till all the sky was a
welter of huge watery leaden clouds, separated one from
another by oily streaks of white. The wind grew fitful as the
day wore. The sea was dark like dull iron. Rain began to
fall in big drops. The mountains showed monstrous and
shadowy : some dark inky blue, others in the west like walls
and bastions of clotted mist against the hueless mist of heaven
behind them. Evening closed with thunder and rain and
lightning-torn banks of vapour. All night long the thunder
roared in sullen intermission, and all night long new banks of
thunder-cloud swung together and parted and swung together
again. And the light of the moon was abated, and no light
seen save the levin-brand, and the camp-fires before Owlswick,
and the light of revelry within. So that the Demons camped
before the castle were not ware of those fifteen ships that put
out from Scaramsey on that wild sea and landed two or three
miles to the southward by the great bluff of Thremnir's Heugh.
Nor were they ware at all of them that landed from the ships :
fifteen or sixteen hundred men-at-arms with Heming of Witch-
land and his young brother Cargo for their leaders. And the
ships rowed back to Scaramsey through the loud storm and fury
of the weather, all save one that foundered in Bothrey Sound.
But on the morn, when the tempest was abated, might
all behold the putting forth of fourteen ships of war from
Scaramsey, every ship of them laden with men-at-arms. They
had passage swiftly over the firth, and came aland two miles
south of Owlswick. And the ships stood off again from the
land, but the army marshalled for battle on the meads above
Mingarn Hope.
Now Lord Spitfire let draw up his men and moved out
southward from the lines before Owlswick. When they were
come within some half mile's distance of the Witchland army,
so that they might see clearly their russet kirtles and their
shields and body-armour of bronze, and the dull glint of their
sword-blades and the heads of their spears, Volle, that rode by
Spitfire, spake and said, " Markest thou him, O Spitfire, that
rideth back and forth before their battle, marshalling them ?
So ever rode Corinius ; and well mayst thou know him even
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
afar off by his showiness and jaunting carriage. Yet see a
great wonder now : for who ever heard tell of this young
hotspur giving back from the fight ? And now, or ever we be
gottenwithin spear-shot "
By the bright eye of day," cried Spitfire, " 'tis so ! Will
he baulk me quite of a battle ? I'll loose a handful of horse
upon them to delay their haste ere they be flown beyond sight
and finding."
Therewith he gave command to his horsemen to ride forth
upon the enemy. And they rode forth with Astar of Rettray,
that was brother-in-law to Lord Zigg, for their leader. But
the Witchland horse met them by the shallows of Aron Pow
and held them in the shallows while Corinius with his main
army won across the river. And when the main body of the
Demons were come up and the passage forced, the Witchlanders
were gotten clean away across the water-meadows to the pass
betwixt the shore and the steeps of Thremnir's Heugh.
Then said Spitfire, " They stay not to form even i' the
narrow way 'twixt the sea and the Heugh. And that were their
safety, if they had but the heart to turn and stand us." And
he shouted with a great shout upon his men to charge the
enemy, and suffer not a Witch to overlive that slaughter.
So the footmen caught hold of the stirrup-leathers of the
horsemen, and running and riding they poured into the narrow
pass ; and ever was Spitfire foremost among his men, hewing
to left and to right among the press, riding on that whelming
battle-tide that seemed to bear him on to triumph.
But now on a sudden was he, who with but twelve hundred
men had so hotly followed fifteen hundred into the strait
passage under Thremnir's Heugh, made ware too late that he
must have to do with three thousand : Corinius rallying his
folk and turning like a wolf in the pass, while Corund's sons,
that had landed as aforesaid in the storm in the mirk of night,
swept down with their battalions from the wooded slopes
behind the Heugh. In such wise that Spitfire wist not sooner
of any foreshadowing of disaster than of disaster's self : the
thunder of the blow in flank and front and rear.
Then befell great manslaying between the sea-cliffs and
the sea. The Demons, taken at that advantage, were like a
man tripped in mid-stride by a rope across the way. By the
sore onset of the Witches they were driven down into the
260
THREMNIR'S HEUGH
shallows of the sea, and the spume of the sea was red with
blood. And the Lord Corinius, now that he had done with
feigned retreat, fared through the battle like a stream of un-
quenchable wildfire, that none might sustain his strokes that
were about him .
Now was Spitfire's horse slain under him with a spear-
thrust, as riding fetlock-deep in the yielding sand he rallied
his men to fling back Heming. But Bremery of Shaws brought
him another horse, and so mightily went he forth against the
Witches that the sons of Corund were fain to give back before
his onslaught, and that wing of the Witchland army was
pressed back against the broken ground below the Heugh.
Yet was that of little avail, for Corinius brake through from the
north, thrusting the Demons with great slaughter back from
the sea, so that they were penned betwixt him and Heming.
Therewith Spitfire turned with some picked companies against
Corinius; and well it seemed for awhile that a great force of
the Witches must be whelmed or drowned in the salt waves .
And Corinius himself stood now in great peril of his life, for
his horse was bogued in the soft sands and might not win free
for all his plunging.
In that nick of time came Spitfire through the stour, with
aband of Demons about him, slaying as he came. He shouted
with a terrible voice, " O Corinius, hateful to me and mine as
are the gates of Hell, now will I kill thee, and thy dead carcase
shall fatten the sweet meads of Owlswick."
Corinius answered him, " Bloody Spitfire, last of three
whelps, for thy brothers are by now dead and rotten, I shall
give thee a choke-pear."
Therewith Spitfire shot a twirl-spear at him. It missed
the man but smote the great horse in the shoulder so that he
plunged and fell in a heap, hurt to the death. But the Lord
Corinius lighting nimbly on his feet caught Spitfire's horse
by the bridle rein and smote it on the muzzle, even as he rode
at him, so that the horse reared up and swerved. Spitfire made
a great blow at him with an axe, but it came slantwise on the
helmet ridge and glented aside in air. Then Corinius thrust
up under Spitfire's shield with his sword, and the point entered
thebig muscle of the arm near the armpit, and glancing against
the bone tore up through the muscles of the shoulder. And
that was a great wound.
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
Nevertheless Spitfire slacked not from the fight, but smote
athim again, thinking to have hewn offhis arm thehandwhereof
still clutched the bridle-rein. Corinius caught the axe on his
shield, but his fingers loosed the rein, and almost he fell to
earth under that mighty stroke, and the good bronze shield
was dented and battered in.
Now with the loosing of the reins was Spitfire's horse
plunged forward, carrying him past Corinius toward the sea.
But he turned and hailed him, crying, " Get thee an horse.
For I count it unworthy to fight with thee bearing this ad-
vantage over thee, I a-horseback and thou on foot."
Corinius cried out and answered," Come down from thine
horse then, and meet me foot to foot. And know it, my pretty
throstle-cock, that I am king in Demonland, which dignity
I hold of the King of Kings, Gorice of Witchland, mine only
overlord. Meet it is that I show thee in combat singular,
that vauntest thyself greatest among the rebels yet left alive in
this my kingdom, how much greater is my might than thine."
" These be great and thumping words," said Spitfire. "I
shall thrust them down thy throat again."
Therewith he made as if to light down from his horse ;
but as he strove to light down, a mist went before his eyes and
he reeled in his saddle. His men rushed in betwixt him and
Corinius, and the captain of his bodyguard bare him up, saying,
" You are hurt, my lord. You must not fight no more with
Corinius, for your highness is unmeet for fighting and may not
stand alone."
So they that were about him bare up great Spitfire. And
the mellay that was stayed while those lords dealt together in
single combat brake forth afresh in that place. But all the
while had furious war swung and ravened below Thremnir's
Heugh, and wondrous was the valour of the Demons ; for
many hundred were slain or wounded to the death, and but
a small force were they that yet remained to bear up the
battle against the Witches .

Now those that were with Spitfire departed with him in

the secretest manner that they could out ofthe fight, wrapping
about him a watchet - coloured cloak to hide his shining
armour. They stanched the blood that ran from the great
wound in his shoulder and bound it up carefully, and carried
262
THREMNIR'S HEUGH

him a-horseback by Volle's command into Tremmerdale by

secret mountain paths up to a desolate corrie east of Sterry
Gap, under the great scree-shoot that flanks the precipices of
the south summit of Dina. A long time he lay there senseless ,
like to one dead. For many hurts had he taken in the unequal
fight, and greatly was he bruised and battered, but worst of all
was the sore hurt Corinius gave him ere they parted betwixt
the limits of land and sea.
And when night was fallen and all the ways were darkened,
came the Lord Volle with a few companions utterly wearied
to that lonely corrie. The night was still and cloudless, and
themaidenmoon walked high heaven, blackening the shadows
of the great peaks that were like sharks' teeth against the night.
Spitfire lay on a bed of ling and cloaks in the lee of a great
boulder. Ghastly pale was his face in the silver moonlight.
Volle leaned upon his spear looking earnestly upon him.
They asked him tidings. And Volle answered, " All lost," and
still looked upon Spitfire.
They said, " My lord, we have stanched the blood and
bound up the wound, but his lordship abideth yet senseless .
And greatly we fear for his life, lest this great hurt yet prove
his bane-sore."
Volle kneeled beside him on the cold sharp stones and
tended him as a mother might her sick child, applying to the
wound leaves of black horehound and millefoil and other
healing simples, and giving him to drink out of a flask of
precious wine of Arshalmar, ripened for an age in the deep
cellars below Krothering. So that in a while Spitfire opened
his eyes and said, " Draw back the curtains of the bed, for 'tis
many a day since I woke up in Owlswick. Or is it night
indeed ? How went the fight, then ? "
His eyes stared at the naked rocks and the naked sky beyond
them. Then with a great groan he lifted himself on his right
elbow. Volle put a strong arm about him, saying, “ Drink
the good wine, and have patience. There be great doings
toward."
Spitfire stared round him awhile, then said violently, " Shall
we be foxes and fugitive men to dwell in holes o' the hollow
mountain side ? So the bright day is done, ha ? Then off
with these trammels." And he fell a-tearing at the bandage
on his wounds .
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 THE WORM OUROBOROS
But Volle prevented him with strong hands, saying, " Be-
think thee how on thee alone, O glorious Spitfire, and on thy
wise heart and valiant soul that delighteth in furious war,
resteth all our hope to ward off from our lady wives and dear
children and all our good land and fee the fury of the men of
Witchland, and to save alive the great name of Demonland.
Let not thy proud heart be capable of despair."
But Spitfire groaned and said, " Certain it was that woe
and evil hap must be to Demonland until my kinsmen be
gotten home again. And that day I think shall never dawn. "
And he cried, " Boasted he not that he is king in Demonland ?
and yet I had not my sword in his umbles. And thou
thinkest I'll live in shame ? "
Therewithal he strove again to tear off the bandages, but
Volle prevented him. And he raved and said, " Who was
it forced me from the battle ? 'Tis pity of his life, to have
abused me so. Better dead than run from Corinius like a
beaten puppy. Let me go, false traitors ! I will amend this .
I will die fighting. Let me go back."
Volle said, " Lift up thine eyes, great Spitfire, and behold
the lady moon, how virgin free she walketh the wide fields
of heaven, and the glory of the stars of heaven which in their
multitudes attend her. And as little as earthly mists and
storms do dim her, but though she be hid awhile yet when
the tempest is abated and the sky swept bare of clouds there
she appeareth again in her steadfast course, mistress of tides
and seasons and swayer of the fates of mortal men : even
such is the glory of sea-girt Demonland, and the glory of thine
house, O Spitfire. And as little as commotions in the heavens
should avail to remove these everlasting mountains, so little
availeth disastrous war, though it be a great fight lost as was
to-day, to shake down our greatness, that are mightiest with the
spear from of old and able to make all earth bow to our glory."
So said Volle. And the Lord Spitfire looked out across
the mist-choked sleeping valley to the great rock-faces dim
in the moonlight and the lean peaks grand and silent beneath
the moon. He spake not, whether for strengthlessness or as
charmed to silence by the mighty influences of night and the
mountain solitudes and by Volle's voice speaking deep and
quiet in his ear, like the voice of night herself calming earth-
born tumults and despairs.
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THREMNIR'S HEUGH

After a time Volle spake once more : " Thy brethren shall
come home again: doubt it not. But till then art thou our
strength. Therefore have patience ; heal thy wounds ; and
raise forces again. But shouldst thou in desperate madness
destroy thy life, then were we shent indeed."

265
 :

XX : KING CORINIUS

OF THE ENTRY OF THE LORD CORINIUS INTO OWLSWICK AND HOW

HE WAS CROWNED IN SPITFIRE'S SAPPHIRE CHAIR AS VICEROY
OF GORICE THE KING AND KING IN DEMONLAND : AND HOW
ALL THAT WERE IN OWLSWICK CASTLE DID SO RECEIVE AND
ACKNOWLEDGE HIM .

ORINIUS, having completed this great victory, came

with his army north again to Owlswick as daylight
C began to fade. The drawbridge was let down for him
and the great gates flung wide, that were studded with silver
and ribbed with adamant; and in great pomp rode he and
his into Owlswick Castle, over the causey builded of the living
rock and great blocks of hewn granite out of Tremmerdale.
The more part of his army lay in Spitfire's camp before the
castle, but a thousand were with him in his entry into Owlswick
with Corund's sons and the lords Gro and Laxus besides ,
for the fleet had put across to anchor there when they saw the
day was won.
Corsus greeted them well, and would have brought them
to their lodgings near his own chamber, that they might put
off their harness and don clean linen and festival garments
before supper. But Corinius excused himself, saying he had
*eat nought since breakfast-time : " Let us therefore not pass
for ceremony, but bring us I pray you forthright to the banquet
house."
Corinius went in with Corsus before them all, putting
lovingly about his shoulder his arm all befouled with dust and
clotted blood. For he had not so much as stayed for washing
of his hands. And that was scarce good for the broidered
cloak of purple taffety the Duke Corsus wore about his
shoulders . Howbeit, Corsus made as if he marked it not.
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KING CORINIUS
When they were come into the hall, Corsus looked about
him and said, " So it is, my Lord Corinius, that this hall is
something little for the great press that here befalleth. Many
of mine own folk that be of some account should by long
custom sit down with us. And here be no seats left for them.
Prithee command some of the common sort that came in with
thee to give place, that all may be done orderly. Mine officers
must not scramble in the buttery." 66
" I'm sorry, my lord," answered Corinius, but needs
must that we bethink us o' these lads of mine which have
chiefly borne the toil of battle, and well I weet thou'lt not
deny them this honour to sit at meat with us : these that thou
hast most to thank for opening Owlswick gates and raising
the siege our enemies held so long against you."
So they took their seats, and supper was set before them :
kids stuffed with walnuts and almonds and pistachios ; herons
in sauce cameline ; chines of beef; geese and bustards ; and
great beakers and jars of ruby-hearted wine. Right fain of
the good banquet were Corinius and his folk, and silence
was in the hall for awhile save for the clatter of dishes and the
champing of the mouths of the feasters.
At length Corinius, quaffing down at one draught a mighty
goblet of wine, spake and said, " There was battle in the
meads by Thremnir's Heugh to-day, my lord Duke. Wast
thou at that battle ? "
Corsus's heavy cheeks flushed somewhat red. He answered,
" Thou knowest I was not. And I should account it most
blameable hotheadedness to have sallied forth when it seemed
Spitfire had the victory."
" O my lord," said Corinius, " think not I made this a
quarrel to thee. The rather let me show thee how much I
hold thee in honour."
Therewith he called his boy that stood behind his chair,
and the boy returned anon with a diadem of polished gold set
all about with topazes that had passed through the fire ; and
on the frontlet of that diadem was the small figure of a crab-
fish in dull iron, the eyes of it two green beryls on stalks of
silver. The boy set it down on the table before the Lord
Corinius, as it had been a dish of meat before him. Corinius
took a writing from his purse, and laid it on the table for
Corsus to see. And there was the signet upon it of the worm
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 THE WORM OUROBOROS
Ouroboros in scarlet wax, and the sign manual of Gorice the
King.
My Lord Corsus," said he, " and ye sons of Corsus, and
ye other Witches, I do you to wit that our Lord the King
made me by these tokens his viceroy for his province of Demon-
land, and willed that I should bear a king's name in this land
and that under him all should render me obedience."
Corsus, looking on the crown and the royal warrant of the
King, waxed in one instant deadly pale, and in the next red
as blood.
Corinius said, " To thee, O Corsus, out of all these great
ones that here be gathered together in Owlswick, will I submit
me for thee to crown me with this crown, as king in Demon-
land. This, that thou mayst see and know how most I honour
thee."
Now were all silent, waiting on Corsus to speak. But he
spake not a word. Dekalajus said privily in his ear, " O my
father, if the monkey reigns, dance before him. Time shall
bring us occasion to right you."
And Corsus, disregarding not this wholesome rede, for
all he might not wholly rule his countenance, yet ruled himself
to bite in the injuries he was fain to utter. And with no ill
grace he did that office, to set on Corinius's head the new
crown of Demonland .
Corinius sat now in Spitfire's seat, whence Corsus had
moved to make place for him : in Spitfire's high seat of smoke-
coloured jade, curiously carved and set with velvet-lustred
sapphires , and right and left of him were two high candle-
sticks of fine gold. The breadth of his shoulders filled all
the space between the pillars of the spacious seat. A hard
man he looked to deal with, clothed upon with youth and
strength and all armed and yet smoking from the battle.
Corsus, sitting between his sons, said under his breath,
" Rhubarb ! bring me rhubarb to purge away this choler ! "
But Dekalajus whispered him, " Softly, tread easy. Let
not our counsels walk in a net, thinking they are hidden.
Nurse him to security, which shall be our safety and the mean
to our wiping out this shaming. Was not Gallandus as big
a man ? "
Corsus's dull eye gleamed. He lifted a brimming wine-
cup to toast Corinius. And Corinius hailed him and said,
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KING CORINIUS
" My lord Duke, call in thine officers I pray thee and proclaim
me, that they in turn may proclaim me king unto all the army
that is in Owlswick ."
Which Corsus did, albeit sore against his liking, knowing
not where to find a reason against it.
When the plaudits were heard in the courts without,
acclaiming him as king, Corinius spake again and said, “ I
and my folk be a-weary, my lord, and would betimes to our
rest. Give order, I pray thee, that they make ready my
lodgings. And let them be those same lodgings Gallandus
had whenas he was in Owlswick . "
Whereat Corsus might scarce forbear a start. But Corinius's
eye was on him, and he gave the order.
While he waited for his lodgings to be made ready, the
Lord Corinius made great good cheer, calling for more wine
and fresh dainties to set before those lords of Witchland :
olives, and botargoes, and conserves of goose's liver richly
seasoned, taken from Spitfire's plenteous store.
In the meantime Corsus spake softly to his sons : " I like
not his naming of Gallandus. Yet seemeth he careless, as
one that feareth no guile."
And Dekalajus answered in his ear, " Peradventure the
Gods ordained his destruction, to make him choose that
chamber."
So they laughed. And the banquet drew to a close with
much pleasure and merrymaking.
Now came serving men with torches to light them to their
chambers . As they stood up to bid good-night, Corinius said,
" I'm sorry, my lord, if, after thy pleasant usage, I should do
aught that is not convenable to thee. But I doubt not Owls-
wick Castle must be irksome to thee and thy sons, that were
so long mewed up within it, and I doubt not ye are wearied
by this siege and long warfare. Therefore it is my will that
you do instantly depart home to Witchland. Laxus hath a
shipmanned ready to transport you thither. To put a fit and
friendly term to our festivities, we'll bring you down to the
ship ."
Corsus's jaw fell. Yet he schooled his tongue to say,
" My lord, so as it shall please thee. Yet let me know thy
reasons. Surely the swords of me and my sons avail not so
little for Witchland in this country of our evil-willers that we
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
should sheathe 'em and go home. Howbeit, 'tis a matter
demandeth no sweaty haste. We will take rede hereon in the
morning."
But Corinius answered him, " Cry you mercy, needful it
is that this very night you go ashipboard." And he gave
him an ill look, saying, " Sith I lie to-night in Gallandus's
lodgings, I think it fit my bodyguard should have thy chamber,
my lord Duke, which, as I lately learned, adjoineth it."
Corsus said no word. But Gorius, his younger son, that
was drunk with wine, leaped up and said, " Corinius, in an
evil hour art thou come into this land to demand servitude
ofus. And thou art informed of my father right maliciously
if thou art afeared of us because se of Gallandus. ' Tis this
viper sitteth beside thee, the Goblin swabber, told thee falsely
this bad tale of us. And 'tis pity he is still inward with thee,
for still he plotteth evil 'gainst Witchland."
Dekalajus thrust him aside, saying to Corinius, " Heed
not my brother though he be hasty and rude of speech ; for
in wine he speaketh, and wine is another man. But most true
it is, O Corinius, and this shall the Duke my father and all
we swear and confirm to thee with the mightiest oaths thou
wilt, that Gallandus sought to usurp authority for this sake
only, to betray our whole army to the enemy. And 'twas
only therefore Corsus slew him."
" That is a flat lie," said Laxus.
Gro laughed lightly.
But Corinius's sword leaped half naked from the scabbard,
and he made a stride toward Corsus and his sons. "Give
me the king's name when ye speak to me," he said, scowling
upon them. " You sons of Corsus are not men to make me
a stalk to catch birds with or to serve your own turn. And
thou," he said, looking fiercely on Corsus, wert best go
“

meekly, and not bandy words with me. Thou fool ! think'st
thou I am Gallandus come again ? Thou that didst murther
him shalt not murther me. Or think'st I delivered thee out
ofthe toils thine own folly and thrawart ways had bound thee
in, only to suffer thee lord it again here and cast all amiss
again by the unquietness of thy malice ? Here is the guard
to bring you down to the ship. And well it is for thee if I
slash not off thy head."
Now Corsus and his sons stood for a little doubting in
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KING CORINIUS
their hearts whether it were fitter to leap with their weapons
upon Corinius, putting their fortunes to the hazard of battle
in Owlswick hall, or to embrace necessity and go down to the
ship. And this seemed to them the better choice, to go quietly
ashipboard ; for there stood Corinius and Laxus and their
men, and but few to face them of Corsus's own people, that
should be sure for his party if it came to fighting; and withal
they were not eager to have to do with Corinius, not though
it had been on more even terms. So at the last, in anger and
bitterness of heart, they submitted them to obey his will ;
and in that same hour Laxus brought them to the ship, and
put them across the firth to Scaramsey.
There were they safe as a mouse in a mill. For Cadarus
was skipper of that ship, a trusted liegeman of Lord Laxus,
and her crew men leal and true to Corinius and Laxus . She
lay at anchor as for that night in the lee of the island, and with
the first streak of dawn sailed down the firth, bearing Corsus
and his sons homeward from Demonland.

271
 XXI : THE PARLEY BEFORE
KROTHERING

WHEREIN IS SHOWN HOW WARLIKE POLICY AND A PICTURE PAINTED

DREW THE WAR WESTWARD : AND HOW THE LORD GRO WENT
ON AN EMBASSAGE TO KROTHERING GATES, AND OF THE ANSWER
HE GAT THERE .

OW it is to be said of Zigg that he failed not to fulfil

Spitfire's behest, but gathered hastily an army of more
N than fifteen hundred horse and foot out of the northern
dales and the habitations about Shalgreth Heath and the
pasture-lands of Kelialand and Switchwater Way and the
region of Rammerick, and came in haste over the Stile. But
when Corinius knew of this faring from the west, he marched
three thousand strong to meet them above Moonmere Head,
to deny them the way to Galing. But Zigg, being yet in the
upper defiles of Breakingdale, now for the first time had
advertisement of the great slaughter at Thremnir's Heugh,
and how the forces of Spitfire and Volle were broken and
scattered and themselves fled up into the mountains ; and so
deeming it small gain with so little an army to give battle to
Corinius , he turned back without more ado and returned
hastily over the Stile whence he came. Corinius sent light
forces to harry his retreat, but being not minded as then to
follow them into the west country, let build a burg in the
throat of the pass in a place of vantage, and stationed there
sufficient men to ward it, and so came again to Owlswick.
They that were with Corinius in Demonland numbered
now more than five thousand fighting men : a great and
redoubtable army. With these, the weather being fine and
open, he in a short time laid under him all eastern Demonland,
272
 PARLEY BEFORE KROTHERING
save Galing alone. Bremery of Shaws with but seventy men
heldGaling for Lord Juss against all assaults . So that Corinius ,
thinking this fruit should ripen later and drop into his hand
when the rest had been gathered, resolved at winter's end to
march with his main army into the west country, leaving a
small force to hold down the eastlands and contain Bremery
in Galing. To this determination he was led by all arguments
of sound soldiership, most happily seconding his own inclina-
tions. For besides this of warlike policy two scarce weaker
lodestones drew him westward : first the old cankered malice
he bare in his heart against the Lord Brandoch Daha, that made
Krothering his dearest prey ; and next, his own lustful desires
most outrageously burning for the Lady Mevrian. And this
only for the sight of her picture, found by him in Spitfire's
closet among his pens and inkstands and other trinkets, which
once looked on he swore that with Heaven's will (ay, or without
if so it must be) she should be his paramour.
So on the fourteenth day of March, of a bright frosty morn,
he with his main army marched up Breakingdale and over the
Stile, by that same road that Lord Juss fared by and Lord
Brandoch Daha, that summer's day when they went to take
counsel in Krothering before the Impland expedition. So
came the Witches down to the watersmeet and turned aside
to Many Bushes. There they found not Zigg nor his lady
wife nor any of his folk, but found the house desolate. So
they robbed and burned and went their way. And a famous
castle of Juss's they sacked and burned in the confines of
Kelialand, and another on Switchwater Way, and a summer
palace of Spitfire's on a little hill above Rammerick Mere. In
such wise they marched victoriously down Switchwater Way,
and there was none to dispute their progress but all fled at the
approach of that great army and hid themselves in the secret
places of the mountains, avoiding death and fate.
When he was come through the straits of Gashterndale up
on to Krothering Side, Corinius let pitch his camp under
Erngate End, at the foot of the scree-strewn slopes that rise
steeply to the high western face of the mountain, where the
lean embattled crags far aloft stand like a wall against high
heaven.
Corinius came to Lord Gro and said to him, " To thee
will I entrust mine embassage to this Mevrian. Thou shalt
T 273
THE WORM OUROBOROS
go with a flag of truce to gain thee entry to the castle ; or if
they will not admit thee, then bid her parley with thee without
the wall. Then shalt thou use what fantastic courtier's jargon
nature and thine invention shall lightliest counsel thee, and
say, ' Corinius, by the grace of the great King and the might
of his own hand king of Demonland, sitteth as thou well
mayst see in power invincible before this castle. But he willed
me let thee know that he is not come for to make war against
ladies and damosels, and be thou of this sure, that neither to
thee nor to none of thy fortress he will nought say nor hurt.
Only this honour he proffereth thee, to wed thee in sweet
marriage and make thee his queen in Demonland.' Whereto
if she say yea, well and good, and we will go up peaceably into
Krothering and possess it and the woman. But if she deny
me this, then shalt thou say unto her right fiercely that I will
set on against the castle like a lion, and neither rest nor give over
until I have beaten it all to a ruin about her ears and slain the
folk with the edge of the sword. And that which she refuseth
me to have in peaceful love and kindness I will have of my own
violent deed, that she and her stiff-necked Demons may know
that I am their king, and master of all that is theirs, and their
own bodies but chattels to serve my pleasure."
Gro said, " My Lord Corinius, choose I pray thee another
who shall be fitter than I to do this errand for thee ; " and so
for a long time most earnestly besought him. But Corinius,
the more he perceived the duty hateful to Gro, the firmer
became his resolution that none but Gro should undertake it.
So that in the end Gro perforce consented, and in the same
hour went with eleven up to the gates of Krothering, and a
white flag of truce was borne before him .
He sent his herald up to the gate to desire speech of the
Lady Mevrian . And in a while the gates were opened, and she
came down attended to meet Lord Gro in the open garden
before the bridge-gate. It was by then late afternoon, and the
burning sun swam low amid streaked level clouds incarnadine,
setting aflame the waters of Thunderfirth with the reflection
of his beams. From the horizon, high beyond the pine-clad
hills of Westmark, a range of clouds reared themselves, solid
and of an iron hue ; so hard-edged against the vapoury sky of
sunset, that they seemed substantial mountains, not clouds :
unearthly mountains (a man might fancy) divinely raised up
274
PARLEY BEFORE KROTHERING
for Demonland, for whom not all her ancient hills gave any
longer refuge against her enemies. Here, in Krothering
gates, wintersweet and the little purple daphne bush that
blooms before the leaf breathed fragrance abroad. Yet was
it not this sweetness in the air that troubled the Lord Gro,
nor that western glory burning that dazzled his eyes ; but to
look upon that lady standing in the gate, white-skinned and
dark, like the divine Huntress, tall and proud and lovely.
Mevrian, seeing him speechless, said at last, " My lord,
I heard thou hadst some errand to declare unto me. And
seeing a great camp of war gathered under Erngate End, and
having heard of robbers and evil-doers rife about the land
these many moons, I look not for soft speech. Take heart ,
therefore, and declare plainly what ill thou meanest."
Gro answered and said, " Tell me first if thou that speakest
art in truth the Lady Mevrian, that I may know whether to
human kind I speak or to some Goddess come down from the
shining floor of heaven."
She answered, " Of thy compliments I have nought to do.
I am she thou namest."
“

Madam ," said Lord Gro, " I would not have brought
your highness this message nor delivered it, but that I know
full well that did I refuse it another should bear it thee full
speedily, and with less compliment and less sorrow than I."
She nodded gravely, as who should say, Proceed. So,
with what countenance he might, he rehearsed his message ,
saying when it was ended, " Thus, madam, saith Corinius the
king : and thus he charged me deliver it unto your highness."
Mevrian heard him attentively with head erect. When
he had done she was silent a little, still studying him. Then
she spake : " Methinks I know thee now. Thou art Lord
Gro of Goblinland that bearest me this message."
Gro answered, " Madam, he thou namest went years ago
from this earth. I am Lord Gro of Witchland."
"So it seemeth, from thy talk," said she ; and was silent again .
The steady contemplation from that lady's eyes was like
a knife scraping his tender skin, so that he was ill at ease well
nigh past bearing.
After a little she said," I remember thee, my lord. Let me
stir thy memory. Eleven years ago, my brother went to war
in Goblinland against the Witches, and overcame them on
275
THE WORM OUROBOROS
Lormeron field. There slew he the great King of Witchland
in single combat, Gorice X., that until that day was held for
the mightiest man-at-arms in all the world. My brother was
as then but eighteen winters old, and that was the first blazing
up of his great fame and glory. So King Gaslark made great
feastingand great rejoicing in Zajë Zaculo because ofthe ridding
of his land of the oppressors. I was at those revels. I saw
thee there, my lord ; and being but a little maid of eleven
summers, sat on thy knee in Gaslark's halls. Thou didst show
me books, with pictures in strange colours of gold and green
and scarlet, of birds and beasts and distant countries and
wonders of the world. And I, being a little harmless maid,
thought thee good and kind of heart, and loved thee."
She ceased, and Gro, like a man hath taken some drowsy
drug, stood looking on her confounded.
" Tell me," said she, " of this Corinius . Is he such a
fighter as men say ? "
" He is," said Gro," one of the most famousest captains
that ever was. That might not his worst enemies gainsay."
Mevrian said, " A likely consort, think'st thou, for a lady
ofDemonland ? Remember, I have said nay to crowned kings.
I would know thy mind, for doubtless he is thy very familiar
friend, since he made thee his go-between. "
“
Gro saw that she mocked, and he was troubled at heart.
Madam," said he, and his voice shook somewhat, " take not
in too great scorn this vile part in me. Verily this I brought
thee is the most shamefullest message, and flatly against my
will did I deliver it unto thee. Yet with such constraint upon
me, how could I choose but strike my forehead into dauntless
marble and word by word deliver my charge ? "
"

Thy tongue,” said Mevrian, hath struck hot irons in

my face. Go back to thy master. If he look for an answer,
tell him he may read it in letters of gold above the gates."
"

Thy noble brother, madam," said Gro, " is not here to

make good that answer." And he came near to her, saying in
a low voice so that only they two should hear it, " Be not
deceived. This Corinius is a naughty, wicked, and luxurious
youth, that will use thee without any respect if once he break
in by force into Krothering Castle. It were wiselier carried
to make some open show to receive him ; so by fair words and
putting of him off thou mayst yet escape."
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PARLEY BEFORE KROTHERING
But Mevrian said, " Thou hast mine answer. I have no
ears to his request. Say too that my cousin the Lord Spitfire
hath healed his wounds, and hath an army afoot shall whip
these Witches from my gates ere many days be passed by."
So saying she returned in great scorn within the castle.
But the Lord Gro returned again to the camp and to
Corinius, who asked him how he had sped.
He answered, she did utterly refuse it.
“

So," said Corinius;" doth the puss thump me off ? Then

pause my hot desires an instant, only the more thunderingly
toclap it on. For I will have her. And this coyness and pert
rejection hath the more fixedly confirmed me."

277
 XXII : AURWATH AND
SWITCHWATER
HOW THE LADY MEVRIAN BEHELD FROM KROTHERING WALLS THE
WITCHLAND ARMY AND THE CAPTAINS THEREOF : AND OF THE
TIDINGS BROUGHT HER THERE OF THE WAR IN THE WEST COUNTRY,
OF AURWATH FIELD AND THE GREAT SLAUGHTER ON SWITCH-
WATER WAY .

HE fourth day after these doings aforewrit, the Lady

Mevrian walked on the battlements of Krothering keep.
T A blustering wind blew from the north-west. The sky
was cloudless : clear blue overhead, all else pearl-gray, and the
air a little misty. Her old steward, stalwart and soldier-like,
greaved and helmed and clad in a plated jerkin of bull's hide,
walked with her .
" The hour should be about striking," said she. " Tis
to-day or to-morrow my Lord Zigg named to me when they
were here a-guesting. If but Goblinland keep tryst it were the
prettiest feat, to take them so pat."
" As your ladyship might clap a gnat 'twixt the palms of
your two hands," said the old man; and he gazed again south-
ward over the sea.
“

Mevrian set her gaze in the same quarter. Nothing but

mist and spray," she said after a few minutes' searching.
" I'm glad I sent Lord Spitfire those two hundred horse. He
must have every man can be scraped up, for such a day. How
thinkest thou , Ravnor : if King Gaslark come not, hath Lord
Spitfire force enow to cope them alone ? "
Ravnor chuckled in his beard. " I think and my lord your
brother were here he should tell your highness ' ay ' to that.
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AURWATH AND SWITCHWATER
Since first I bowled a hoop, they taught me a Demon was
under-matched against five Witches . "
She looked at him a little wistfully. " Ah,” she said,
were he at home. And were Juss at home." Then on a
sudden she faced round northward, pointing to the camp.
" Were they at home," she cried, " thou shouldst not see out-
landers insulting in arms on Krothering Side, sending me
shameful offers, caging me like a bird in this castle. Have
such things been in Demonland, until now ? ‫יי‬
Now came a boy running along the battlements from the
far side of the tower, crying that ships were hove in sight sailing
from the south and east, " And they make for the firth."
" Of what land ? " said Mevrian, while they hastened back
to look.
" What but Goblinland ? " said Ravnor .
" O say not so too hastily ! " cried she. They came round
the turret wall, and the sea and Stropardon Firth opened wide
and void before them. " I see nought," she said ; or is yon
flight of sea-mews the fleet thou sawest ? "
" He meaneth Thunderfirth," said Ravnor, who had gone
66

on ahead, pointing to the west. They shape their course

toward Aurwath. ' "Tis King Gaslark for sure . Mark but the
blue and gold of his sails. "
Mevrian watched them, her gloved hand drumming
nervously on the marble battlement. Very stately she seemed,
muffled in a flowing cloak of white watered silk collared and
66

lined with ermine. Eighteen ships ! " she said. " I dreamed
not Goblinland might make so great a force."
They were silent for a time, watching the ships sail in to
the mouth of the firth and make land at Aurwath . " Dear
66

heavens , " she said, were I a man to help them. Will

Spitfire be there in time ? The Witches be in great force."
" Your ladyship may see," said Ravnor, walking back
along the wall, " whether the Witchlanders have slept while
these ships sailed to port."
She followed and looked. Great stir there was in the
Witchland army, marshalling before the camp ; there was
coming and going and leaping on horseback, and faintly on
the wind their trumpets' blare was borne to Mevrian's ears
as she beheld them from her high watch-tower. The host
moved forth down the meadows , all orderly, a-glitter with
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
bronze and steel. Southward they came, passing at length
through the home-meads of Krothering, so near that each man
was plainly seen from the battlements, as they rode beneath.
Mevrian leaned forward in an embrasure, one hand on
either battlement at her left and right. " I would know their
names ," said she. Thou, that hast oft fared to the wars,
mayst teach me. Gro I know, with a long beard ; and heart-
heaviness it is to see a lord of Goblinland in such a fellowship.
What's he beside him, yon bearded gallant, with a winged
helm and a diadem about it, like a king's, and beareth a glaive
crimson-hafted ? He looketh a proud one."
The old man answered, " Laxus of Witchland : the same
that was admiral of their fleet against the Ghouls."
" 'Tis a brave man to look on, and worthy a better cause.
What's he rideth now below us, heading their horse : ruddy
and swarthy and light of build, hath a brow like the thunder-
cloud, and weareth armour from neck to toe ? "
Ravnor answered, " Highness, I know him not certainly,
the sons of Corund so favour one another. But methinks 'tis
the young prince Heming."
Mevrian laughed. " Prince quotha ? "
" So moveth the world, your highness. Since Gorice set
Corund in kingdom in Impland "
Said Mevrian, " Name him prithee Heming Faz : I warrant
they trap them now with barbarous additions. Heming Faz,
good lack ! lording it now in Demonland.
" The prime huff-cap of all," said she after a little, " holdeth
aback it seemeth. O here he comes. Sweet heaven, what
furious horsemanship ! Troth, and he can sit a horse, Ravnor,
and hath the great figure of an athlete. Look where he
gallopeth bare-headed down the line. I ween he'll need more
than golden curls to keep his head whole ere he have done
with Gaslark, ay, and our own folk gathering from the north.
I see he beareth his helm at the saddle-bow. To ape us so ! "
she cried as he drew nearer . " All silks and silver. Thou'dst
have sworn none but a Demon went to battle so costly
apparelled. O, for a scissors to cut his comb withal ! "
So speaking she leaned forward all she might, to watch
him. And he, galloping by below, looked up ; and marking
her so watching, reined mightily his great chestnut horse,
throwing him with the check well nigh on his haunches. And
280
 AURWATH AND SWITCHWATER
while the horse plunged and reared, Corinius hailed her in
a great voice, crying, " Mistress, good-morrow ! " crying,
" Wish me victory, and swift to thine arms ! "
So near below was he a-riding, she might scan the very
lineaments of his face and read it as he looked up and shouted
to her that greeting. He saluted with his sword, and spurred
onward to overtake Gro and Laxus in the van.
As if sickened on a sudden, or as if she had been ready to
tread on a deadly stinging adder, the Lady Mevrian leaned
against the marble of the battlements. Ravnor stepped towards
her: " Is your ladyship ill ? Why, what's the matter ? "
"A silly qualm," said Mevrian faintly. " If thou'dst
medicine it, show me the sheen of Spitfire's spears to the
northward . The blank land dazzles me."

So wore the afternoon. Twice and thrice Mevrian went

upon the walls, but could see nought save the sea and the
firths and the mountain-bosomed plain fair and peaceful in
the spring-time: no sign of men or of war's alarums, save
only the masts of Gaslark's ships seen over the land's brow
three miles or more to the south-west. Yet she knew surely
that near those ships beside Aurwath harbour must be desperate
fighting toward, Gaslark the king engaged at heavy odds
against Laxus and Corinius and the spears of Witchland. And
the sun wheeled low over the dark pines of Westmark, and
still no sign from the north.
" Thou didst send one forth for tidings ? " she said to
Ravnor, the third time she went on the wall.
He answered, " Betimes this morning, your highness.
But 'tis slow faring until a be a mile or twain clear of the
castle, for a must elude their small bands that go up and
downguarding the countryside."
"

Bring him to me o' the instant of his return," said she.

With a foot on the stair, she turned back. Ravnor,"
she said.
He came to her.
6
"

Thou," she said, " hast been years enow my brother's

steward in Krothering, and our father's before him, to know
what mind and spirit dwelleth in them of our line. Tell me,
truly and sadly, what thou makest of this. Lord Spitfire is
too late : other else, Goblinland too sudden-early (and that
281
THE WORM OUROBOROS
was his fault from of old). What seest thou in it ? Speak
to me as thou shouldst to my Lord Brandoch Daha were it
he that asked thee."
"

Highness," said the old man Ravnor, " I will answer

you my very thought : and it is, woe to Goblinland. Since
my Lord Spitfire cometh not yet from the north, only the
deathless Gods descending out of heaven can save the king.
The Witches number at an humble reckoning twice his strength;
and man to man you were as well pit a hound against a bear,
as against Witches Goblins . For all that these be fierce and
full of fiery courage, the bear hath it at the last."
Mevrian listened, looking on him with sorrowful steady
eyes. " And he so generous-noble flown to comfort Demon-
land in the blackness of her days," she said at last. " Can fate
be so ungallant ? O Ravnor, the shame of it ! First La
Fireez, now Gaslark. How shall any love us any more ? The
shame of it, Ravnor ! "
" I would not have your highness," said Ravnor, " too
hasty to blame us . If their plan and compact have gone
amiss, 'tis likelier King Gaslark's misprision than Lord Spit-
fire's. We know not for sure which day was set for this
landing."
While he so spake, he was looking past her seaward, a
little south of the reddest part of the sunset. His eyes widened.
He touched her arm and pointed. Sails were hoisted among
the masts at Aurwath. Smoke, as of burning, reeked up
against the sky. As they watched, the most part of the ships
moved out to sea. From those that remained, some five or
six, fire leaped and black clouds of smoke. The rest as they
came out of the lee of the land, made southward for the open
sea under oar and sail.
Neither spake ; and the Lady Mevrian leaning her elbows
on the parapet of the wall hid her face in her hands .
Now came Ravnor's messenger at length back from his
faring, and the old man brought him in to Mevrian in her
bower in the south part of Krothering. The messenger said,
“

Highness, I bring no writing, since that were too perilous

had I fallen in my way among Witches. But I had audience
of my Lord Spitfire and my Lord Zigg in the gates of Gashtern-
dale. And thus their lordships commanded me deliver it unto
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AURWATH AND SWITCHWATER
you, that your highness should be at ease and secure, seeing
that they do in such sort hold all the ways to Krothering, that
the Witchland army cannot escape out of this countryside that
is betwixt Thunderfirth and Stropardon Firth and the sea,
but and if they will give battle unto their lordships. But if
they choose rather to abide here by Krothering, then may our
armies close on them and oppress them, since our forces do
exceed theirs by near a thousand spears. Which to-morrow
will be done whate'er betide, since that is the day appointed
for Gaslark the king to land with a force at Aurwath."
Mevrian said, " They know nought then of this direful
miscarriage, and Gaslark here already before his time and
thrown back into the sea ? " And she said, " We must apprise
them on't, and that hastily and to-night."
When the man understood this, he answered, " Ten
minutes for a bite and a stirrup-cup, and I am at your lady-
ship's service."
And in a short while, that man went forth again secretly
out of Krothering in the dusk of night to bring word to Lord
Spitfire of what was befallen. And the watchmen watching
in the night from Krothering walls beheld northward under
Erngate End the camp-fires of the Witches like the stars .
Night passed and day dawned, and the camp of the Witches
showed empty as an empty shell .
Mevrian said, " They have moved in the night."
" Then shall your highness hear great tidings ere long,"
said Ravnor.
" 'Tis like we may have guests in Krothering to-night,"
said Mevrian. And she gave order for all to be made ready
against their coming, and the choicest bed-chambers for
Spitfire and Zigg to welcome them. So, with busy prepara-
tions, the day went by. But as evening came, and still no
riding from the north, some shadows of impatience and anxious
doubt crept with night's shades creeping across heaven across
their eager expectancy in Krothering. For Mevrian's mess-
enger returned not. Late to rest went the Lady Mevrian ;
and with the first peeping light she was abroad, muffled in her
great mantle of velvet and swansdown against the eager winds
of morning. Up to the battlements she went, and with old
Ravnor searched the blank prospect. For pale morning rose
283
THE WORM OUROBOROS
on an empty landscape ; and so all day until the evening :
watching, and waiting, and questioning in their hearts.
So went they at length to supper on this third night after
Aurwath field. And ere supper was half done was a stir in
the outer courts, and the rattle of the bridge let down, and a
clatter of horse-hooves on the bridge and thejasper pavements.
Mevrian sate erect and expectant. She nodded to Ravnor
who wanting no further sign went hastily out, and returned
in an instant hastily and with heavy brow. He spake in her
ear, " News, my Lady. It were well you bade him to private
audience. Drink this cup first," pouring out some wine for
her.
She rose up, saying to the steward, " Come thou, and bring
him with thee."
As they went he whispered her, " Astar of Rettray, sent
by the Lord Zigg with matter of urgent import for your high-
ness's ear."
The Lady Mevrian sat in her ivory chair cushioned with
rich stuffed silks of Beshtria, with little golden birds and
strawberry leaves with the flowers and rich red fruits all
figured thereon in gorgeous colours of needlework. She
reached out her hand to Astar who stood before her in his
battle harness, muddy and bebloodied from head to foot. He
bowed and kissed her hand : then stood silent. He held his
head high and looked her in the face, but his eyes were blood-
shed and his look was ghastly like a messenger of ill.
" Sir," said Mevrian, " stand not in doubt, but declare
all. Thou knowest it is not in our blood to quail under
dangers and misfortune."
Astar said, " Zigg, my brother-in-law, gave me this in
charge, madam, to tell thee all truly."
66
Proceed," said she. " Thou knowest our last news.
Hour by hour since then, we watched on victory. I have no
mean welcome feast prepared against your coming."
Astar groaned. " My Lady Mevrian," said he, " you
must now_prepare a sword, not a banquet. You did send a
runner to Lord Spitfire."
66

Ay," said she.

" He brought us advertisement that night," said Astar,
" of Gaslark's overthrow. Alas, that Goblinland was a day
too soon, and so bare alone the brunt. Yet was vengeance
284
 AURWATH AND SWITCHWATER
ready to our hand, as we supposed. For every pass and way
was guarded, and ours the greater force. So for that night
wewaited, seeing Corinius's fires alight in his camp on Krother-
ing Side, meaning to smite him at dawn of day. Now in the
night were mists abroad, and the moon early sunken. And
true it is as ill it is, that the whole Witchland army marched
awaypast us in the dark."
" What ? " cried Mevrian, " and slept ye all to let them
by ? " “

" In the middle night," answered he, we had sure tidings

he was afoot, and the fires yet burning in his camp a show to
mock us withal. By all sure signs, we might know he was
broke forth north-westward, where he must take the upper
road into Mealand over Brocksty Hause. Zigg with seven
hundred horse galloped to Heathby to head him off, whiles
our main force fared their swiftest up Little Ravendale. Thou
seest, madam, Corinius must march along the bow and we
along the bowstring."
"Yes," said Mevrian. " Ye had but to check him with
the horse at Heathby, and he must fight or fall back toward
Justdale where he was like to lose half his folk in Memmery
Moss. Outlanders shall scarce find a firm way there in a
dark night."
" Certain it is we should have had him," said Astar. " Yet
certain it is he doubled like a hare and fooled us all to the top
of our bent : turned in his tracks, as later we concluded,
somewhere by Goosesand, and with all his army slipped back
eastward under our rear. And that was the wonderfullest feat
heard tell of in all chronicles of war ."
" Tush, noble Astar," said Mevrian. " Labour not Witch-
land's praises, nor imagine not I'll deem less of Spitfire's nor
Zigg's generalship because Corinius, by art or fortune's favour,
dodged'em in the dark." “
" Dear Lady," said he, even look for the worst and
prepare yourself for the same."
Her gray eyes steadily beheld him. " Certain intelli-
gence," said he, " was brought us of their faring with all speed
they might eastaway past Switchwater ; and ere the sun looked
well over Gemsar Edge we were hot on the track of them,
knowing our force the stronger and our only hope to bring them
to battle ere they reached the Stile, where they have made a
285
THE WORM OUROBOROS
fortress of great strength we might scarce hope to howster them
out from if they should win thither."
He paused. " Well," said she.
" Madam," he said, " that we of Demonland are great and
invincible in war, 'tis most certain. But in these days fight
we as a man that fighteth hobbled, or with half his gear laid by,
or as a man half roused from sleep. For we be reft of our
greatest. Bereft of these, such sorrows befall us and such doom
as at Thremnir's Heugh last autumn shattered our strength in
pieces, and now this very day yet more terribly hath put us
down on Switchwater Way."
Mevrian's cheek turned white, but she said no word,
waiting.
" We were eager in the chase," said Astar. “ I have told
thee why, madam. Thou knowest how near to the mountains
runneth the road past Switchwater, and the shores of the lake
hem in the way for miles against the mountain spurs, and woods
clothe the lower slopes, and dells and gorges run up betwixt
the spurs into the mountain side. The day was misty, and the
mists hung by the shores of Switchwater. When we had
marched so far that our van was about over against the stead
of Highbank that stands on the farther shore, the battle began :
greatly to their advantage, since Corinius had placed strong
forces in the hills on our right flank, and so ambushed us and
took us at unawares . Not to grieve thee with a woful tale,
madam, we were most bloodily overthrown, and our army
merely brought to not-being. And in the mid rout, Zigg stole
an instant to charge me by my love for him ride to Krothering
as if my life lay on it and the weal of all of us, and bid you fly
hence to Westmark or the isles or whither you will, ere the
Witches come again and here entrap you. Since save for these
walls and these few brave soldiers you have to ward them, no
help standeth any more 'twixt you and these devilish Witches."
Still she was silent. He said, " Let me not be too hateful
to you, most gracious Lady, for this rude tale of disaster. The
suddenness of the times bar any pleasant glozing. And indeed
I thought I should satisfy you more with plainness, than should
opinion of I know not what false courtliness bind me to show
you comfort where comfort is not."
The Lady Mevrian stood up and took him by both hands.
Surely the light of that lady's eyes was like the new light of
286
 AURWATH AND SWITCHWATER
morning glancing through mists on the gray still surface of a
mountain tarn, and the accent of her voice sweet as the voices
of the morning as she said, " O Astar, think me not so un-
handsome, nor yet so foolish. Thanks, gentle Astar. But
thou hast not supped, and sure in a great soldier battle and
swift far riding should breed hunger, how ill soever the news
he beareth. Thy welcome shall not be the colder because
we looked for more than thee, alas, and for far other tidings .
A chamber is prepared for thee. Eat and drink ; and when
night is done is time enough to speak more of these things."
"

Madam," he said," you must come now or 'tis too late."

But she answered him, " No, noble Astar. This is my
brother's house. So long as I may keep it for him against his
coming home I will not creep out of Krothering like a rat, but
stand to my watch. And this is certain, I shall not open
Krothering gates to Witches whiles I and my folk yet live to
bar them against them."
So she made him go to supper ; but herself sat late that
night alone in the Chamber of the Moon, that was in the donjon
keep above the inner court in Krothering. This was Lord
Brandoch Daha's banquet chamber, devised and furnished
by him in years gone by ; and here he and she commonly sat
at meat, using not the banquet hall across the court save when
great company was present. Round was that chamber, follow-
ing the round walls of the tower that held it. All the pillars
and the walls and the vaulted roof were of a strange stone,
white and smooth, and yielding such a glistering show of pallid
gold in it as was like the golden sheen of the full moon of a
warm night in midsummer. Lamps that were milky opals
self-effulgent filled all the chamber with a soft radiance, in
which the bas-reliefs of the high dado, delicately carved,
portraying those immortal blooms of amaranth and nepenthe
and moly and Elysian asphodel, were seen in all their delicate
beauty, and the fair painted pictures of the Lord of Krothering
and his lady sister, and of Lord Juss above the great open fire-
place with Goldry and Spitfire on his left and right. A few
other pictures there were, smaller than these : the Princess
Armelline of Goblinland, Zigg and his lady wife, and others ;
wondrous beautiful .
Here a long while sat the Lady Mevrian. She had a little
287
THE WORM OUROBOROS
lute wrought of sweet sandalwood and ivory inlaid with gems .
While she sat a-thinking, her fingers strayed idly on the strings ,
and she sang in a low sweet voice :
There were three ravens sat on a tree,
They were as black as they might be.
With a downe, derrie down.

The one of them said to his make,

Where shall we our breakefast take ?

Downe in yonder greene field,

There lies a knight slain under his shield.
His hounds they lie downe at his feete,
So well they can their master keepe.
His haukes they flie so eagerly,
There's no fowle dare him come nie .

Downe there comes a fallow doe

As great with yong as she might goe.
She lift up his bloudy hed,
And kist his wounds that were so red .

She gat him up upon her backe,

And carried him to earthen lake .

She buried him before the prime ;

She was dead herselfe ere even-song time.
God send every gentleman
Such haukes, such hounds, and such a leman.
With a downe, derrie down.
With the last sighing sweetness trembling from the strings,
she laid aside the lute, saying, " The discord of my thoughts,
mylute, doth ill agree with the harmonies of thy strings. Put
it by."
She fell to gazing on her brother's picture, the Lord
Brandoch Daha, standing in his jewelled hauberk laced about
with gold, his hand upon his sword. And that lazy laughter-
loving yet imperious look of the eyes which in life he had was
288
AURWATH AND SWITCHWATER
there, wondrous lively caught by the painter's art, and the
lovely lines of his brow and lip and jaw, where power and
masterful determination slumbered, as brazen Ares might
slumber in the arms of the Queen of Love.
A long while Mevrian looked on that picture, musing.
Then, burying her face in the cushions of the long low seat she
sat on, she burst into a great passion of tears.

U 289
 XXIII : THE WEIRD BEGUN OF
ISHNAIN NEMARTRA

OF THE COUNSEL TAKEN BY THE WITCHES TOUCHING THE CONDUCT

OF THE WAR : WHEREAFTER IN THE FIFTH ASSAULT THE CASTLE
OF LORD BRANDOCH DAHA WAS MADE A PREY UNTO CORINIUS .

OW was little time for debate or conjecture, but with

N the morrow's morn came the Witchland army once more
before Krothering, and a herald sent by Corinius to
bid Mevrian yield up the castle and her own proper person lest
a worse thing befall them. Which she stoutly refusing,
Corinius let straight assault the castle, but won it not. And in
the next three days following he thrice assaulted Krothering,
and, failing with some loss of men to win an entry, closely
invested it.
And now summoned he those other lords of Witchland
to talk with him. " How say ye ? Or what rede shall we
take ? They be few only within to man the walls ; and great
shame it is to us and to all Witchland if we get not this hold
taken, so many as we be here gone up against it, and so great
captains ."
Laxus said, " Thou art king in Demonland. Thine it is
to take order what shall be done. But if thou desire my rede,
then shall I give it thee."
" I desire each one of you," said Corinius , " to show forth
to me frankly and freely his rede. And well ye know I strive
for nought else but for Witchland's glory and to make firm our
conquest here."
66

Well," said Laxus, " I told thee once already my counsel,

and thou wast angry with me. Thou madest a mighty victory
on Switchwater Way ; which had we followed up, pushing
290
WEIRD OF ISHΝΑΙΝ ΝEMARTRA
home the sword of our advantage till the hilts came clap against
the breastplate of our adversary, we might now have exter-
minated from the land the whole nest of them, Spitfire, Zigg,
and Volle. But now are they gotten away the devil knows
whither, for the preparing of fresh thorns to prick our sides
withal."
Corinius said, " Claim not wisdom after the event, my lord.
'
Twas not so thou didst advise. Thou didst bid me let go
Krothering : a thing I will not do, once I have set mine hand
to it."
Laxus answered him, " Not only did I so advise thee as I
have said, but Heming was by, and will bear me out, that I
did offer that he or I with a small force should keep this
comfit-box shut for thee till thou shouldst have done the
main business ."
" "Tis so," said Heming.
But Corinius said, " Tis not so, Heming. And were it
so, 'tis easily seen why he or thou shouldst hanker for first suck
at this luscious fruit. Yet not so easy to see why I should
yield it you."
" That," said Laxus, " is very ill said. I see thy
memory needs jogging, and thou art sliding into ingrati-
tude. How many such like fruits hast thou enjoyed since
we came out hither, that we had all the pains and
plucking of ? "
" O cry thee mercy, my lord," said Corinius, " I
should have remembered, dreams of Sriva's moist lips
keep thee from straying. But enough of this fooling: to
the matter."
Lord Laxus flushed. " By my faith," said he, " this is
very much to the matter. " Twere well, Corinius, if thy loose
thoughts were kept from straying. Spend men on a fortress ?
Better assay Galing, then : that were a prize worth more to our
safety and our lordship here."
Ay," said Heming. " Seek out the enemy. 'Tis there-
fore we came hither : not to find women for thee."
Thereupon the Lord Corinius struck him across the table
a great buffet in the face. Heming, mad wroth, snatched out
a dagger ; but Gro and Laxus catching him one by either hand
restrained him. Gro said, " My lords, my lords, you must not
word it so dangerous ill. We have but one heart and mind
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
here, to magnify our Lord the King and his glory. Thou,
Heming, forget not the King hath put authority in the hand of
Corinius, so that thy dagger set against him setteth most
treasonably against the King's majesty. And thou, my lord,
I pray be temperate in thy power. Sure, for want of
open war it is that our hands be so ready for these private
brawls."
When by fair words this stew was cooled again, Corinius
bade Gro say forth his mind, what he thought lay next to do.
Gro answered, " My lord, I am of Laxus's opinion. Abiding
here by Krothering, we fare as idle cooks toying with sweet-
meats while the roast spoils. We should seek out power
and destroy it where still it fareth free, lest it swell again
to a growth may danger us : wheresoever these lords be
fled, think not they'll be slack to prepare a mischief for
‫دو‬
us .

" I see," said Corinius, " ye be all three of an accord

against me. But there is no one beam of these thoughts your
discourse hath planted in me, but is able to discern a greater
cloud than you do go in."
" It is very true," said Laxus, " that we do think somewhat
scornfully of this war against women."
“

Ay, there's the cover off the dish ! " said Corinius, " and a
pretty mess within. Y'are woman-mad, every jack of you,
and this blears your eyes to think me sick o' the same folly.
Thou and thy little dark-eyed baggage, that I dare swear hath
months ago forgot thee for another. Heming here and I
know not what sweet maid his young heart doteth on. Gro,
ha ! ha ! " and he fell a-laughing. " Wherefore the King
saddled me with this Goblin, he only knoweth, and his secretary
the Devil : not I. By Satan, thou hast a starved look i' the
eyes giveth me to think the errand I sent thee to Krothering
gatesdid thee no good. My cat's leering look showeth me that
my cat goeth a catterwawing. Dost now find the raven's
wing a seemlier hue in a wench's hair to set thy cold blood
a-leaping than tawny red ? Or dost think this one hath
a softer breast than thy Queen's to cushion thy perfumed
locks ? "
With that word spoken, all three of them leaped from their
seats . Gro, with a face ashen gray, said," At me thou mayst
spit what filth thou wilt. I am schooled to bear with it for
292
 WEIRD OF ISHΝΑΙΝ ΝEMARTRA
Witchland's sake and until thine own venom choke thee .
But this shalt thou not do whiles I live, thou or any other :
to let thy bawdy tongue meddle with Queen Prezmyra's
name."
Corinius sat still in his chair in a posture of studied ease,
but his sword was ready. His great jowl was set, his insolent
blue eyes scornfully looked from one to another of those lords
where they stood menacing him. " Pshaw ! " said he, at last.
" Who brought her name into it but thyself, my Lord Gro ?
not I."
" Thou wert best not bring it in again, Corinius," said
Heming. " Have we not well followed thee and upheld thee ?
And so shall we do henceforth. But remember, I am King
Corund's son. And if thou speak this wicked lie again, it shall
cost thee thy life if I may."
Corinius threw out his arms and laughed. " Come,"
said he, standing up, with much show of jolly friendliness ,
"'twas but ajest; and, I freely acknowledge, an ill jest. I'm
sorry for it, my lords. 66

And now," said he, come we again to the matter.

Krothering Castle will I not forgo, since 'tis not my way to
turn back for any man on earth, no not for the Gods almighty,
once I have ta'en my course. But I will make a bargain with
you, and this it is that we to-morrow do assault the hold a
last time, using all our men and all our might. And if, as I
think is most unlikely and most shameful, we get it not,
then shall we fare away and do according to thy counsel,
O Laxus ."
" Tis now four days lost," said Laxus . " Thou canst not
retrieve them. Howso, be it as thou wilt."
So brake up their council. But the mind and heart of the
Lord Gro was nought peaceful within him, but tumultuous
with manifold imaginings of hopes and fears and old desires,
that intertwined like serpents twisting and contending. So
that nought was clear to him save the unclear trouble of his
discontent ; and it was as if the conscience of a secret grant
his inward mind made had suddenly cast a vail betwixt his
thoughts and him that he durst not pluck aside.
Betimes on the morrow Corinius let fare against Krothering
with all his host, Laxus from the south, Heming and Cargo
293
THE WORM OUROBOROS
from the east against the main gates, and himself from the
west where the walls and towers showed strongest but the
natural strength of the place weaker than elsewhere. Now
they within were few, because of Mevrian's sending of those
two hundred horse to follow Zigg and those came not back
after Switchwater ; and as the day wore, and still the battle
went forward, and still were wounds given and taken, the
odds swung yet heavier against them of Demonland, and more
and more must the castle hold of its own strength only, for
there were not whole men left enow to man the walls. And
now had Corinius well nigh won the castle, faring up on the
walls west of the donjon tower where he and his fell to
clearing the battlements, rushing on like wolves. But Astar
of Rettray stayed him there with so great a sword-stroke on
the helm that he overthrew him all astonied down without
the wall and into the ditch ; but his men drew him forth
and saved him. So was the Lord Corinius put out of
the fight ; but greatly still he egged on his men. And
about the fifth hour after noon the sons of Corund gat the
main gate.
Lady Mevrian bare in that hour with her own hand a
stoup of wine to Astar in a lull of the battle. While he drank,
she said, " Astar, the hour demandeth that I pledge thee to
obedience, even as I pledged mine own folk and Ravnor that
here commandeth my garrison in Krothering."
“

My Lady Mevrian," answered he," under your safety, I

shall obey you."
She said, " No conditions, sir. Harken and know. First
I will thank thee and these valiant men that so mightily warded
us and golden Krothering against our enemies. This was
my mind, to ward it unto the last, because it is my dear
brother's house, and I count it unworthy Corinius should
stable his horses in our chambers, and carousing amid
his drunkards do hurt to our fair banquet hall. But now,
by hard necessity of disastrous war, hath this thing come
to pass, and all fallen into his hand save only this keep
alone."
“

Alas, madam," said he, " to our shame I may not deny
it."
" O trample out any thought of shame," said she. "A
score of them against every one of us : the glory of our
294
WEIRD OF ISHΝΑΙΝ ΝEMARTRA
defence shall be for ever. But now 'tis for me mainly he still
beareth against Krothering so great and peisant strokes as
thick as rain falleth from the sky. And now must ye obey
me and do my commandment ; else must we perish, for
even this tower we are not enough to hold against him many
days."
" Divine Lady," said Astar, " but once shall one pass the
cruel pass of death. I and your folk will defend you unto
that end."
66

Sir," said she, standing like a queen before him, " I

shall now defend myself and our precious things in Krothering
more certainly than ye men of war may do." And she showed
him shortly that this was her design, to yield up the keep unto
Corinius under promise of a safe conduct for Astar and Ravnor
and all her men .
" And submit thee to this Corinius ? " said Astar. But
she answered, " Thy sword hath likely cut his claws for awhile.
I fear him not."
Of all this would Astar at first have nought to do, and the
old steward withal was well nigh mutinous. But so firm of
purpose was she, and withal showed them so plainly that this
was the only hope to save herself and Krothering, and the
Witches must else sack the house of Krothering and in a few
days win the keep, " and then, snaky despair ; and the fault
on't not in fortune but in ourselves, that could not frame
ourselves to our fortune " ; that at last with heavy hearts
they consented to do her bidding.
Without more ado, was a parley called, Mevrian speaking
for herself from a high window opening on the court and
Gro for Corinius. In which parley it was articled that she
should render up the tower ; and that the fighting men which
were within should have peace and safe passage whither they
would ; and that there should be no scathe nor outrage done
to Krothering neither to the lands thereof ; and that all this
should be writ down and sealed under the hands of Corinius,
Gro, and Laxus, and the gates opened to the Witches and all
keys delivered up within an half hour of the giving of the
sealed writing into Mevrian's hand.
Now was all this performed accordingly, and Krothering
keep rendered to the Lord Corinius. Astar and Ravnor and
their men would have abided as prisoners for Mevrian's sake,
295
THE WORM OUROBOROS
but Corinius would not suffer it, vowing with bloody im-
precations that he would let slay out of hand any man of them
he should take after an hour's space within three miles of
Krothering. So, under Mevrian's strait commands, they
departed.

296
 XXIV : A KING IN KROTHERING

HOW THE LORD CORINIUS WOULD TAKE UNTO HIMSELF A QUEEN IN

DEMONLAND, AND MADE HIM A BRIDAL FEAST THERETO : WHEREIN
IS A NOTABLE INSTANCE HOW UNTO THEM WHICH THE GODS DO
LOVE HELPERS ARE RAISED UP AND COMFORTERS EVEN IN THE
MIDST OF THEIR ENEMIES .

HAT same evening Corinius let dight a banquet in

Tchiefest men, a very pompous and kingly entertain-
the Chamber of the Moon for some two score of his

ment ; and conceiving that he might now very well avail to

accomplish his pleasure touching the Lady Mevrian, he sent
her word by one of his gentlemen that she should attend him
there. And she sending answer to tell him gently all else in
the castle was at his service, but for herself she was quite
fordone and greatly desired rest and sleep that night, he fell
a-laughing immoderately and saying, " A most unseasonable
desire, and one that smacketh besides of mockery, since well
she knoweth what this night I do intend. Wish her to repair
to us, and that right swiftly, lest I fetch her."
To that message sent her came she in a short while herself
to answer, dressed all in funereal black, her gown and close-
fitting bodice of black sendal slashed with black sarcenett, and
about her throat a chain of sapphires darkly lustrous. Very
nobly she carried her head. Framed with the piled and
braided masses of her night-dark hair, her face showed pale
indeed, but unruffled and undismayed.
All at her coming in stood up to greet her ; and Corinius
said, " Lady, thou didst change thy mind quickly since thou
didst first affirm thou never wouldst yield up Krothering
unto me."
297
:

THE WORM OUROBOROS

" As quickly as I might, my lord," said she, " for I saw I
was wrong."
He abode silent a minute, his eyes like amorous surfeiters
over-running her fair form. Then said he, " Thou didst
wish to purchase safety for thy friends ? "
She answered, " Yes ."
" For thine own self," said Corinius, " it had made no
jot of difference. Be witness unto me the omnisciency of the
Gods, whereunto is nothing concealable, I mean thee only
good."
66

My lord," said she, " I embrace the comfort of that

word. And know that good to me is mine own freedom :
not conditions of any man's choosing."
Whereto he, being well tippled with wine, framing the
most lovely countenance he might, made answer, " I doubt
not but to-night, madam, thou shalt be well advised to choose
that highest condition, and till to-day unknown, which I shall
proffer thee : to be Queen of Demonland."
She thanked him in her best manner, but said she was
minded to forgo that supposedly pleasing eminence.
" How ? " said he . Is it too little a thing for thee ? Or
is it as I think, that thou laughest ? "
She said, " My lord, it should little beseem me that am
of the seed of men of war since long generations to trap my
mind with the false shows of a greatness that is gone. Yet I
pray you forget not this : the dominion of the Demons hath
used to soar a pitch above common royalty, and like the eye
of day regarded kings from above. And for this style of
Queen thou offerest me, I say unto thee it is an addition I
desire not, who am sister unto him that writ that writing above
the gate that all ye had tasted the truth thereof had he been
here to meet with you."
Corinius said, " True it is, some have out-bragged the
world, yet I ere this have used them like knaves. My jack-
boot hath known things in Carcë, madam, I'll not gall thy
heart to tell thee of. " But perceiving a great lowe of disdainful
anger blaze in Mevrian's eye, " Cry you mercy," said he,
،،

incomparable lady ; this was beside the mark. I would

not sully our new friendship with memories of Ho there !
a chair beside me for the Queen."
But Mevrian made them set it on the far side of the board,
298
A KING IN KROTHERING
and there sat her down, saying, " I pray thee, my Lord Corinius,
unsay that word. Thou knowest it dislikes me."
He looked on her in silence for a minute, leaned forward
across the board, his lips parted a little and between them his
“

breath coming and going thick and swift. Well," he said,

" sit there, and it like thee, madam, and manage my delights
by stages. Last year the wide world betwixt us : this year
the mountains : yestereve Krothering walls : to-night a table's
"

breadth : and ere night be done, not so much as

Gro saw the wild-deer look in Lady Mevrian's eyes . She
said, " This is talk I have not learned to understand, my
lord."
" I shall learn it thee," said Corinius, his face aflame.
Lovers live by love as larks by leeks. By Satan, I do love
thee as thou wert the heart out of my body."
66 66
My Lord Corinius," said she, we ladies of the north
have little stomach for these fashions, howe'er they commend
them in waterish Witchland. If thou'lt have my friendship,
bring me service therefor, and that in season. This is no fit
table-talk "
.
66

Why there," said he, " we're in fast agreement. I'll

blithely show thee all this, and a quainter thing beside, in thine
own chamber. But 'twas beyond my hopes thou'dst grant me
that so suddenly. Are we so happy ?
Ingreat shame and anger the Lady Mevrian stood up from
the table. Corinius, something unsteadily, leaped to his feet.
For all his bigness, so tall she was she looked him level in the
eye. And he, as when in the face of a night-ranging beast
suddenly a man brandishes a bright light, stood stupid under
that gaze, the springs of action strangely frozen in him on a
sudden, and said sullenly, " Madam, I am a soldier. Truly
mine affection standeth not upon compliment. That I am
impatient, put the wite on thy beauty not on me. Pray you,
be seated."
But Mevrian answered, " Thy language, my lord, is too
bold and vicious. Come to me to-morrow if thou wilt ; but
I'll have thee know, patience only and courtesy shall get good
ofme."
She turned to the door. He, as if with the turning away of
that lady's eyes the spell was broke, cried loudly upon his folk
to stay her. But there was none stirred. Therewith he, as one
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
that cannot command his own indecent appetites, o'ersetting
bench and board in eager haste to lay hands on her, it so betided
that he tripped up with one ofthese and fell a-sprawling. And
erehe was gotten again on his feet, the Lady Mevrian was gone
from the hall.
He rose up painfully, proffering fromhis lips a mud-spring
of barbarous and filthy imprecations ; so that Laxus who helped
raise him up was fain to chide him, saying, " My lord, unman
not thyself by such a bestial transformation. Are not we yet
with harness on our backs in a kingdom newly gained, the old
lords thereof discomfited indeed but not yet ta'en nor slain,
studying belike to raise new powers against us ? And above
such and so many affairs wilt thou make place for the allure-
ments of love ? "
" Ay ! " answered he. " Nor shall such a sapless ninny as
thou avail to cross me therein. Ask thy little gamesome Sriva,
when thou comest home to wed her, if I be not better able than
thou to please a woman. She'll tell thee ! I' the mean season
meddle not in matters that be too high for such as thou."
Both Gro and the sons of Corund were by and heard
those words. The Lord Laxus schooled himself to laugh.
He turned toward Gro, saying, " The general is far gone in
wine."
Gro, marking Laxus's face flushed red to the ears for all
his studied carelessness, answered him softly, " "Tis so, my
lord. And in wine is truth ."
Now Corinius , bethinking him that it was yet early and the
feast barely well begun, let set a guard on all the passages which
led to Mevrian's lodgings, to the end that she might not issue
therefrom but there wait on his pleasure. That done, he bade
renew their feasting.
No stint of luscious meats and wines was there, and the
lords of Witchland sat them down again right eagerly to the
good banquet. Laxus spoke secretly to Gro : " I wot well
thou takest in very ill part these doings. Let it stand firm in
thy mind that if thou shouldst deem it fitting to play him a
trick and steal the lady from him, I'll not stand i' the way on't."
" In a bunch of cards," said Gro, " knaves wait upon the
kings. It were not so ill done and we made it so here. I heard
abird sing lately thou hadst a quarrel to him."
" Thou must not think so," answered Laxus . " I'll give
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 A KING IN KROTHERING
thee still a Roland for thine Oliver, and tell thee 'tis most
apparent thyself dost love this lady."
Gro said, " Thou chargest me with a sweet folly is foreign
to my nature, being a grave scholar that if ever I did frequent
such toys have long eschewed them. Only meseems 'tis an ill
thing if she must be given over unto him against her will.
Thou knowest him of a rough and mere soldierly mind, besides
his dissolute company with other women. "
Tush," said Laxus, " he may go his gate for me, and be
as close as a butterfly with the lady. But out of policy, 'twere
best rid her hence. I'd not be seen in't. That provided, I'll
second thee all ways. If he lie here the summer long in
amorous dalliance, justly might the King abraid us that midst
o' the day's sport we gave his good hawk a gorge, and so lost
him the game."
" I see," said Gro, smiling in himself, " thou art a man of
sober government and understanding, and thinkest first of
Witchland. And that is both just and right."
Now went the feast forward with great surfeiting and
swigging of wine. Mevrian's women that were there, much
against their own good will, to serve the banquet, set ever fresh
dishes before the feasters and poured forth fresh wines, golden
and tawny and ruby-red, in the goblets of jade and crystal and
hammered gold. The air in the fair chamber was thick with
the steam of bake-meats and the vinous breath of the feasters,
so that the lustre of the opal lamps burned coppery, and about
each lamp was a bush of coppery beams like the beams about a
torch that burns in a fog. Great was the clatter of cups, and
great the clinking of glass as in their drunkenness the Witches
castdown the priceless beakers on the floor, smashing them in
shivers. And huge din there was of laughter and song ; and
amidst of it, women's voices singing, albeit near drowned in
the hurly burly. For they constrained Mevrian's damosels in
Krothering to sing and dance before them, howsoever woeful
at heart. And to other entertainment than this of dance and
song was many a black-bearded reveller willing to constrain
them; and sought occasion thereto, but this by stealth only,
and out of eye-shot of their general. For heavily enow was his
wrath fallen on some who rashly flaunted in his face their light
disports, presuming to hunt in such fields while their lord went
still a-fasting.
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After a while Heming, who sat next to Gro, began to say
to him in a whisper, " This is an ill banquet."
" Meseems rather 'tis a very good banquet," said Gro.
" Would I saw some other issue thereof," said Heming,
" than that he purposeth. Or how thinkest thou ? "
" I scarce can blame him," answered Gro. " 'Tis a most
lovesome lady."
" Is not the man a most horrible open swine ? And is it to
be endured that he should work his lewd purpose on so sweet
a lady ? "
" What have I to do with it ? " said Gro.
" What less than I ? " said Heming.
" It dislikes thee ? " said Gro .
" Art thou a man ? " said Heming. " And she that hateth
him besides as bloody Atropos ! "
Gro looked him a swift searching look in the eye. Then
he whispered, his head bowed over some raisins he was a-
picking : " If this is thy mind, 'tis well." And speaking softly,
with here and there some snatch of louder discourse or jest
between whiles lest he should seem too earnestly engaged in
secret talk, he taught Heming orderly and clearly what he had
to do, discovering to him that Laxus also, being bit with
66

jealousy, was of their accord. Thy brother Cargo is aptest

for this. He standeth about her height, and by reason of his
youth is yet beardless. Go find him out. Rehearse unto him
word by word all this talking that hath been between me and
thee. Corinius holdeth me too deep suspect to suffer me out
of his eye to-night. Unto you sons of Corund therefore is the
task ; and I biding at his elbow may avail to hold him here
i' the hall till it be performed. Go ; and wise counsel and good
speed wait on your attempts. "
The Lady Mevrian, being escaped to her own chamber in
the south tower, sat by an eastern window that looked across
the gardens and the lake, past the sea-lochs of Stropardon and
the dark hills of Eastmark, to the stately ranges afar which
overhang in mid-air Mosedale and Murkdale and Swartriver-
dale and the inland sea of Throwater. The last lights of day
still lingered on their loftier summits : on Ironbeak, on the
gaunt wall of Skarta, and on the distant twin towers of Dina
seen beyond the lower Mosedale range in the depression of
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A KING IN KROTHERING
Neverdale Hause. Behind them rolled up the ascent of heaven
the wheels of quiet Night : holy Night, mother of the Gods ,
mother of sleep, tender nurse of all little birds and beasts that
dwell in the field and all tired hearts and weary : mother
besides of strange children, affrights, and rapes, and midnight
murders bold.
Mevrian sat there till all the earth was blurred in darkness
and the sky a-throb with starlight, for it was yet an hour until
the rising of the moon. And she prayed to Lady Artemis ,
calling her by her secret names and saying, " Goddess and
Maiden chaste and holy ; triune Goddess, Which in heaven
art, and on the earth Huntress divine, and also hast in the veiled
sunless places below earth Thy dwelling, viewing the large
stations of the dead : save me and keep me that am Thy
maiden still."
She turned the ring upon her finger and scanned in the
gathering gloom the bezel thereof, which was of that chryso-
prase that is hid in light and seen in darkness, being as a flame
by night but in the day-time yellow or wan. And behold, it
palpitated with splendour from withinward, and was as if a
thousand golden sparks danced and swirled within the stone.
While she pondered what interpretation lay likeliest on this
sudden flowering of unaccustomed splendour within the
chrysoprase, behold one of her women of the bed-chamber
who brought lights, and said, standing before her, " Twain
of those lords of Witchland would speak with your ladyship
in private."
" Two ? " said Mevrian . " There's safety yet in numbers.
Which be they ? "
“

Highness , they be tall and slim of body. They be black-

avised. They bear them discreet as dormice, and most
commendably sober."
Mevrian asked, " Is it the Lord Gro ? Hath he a great
black beard, much curled and perfumed ? "
Highness, I marked not that either weareth a beard," said
“
the woman, nor their names I know not."
" Well," said Mevrian, " admit them. And do thou and
thy fellows attend me whiles I give them audience."
So it was done according to her bidding. And there
entered in those two sons of Corund .
They greeted her with respectful salutations, and Heming
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said, " Our errand, most worshipful lady, was for thine own
ear only if it please thee."
Mevrian said to her women, " Make fast the doors, and
attend me in the ante-chamber. And now, my lords," said
she, and waited for them to begin.
She was seated sideways in the window, betwixt the light
and the dark. The crystal lamps shining from within the room
showed deeper darknesses in her hair than night's darkness
without. The curve of her white arms resting in her lap was
like the young moon cradled above the sunset. A falling breeze
out of the south came laden with the murmur of the sea, far
away beyond fields and vineyards, restlessly surging even in
that calm weather amid the sea-caves of Stropardon. It was
as if the sea and the night enfolding Demonland gasped in
indignation at such things as Corinius, holding himself already
an undoubted possessor of his desires, devised for that night
in Krothering.
Those brethren stood abashed in the presence of such rare
beauty. Heming with a deep breath spake and said, " Madam,
what slender opinion soever thou hast held of us of Witchland,
I pray thee be satisfied that I and my kinsman have sought to
thee now with a clean heart to do thee service."
" Princes," said she, " scarce might ye blame me did I
misdoubt you . Yet, seeing that my life's days have been not
among ambidexters and coney-catchers but lovers of clean
hands and open dealing, not even after that which I this night
endured will mine heart believe that all civility is worn away
in Witchland. Did I not freely receive Corinius's self when I
did open my gates to him, firmly believing him to be a king
and not a ravening wolf ? "
Then said Heming, " Canst thou wear armour, madam ?
Thou art something of an height with my brother. To bring
thee past the guard, if thou go armed, as I shall conduct thee,
the wine they have drunken shall be thy minister. I have
provided an horse. In the likeness of my young brother mayst
thou ride forth to-night out of this castle, and win clean away.
But in thine own shape thou mayst never pass from these thy
lodgings, for he hath set a guard thereon; being resolved, come
thereof what may, to visit thee here this night: in thine own
chamber, madam."
The sounds of furious revelry floated up from the banquet
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 A KING IN KROTHERING
chamber. Mevrian heard by snatches the voice of Corinius
singing an unseemly song. As in the presence of some dark
influence that threatened an ill she might not comprehend, yet
felt her blood quail and her heart grow sick because of it, she
looked on those brethren .
She said at last, " Was this your plan ? "
Heming answered, " It was the Lord Gro did most in-
genuously conceive it. But Corinius, as he hath ever held him
in distrust, and most of all when he hath drunken overmuch,
keepeth him most firmly at his elbow."
Cargo now did off his armour, and Mevrian calling in her
women to take this and other gear fared straightway to an inner
chamber to change her fashion.
Heming said to his brother, " Thou shalt need to go about
it with great circumspection, to come off when we are gone so
as thou be not aspied. Were I thou, I should be tempted for
the rareness of thejest to await his coming, and assay whether
thou couldst not make as good a counterfeit Mevrian as she a
counterfeit Cargo."
" Thou," said Cargo," mayst well laugh and be gay, thou
that must conduct her. And art resolved, I dare lay my head
to a turnip, to do thy utmost endeavour to despoil Corinius of
that felicity he hath to-night decreed him, and bless thyself
therewith.
" Thou hast fallen," answered Heming, " into a most
barbarous thought. Shall my tongue be so false a traitor to
mine heart as to say I love not this lady ? Compare but her
beauty and my youth together, how should it other be ? But
with such a height of fervour I do love her that I'd as lief offer
violence to a star of heaven, as require of her aught but honest."
Said Cargo, " What said the wise little boy to's elder
brother ? ' Sith thou'st gotten the cake, brother, I must e'en
make shift with the crumbs.' When you are gone, and all
whisht and quiet, and I left here amid the waiting women, it
shall go hard but I'll teach 'em somewhat afore good-night."
Now opened the door of the inner chamber, and there stood
before them the Lady Mevrian armed and helmed. She said,
“

'Tis no light matter to halt before a cripple. Think you this

will pass i' the dark, my lords ? "
They answered, 'twas beyond all commendation excellent.
" I'll thank thee now, Prince Cargo," said she, stretching
X 305
THE WORM OUROBOROS
out her hand. He bowed and kissed it in silence. " This
harness," she said, " shall be a keepsake unto me of a noble
enemy. Would someday I might call thee friend, for suchwise
hast thou borne thee this night."
Therewith, bidding young Cargo adieu, she with his brother
went forth from the chamber and through the ante-chamber
to that shadowy stairway where Corinius's soldiers stood
sentinel. These (as many more be drowned in the beaker than
in the ocean), not over-heedful after their tipplings, seeing two
go by together with clanking armour and knowing Heming's
voice when he answered the challenge, made no question but
here were Corund's sons returning to the banquet.
So passed he and she lightly by the sentinels. But as they
fared by the lofty corridor without the Chamber of the Moon,
the doors of that chamber opening suddenly left and right
there came forth torch-bearers and minstrels two by two as in
a progress, with cymbals clashing and flutes and tambourines ,
so that the corridor was fulfilled with the flare of flamboys and
the din. In the midst walked the Lord Corinius. The lusty
blood within him burned scarlet in all his shining face, and
made stand the veins like cords on the strong neck and arms
and hands of him. The thick curls above his brow where they
strayed below his coronal of sleeping nightshade were a-drip
with sweat. Plain it was he was in no good trim, after that
shrewd knock on the head Astar that day had given him, to
withstand deep quaffings. He went between Gro and Laxus,
swaying heavily now on the arm of this one now of the other,
his right hand beating time to the music of the bridal song.
Mevrian whispered to Heming, " Let us bear out a good
face so long as we be alive."
They stood aside, hoping to be passed by unnoticed, for
retreat nor concealment was there none. But Corinius his eye
lighting on them stopped and hailed them, catching them each
by an arm, and crying, " Heming, thou'rt drunk ! Cargo,
thou'rt drunk, sweet youth ! 'Tis a damnable folly, drink as
drunk as you be, and these bonny wenches I've provided you.
How shall I satisfy 'em, think ye, whenthey come to me with
their plaints to-morn, that each must sit with a snoring
drunkard's head in her lap the night long ? ”
Mevrian, as if she had all her part by rote, was leaned this
while heavily upon Heming, hanging her head.
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A KING IN KROTHERING
Heming could think on nought likelier to say, than, “ Truly,
O Corinius , we be sober."
" Thou liest," said Corinius . " 'Twas ever sign manifest
of drunkenness to deny it. Look you, my lords, I deny not I
am drunk. Therefore is sign manifest I am drunk, I mean,
sign manifest I am sober. But the hour calleth to other work
than questioning of these high matters. Set on ! "
So speaking he reeled heavily against Gro, and (as if moved
by some airy influence that, whispering him of schemings afoot,
yet conspired with the wine that he had drunken to make him
look all otherwhere for treason than where it lay under his
hand to discover it) gripped Gro by the arm, saying, " Bide by
me, Goblin, thou wert best. I do love thee very discreetly,
and will still hold thee by the ears, to see thou bite me not,
nor go no more a-gadding."
Being by such happy fortune delivered out of this peril,
Heming and Mevrian with what prudent haste they might, and
without mishap or hindrance, got them their horses and fared
forth of the main gate between the marble hippogriffs, whose
mighty forms shone above them stark in the low beams of the
rising moon. So they rode silently through the gardens and
the home-meads and thence to the wild woods beyond, quicken-
ing now their pace to a gallop on the yielding turf. So hard
they rode, the air of the windless April night was lashed into
storm about their faces. The trample and thunder of hoof-
beats and the flying glimpses of the trees were to young Heming
but an undertone to the thunder of his blood which night and
speed and that lady galloping beside him knee to knee set
a-gallop within him. But to Mevrian's soul, as she galloped
along those woodland rides , those moonlight glades, these
things and night and the steadfast stars attuned a heavenlier
music ; so that she waxed momently wondrous peaceful at
heart, as with the most firm assurance that not without the
abiding glory of Demonland must the great mutations of the
world be acted, and but for a little should their evil-willers
usurp her dear brother's seat in Krothering.
They drew rein in a clearing beside a broad stretch of
water. Pine-woods rose from its further edge, shadowy in
the moonshine. Mevrian rode to a little eminence that stood
above the water and turned her eyes toward Krothering. Save
by her instructed and loving eye scarce might it be seen, many
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
miles away be-east of them, dimmed in the obscure soft radiance
under the moon. So sat she awhile looking on golden Krother-
ing, while her horse grazed quietly, and Heming at her elbow
held his peace, only beholding her.
At last, lookingback and meeting his gaze," PrinceHeming,"
she said, " from this place goeth a hidden path north-about
beside the firth, and a dry road over the marsh, and a ford and
an upland horse-way leadeth into Westmark. Here and all-
wheres in Demonland I might fare blindfold. And here I'll
say farewell. My tongue is a poor orator. But I mind me of
the words of the poet where he saith :
My mind is like to the asbeston stone,
Which if it once be heat in flames of fire,
Denieth to becomen cold again.
Be the latter issue of these wars in my great kinsmen's
victory, as I most firmly trow it shall be, or in Gorice's his , I
shall not forget this experiment of your nobility manifested
unto me this night."
But Heming, still beholding her, answered not a word.
She said, " How fares the Queen thy step-mother ? Seven
summers ago this summer I was in Norvasp at Lord Corund's
wedding feast, and stood by her at the bridal. Is she yet so
fair ? "
He answered, " Madam, as June bringeth the golden rose
unto perfection, so waxeth her beauty with the years."
" She and I," said Mevrian, " were playmates, she the elder
by two summers . Is she yet so masterful ? "
،،

Madam, she is a Queen," said Heming, nailing his very

eyes on Mevrian. Her face half turned towards him, sweet
mouth half closed, clear eyes uplifted toward the east, showed
dim in the glamour of the moon, and the lilt of her body was
as a lily fallen a-dreaming beside some enchanted lake at mid-
night. With a dry throat he said, " Lady, until to-night I
had not supposed there lived on earth a woman more beautiful
than she."
Therewith the love that was in him went like a wind and
like an up-swooping darkness athwart his brain. As one who
has too long, unbold, unresolved, delayed to lift that door's
latch which must open on his heart's true home, he caught his
arms about her. Her cheek was soft to his kiss, but deadly
308
A KING IN KROTHERING
cold : her eyes like a wild bird's caught in a purse-net. His
brother's armour that cased her body was not so dead nor so
hard under his hand, as to his love that yielding cheek, that
alien look. He said, as one a-stagger for his wits in the presence
of some unlooked-for chance, " Thou dost not love me ? "
Mevrian shook her head, putting him gently away.
Like the passing of a fire on a dry heath in summer the
flame of his passion was passed by, leaving but a smouldering
desolation of scornful sullen wrath: wrath at himself and fate.
He said, in a low shamed voice, " I pray you forgive me,
madam."
Mevrian said, " Prince, the Gods give thee good-night.
Be kind to Krothering. I have left there an evil steward."
So saying, she reined up her horse's head and turned down
westward towards the firth. Heming watched her an instant,
his brain a-reel. Then, striking spurs to his horse's flanks so
that the horse reared and plunged, he rode away at a great pace
east again through the woods to Krothering.

309
 XXV : LORD GRO AND THE
LADY MEVRIAN

HOW THE LORD GRO, CONDUCTED BY A STRANGE ENAMOURMENT WITH

LOST CAUSES, FARED WITH NONE SAVE THIS TO BE HIS GUIDE INTO
THE REGIONS OF NEVERDALE, AND THERE BEHELD WONDERS, AND
TASTED AGAIN FOR A SEASON THE GOODNESS OF THOSE THINGS HE
DID MOST DESIRE .

INETY days and a day after these doings aforesaid, in

Nriding toward the paling east down from the hills of
the last hour before the dawn, was the Lord Gro a-

Eastmark to the fords of Mardardale. At a walking pace his

horse came down to the water-side, and halted with fetlocks
awash : his flanks were wet and his wind gone, as from swift
faring on the open fell since midnight. He stretched down
his neck, sniffed the fresh river-water, and drank. Gro turned
in the saddle, listening, his left hand thrown forward to slack
the reins, his right flat-planted on the crupper. But nought
there was to hear save the babble of waters in the shallows, the
sucking noise of the horse drinking, and the plash and crunch
of his hooves when he shifted feet among the pebbles. Before
and behind and on either hand the woods and strath and
circling hills showed dim in the obscure gray betwixt darkness
and twilight. A light mist hid the stars. Nought stirred save
an owl that flitted like a phantom out from a holly-bush in a
craggy bluff a bow-shot or more down stream, crossing Gro's
path and lighting on a branch of a dead tree above him on the
left, where she sat as if to observe the goings of this man and
horse that trespassed in this valley of quiet night. “
Gro leaned forward to pat his horse's neck. Come,
gossip, we must on," he said; " and marvel not if thou find
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 GRO AND THE LADY MEVRIAN
no rest, going with me which could never find any steadfast
stay under the moon's globe." So they forded that river, and
fared through low rough grass-lands beyond, and by the skirts
of a wood up to an open heath, and so a mile or two, still
eastward, till they turned to the right down a broad valley and
crossed a river above a watersmeet, and so east again up the
bed of a stony stream and over this to a rough mountain track
that crossed some boggy ground and then climbed higher and
higher above the floor of the narrowing valley to a pass between
the hills. At length the slope slackened, and they passing, as
through a gateway, between two high mountains which im-
pended sheer and stark on either hand, came forth upon a
moor of ling and bog-myrtle, strewn with lakelets and abound-
ing in streams and moss-hags and outcrops of the living rock ;
and the mountain peaks afar stood round that moorland waste
like warrior kings. Now was colour waking in the eastern
heavens, the bright shining morning beginning to clear the
earth. Conies scurried to cover before the horse's feet :
small birds flew up from the heather : some red deer stood at
gaze in the fern, then tripped away southward : a moorcock
called.
Gro said in himself, " How shall not common opinion
account me mad, so rash and presumptuous dangerously to
put my life in hazard ? Nay, against all sound judgement ;
and this folly I enact in that very season when by patience and
courage and my politic wisdom I had won that in despite of
fortune's teeth which obstinately hitherto she had denied me :
when after the brunts of divers tragical fortunes I had marvel-
lously gained the favour and grace of the King, who very
honourably placed me in his court, and tendereth me, I well
think, so dearly as he doth the balls of his two eyes."
He put off his helm, baring his white forehead and smooth
black curling locks to the airs of morning, flinging back his
head to drink deep through his nostrils the sweet strong air and
its peaty smell. "Yet is common opinion the fool, not I,"
he said. " He that imagineth after his labours to attain unto
lasting joy, as well may he beat water in a mortar. Is there
not in the wild benefit of nature instances enow to laugh this
folly out of fashion ? A fable of great men that arise and
conquer the nations : Day goeth up against the tyrant night.
How delicate a spirit is she, how like a fawn she footeth it upon
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
the mountains : pale pitiful light matched with the primaeval
dark. But every sweet hovers in her battalions, and every
heavenly influence : coolth of the wayward little winds of
morning, flowers awakening, birds a-carol, dews a-sparkle on
the fine-drawn webs the tiny spinners hang from fern-frond
to thorn, from thorn to wet dainty leaf of the silver birch ;
the young day laughing in her strength, wild with her own
beauty ; fire and life and every scent and colour born anew
to triumph over chaos and slow darkness and the kinless
night.
" But because day at her dawning hours hath so bewitched
me, must I yet love her when glutted with triumph she settles
to garish noon ? Rather turn as now I turn to Demonland,
in the sad sunset of her pride. And who dares call me turn-
coat, who do but follow now as I have followed this rare wisdom
all my days: to love the sunrise and the sundown and the
morning and the evening star ? since there only abideth the
soul of nobility, true love, and wonder, and the glory of hope
and fear ."
So brooding he rode at an easy pace bearing east and a
little north across the moor, falling because of the strange
harmony that was between outward things and the inward
thoughts of his heart into a deep study. So came he to the
moor's end, and entered among the skirts of the mountains
beyond, crossing low passes, threading a way among woods and
water-courses , up and down, about and about. The horse led
him which way that he would, for no heed nor advice had he
of aught about him, for cause of the deep contemplation that
he had within himself.
It was now high noon. The horse and his rider were come
to a little dell of green grass with a beck winding in the midst
with cool water flowing over a bed of shingle. About the dell
grew many trees both tall and straight. Above the trees high
mountain crags a-bake in the sun showed ethereal through the
shimmering heat. A murmur of waters, a hum of tiny wings
flitting from flower to flower, the sound of the horse grazing on
the lush pasture : there was nought else to hear. Not a leaf
moved, not a bird. The hush of the summer noon-day,
breathless, burnt through with the sun, more awful than any
shape of night, paused above that lonely dell.
Gro, as if waked by the very silence, looked quickly about
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GRO AND THE LADY MEVRIAN
him. The horse felt belike in his bones his rider's unease ; he
gave over his feeding and stood alert with wild eye and quiver-
ing flanks. Gro patted and made much of him ; then, guided
by some inward prompting the reason whereof he knew not,
turned west by a small tributary beck and rode softly toward
the wood. Here he was stopped with a number of trees so
thickly placed together that he was afraid he should with riding
through be swept from the saddle. So he lighted down, tied
his horse to an oak, and climbed the bed of the little stream till
he was come whence he might look north over the tree-tops to
a green terrace about at a level with him and some fifty paces
distant along the hillside, shielded from the north by three or
four great rowan trees on the far side of it, and on the terrace
a little tarn or rock cistern of fair water very cool and deep.
He paused, steadying himself with his left hand by ajutting
rock overgrown with rose-campion. Surely no children of men
were these, footing it on that secret lawn beside that fountain's
brink, nor no creatures of mortal kind. Such it may be were
the goats and kids and soft-eyed does that on their hind-legs
merrily danced among them; but never such those others of
manly shape and with pointed hairy ears, shaggy legs, and
cloven hooves, nor those maidens white of limb beneath the
tread of whose feet the blue gentian and the little golden
cinquefoil bent not their blossoms, so airy-light was their
dancing. To make them music, little goat-footed children
with long pointed ears sat on a hummock of turf-clad rock
piping on pan-pipes, their bodies burnt to the hue of red earth
by the wind and the sun. But, whether because their music
was too fine for mortal ears, or for some other reason, Gro
might hear no sound of that piping. The heavy silence of the
waste white noon was lord of the scene, while the mountain
nymphs and the simple genii of sedge and stream and crag and
moorland solitude threaded the mazes of the dance.
The Lord Gro stood still in great admiration, saying in
himself, " What means my drowsy head to dream such fancies ?
Spirits of ill have I heretofore beheld in their manifestations ;
I have seen fantasticoes framed and presented by art magic ;
I have dreamed strange dreams a-nights . But till this hour I
did account it an idle tale of poets' faining, that amid woods,
forests, fertile fields , sea-coasts, shores of great rivers and
fountain brinks, and also upon the tops of huge and high
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
mountains, do still appear unto certain favoured eyes the sundry-
sorted nymphs and fieldish demigods. Which thing if I now
verily behold, 'tis a great marvel, and sorteth well with the
strange allurements whereby this oppressed land hath so lately
found a means to govern mine affections." And he thought
awhile, reasoning thus in his mind : " If this be but an appari-
tion, it hath no essence to do me a hurt. If o' the contrary
these be very essential beings, needs must they joyfully welcome
me and use me well, being themselves the true vital spirits of
many-mountained Demonland ; unto whose comfort and the
restorement of her old renown and praise I have with such
a strange determination bent all my painful thoughts and
resolution ."
So on the motion he discovered himself and hailed them.
The wild things bounded away and were lost among the flanks
of the hill. The capripeds, leaving on the instant their piping
or their dancing, crouched watching him with distrustful
startled eyes . Only the Oreads still in a dazzling drift pursued
their round : quiet maiden mouths, beautiful breasts, slender
lithe limbs, hand joined to delicate hand, parting and closing
and parting again, in rhythms of unstaled variety ; here one
that, with white arms clasped behind her head where her
braided hair was as burnished gold, circled and swayed with a
languorous motion ; here another, that leaped and paused
hovering a-tiptoe, like an arrow of the sun shot through the
leafy roof of an old pine-forest when the warm hill-wind stirs
the tree-tops and opens a tiny window to the sky.
Gro went toward them along the grassy hillside. When
he was come a dozen paces the strength was gone from his
limbs. He kneeled down crying out and saying, " Divinities
of earth ! deny me not, neither reject me, albeit cruelly have I
till now oppressed your land, but will do so no more. The
footsteps of mine overtrodden virtue lie still as bitter accusa-
tions unto me. Bring me of your mercy where I may find out
them that possessed this land and offer them atonement, who
were driven forth because of me and mine to be outlaws in the
woods and mountains ."
So spake he, bowing his head in sorrow. And he heard,
like the trembling of a silver lute-string, a voice in the air that
cried :
North 'tis and north 'tis !
Why need we further ?
314
GRO AND THE LADY MEVRIAN
He raised his eyes. The vision was gone. Only the noon
and the woodland, silent, solitary, dazzling, were about and
above him .
Lord Gro came now to his horse again, and mounted and
rode northaway through the fells all that summer afternoon,
full of cloudy fancies. When it was eventide his way was high
up along the steep side of a mountain between the screes and
the grass, following a little path made by the wild sheep. Far
beneath in the valley was a small river tortuously flowing along
a bouldery bed amid hillocks of old moraines which were like
waves of a sea of grass-clad earth. The July sun wheeled low,
flinging the shadows of the hills far up the westward-facing
slopes where Gro was a-riding, but where he rode and above
him the hillside was yet aglow with the warm low sunshine ;
and the distant peak that shut in the head of the valley, rearing
his huge front like the gable of a house, with sweeping ribs of
bare rock and scree and a crest of crag like a great breaker
frozen to stone in mid career, bathed yet in a radiance of
opalescent light.
Turning the shoulder of the hillside at a place where the
hill was cut by a shallow gully, he saw before him a hollow or
sheltered nook. There, protected by the great body of the hill
from the blasts of the east and north, two rowan trees and some
hollies grew in the clefts of the rock above the watercourse.
Under their shadow was a cave, not large but so big as a man
might well abide in and be dry in wild weather, and beyond it
on the right a little waterfall, so beautiful it was a wonder to
behold. This was the fashion of it : a slab of rock, twice a man's
height, tilted a little forward from the hill, so that the water
fellclear from its upper edge in a thin stream into a rocky basin.
The water in the basin was clear and deep, but a-churn always
with bubbles from the plunging jet from above ; and over all the
rocks about it grew mosses and lichens and little water-flowers,
nourished by the stream at root and refreshed by the spray.
The Lord Gro said in his heart, " Here would I dwell for
ever had I but the art to make myself little as an eft. And I
would build me an house a span high beside yonder cushion of
moss emerald-hued, with those pink foxgloves to shade my
door which balance their bells above the foaming waters. This
shy grass of Parnassus should be my drinking cup, with pure
white chalice poised on a hair-thin stem ; and the curtains ofmy
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
bed that little thirsty sandwort which, like a green heaven sown
with milk-white stars, curtains the shady sides of these rocks."
Resting in this imagination he abode long time looking on
that fairy place, so secretly bestowed in the fold of the naked
mountain. Then, unwilling to depart from so fair a spot, and
bethinking him, besides, that after so many hours his horsewas
weary, he dismounted and lay down beside the stream. And
in a short while, having his spirits sublimed with the sweet
imagination of those wonders he had beheld, he was fain to
suffer the long dark lashes to droop over his large and liquid
eyes. And deep sleep overcame him.

When he awoke, all the sky was afire with the red of sunset.
A shadow was betwixt him and the western light : the shape
of one bending over him and saying in masterful wise, yet in
accents wherein the echoes and memories of all sweet sounds
seemed mingled and laid up at rest for ever," Lie still, my lord,
nor cry not a rescue. Behold, thine own sword; and I took it
from thee sleeping." And he was ware of a sharp sword pointed
against his throat where the big veins lie beneath the tongue.
He stirred not at all, neither spake aught, only looking up
at her as at some vision of delight strayed from the fugitive
flock of dreams .
The lady said, " Where be thy company ? And how many ?
Answer me swiftly."
He answered her like a dreamer," How shall I answer thee ?
How shall I number them that be beyond all count ? Or how
name unto your grace their habitation which are even very now
closer to me than hand or feet, yet o' the next instant are able
to transcend a main wider belike than even a starbeam hath
journeyed o'er ? "
She said," Riddle me no riddles. Answer me, thouwert best."
66

Madam," said Gro, " these that I told thee of be the

company of mine own silent thoughts. And, but for mine
horse, this is all the company that came hither with me."
" Alone ? " said she. "And sleep so securely in thine
enemies' country ? That showed a strange confidence."
" Not enemies, if I may," said he.
But she cried, " And thou Lord Gro of Witchland ? "
" That one sickened long since," he answered, " of a mortal
sickness ; and 'tis now a day and a night since he is dead thereof. "
316
GRO AND THE LADY MEVRIAN
" What art thou, then ? " said she.
He answered, " If your grace would so receive me, Lord
Gro of Demonland ."
" A very practised turncoat," said she. " Belike they also
are wearied of thee and thy ways. Alas," she said in an altered
voice, " thy gentle pardon ! when doubtless it was for thy
generous deeds to me-ward they fell out with thee, when thou
didst so nobly befriend me."
" I will tell your highness," answered he, " the pure truth.
Never stood matters better 'twixt me and all of them than when
yesternight I resolved to leave them."
The Lady Mevrian was silent, a cloud in her face. Then,
" I am alone," she said. " Therefore think it not little-hearted
in me, nor forgetful of past benefits, if I will be further certified
of thee ere I suffer thee to rise. Swear to me thou wilt not
betray me."
But Gro said, " How should an oath from me avail thee,
madam ? Oaths bind not an ill man . Were I minded to do
thee wrong, lightly should I swear thee all oaths thou mightest
require, and lightly o' the next instant be forsworn."
" That is not well said," said Mevrian. " Nor helpeth not
thy safety. You men do say that women's hearts be faint and
feeble, but I shall show thee the contrary is in me. Study to
satisfyme. Else will I assuredly smite thee to death with thine
own sword."
The Lord Gro lay back, clasping his slender hands behind
hishead. " Stand, I pray thee," said he, " o' the other side
of me, that I may see thy face."
She did so, still threatening him with the sword. And he
said smiling, " Divine lady, all my days have I had danger for
my bedfellow, and peril ofdeath for my familiar friend ; whilom
leading a delicate life in princely court, where murther sitteth
inthe wine-cup and in the alcove ; whilom journeying alone in
more perilous lands than this, as witness the Moruna, where
the country is full of venomous beasts and crawling poisoned
serpents, and the divels be as abundant there as grasshoppers on
a hot hillside in summer. He that feareth is a slave, were he
never so rich, were he never so powerful. But he that is
without fear is king of all the world. Thou hast my sword.
Strike. Death shall be a sweet rest to me. Thraldom, not
death, should terrify me."
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
She paused awhile, then said unto him, " My Lord Gro,
thou didst do me once a right great good turn. Surely I may
build my safety on this, that never yet did kite bring forth a
good flying hawk. " She shifted her hold on his sword, and
very prettily gave it him hilt-foremost, saying, " I give it thee
back, my lord, nothing doubting that that which was given in
honour thou wilt honourably use."
But he, rising up, said," Madam, this and thy noble words
hath given such rootfastness to the pact offaith betwixt us that
it may now unfold what blossom of oaths thou wilt; for oaths
are the blossom of friendship, not the root. And thou shalt
find me a true holder of my vowed amity unto thee without
spot or wrinkle."
For sundry nights and days abode Gro and Mevrian in that
place, hunting at whiles to get their sustenance, drinking of the
sweet spring-water, sleeping a-nights she in her cave beneath
the holly bushes and the rowans beside the waterfall, he in a
cleft of the rocks a little below in the gully, where the moss
made cushions soft and resilient as the great stuffed beds in
Carcë. In those days she told him of her farings since that
night of April when she escaped out of Krothering : how first
she found harbourage at By in Westmark, but hearing in a day
or two of a hue and cry fled east again, and sojourning awhile
beside Throwater came at length about a month ago upon this
cave beside the little fountain, and here abode. Her mind had
beento win over the mountains to Galing, but she had after the
first attempt given over that design, for fear of companies of
the enemy whose hands she barely escaped when she came forth
into the lower valleys that open on the eastern coast-lands. So
she had turned again to this hiding place in the hills, as secret
and remote as any in Demonland. For this dale she let him
know was Neverdale, where no road ran save the way of the
deer and the mountain goats, and no garth opened on that dale,
and the reek of no man's hearthstone burdened the winds that
blew thither. And that gable-crested peak at the head of the
dale was the southernmost of the Forks of Nantreganon,
nursery of the vulture and the eagle. And a hidden way was
round the right shoulder of that peak, over the toothed ridge by
Neverdale Hause to the upper waters of Tivarandardale.
On an afternoon of sultry summer heat it so befell that they
318
GRO AND THE LADY MEVRIAN
rested below the hause on a bastion of rock that jutted from the
south-western slope. Beneath their feet precipices fell suddenly
away from a giddy verge, sweeping round in a grand cirque
above which the mountain rose like some Tartarian fortress,
ponderous, cruel as the sea and sad, scarred and gashed with
great lines of cleavage as though the face of the mountain had
been slashed away by the axe-stroke of a giant. In the depths
the waters of Dule Tarn slept placid and fathomless.
Gro was stretched on the brink of the cliff, face downward,
propped on his two elbows, studying those dark waters.
Surely," he said, " the great mountains of the world are a
present remedy if men did but know it against our modern
discontent and ambitions. In the hills is wisdom's fount .
They are deep in time. They know the ways of the sun and
the wind, the lightning's fiery feet, the frost that shattereth,
the rain that shroudeth, the snow that putteth about their
nakedness a softer coverlet than fine lawn : which if their
large philosophy question not if it be a bridal sheet or a shroud,
hath not this unpolicied calm his justification ever in the
returning year, and is it not an instance to laugh our careful-
ness out of fashion ? of us, little children of the dust, children
of a day, who with so many burdens do burden us with taking
thought and with fears and desires and devious schemings of
the mind, so that we wax old before our time and fall weary
ere the brief day be spent and one reaping-hook gather us
home at last for all our pains."
He looked up and she met the gaze of his great eyes ; deep
pools of night they seemed, where strange matters might move
unseen, disturbing to look on, yet filled with a soft slumbrous
charm that lulled and soothed.
" Thou'st fallen a-dreaming, my lord," said Mevrian. " And
for me 'tis a hard thing to walk with thee in thy dreams, who
am awake in the broad daylight and would be a-doing."
" Certes it is an ill thing," said Lord Gro, " that thou, who
hast not been nourished in mendicity or poverty but in super-
fluity of honour and largesse, shouldst be made fugitive in
thine own dominions, to lodge with foxes and beasts of the
wild mountain. "
Said she, " It is yet a sweeter lodging than is to-day in
Krothering. It is therefore I chafe to do somewhat. To win
through to Galing, that were something."
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
" What profit is in Galing," said Gro, " without Lord
Juss ? "
She answered, " Thou wilt tell me it is even as Krothering
without my brother."
Looking sidelong up at her, where she sat armed beside
him, he beheld a tear a-tremble on her eyelid. He said gently,
" Who shall foreknow the ways of Fate ? Your highness is
better here belike ."
Lady Mevrian stood up. She pointed to a print in the
living rock before her feet. " The hippogriff's hoofmark ! "
she cried, " stricken in the rock ages ago by that high bird
which presideth from of old over the predestined glory of our
line, to point us on to a fame advanced above the region of the
glittering stars . True is the word that that land which is in
the governance of a woman only is not surely kept. I will
abide idly here no more."
Gro, beholding her so stand all armed on that high brink
of crag, setting with so much perfection in womanly beauty
manlike valour, bethought him that here was that true embodi-
ment of morn and eve, that charm which called him from
Krothering, and for which the prophetic spirits of mountain
and wood and field had pointed his path with a heavenly
benison, meaning to bid him go northward to his heart's true
home. He kneeled down and caught her hand in his, em-
bracing and kissing it as of her in whom all his hopes were
placed, and saying passionately, " Mevrian, Mevrian, let me
but be armed in thy good grace and I defy whatever there is
or can be against me. Even as the sun lighteth broad heaven
at noon-day, and that giveth light unto this dreary earth, so
art thou the true light of Demonland which because of thee
maketh the whole world glorious. Welcome unto me be all
miseries, so only unto thee I may be welcome."
She sprang back, snatching away her hand. Her sword
leapt singing from the scabbard. But Gro, that was so ravished
and abused that he remembered of nothing worldly but only
that he beheld his lady's face, abode motionless. She cried,
" Back to back ! Swift, or 'tis too late ! "
He leaped up, barely in time. Six stout fellows, soldiers
of Witchland stolen softly upon them at unawares, closed now
upon them. No breath to waste in parley, but the clank of
steel : he and Mevrian back to back on a table of rock, those
320
GRO AND THE LADY MEVRIAN
six setting on from either side. " Kill the Goblin," said they.
" Take the lady unhurt : 'tis death to all if she be touched."
So for a time those two defended them of all their power.
Yet at such odds could not the issue stand long in doubt, nor
Gro's high mettle make up what he lacked of strength bodily
and skill in arms. Cunning of fence indeed was the Lady
Mevrian, as they guessed not to their hurt ; for the first of
them, a great chuff-headed fellow that thought to bear her
down with rushing in upon her, she with a deft thrust passing
his guard ran clean through the throat ; by whose taking off,
his fellows took some lesson of caution. But Gro being at
length brought to earth with many wounds, they had the next
instant caught Mevrian from behind whiles others engaged her
in the face, when in the nick of time as by the intervention of
heaven was all their business taken in reverse, and all five in a
moment laid bleeding on the stones beside their fellows .
Mevrian, looking about and seeing what she saw, fell weak
and faint in her brother's arms, overcome with so much radiant
joy after that stress of action and peril ; beholding now with
her own eyes that home-coming whereof the genii of that land
had had foreknowledge and in Gro's sight shown themselves
wild with joy thereof : Brandoch Daha and Juss come home to
Demonland, like men arisen from the dead.
" Not touched," she answered them. " But look to my
Lord Gro : I fear he be hurt. Look to him well, for he hath
approved him our friend indeed."

Y 321
 XXVI : THE BATTLE OF
KROTHERING SIDE
HOW WORD WAS BROUGHT UNTO THE LORD CORINIUS THAT THE LORDS
JUSS AND BRANDOCH DAHA WERE COME AGAIN INTO THE LAND,
AND HOW HE RESOLVED TO GIVE THEM BATTLE ON THE SIDE,
UNDER ERNGATE END ; AND OF THE GREAT FLANK MARCH OF
LORD BRANDOCH DAHA OVER THE MOUNTAINS FROM TRANSDALE ;
AND OF THE GREAT BATTLE, AND OF THE ISSUE THEREOF .

AXUS and those sons of Corund walked on an afternoon

in Krothering home mead. The sky above them was
L hot and coloured of lead, presaging thunder. No wind
stirred in the trees that were livid-green against that leaden
pall. The noise of mattock and crow-bar came without
intermission from the castle. Where gardens had been and
arbours of shade and sweetness, was now but wreck : broken
columns and smashed porphyry vases of rare workmanship,
mounds of earth and rotting vegetation. And those great
cedars, emblems of their lord's estate and pride, lay prostrate
now with their roots exposed, a tangle of sere foliage and
branches broken, withered and lifeless. Over this death-bed
of ruined loveliness the towers of onyx showed ghastly against
the sky.
" Is there not a virtue in seven ? " said Cargo . " Last
week was the sixth time we thought we had gotten the eel by
the tail in yon fly-blown hills of Mealand and came empty
home. When think'st, Laxus, shall's run 'em to earth in-
deed ? "
" When egg-pies shall grow on apple-trees," answered
Laxus . “
Nay, the general setteth greater store by his pro-
clamations concerning the young woman (who likely never
322
 BATTLE OF KROTHERING SIDE
heareth of them, and assuredly will not be by them 'ticed home
again), and by these toys of revenge, than by sound soldiership.
Hark ! there goeth this day's work."
They turned at a shout from the gates, to behold the
northern of those two golden hippogriffs totter and crash down
the steeps into the moat, sending up a great smoke from the
stones and rubble which poured in its wake.
Lord Laxus's brow was dark. He laid hand on Heming's
arm, saying, " The times need all sage counsel we can reach
unto, O ye sons of Corund, if our Lord the King shall have
indeed from this expedition into Demonland the victory at
last of all his evil-willers. Remember, that was a great miss to
our strength when the Goblin went."
" Out upon the viper ! " said Cargo. " Corinius was
right in this, not to warrant him the honesty of such slippery
cattle. He had not served above a month or two, but that he
ran to the enemy."
" Corinius," said Laxus," is yet but green in his estate.
Doth he suppose the rest of his reign shall be but play and the
enjoying of a kingdom ? Those left-handed strokes of fortune
may yet o'erthrow him, the while that he streameth out his
youth in wine and venery and manageth his private spite
against this lady. Slipper youth must be under-propped with
elder counsel, lest all go miss."
" A most reverend old counsellor art thou ! " said Cargo ;
" of six-and-thirty years of age."
Said Heming, " We be three. Take command thyself.
I and my brother will back thee."
" I will that thou swallow back those words," said Laxus,
as though they had never been spoke. Remember Corsus
and Gallandus. Besides, albeit he seemeth now rather to be a
man straught than one that hath his wits, yet is Corinius in
his sober self a valiant and puissant soldier, a politic and
provident captain as is not found besides in Demonland, no,
nor in Witchland neither, and it were not your noble father ;
and this one in his youthly age."
" That is true," said Heming. " Thou hast justly reproved
me."
Now while they were a-talking, came one from the castle
and made obeisance unto Laxus saying, " You are inquired for,
O king, so please you to walk into the north chamber."
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
Said Laxus, " Is it he that was newly ridden from the east
country ? "
" So it is, so please you," with a low leg he made answer.
" Hath he not had audience with King Corinius ? "
" He hath sought audience," said the man, "but was
denied. The matter presseth, and he urged me therefore seek
unto your lordship."
As they walked toward the castle Heming said in Laxus's
ear, " Knowest thou not this brave new piece of court cere-
mony ? O' these days, when he hath 'stroyed an hostage to
spite the Lady Mevrian, as to-day was 'stroyed the horse-headed
eagle, he giveth not audience till sun-down. For, the deed of
vengeance done, a retireth himself to his own chamber and
a wench with him, the daintiest and gamesomest he may
procure ; and so, for two hours or three drowned in the main
sea ofhis own pleasures, he abateth some little deal for a season
the pang of love."
Now when Laxus was come forth from talking with the
messenger from the east, he fared without delay to Corinius's
chamber. There, thrusting aside the guards, he flung wide
the shining doors, and found the Lord Corinius merrily dis-
posed. He was reclined on a couch deep-cushioned with dark
green three-pile velvet. An ivory table inlaid with silver and
ebony stood at his elbow bearing a crystal flagon already two
parts emptied of the foaming wine, and a fair gold goblet beside
it. He wore a long loose sleeveless gown of white silk edged
with a gold fringe ; this, fallen open at the neck, left naked his
chest and one strong arm that in that moment when Laxus
entered reached out to grasp the wine cup. Upon his knee he
held adamosel of some seventeen years, fair and fresh as a rose,
with whom he was plainly on the point to pass from friendly
converse to amorous privacy. He looked angrily upon Laxus,
who without ceremony spoke and said," The whole east is in
a tumult. The burg is forced which we built astride the Stile.
Spitfire hath passed into Breakingdale to victual Galing, and
hath overthrown our army that sat in siege thereof."
Corinius drank a draught and spat. " Phrut ! " said he.
" Much bruit, little fruit. I would know by what warrant
thou troublest me with this tittle-tattle, and I pleasantly dis-
posing myself to mirth and recreation. Could it not wait till
supper time ? "
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BATTLE OF KROTHERING SIDE
Ere Laxus might say more, was a great clatter heard without
on the stairs, and in came those sons of Corund.
" Am I a king ? " said Corinius, gathering his robe about
him, " and shall I be forced ? Avoid the chamber." Then
marking them stand silent with disordered looks, " What's the
matter ? " he said. " Are ye ta'en with the swindle or the
turn-sickness ? Or are ye out of your wits ? "
Heming answered and said, " Not mad, my lord. Here's
Didarus that held the Stile-burg for us, ridden from the east
as fast as his horse might wallop, and gotten here hard o' the
heels of the former messenger with fresh and more certain
advertisement, fresher by four days than that one's. I pray
you hear him."
" I'll hear him," said Corinius, " at supper time. Nought
sooner, if the roof were afire."
" The land beneath thy feet's afire ! " cried Heming. " Juss
and Brandoch Daha home again, and half the country lost thee
ere thou heard'st on't. These devils are home again ! Shall
we hear that and still be swill-bowls ? "
Corinius listened with folded arms . His great jaw was
lifted up. His nostrils widened. For a minute he abode in
silence, his cold blue eyes fixed as it were on somewhat afar.
Then, " Home again ? " said he. " And the east in a hubbub ?
And not unlikely. Thank Didarus for his tidings. He shall
sweeten mine ears with some more at supper. Till then, leave
me, unless ye mean to be stretched."
But Laxus , with sad and serious brow, stood beside him
and said, " My lord, forget not that you are here the vicar and
legate of the King. Let the crown upon your head put perils
in your thoughts, so as you may harken peaceably to them
that are willing to lesson you with sound and sage advice. If
we take order to-night to march by Switchwater, we may very
well shut back this danger and stifle it ere it wax to too much
bigness. If o' the contrary we suffer them to enter into these
western parts, like enough without let or stay they will overrun
the whole country."
Corinius rolled his eye upon him . " Can nothing," he
said, " prescribe unto thee obedience ? Look to thine own
charge. Is the fleet in proper trim ? For there's the strength,
ease, and anchor of our power, whether for victualling, or to
shift our weight against 'em which way we choose, or to give
325
THE WORM OUROBOROS
us sure asylum if it were come to that. What ails thee ? Have
we not these four months desired nought better than that these
Demons should take heart to strike a field with us ? If it be
true that Juss himself and Brandoch Daha have thrown down
the castles and strengths which I had i' the east and move
with an army against us, why then I have them in the
forge already, and shall now bring them to the hammer.
And be satisfied, I'll choose mine own ground to fight
them."
" There's yet matter for haste in this," said Laxus. " A
day's march, and we oppose 'em not, will bring them before
Krothering."
" That," answered Corinius, " jumpeth pat with mine own
design. I'll not go a league to bar their way, but receive 'em
here where the ground lieth most favourable to meet an
enemy. Which advantage I'll employ to the greatest stretch
of service, standing on Krothering Side, resting my flank
against the mountain. The fleet shall ride in Aurwath
haven."
Laxus stroked his beard and was silent a minute, con-
sidering this. Then he looked up and said, " This is sound
generalship, I may not gainsay it."
" It is a purpose, my lord," said Corinius, " I have long
had in myself, stored by for the event. Let me alone, there-
fore, to do that my right is. There's this good in it, too, as it
befalleth : 'twill suffer that dive-dapper to behold his home
again afore I kill him. A shall find it a sight for sore eyes, I
think, after my tending on't."
The third day after these doings, the farmer at Holt stood
in his porch that opened westward on Tivarandardale. An old
man was he, crooked like a mountain thorn. But a bright
black eye he had, and the hair curled crisp yet above his brow.
It was late afternoon and the sky overcast. Tousle-haired
sheep-dogs slept before the door. Swallows gathered in the
sky. Near to him sat a damosel, dainty as a meadow-pipit,
lithe as an antelope ; and she was grinding grain in a hand-mill,
singing the while :
Grind, mill, grind,
Corinius grinds us all ;
Kinging it in widowed Krothering.
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 BATTLE OF KROTHERING SIDE
The old man was furbishing a shield and morion-cap, and
other tackle of war lay at his feet.
" I wonder thou wilt still be busy with thy tackle, O my
father," said she, looking up from her singing and grinding.
" If ill tide ill again what should an old man do but grieve
and be silent ? "
" There shall be time for that hereafter," said the old man.
" But a little while is hand fain of blow ."
"

They'll be for firing the roof-tree, likely, if they come

back," said she, still grinding.
" Thou'rt a disobedient lass. If thou'dst but flit as I bade
thee to the shiel-house up the dale, I'd force not a bean for
their burnings."
" Let it burn," said she, " if he be taken. What avail then
for thee or for me to be a-tarrying ? Thou that art an old man
and full of good days, and I that will not be left so."
Agreat dog awoke beside her and shook himself, then drew
near and laid his nose in her lap, looking up at her with kind
solemn eyes .
The old man said, " Thou'rt a disobedient lass, and but
for thee, come sword, come fire, not a straw care I ; knowing
it shall be but a passing storm, now that my Lord is home
again."
"They took the land from Lord Spitfire," said she.
Ay, hinny," said the old man, "and thou shalt see my
Lord shall take it back again."
" Ay ? " said she. And still she ground and still she sang :
Grind, mill, grind,
Corinius grinds us all.
“
After a time, " Hist ! " said the old man, was not that a
horse-tread i' the lane ? Get thee within-doors till I know if
all be friendly." And he stooped painfully to take up his
weapon. Woefully it shook in his feeble hand.
But she, as one that knew the step, heeding nought else,
leapt up with face first red then pale then flushed again, and
ran to the gate of the garth. And the sheep-dogs bounded
before her. There in the gate she was met with a young man
riding a weary horse. He was garbed like a soldier, and horse
and manwere so bedraggled with mire and dust and all manner
of defilement they were a sorry sight to see, and sojaded both
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
that scarce it seemed they had might tojourney another furlong.
They halted within the gate, and all those dogsjumped up upon
them, whining and barking for joy.
Ere the soldier was well down from the saddle he had a
66
sweet armful. Softly, my heart," said he, " my shoulder's
somewhat raw. Nay, 'tis nought to speak on. I've brought
thee all my limbs home."
" Was there a battle ? " said the old man.
" Was there a battle, father ? " cried he. " I'll tell thee,
Krothering Side is thicker with dead men slain than our garth
with sheep i' the shearing time. "
" Alack and alack, 'tis a most horrid wound, dear," said the
girl. " Go in, and I'll wash it and lay to it millefoil pounded
with honey ; 'tis most sovran against pain and loss of blood,
and drieth up the lips ofthe wound and maketh whole thou'dst
not credit how soon. Thou hast bled over-much, thou foolish
one. And how couldst thou thrive without thy wife to tend
thee ? "
The farmer put an arm about him, saying, " Was the field
ours, lad ? "
" I'll tell you all orderly, old man," answered he, " but I
must stable him first, " and the horse nuzzled his breast. "And
ye must ballast me first. God shield us, 'tis not a tale for an
empty man to tell."
66

'Las, father," said the damosel, " have we not one sweet
sippet i' the mouth, that we hold him here once more ? And,
sweet or sour, let him take his time to fetch us the next. "
So they washed his hurt and laid kindly herbs thereto, and
bound it with clean linen, and put fresh raiment upon him, and
made him sit on the bench without the porch and gave him to
eat and drink : cakes of barley meal and dark heather-honey,
and rough white wine of Tivarandardale. The dogs lay close
about him as if there was warmth there and safety whereas he
was .
His young wife held his hand in hers, as if that were
enough if it should last for aye. And that old man, eating
down his impatience like a schoolboy chafing for the bell,
fingered his partisan with trembling hand.
" Thou hadst the word I sent thee, father, after the fight
below Galing ? "
Ay. 'Twas good."
" There was a council held that night," said the soldier.
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 BATTLE OF KROTHERING SIDE
"All the great men together in the high hall inGaling, so as it
was a heaven to see. I was one of their cupbearers, 'cause I'd
killed the standard-bearer of the Witches, in that same battle
below Galing. Methought 'twas no great thing I did ; till
after the battle, look you, my Lord's self standing beside me ;
and saith he, ' Arnod ' (ay, by my name, father), ' Arnod,' a
saith, ' thou'st done down the pennon o' Witchland that
'gainst our freedom streamed so proud. 'Tis thy like shall best
stead Demonland i' these dog-days,' saith he. Bear my cup
to-night, for thine honour.' I would, lass, thou'dst seen his
eyes that tide. 'Tis a lord to put marrow in the sword-arm,
our Lord.
They had forth the great map o' the world, of this Demon-
land, to study their business. I was by, pouring the wine, and
I heard their disputations. 'Tis a wondrous map wrought in
crystal and bronze, most artificial, with waters a-glistering and
mountains standing substantial to the touch. My Lord points
with's sword. ' Here,' a saith, ' standeth Corinius, by all sure
tellings, andbudgeth not from Krothering. And,by theGods,'
a saith, ' 'tis a wise disposition. For, mark, if we go by Gash-
terndale, as go we must to come at him, he striketh down on us
as hammer on anvil. And if we will pass by toward the head
of Thunderfirth,' and here a pointeth it out with's sword,
' Down a cometh on our flank; and every-gate the land's slope
serveth his turn and fighteth against us.'
" I mind me o' those words," said the young man, " 'cause
my Lord Brandoch Daha laughed and said, ' Are we grown so
strange by our travels, our own land fighteth o' the opposite
party ? Let me study it again.'
I filled his cup. Dear Gods, but I'd fill him a bowl
of mine own heart's blood if he required it of me, after our
times together, father. But more o' that anon. The stoutest
gentleman and captain without peer.
“

But Lord Spitfire, that was this while vaunting up and

down the chamber, cried out and said, ' 'Twere folly to travel
his road prepared us. Take him o' that side he looketh least
to seeus: south through the mountains, and upon him in his
rear up from Mardardale.'
" Ah,' saith my Lord, ' and be pressed back into Murk-
dale Hags if we miss of our first spring. 'Tis too perilous.
'Tis worse than Gashterndale.'
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 THE WORM OUROBOROS
" So went it : a nay for every yea, and nought to please 'em.
Till i' the end my Lord Brandoch Daha, that had been long
time busy with the map, said : ' Now that y' have threshed the
whole stack and found not the needle, I will show you my rede,
'cause ye shall not say I counselled you rashly.'
" So they bade him say his rede. And he said unto my
Lord,' Thou and our main power shall go by SwitchwaterWay.
And let the whole land's face blaze your coming before you.
Ye shall lie to-morrow night in some good fighting-stead
whither it shall not be to his vantage to move against you :
haply in the old shielings above Wrenthwaite, or at any likely
spot afore the road dippeth south into Gashterndale. But at
point of day strike camp and go by Gashterndale and so up on
to the Side to do battle with him. So shall all fall out even as
his own hopes and expectations do desire it. But I,' saith my
Lord Brandoch Daha,' with seven hundred chosen horse, will
have fared by then clean along the mountain ridge from Trans-
dale even to Erngate End ; so as when he turneth all his battle
northward down the Side to whelm you, there shall hang above
the security of his flank and rear that which he ne'er dreamed
on. If he support my charging of his flank at unawares, with
you in front to cope him, and he with so small an advantage
uponus in strength of men: if he stand that, why then, good-
night ! the Witches are our masters in arms, and we may off
cap to 'em and strive no more to right us.'
" So said my Lord Brandoch Daha. But all called him
daft to think on't. Carry an army a-horseback in so small
time 'cross such curst ground ? It might not be. ' Well,'
quoth he, ' sith you count it not possible, so much the more
shall he. Cautious counsels never will serve us this tide. Give
me but my pick of man and horse to the number of seven
hundred, and I'll so set this masque you shall not desire a
better master of the revels .'
" So i' the end he had his way. And past midnight they
were at it, I wis, planning and studying.
" At dawn was the whole army marshalled in the meadows
below Moonmere, and my Lord spake among them and told
us he was minded to march into the west country and ex-
terminate the Witches out of Demonland ; and he bade any
man that deemed he had now his fill of furious war and deemed
it a sweeter thing to go home to his own place, say forth his
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 BATTLE OF KROTHERING SIDE
mind without fear, and he would let him go, yea, and give him
good gifts thereto, seeing that all had done manful service ;
but he would have no man in this enterprise who went not to
it with his whole heart and mind ."
The damosel said, " I wis there was not a man would take
that offer."
" There went up," said the soldier, " such a shout, with
such a stamping, and such a clashing together of weapons , the
land shook with't, and the echoes rolled in the high corries of
the Scarf like thunder, of them shouting ' Krothering ! '' Juss ! '
' Brandoch Daha ! '' Lead us to Krothering ! ' Without more
ado was the stuff packed up, and ere noon was the whole army
gotten over the Stile. While we halted for daymeal hard by
Blackwood in Amadardale, came my Lord Brandoch Daha
a-riding among the ranks for to take his pick of seven hundred
of our ablest horse. Nor a would not commit this to his
officer, but himself called on each lad by name whenso he saw
a likely one, and speered would a ride with him. I trow he
gat never a nay to that speering. My heart was a-cold lest
he'd o'erlook me, watching him ride by as jaunty as a king.
But a reined in's horse and saith, ' Arnod, 'tis a bonny horse
thou ridest. Could he carry thee to a swine-hunt down from
Erngate End i' the morning ? ' I saluted him and said, ' Not
so far only, Lord, but to burning Hell so thou but lead us.'
' Come on,' saith he. ' '"
Tis a better gate I shall lead thee : to
Krothering hall ere eventide.'
" So now was our strength sundered, and the main army
made ready to march westward down Switchwater Way ; with
the Lord Zigg to lead the horse, and the Lord Volle and my
Lord's self and his brother the Lord Spitfire faring in the
midst amongst 'em all. And with them yonder outland
traitor, Lord Gro ; but I do think him more a stick of sugar-
paste than a man of war. And many gentlemen of worth
went with them : Gismor Gleam of Justdale, Astar of Rettray,
and Bremery of Shaws, and many more men of mark. But
there abode with my Lord Brandoch Daha, Arnund of By,
and Tharmrod of Kenarvey, Kamerar of Stropardon, Emeron
Galt, Hesper Golthring of Elmerstead, Styrkmir of Blackwood,
Melchar of Strufey, Quazz's three sons from Dalney, and
Stypmar of Failze : fierce and choleric young gentlemen, after
his own heart, methinks ; great horsemen, not very forecasting
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
of future things afar off but entertainers of fortune by the day ;
too rash to govern an army, but best of all to obey and follow
him in so glorious an enterprise.
" Ere we parted, came my Lord to speak with my Lord
Brandoch Daha. And my Lord looked into the lift that was
all dark cloud and wind ; and quoth he, ' Fail not at the
tryst, cousin. 'Tis thy word, that thou and I be finger and
thumb ; and never more surely than to-morrow shall this be
seen.'
" O friend of my heart, content thee,' answereth my
Lord Brandoch Daha. ' Didst ever know me neglect my
guests ? And have I not bidden you to breakfast with me
to-morrow morn in Krothering meads ? '
" Now we of the seven hundred turned leftward at the
watersmeet up Transdale into the mountains. And now came
ill weather upon us, the worst that ever I knew. 'Tis soft
enow and little road enow in Transdale, as thou knowest,
father, and weary work it was with every deer-track turned a
water-course and underfoot all slush and mire, and nought
for a man to see save white mist and rain above and about
him, and soppy bent and water under's horse-hooves. Little
there was to tell us we were won at last to the top of the pass,
and 'twere not the cloud blew thicker and the wind wilder
about us. Every man was wet to the breech, and bare a pint
o' water in's two shoes .
" Whiles we were halted on the Saddle my Lord Brandoch
Daha rested not at all, but gave his horse to his man to hold
and himself fared back and forth among us. And for every
man he had a jest or a merry look, so as 'twas meat and drink
but to hear or to behold him. But a little while only would
he suffer us to halt ; then right we turned, up along the ridge,
where the way was yet worse than in the dale had been, with
rocks and pits hidden in the heather, and slithery slabs ofgranite.
By my faith, I think no horse that was not born and bred to't
might cross such country, wet or fine ; he should be foundered
or should break his legs and his rider's neck ere he should be
gotten two hours' journey along those ridges ; but we that rode
with my Lord Brandoch Daha to Krothering Side were ten
hours riding so, besides our halts to water our horses and
longer halts to feed 'em, and the last part o' the way through
murk night, and all the way i' the wind's teeth with rainblown
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 BATTLE OF KROTHERING SIDE
onthe wind like spray, and hail at whiles. And when the rain
was done, the wind veered to the north-west and blew the
ridges dry. And then the little bits of rotten granite blew in
our faces like hailstones on the wind. There was no shelter,
not o' the lee side of the rocks, but everywhere the storm-wind
baffled and buffeted us, and clapped his wings among the
crags like thunder. Dear Heaven, weary we were and like to
drop, cold to the marrow, nigh blinded man and horse, yet
with a dreadful industry pressed on. And my Lord Brandoch
Daha was now in the van now in the rear-guard, cheering
men's hearts who marked with what blithe countenance him-
self did suffer the same hardships as his meanest trooper :
like to one riding at ease to some great wedding-feast ; crying,
' What, lads , merrily on ! These fen-toads of the Druima
shall learn too late what way our mountain ponies do go like
stags upon the mountain.'
" When it began to be morning we came to our last halt,
and there was our seven hundred horse hid in the corrie under
the tall cliffs of Erngate End. I warrant you we went care-
fully about it, so as no prying swine of Witchland looking up
from below should aspy a glimpse of man or horse o' the sky-
line. His highness first set his sentinels and let call the muster,
and saw that every man had his morning meal and every horse
his feed. Then he took his stand behind a crag of rock whence
he could overlook the land below. He had me by him to do
his errands. In the first light we looked down westward over
the mountain's edge and saw Krothering and the arms of the
sea, not so dark but we might behold their fleet at anchor in
Aurwath roads, and their camp like a batch of beehives so as a
man might think to cast a stone into't below us. That was the
first time I'd e'er gone to the wars with him. Faith, he's a
pretty man to see: leaned forward there on the heather with's
chin on his folded arms, his helm laid aside so they should not
see it glint from below; quiet like a cat : half asleep you'd
say; but his eyes were awake, looking down on Krothering.
'Twas well seen even from so far away how vilely they had
used it.
" The great red sun leaped out o' the eastern cloudbanks.
A stir began in their camp below : standards set up, men
gathering thereto, ranks forming, bugles sounding ; then a
score of horse galloping up the road from Gashterndale into
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the camp. His highness, without turning his head, beckoned
with's hand to me to call his captains. I ran and fetched 'em.
He gave 'em swift commands, pointing down where the Witch-
land swine rolled out their battle ; thieves and pirates who
robbed his highness' subjects within his streams ; with standard
and pennons and glistering naked spears, moving northward
from the tents. Then in the quiet came a sound made a man's
heart leap within him : faint out of the far hollows of Gash-
terndale, the trumpet of my Lord Juss's battle-call.
“

My Lord Brandoch Daha paused a minute, looking

down. Then a turned him about with face that shone like
the morning. ' Fair lords,' a saith, ' now lightly on horse-
back, for Juss fighteth against his enemies.' I think he was
well content. I think he was sure he would that day get his
heart's syth of every one that had wronged him.
" That was a long ride down from Erngate End. With all
our hearts' blood drumming us to haste, we must yet go warily,
picking our way i' that tricky ground, steep as a roof-slope,
uneven and with no sure foothold, with sikes in wet moss and
rocks outcropping and shifting screes. There was nought but
leave it to the horses, and bravely they brought us down the
steeps. We were not half way down ere we heard and saw
how battle was joined. So intent were the Witchlanders on
my Lord's main army, I think we were off the steep ground
and forming for the charge ere they were ware of us. Our
trumpeters sounded his battle challenge, Who meddles wi
Brandoch Daha ? and we came down on to Krothering Side
like a rock-fall .
" I scarce know what way the battle went, father. 'Twas
like a meeting of streams in spate. I think they opened to us
right and left to ease the shock. They that were before us
went down like standing corn under a hailstorm. We wheeled
both ways, some 'gainst their right that was thrown back
toward the camp, the more part with my Lord Brandoch
Daha to our own right. I was with these in the main battle.
His highness rode a hot stirring horse very fierce and dogged;
knee to knee with him went Styrkmir of Blackwood o' the one
side and Tharmrod o' the other. Neither man nor horse
might stand up before 'em, and they faring as in a maze now
this way now that, amid the thrumbling and thrasting o' the
footmen, heads and arms smitten off, men hewn in sunder
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ID

SOLDIERS OF DEMONLAND .

335
THE WORM OUROBOROS
fromcrowntobelly, ay, to the saddle, riderless horses maddened,
blood splashedup from the ground like the slush from amarsh.
" So for a time, till we had spent the vantage of our onset
and felt for the first time the weight of their strength. For
Corinius, as it appeareth, was now himself ridden from the
vanward where he had beat back for a time our main army,
and set on against my Lord Brandoch Daha with horsemen and
spearmen ; and commanded his sling-casters besides to let
freely at us and drive us toward thecamp.
"And now in the great swing of the battle were we carried
back to the camp again; and there was a sweet devils' holiday :
horses and men tripping over tent-ropes, tents torn down,
crashes of broken crockery, and King Laxus come thither with
sailors from the fleet, hamstringing our horses while Corinius
charged us from the north and east. That Corinius beareth
him in battle more like a devil from Hell than a mortal man.
I' the first two strokes of's sword he overthrew two of our best
captains, Romenard of Dalney and Emeron Galt. Styrkmir,
that stood in's way to stop him, a flung down with's spear,
horse and man. They say he met twice with my Lord Bran-
doch Daha that day, but each time were they parted in the
press ere they might rightly square together.
" I have stood in some goodly battles, father, as well thou
knowest : first following my Lord and my Lord Goldry
Bluszco in foreign parts, and last year in the great rout at
Crossby Outsikes, and again with my Lord Spitfire when he
smote the Witches on Brima Rapes, and in the murthering
great battle under Thremnir's Heugh. But never was I in
fight like to this of yesterday.
" Never saw I such feats of arms . As witness Kamerar of
Stropardon, who with a great two-handed sword hewed off his
enemy's leg close to the hip, so huge a blow the blade sheared
through leg and saddle and horse and all. And Styrkmir of
Blackwood, rising like a devil out of a heap of slain men, and
though's helm was lossen and a was bleeding from three or
four great wounds a held off a dozen o' the Witches with's
deadly thrusts and sword-strokes, till they had enough and gave
backbefore him : twelve before one, and he given over for dead
a while before. But all great deeds seemed trash beside the
deeds of my Lord Brandoch Daha. In one short while had he
three times a horse slain stark dead under him, yet gat never
336
BATTLE OF KROTHERING SIDE
a wound himself, which was a marvel. For without care he
rode through and about, smiting down their champions. I
mind me of him once, with's horse ripped and killed under him,
and one of those Witchland lords that tilted at him on the
ground as he leaped to's feet again; how a caught the spear
with's two hands and by main strength yerked his enemy out
o' the saddle. Prince Cargo it was, youngest of Corund's
sons. Long may the Witchland ladies strain their dear eyes ,
they'll ne'er see yon hendy lad come sailing home again. His
highness swapt him such a swipe o' the neck-bone as he pitched
to earth, the head of him flew i' the air like a tennis ball. And
i' the twinkling of an eye was my Lord Brandoch Daha horsed
again on's enemy's horse, and turned to charge 'em anew.
You'd say his arm must fail at last for weariness, of a man
so lithe and jimp to look on. Yet I think his last stroke i'
that battle was not lighter than the first. And stones and
spears and sword-strokes seemed to come upon him with no
more impression than blows with a straw would give to an
adamant.
" I know not how long was that fight among the tents.
Only 'twas the best fight I ever was at, and the bloodiest.
Andby all tellings 'twas as great work o' the other part, where
my Lord and his folk fought their way up on to the Side.
But of that we knew nothing. Yet certain it is we had all been
dead men had my Lord not there prevailed, as certain 'tis he
had never so prevailed but for our charging of their flank when
they first advanced against him. But in that last hour all we
that fought among the tents thought each man only of this,
how he might slay yet one more Witch, and yet again one more,
afore he should die. For Corinius in that hour put forth his
might to crush us ; and for every enemy there felled to earth
two more seemed to be raised up against us . And our own
folk fell fast, and the tents that were so white were one gore of
blood.
" When I was a little tiny boy, father, we had a sport,
swimming in the deep pools of Tivarandarwater, that one
boy would catch 'tother and hold him under till he could
no more for want of breath. Methinks there's no longing
i' the world so sore as the longing for air when he that is
stronger than thou grippeth thee still under the water, nor no
gladness i' the world like the bonny sweet air i' thy lungs
Z 337
THE WORM OUROBOROS
again when a letteth thee shoot up to the free daylight.
'Twas right so with us, who had now said adieu to hope and
saw all lost save life itself, and that not like to tarry long ;
when we heard suddenly the thunder of my Lord's trumpet
sounding to the charge. And ere our startled wits might
rightly think what that portended, was the whole surging
battle whipped and scattered like the water of a lake caught up
in awhite squall ; and that massed strength of the enemy which
had invested us round with so great a stream of shot and steel
reeled first forward then backward then forward again upon us,
confounded in a vast confusion. I trow new strength came to
our arms ; I trow our swords opened their mouths. For north-
ward we beheld the ensign of Galing streaming like a blazing
star ; and my Lord's self in a moment, high advanced above
the rout, and Zigg, and Astar, and hundreds of our horse,
hewing their way toward us whiles we hewed towards them.
And now was reaping time for us, and time of payment for all
those weary bloody hours we had held on to life with our teeth
among the tents on Krothering Side, while they o' the other
part, my Lord and his, had with all the odds of the ground
against them painfully and yard by yard fought out the fight
to victory. And now, ere we well wist of it, the day was won,
and the victory ours, and the enemy broken and put to so great
a rout as hath not been seen by living man.
" That false king Corinius, after he had tarried to see the
end of the battle, fled with a few of his men out of the great
slaughter, and as it later appeared gat him ashipboard in
Aurwath harbour and with three ships or four escaped to sea.
But the most of their fleet was burned there in the harbour to
save it from our hands .
My Lord gave command to take up the wounded and tend
'em, friend and foe alike. Among them was King Laxus ta'en
up, stunned with a mace-blow or some such. So they brought
him before the lords where they rested a little way down the
Side above the home meads of Krothering.
He looked 'em all in the eye, most proud and soldier-like.
Then a saith unto my Lord, ' It may be pain, but no shame to
us to be vanquished after so equal and so great a fight. Herein
only do I blame my ill luck, that it denied me fall in battle.
Thou mayst now, O Juss, strike off my head for the treason I
wrought you three years ago. And since I know thee of a
338
 BATTLE OF KROTHERING SIDE
courteous and noble nature, I'll not scorn to ask of thee this
courtesy, not to tarry but take it now.'
My Lord stood there like a war-horse after a breather.
He took him by the hand. ' O Laxus,' saith he, ' I give thee
not thy head only, but thy sword ; ' and here a gave it him hilt-
foremost. For thy dealings with us in the battle of Kartadza,
let time that hath an art to make dust of all things so do with the
memory of these. Since then, thou hast shown thyself still our
noble enemy; and so shall we account thee still.'
" Therewith my Lord commanded bring King Laxus down
to the sea, and ship him aboard of a boat, for Corinius still held
off the land with his ships, waiting no doubt to see if he or any
other of his folk could yet be saved.
" But as King Laxus was upon parting, my Lord Brandoch
Daha, speaking with great show of carelessness as of some
trifling matter a had by chance called to mind, ' My lord,' saith
he, ' I ne'er ask favour of any man. Only in a manner of
return of courtesies, methought thou mightest be willing to
bear my salutations to Corinius, sith I've no other messenger.'
" Laxus answereth he would freely do it. Then saith his
highness , ' Say to him I will not blame him that he abode us
not i' the field after the battle was lost, for that had been a simple
part, flatly 'gainst all maxims of right soldiership, and but to
casthis life away. But freakish Fortune I blame, that twined us
one from the other when we should have dealt together this
day. He hath borne him in my halls, I am let to know, more i'
the fashion of a swine or a beastly ape than a man. Pray him
come ashore ere you sail home, that I and he, with no man else
to make betwixt us, may cast up our account. We swear him
peace and grith and a safe conduct back to's ships if he prevail
against me or if I so use him that he cry for mercy. If he'll not
take this offer, then is he a dastard ; and the whole world shall
so acclaim him .'
،،،

Sir,' saith Laxus, ' I'll punctually discharge thy message.'

" Whether he did so or no, father, I know not. But if he
did, it seemeth it was little to Corinius's liking. For no sooner
had his ship ta'en Laxus aboard, than she hoised sail and put
out into the deep, and so good-bye."
The young man ceased, and they were all three silent
awhile. A faint breeze rippled the foliage of the oakwoods of
339
THE WORM OUROBOROS
Tivarandardale. The sun was down behind the stately Thorn-
backs, and the whole sky from bourne to bourne was alight with
the sunset glory. Dappled clouds, with sky showing here and
there between, covered the heavens, save in the west where a
great archway of clear air opened between clouds and earth :
air of an azure that seemed to burn, so pure it was, so deep, so
charged with warmth : not the harsh blue of noon-day nor the
sumptuous deep eastern blue of approaching night, but a bright
heavenly blue bordering on green, deep, tender, and delicate as
the spirit ofevening. Athwart the midst of that window ofthe
west a blade ofcloud, hard-edged andjagged with teeth coloured
as of live coals and dead, fiery and iron-dark in turn, stretched
like a battered sword. The clouds above the arch were pale
rose : the zenith like black opal, dark blue and thunderous grey
dappled with fire.

340
XXVII : THE SECOND EXPEDITION
TO IMPLAND

HOW THE LORD JUSS, NOT TO BE PERSUADED FROM HIS SET PURPOSE,
FOUND, WHERE LEAST IT WAS TO BE LOOKED FOR, UPHOLDING
IN THAT RESOLVE ; AND OF THE SAILING OF THE ARMAMENT TO
MUELVA BY WAY OF THE STRAITS OF MELIΚΑΡΗΚΗΑΖ .

HAT was the last ember of red summer burning when

they cut them that harvest on Krothering Side. Autumn
Tcame, and winter months, and the lengthening days of
the returning year. And with the first breath of spring were
the harbours filled with ships of war, so many as had never in
former days been seen in the land, and in every countryside
from the western Isles to Byland, from Shalgreth and Kelialand
to the headlands under Rimon Armon, were soldiers gathered
with their horses and all instruments of war.
Lord Brandoch Daha rode from the west, the day the
Pasque flowers first opened on the bluffs below Erngate End
and primroses made sweet the birch-forests in Gashterndale.
He set forth betimes, and hard he rode, and he rode into Galing
by the Lion Gate about the hour of noon. There was Lord
Juss inhis private chamber, and greeted him with great joy and
love. So Brandoch Daha asked," What speed ? " And Juss
answered, " Thirty ships and five afloat in Lookinghaven,
whereof all save four be dragons of war. Zigg I expect to-
morrow with the Kelialand levies ; Spitfire lieth at Owlswick
with fifteen hundred men from the southlands ; Volle came in
but three hours since with four hundred more. In sum, I'll
have four thousand, reckoning ships' companies and our own
bodyguards."
66

Eight ships of war have I," said Lord Brandoch Daha,

341
THE WORM OUROBOROS
" in Stropardon Firth, all busked and boun. Five more at
Aurwath, five at Lornagay in Morvey, and three on the Mealand
coast at Stackray Oyce, besides four more in the Isles. And I
have sixteen hundred spearmen and six hundred horse. All
these shall come together to join with thine in Lookinghaven at
the snapping of my fingers, give me but seven days' notice."
Juss gripped him by the hand. " Bare were my back
without thee," he said.
" In Krothering I've shifted not a stone nor swept not a
chamber clean," said Brandoch Daha. " 'Tis a muck-pit.
Every man's hand I might command I set only to this. And
now 'tis ready." He turned sharp toward Juss and looked at
him a minute in silence. Then with a gravity that sat not often
on his lips he said, " Let me be urgent with thee once more :
strike and delay not. Do him not again that kindness we did
him aforetime, fribbling our strength away on the cursed
shores of Impland, and by the charmed waters of Ravary, so
as he might as secure as sleep send Corsus hither and Corinius
to work havoc i' the land ; and so put on us the greatest shame
was ever laid on mortal men, and we not bred up to suffer
shame."
" Thou saidst seven days," said Juss . Snap thy fingers
and call up thy armies. I'll delay thee not an hour."
Ay, but I mean to Carcë," said he.
" To Carcë, whither else ? " said Juss. " But I'll take my
brother Goldry with us."
" But I mean first to Carce," said Brandoch Daha. " Let
my opinion sway thee once. Why, a schoolboy should tell
thee, clear thy flank and rear ere thou go forward."
Juss smiled. " I love this new garb of caution, cousin,"
saidhe; " it doth most prettily become thee. I question though
whether this be not the true cause: that Corinius took not up
thy challenge last summer, but let it lie, and that hath left thee
hungry still."
BrandochDaha looked him sidelong in the eye, and laughed.
" O Juss," he said, " thou hast touched me near. But 'tis not
that. That was in the weird that bright lady laid on me, in
the sparrow-hawk castle in Impland forlorn: that he I held most
inhateshould ruin my fair lordship, and that to my hand should
vengeance be denied. That I e'en must brook. O no. Think
only, delays aredangerous. Come, be advised. Be not mulish."
342
SECOND IMPLAND EXPEDITION
But the Lord Juss's face was grave. " Urge me no more,
dear friend," said he. " Thou sleep'st soft. But to me, when
I am cast in my first sleep, cometh many a time the likeness of
Goldry Bluszco, held by a maleficial charm on the mountain
top of Zora Rach, that standeth apart, out of the sunlight, out
of all sound or warmth of life. Long ago I made vow to turn
neither to the right nor to the left, until I set him free."
" He is thy brother," said Lord Brandoch Daha. "Also is
he mine own familiar friend, whom I love scarce less than thee.
But when thou speakest of oaths, remember there's La Fireez
too. What shall he think on us after our oaths to him three
years ago, that night in Carcë ? Yet this one blow should right
him too."
" He will understand," said Juss.
" He is to come with Gaslark, and thou told'st me thou
dost e'en now expect them," said Brandoch Daha. " I'll leave
you. I cannot for shame say to him, ' Patience, friend, truly
'tis not to-day convenient. Thou shalt be paid in time.' By
heavens, I'd scorn to entreat my mantle-maker so. And this
our friend that lost all and languisheth in exile because he saved
our lives ."
So saying, he stood up in great discontent and ire as if to
leave the chamber. But Juss caught him by the wrist. " Thou
dost upbraid me most unjustly, and well thou knowest it in thy
heart, and 'tis that makes thee so angry. Hark, the horn
soundeth at the gate, and 'tis for Gaslark. I'll not let thee go. "
" Well," said Lord Brandoch Daha, " have thy will. Only
ask not me to plead thy rotten case to them. If I speak it shall
be to shame thee. Now thou'rt warned."
Now went they into the high presence chamber, where was
bright ladies not a few, and captains and noble persons from
up and down the land, and stood on the dais. Gaslark the
king walked up the shining floor, and behind him his captains
and councillors of Goblinland walked two by two. The Prince
La Fireez strode at his elbow, proud as a lion.
Blithely they greeted those lords of Demonland that rose
up to greet them beneath the starry canopy, and the Lady
Mevrian that stood betwixt her brother and Lord Juss so as
'twere hard to say which of the three was fairest to look on, so
much they differed in their beauty's glory. Gro, standing
near, said in himself, " I know a fourth. And were she but
343
THE WORM OUROBOROS
joined with these, then were the crown of the whole earth's
loveliness fitted in this one chamber : in a right casket surely.
And the Gods in heaven (if there be Gods indeed) should go
pale for envy, having in their starry gallery no fair to match
with these ; not Phoebus Apollo, not the chaste Huntress, nor
the foam-born Queen herself. "
But Gaslark, when his eye lighted on the long black beard,
the lean figure slightly stooping, the pallid brow, the curls
smoothed with perfumed unguents, the sickle-like nose, the
great liquid eyes, the lily hand; he, beholding and knowing
these of old, waxed in a moment dark as thunder with the
blood-rush beneath his sun-browned skin, and with a great
sweep snatched out his sword, as if without gare or beware to
thrust him through. Gro stepped hastily back. But the Lord
Juss came between them.
" Let alone, Juss," cried Gaslark. " Know'st not this
fellow, what
perfumed a vile! who
villain enemy
forand viperyears
SO many we have
did here ? Aa thread
spin me pretty
of many seditions and troubles, while his smooth tongue gat
money from me still. Blessed occasion ! Now will I let his
soul out."
66
But the Lord Juss laid his hand on Gaslark's sword-arm.
Gaslark," said he, " leave off thy rages, and put up thy sword.
A year ago thou'dst done me no wrong. But to-day thou'dst
have slain me a man of mine own men, and alord of Demonland."
Now when they had done their greetings, they washed their
hands and sate at dinner and were nobly served and feasted.
And the Lord Juss made peace betwixt Gro and Gaslark, albeit
'twas no light task to prevail upon Gaslark to forgive him.
Thereafter they retired them with Gaslark and La Fireez into
achamber apart.
Gaslark the king spake and said, " None can gainsay it,
O Juss, that this fight ye won last harvest tide was the greatest
seen on land these many years, and of greatest consequence.
But I have heard a bird sing there shall be yet greater deeds
done ere many moons be past. Therefore it is we came
hither to thee, I and La Fireez that be your friends from of
old, to pray thee let us go with thee on thy quest across the
world after thy brother, for sorrow of whose loss the whole
world languisheth; and thereafter let us go with you on your
going up to Carcë."
344
 SECOND IMPLAND EXPEDITION
" O Juss," said the Prince, “ we would not in after-days
that men should say, On such a time fared the Demons into
perilous lands enchanted and by their strength and valorous-
ness set free the Lord Goldry Bluszco (or haply, there ended
their life's days in that glorious quest) ; but Gaslark and La
Fireez were not in it, they bade their friends farewell, hung up
their swords, and lived a quiet and merry life in Zajë Zaculo.
So let their memory be forgot."
Lord Juss sat silent a minute, as one much moved. " Ο
Gaslark," he said at length, " I'll take thine offer without
another word. But unto thee, dear Prince, I must bare mine
heart somewhat. For thou here art come not strest in our
quarrel to spend thy blood, only to put us yet deeper in thy
debt. And yet small blame it were to thee shouldst thou in
dishonourable sort revile me, as many shall cry out against
me, for a false friend unto thee and a friend forsworn."
But the Prince La Fireez brake in upon him, saying, “ I
prithee have done, or thou'lt shame me quite. Whate'er I
did in Carcë, 'twas but equal payment for your saving of my
life in Lida Nanguna. So was all evened up betwixt us.
Think then no more on't, but deny me not to go with you to
Impland. But up to Carcë I'll not go with you : for albeit
I am clean broke with Witchland, against Corund and his kin
I will not draw sword nor against my lady sister. A black
curse on the day I gave her white hand to Corund ! She
holdeth too much of our stock, methinks : her heraldry is
hearts not hands. And giving her hand she gave her heart.
'Tis a strange world." 66

" La Fireez," said Juss , we weigh not so lightly our

obligation unto thee. Yet_must I hold my course ; having
sworn a strong oath that I would turn aside neither to the
right nor to the left until I had delivered my dear brother
Goldry out of bondage. So sware I or ever I went that ill
journey to Carcë and was closed in prison fast and by thee
delivered. Nor shall blame of friends nor wrongful misprision
nor any power that is shake me in this determination. But
when that is done, no rest remaineth unto us till we win back
for thee thy rightful realm of Pixyland, and many good things
besides to be a token of our love."
Said the Prince, " Thou doest right. If thou didst other
thou'dst have my blame."
345
THE WORM OUROBOROS
" And mine thereto," said Gaslark. " Do not I grieve,
think'st thou, to see the Princess Armelline, my sweet young
cousin, grow every day more wan o' the cheek and pale ?
And all for sorrow and teen for her own true love, the Lord
Goldry Bluszco. And she so carefully brought up by her
mother as nothing was too dear or hard to be brought to pass
for her desire, thinking that a creature so noble and perfect
could not be trained up too delicately. I deem to-day better
than to-morrow, and to-morrow better than his morrow, to
set sail for wide-fronted Impland."
All this while the Lord Brandoch Daha said never a word.
He sat back in his chair of ivory and chrysoprase, now toying
with his golden finger-rings, now twisting and untwisting the
yellow curls of his moustachios and beard. In a while he
yawned, rose from his seat and fell to pacing lazily up and
down. He had hitched up his sword across his back under
his two elbows, so that the shoe of the scabbard stood out
under one arm and the jewelled hilt under the other. His
fingers strummed little tunes on the front of the rich rose
velvet doublet that cased his chest. The spring sunlight as
he paced from shine to shade and to shine again, passing the
tall windows, seemed to caress his face and form. It was as
if spring laughed forjoy beholding in him one that was her own
child, clothed to outward view with so much loveliness and
grace, but full besides to the eyes and finger-tips with fire and
vital sap, like her own buds bursting in the Brankdale coppices.
In a while he ceased his walking, and stood by the Lord
Growho sat a little apartfrom the rest. " How thinkest thou,
Gro, of our counsels ? Art thou for the straight road or the
crooked ? For Carcë or Zora Rach ? "
" Of two roads," answered Gro, " a wise man will choose
ever that one which is indirect. For but consider the matter,
thou that art a great cragsman : think our life's course a lofty
cliff. I am to climb it, sometime up, sometime down. I
pray, whither leadeth the straight road on such a cliff ? Why,
nowhither. For if I will go up by the straight way, 'tis not
possible ; I am left gaping whiles thou by crooked courses
hast gained the top. Or if down, why 'tis easy and swift;
but then, no more climbing ever more for me. And thou,
clambering down by the crooked way, shalt find me a dead and
unsightly corpse at the bottom."
346
 SECOND IMPLAND EXPEDITION
،،

Grammercy for thy me's and thee's," said Lord Brandoch

Daha. " Well, 'tis a most weighty principle, backed with a
most just and lively exposition. How dost thou interpret thy
maxim in our present question ? " ،،

Lord Gro looked up at him. My lord, you have used me

well, and to deserve your love and advance your fortunes I
have pondered much how you of Demonland might best obtain
revenge upon your enemies. And I daily thinking hereupon,
and conceiving in my head divers imaginations, can devise no
means but one that in my fancy seemeth best, which is this."
" Let me hear it," said Lord Brandoch Daha.
Said Gro, " Twas ever a fault in you Demons that you
would not perceive how 'tis oft-times good to draw the snake
from her hole by another man's hand. Consider now your
matter. You have a great force both for land and sea. Trust
not too much in that. Oft hath he of the little force o'ercome
most powerful enemies , going about to entrap them by sleight
and policy. But consider yet again. You have a thing is
mightier far than all your horses and spearmen and dragons
of war, mightier than thine own sword, my lord, and thou
accounted the best swordsman in all the world."
" What thing is that ? " asked he.
Gro answered, " Reputation, my Lord Brandoch Daha.
This reputation of you Demons for open dealings even to your
worst enemies ."
66

Tush," said he. " 'Tis but our way i' the world. More-
over, 'tis, I think, a thing natural in great persons, of whatsoever
country they be born. Treachery and double dealing proceed
commonly from fear, and that is a thing which I think no man
in this land comprehendeth. Myself, I do think that when
the highGods made a person of my quality they traced between
his two eyes something, I know not what, which the common
sort durst not look upon without trembling."
" Give me but leave," said Lord Gro," and I'll pluck you
a braver triumph in a little hour than your swords should win
you in two years. Speak smooth words to Witchland, offer
him composition, bring him to a council and all his great men
along with him. I'll so devise it, they shall all be suddenly
taken off in a night, haply by setting upon them in their beds,
or as we may find most convenient. All save Corund and his
sons ; them we may wisely spare, and conclude peace with
347
THE WORM OUROBOROS
them. It shall not by ten days delay your sailing to Impland,
whither you might then proceed with light hearts and minds
at ease."
“

Very prettily conceived,upon my soul," said Brandoch

Daha. Might I advise thee, thou'dst best not talk to Juss
i' this manner. Not now, I mean, while his mind's so bent
on matters of weight and moment. Nor I should not say it
to mysister Mevrian. Women will oft-times take in sad earnest
such a conceit, though it be but talk and discourse. With me
'tis otherwise. I am something of a philosopher myself, and
thy jest ambleth with my humour very pleasantly."
" Thou art pleased to be merry," said Lord Gro. Many
ere now, as the event hath proved, rejected my wholesome
counsels to their own great hurt."
But Brandoch Daha said lightly, " Fear not, my Lord
Gro, we'll reject no honest redes of so wise a counsellor as thou.
But," and here was a light in the eye of him made Gro startle,
" did any man with serious intent dare bid me do a dastard
deed, he should have my sword through the dearest part of's
body."
Lord Brandoch Daha now turned him to the rest of them.
" Juss ," said he, " friend of my heart, meseemeth y'are all of
one mind, and none of my mind. I'll e'en bid you farewell.
Farewell , Gaslark ; farewell, La Fireez."
" But whither away ? " said Juss, standing up from his
chair. " Thou must not leave us."
" Whither but to mine own place ? " said he, and was gone
from the chamber .
Gaslark said, " He's much incensed. What hast thou done
to anger him ? "
Mevrian said to Juss, " I'll follow and cool him." She
went, but soon returned saying, " No avail, my lords. He is
ridden forth from Galing and away as fast as his horse might
carry him."
Now were they all in a great stew, some conjecturing one
thing and some another. Only the Lord Juss kept silence and
acalm countenance, and the Lady Mevrian. And Juss said at
length to Gaslark, " This it is, that he chafeth at every day's
delay that letteth him from having at Corinius. Certes, I'll
not blame him, knowing the vile injuries the fellow did him
and his insolence toward thee, madam. Be not troubled.
348
SECOND IMPLAND EXPEDITION

His own self shall bring him back to me when time is, as no
other power should do 'gainst his good will; he whose great
heart Heaven cannot force with force."
And even so, the next night after, when folk were abed
and asleep, Juss, in his high bed-chamber sitting late at his
book, heard a bridle ring. So he called his boys to go with
him with torches to the gate. And there in the dancing
torch-light came the Lord Brandoch Daha a-riding into Galing
Castle, and somewhat of the bigness of a great pumpkin tied
in a silken cloth hung at his saddle-bow. Juss met him in the
gate alone. " Let me down from my horse," he said, " and
receive from me thy bed-fellow that thou must sleep with by
the Lake of Ravary."
" Thou hast gotten it ? " said Juss. " The hippogriff's egg,
out of Dule Tarn, by thyself alone ? " and he took the bundle
right tenderly in his two hands.
“

Ay," answered he. 'Twas where thou and I made

sure of it last summer, according to the word of her little
martlet that first found it for us. The tarn was frozen and
'twas tricky work diving and most villanous cold. It is small
marvel thou'rt a lucky man in thine undertakings , O Juss,
when thou hast such an art to draw thy friends to second
thee."
" I thought thou'dst not leave me," said Juss.
" Thought ? " cried Brandoch Daha. " Didst ever dream
I'd suffer thee to do thy foolishnesses alone ? Nay, I'll come
first to the enchanted lake with thee, and let be Carcë i' the
meantime. Howbeit I'll do it 'gainst the stream of my resolu-
tion quite."
Now was but six days more of preparation, and on the
second day of April was all ready in Lookinghaven for the
sailing of that mighty armament: fifty and nine ships of war
and five ships of burthen and thrice two thousand fighting
men .

Lady Mevrian sat on her milk-white mare overlooking the

harbour where the ships all orderly rode at anchor, shadowy
gray against the sun-bright shimmer of the sea, with here and
there a splash of colour, crimson or blue or grass-green, from
their painted hulls or a beam of the sun glancing from their
golden masts or figure-heads. Gro stood at her bridle-rein.
349
THE WORM OUROBOROS
The Galing road, winding down from Havershaw Tongue, ran
close below them and so along the sea-shore to the quays at
Lookinghaven. Along that road the hard earth rang with the
tramp of armed men and the tramp of horses, and the light
west wind wafted to Gro and Mevrian on their grassy hill
snatches of deep-voiced battle-chants or the galloping notes
of trumpet and pipe and the drum that sets men's hearts
a-throb .
In the van rode the Lord Zigg, four trumpeters walking
before him in gold and purple. His armour from chin to toe
shone with silver, and jewels blazed on his gorget and baldrick
and the hilt of his long straight sword. He rode a black
stallion savage-eyed with ears laid back and a tail that swept
the earth. A great company of horse followed him, and half
as many tall spearmen, in russet leather jerkins plated with
“
brass and silver. These," said Mevrian, " be of Kelialand
and the shore-steads of Arrowfirth, and his own vassalage from
Rammerick and Amadardale. That is Hesper Golthring
rideth a little behind him on his right hand ; he loveth two
things in this world, a good horse and a swift ship. He on the
left, he o' the helm of dull silver set with raven's wings, so
long of the leg thou'dst say if he rode a little horse he might
straddle and walk it : Styrkmir of Blackwood. He is of our
kin ; not yet twenty years old, yet since Krothering Side
accounted one of our ablest."
So she showed him all as they rode by. Peridor of Sule,
captain of the Mealanders, and his nephew Stypmar. Fendor
of Shalgreth with Emeron Galt his young brother, that was
newly healed from the great wound Corinius gave him at
Krothering Side; these leading the shepherds and herdsmen
from the great heaths north of Switchwater, who will hold by
the stirrup and so with their light bucklers and little brown
swords go into battle with the horsemen full gallop against the
enemy. Bremery in his ram's-horn helm of gold and broidered
surcoat of scarlet velvet, leading the dalesmen from Onward-
lithe and Tivarandardale. Trentmar of Scorradale with the
north-eastern levies from Byland and the Strands and Break-
ingdale. Astar of Rettray, lean and lithe, bony-faced, gallant-
eyed, white of skin, with bright red hair and beard, riding his
lovely roan at the head of two companies of spearmen with
huge iron-studded shields :: men from about Drepaby and the
350
SECOND IMPLAND EXPEDITION
south - eastern dales, landed men and home - men of Lord
Goldry Bluszco. Then the island dwellers from the west,
with old Quazz of Dalney riding in the place of honour, noble
to look on with his snowy beard and shining armour, but
younger men their true leaders in war : Melchar of Strufey,
great-chested, fierce-eyed, with thick brown curling hair,
horsed on a plunging chestnut, his byrny bright with gold, a
rich mantle of creamy silk brocade flung about his ample
shoulders , and Tharmrod on his little black mare with silver
byrny and bats-winged helm, he that held Kenarvey in fee for
Lord Brandoch Daha, keen and ready like an arrow drawn to
the barbs. And after them the Westmark men, with Arnund
of By their captain. And after them, four hundred horse,
not to be surpassed for beauty or ordered array by any in
that great army, and young Kamerar riding at their head,
burly as a giant, straight as a lance, apparelled like a king,
bearing on his mighty spear the pennon of the Lord of
Krothering.
" Look well on these," said Mevrian as they passed by.
" Our own men of the Side and Thunderfirth and Stropardon.
Thou may'st search the wide world and not find their like for
speed and fire and all warlike goodliness and readiness to the
word of command. Thou look'st sad, my lord."
66

Madam," said Lord Gro, " to the ear of one that useth,
as I use, to consider the vanity of all high earthly pomps, the
music of these powers and glories hath a deep under-drone of
sadness . Kings and governors that do exult in strength and
beauty and lustihood and rich apparel, showing themselves for
awhile upon the stage of the world and open dominion of high
heaven, what are they but the gilded summer fly that decayeth
with the dying day ? "
“

My brother and the rest must not stay for us," said the
lady. " They meant to go aboard as soon as the army should
be come down to the harbour, for their ships be to sail out first
down the firth. Is it determined indeed that thou goest with
them on this journey ? "
" I had so determined, madam," answered he. She was
beginning to move down towards the road and the harbour, but
Gro put ahand on the rein and stopped her. " Dear lady," he
said, " these three nights together I have dreamed a dream :
a strange dream, and all the particulars thereof betokening
351
THE WORM OUROBOROS
heavy anxiety, increase of peril, and savage mischief; promising
some terrible issue. Methinks if I go on this journey thou
shalt see my face no more."
" O fie, my lord," cried she, reaching him her hand," give
never a thought to such fond imaginings. 'Twas the moon but
glancing in thine eye. Or if not, stay with us here and cheat
Fate."
Gro kissed her hand, and kept it in his. " My Lady
Mevrian," he said, " Fate will not be cheated, cog we never
so wisely. I do think there be not many extant that in
a noble way fear the face of death less than myself. I'll
go o' this journey. There is but one thing should turn me
back."
" And 'tis ? " said she, for he fell silent on a sudden.
He paused, looking down at her gloved hand resting in his.
" A man becometh hoarse and dumb," said he, " if a wolf hath
the advantage first to eye him. Didst thou procure thee a wolf
to dumb me when I would tell thee ? But Idid once ; enough
to let thee know. O Mevrian, dost thou remember Neverdale ? "
He looked up at her. But Mevrian sat with head erect,
like her Patroness divine, with sweet cool lips set firm and
steady eyes fixed on the haven and the riding ships. Gently
she drew her hand from Gro's, and he strove not to retain it.
She eased forward the reins. Gro mounted and followed her.
They rode quietly down to the road and so southward side by
side to the harbour. Ere they came within earshot of the quay,
Mevrian spake and said, " Thou'lt not think me graceless nor
forgetful, my lord. All that is mine, O ask it, and I'll give it
thee with both hands. But ask me not that I have not to give,
or if I gave should give but false gold. For that's a thing not
good for thee nor me, nor I would not do it to an enemy, far
less to thee my friend."
Now was the army all gotten ashipboard, and farewells said
to Volle and those who should abide at home with him. The
ships rowed out into the firth all orderly, their silken sails
unfurled, and that great armament sailed southward into the
open seas under a clear sky. All the way the wind favoured
them, and they made a swift passage, so that on the thirtieth
morning from their sailing out of Lookinghaven they sighted
the long gray cliff-line of Impland the More dim in the low
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 SECOND IMPLAND EXPEDITION
blown spray of the sea, and sailed through the Straits of
Melikaphkhaz in column ahead, for scarce might two ships pass
abreast through that narrow way. Black precipices shut in the
straits on either hand, and the sea-birds in their thousands
whitened every little ledge of those cliffs like snow. Great
flights of them rose and circled overhead as the ships sped by,
and the air was full of their plaints. And right and left, as of
young whales blowing, columns of white spray shot up con-
tinually from the surface of the sea. For these were the stately-
winged gannets fishing that sea-strait. By threes and fours
they flew, each following other in ordered line, many mast-
heights high ; and ever and anon one checked in her flight as
if a bolt had smitten her, and swooped head-foremost with
wings half-spread, like a broad-barbed dart of dazzling white-
ness, till at a few feet above the surface she clapped close her
wings and cleft the water with a noise as of a great stone cast
into the sea. Then in a moment up she bobbed, white and
spruce with her prey in her gullet ; rode the waves a minute to
rest and consider ; then with great sweeping wing-strokes up
again to resume her flight.
After a mile or two the narrows opened and the cliffs grew
lower, and the fleet sped past the red reefs of Uaimnaz and the
lofty stacks of Pashnemarthra white with sea-gulls on to the
blue solitude of the Didornian Sea. All day they sailed south-
east with a failing wind. The coast-line of Melikaphkhaz fell
away astern, paled in the mists ofdistance, and was lost to sight,
until only the square cloven outline of the Pashnemarthran
islands broke the level horizon of the sea. Then these too sank
out of sight, and the ships rowed on south-eastward in a dead
calm. The sun stooped to the western waves, entering his bath
of blood-red fire. He sank, and all the ways were darkened.
All night they rowed gently on under the strange southern
stars, and the broken waters of that sea at every oar-stroke were
like fire burning. Then out of the sea to eastward came the
day-star, ushering the dawn, brighter than all night's stars,
tracing a little path of gold along the waters. Then dawn,
filling the low eastern skies with a fleet of tiny cockle-shells of
bright gold fire ; then the great face of the sun ablaze. And
with the going up of the sun a light wind sprang up, bellying
their sails on the starboard tack ; so that ere day declined the
sea-cliffs of Muelva hung white
2A
above the spray-mist on their
353
THE WORM OUROBOROS
larboard bow. They beached the ships on a white shell-strand
behind a headland that sheltered it from the east and north .
Here the barrier of cliffs stood back a little from the shore,
giving place for a fertile dell of green pasture, and woods
clustering at the foot of the cliffs, and a little spring of water in
the midst.
So for that night they slept on board, and next day made
their camp, discharging the ships of burthen that were laden
with the horses and stuff. But the Lord Juss was minded not
to tarry an hour more in Muelva than should suffice to give all
needful orders to Gaslark and La Fireez what they should do
and when expect him again, and to make provision for himself
and those who must fare with him beyond those shadowing
cliffs into the haunted wastes of the Moruna. Ere noon was all
this accomplished and farewells said, and those lords, Juss,
Spitfire, and Brandoch Daha, set forth along the beach south-
ward towards a point where it seemed most hopeful to scale the
cliffs. With them went the Lord Gro, both by his own wish
and because he had known the Moruna aforetime and these
particular parts thereof ; and with them went besides those two
brothers-in-law, Zigg and Astar, bearing the precious burden
of the egg, for that honour and trust had Juss laid on them at
their earnest seeking. So with some pains after an hour or
more they won up the barrier, and halted for a minute on the
cliff's edge.
The skin of Gro's hands was hurt with the sharp rocks.
Tenderly he drew on his lambswool gloves, and shivered a
little ; for the breath of that desert blew snell and frore and
there seemed a shadow in the air southward, for all it was
bright and gentle weather below whence they were come. Yet
albeit his frail body quailed, even so were his spirits within him
raised with high and noble imaginings as he stood on the lip
of that rocky cliff. The cloudless vault of heaven ; the un-
numbered laughter of the sea ; that quiet cove beneath, and
those ships of war and that army camping by the ships ; the
emptiness of the blasted wolds to southward, where every rock
seemed like a dead man's skull and every rank tuft of grass hag-
ridden; the bearing of those lords of Demonland who stood
beside him, as if nought should be of commoner course to them
pursuing their resolve than to turn their backs on living land
and enter those regions of the dead; these things with a power
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SECOND IMPLAND EXPEDITION
as of a mighty music made Gro's breath catch in his throat and
the tear spring in his eye.
In such wise after more than two years did Lord Juss begin
his second crossing of the Moruna in quest of his dear brother
the Lord Goldry Bluszco.

355
 XXVIII : ZORA RACH NAM
PSARRION

OF THE LORD JUSS'S RIDING OF THE HIPPOGRIFF TO ZORA RACH, AND

OF THE ILLS ENCOUNTERED BY HIM IN THAT ACCURSED PLACE,
AND THE MANNER OF HIS PERFORMING HIS GREAT ENTERPRISE TO
DELIVER HIS BROTHER OUT OF BONDAGE .

ULLED with light-stirring airs too gentle-soft to ruffle

her glassy surface, warm incense-laden airs sweet with
L✓the perfume of immortal flowers, the charmed Lake of
Ravary dreamed under the moon. It was the last hour before
the dawn. Enchanted boats, that seemed builded of the glow-
worm's light, drifted on the starry bosom of the lake. Over
the sloping woods the limbs of the mountains lowered, un-
measured, vast, mysterious in the moon's glamour. In remote
high spaces of night beyond glimmered the spires of Koshtra
Pivrarcha and the virgin snows of Romshir and Koshtra Belorn.
No bird or beast moved in the stillness : only a nightingale
singing to the stars from a coppice of olive-trees near the
Queen's pavilion on the eastern shore. And that was a note
not like a bird's of middle earth, but a note to charm down
spirits out of the air, or to witch the imperishable senses of the
Gods when they would hold communion with holy Night and
make her perfect, and all her lamps and voices perfect in their
eyes.
The silken hangings of the pavilion door, parting as in the
portal of a vision, made way for that Queen, fosterling of the
most high Gods. She paused a step or two beyond the
threshold, looking down where those lords of Demonland,
Spitfire and Brandoch Daha, with Gro and Zigg and Astar,
356
 ZORA RACH NAM PSARRION
wrapped in their cloaks, lay on the gowany dewy banks that
sloped down to the water's edge.
66

Asleep," she whispered. "Even as he within sleepeth

against the dawn. I do think it is only in a great man's
breast sleep hath so gentle a bed when great events are
toward."
Like a lily, or like a moonbeam strayed through the leafy
roof into a silent wood, she stood there, her face uplifted to the
starry night where all the air was drenched with the silver
radiance of the moon. And now in a soft voice she began
supplication to the Gods which are from everlasting, calling
uponthem in turn by their holy names, upon gray-eyed Pallas,
and Apollo, and Artemis the fleet Huntress, upon Aphrodite,
and Here, Queen of Heaven, and Ares, and Hermes, and the
dark-tressed Earthshaker. Nor was she afraid to address her
holy prayers to him who from his veiled porch beside Acheron
and Lethe Lake binds to his will the devils of the under-gloom,
nor to the great Father of All in Whose sight time from the
beginning until to-day is but the dipping of a wand into the
boundless ocean ofeternity. So prayed she to the blessedGods ,
most earnestly requiring them that under their countenance
might be that ride, the like whereof earth had not known : the
riding of the hippogriff, not rashly and by an ass as heretofore
to his own destruction, but by the man of men who with clean
purpose and resolution undismayed should enforce it carry him
to his heart's desire.
Now in the east beyond the feathery hilltops and the great
snow wall of Romshir the gates were opening to the day. The
sleepers wakened and stood up. There was a great noise from
within the pavilion. They turned wide-eyed, and forth of the
hangings of the doorway came that young thing new-hatched,
pale and doubtful as the new light which trembled in the sky.
Juss walked beside it, his hand on the sapphire mane. High
and resolute was his look, as he gave good-morrow to the Queen,
to his brother and his friends. No word they said, only in turn
gripped him by the hand. The hour was upon them. For
even as day striding on the eastern snow-fields stormed night
out of high heaven, so and with such swift increase of splendour
was might bodily and the desire of the upper air born in that
wild steed. It shone as if lighted by a moving lamp from
withinward, sniffed the sweet morning air and whinnied, pawing
357
THE WORM OUROBOROS
the grass of the waterside and tearing it up with its claws of
gold. Juss patted the creature's arching neck, looked to the
bridle he had fitted to its mouth, made sure of the fastenings of
his armour, and loosened in the scabbard his great sword. And
now up sprang the sun.
The Queen said, " Remember : when thou shalt see the
lord thy brother in his own shape, that is no illusion. Mistrust
all else. And the almighty Gods preserve and comfort thee."
Therewith the hippogriff, as if maddened with the day-
beams, plunged like a wild horse, spread wide its rainbow
pinions, reared, and took wing. But the Lord Juss was sprung
astride of it, and the grip of his knees on the ribs of it was like
brazen clamps. The firm land seemed to rush away beneath
him to the rear ; the lake and the shore and islands thereof
showed in a moment small and remote, and the figures of the
Queen and his companions like toys, then dots, then shrunken
to nothingness, and the vast silence ofthe upper air opened and
received him into utter loneliness . In that silence earth and
sky swirled like the wine in a shaken goblet as the wild steed
rocketed higher and higher in great spirals. A cloud billowy-
white shut in the sky before them ; brighter and brighter it
grew in its dazzling whiteness as they sped towards it, until
they touched it and the glory was dissolved in a grey mist that
grew still darker and colder as they flew till suddenly they
emerged from the further side of the cloud into a radiance of
blue and gold blinding in its glory. So for a while they flew
with no set direction, only ever higher, till at length obedient
to Juss's mastery the hippogriff ceased from his sports and
turned obediently westward, and so in a swift straight course,
mounting ever, sped over Ravary towards the departing night.
And now indeed it was as if they had verily overtaken night in
her western caves . For the air waxed darker about them and
always darker, until the great peaks that stood.round Ravary
werehidden, and all the green land of Zimiamvia, with its plains
and winding waters and hills and uplands and enchanted woods ,
hiddenand lost in an evil twilight. And the upper heaven was
ateem with portents : whole armies of men skirmishing in the
air, dragons, wild beasts, bloody streamers, blazing comets,
fiery strakes, with other apparitions innumerable. But all
silent, and all cold, so that Juss's hands and feet were numbed
with the cold and his moustachios stiff with hoar-frost.
358
HIPPOGRIFF IN FLIGHT .

359
THE WORM OUROBOROS
Before them now, invisible till now, loomed the gaunt peak
of Zora Rach, black, wintry, and vast, still towering above them
for all they soared ever higher, grand and lonely above the
frozen wastes of the Psarrion Glaciers. Juss stared at that
peak till the wind of their flight blinded his eyes with tears ;
but it was yet too far for anyglimpse of that which hehungered
to behold : no brazen citadel, no coronal of flame, no watcher
on the heights. Zora, like some dark queen of Hell that dis-
dains that presumptuous mortal eyes should dare to look lovely
on her dread beauties, drew across her brow a veil of thunder-
cloud. They flew on, and that steel-blue pall of thunderous
vapour rolled forth till it canopied all the sky above them.
Juss tucked his two hands for warmth into the feathery armpits
of the hippogriff's wings where the wings joined the creature's
body. So bitter cold it was, his very eyeballs were frozen and
fixed ; but that pain was a light thing beside somewhat he now
felt within him the like whereof he never before had known :
a death-like horror as of the houseless loneliness of naked
space, which gripped him at the heart.
They landed at last on a crag of black obsidian stone a
little below the cloud that hid the highest rocks. The hippo-
griff, couched on the steep slope, turned its head to look on
Juss. He felt the creature's body beneath him quiver. Its
ears were laid back, its eye wide with terror. " Poor child,"
he said. " I have brought thee an ill journey, and thou but
one hour hatched from the egg."
He dismounted; and in that same instant was bereaved.
For the hippogriff with a horse-scream of terror took wing and
vanished down the mirk air, diving headlong away to eastward,
back to the world of life and sunlight.
And the Lord Juss stood alone in that region of fear and
frost and the soul-quailing gloom, under the black summit-
rocks of Zora Rach .
Setting, as the Queen had counselled him to do, his whole
heart and mind on the dread goal he intended, he turned to
the icy cliff. As he climbed the cold cloud covered him, yet
not so thick but he might see ten paces' distance before and
about him as he went. Ill sights enow, and enow to quail a
strong man's resolution, showed in his path : shapes ofdamned
fiends and gorgons of the pit running in the way, threatening
him with death and doom. But Juss, gritting his teeth,
360
ZORA RACH NAM PSARRION
climbed on and through them, they being unsubstantial.
Then up rose an eldritch cry, " What man of middle-earth is
this that troubleth our quiet ? Make an end ! Call up the
basilisks. Call up the Golden Basilisk, which bloweth upon
and setteth on fire whatsoever he seeth. Call up the Starry
Basilisk, and whatso he seeth it immediately shrinks up and
perisheth . Call up the Bloody Basilisk, who if he see or touch
any living thing it floweth away so that nought there remaineth
but the bones ! "
That was a voice to freeze the marrow, yet he pressed on,
saying in himself, " All is illusion, save that alone she told me
of." And nought appeared : only the silence and the cold,
and the rocks grew ever steeper and their ice-glaze more
dangerous, and the difficulty like the difficulty of those Barriers
of Emshir, up which more than two years ago he had followed
Brandoch Daha and on which he had encountered and slain
the beast mantichora. The leaden hours drifted by, and now
night shut down, bitter and black and silent. Sore weariness
bodily was come upon Juss, and his whole soul weary withal
and near to death as he entered a snow-bedded gully that cut
deep into the face of the mountain, there to await the day.
He durst not sleep in that freezing night ; scarcely dared he
rest lest the cold should master him, but must keep for ever
moving and stamping and chafing hands and feet. And yet,
as the slow night crept by, death seemed a desirable thing that
should end such utter weariness .
Morning came with but a cold alteration of the mist from
black to gray, disclosing the snow-bound rocks silent, dreary,
and dead. Juss, enforcing his half frozen limbs to resume the
ascent, beheld a sight of woe too terrible for the eye : a young
man, helmed and graithed in dark iron, a black-a-moor with
goggle-eyes and white teeth agrin, who held by the neck a
fair young lady kneeling on her knees and clasping his as in
supplication, and he most bloodily brandishing aloft his spear
of six foot of length as minded to reave her of her life. This
lady, seeing the Lord Juss, cried out on him for succour very
piteously, calling him by his name and saying, " Lord Juss of
Demonland, have mercy, and inyour triumph over the powers
of night pause for an instant to deliver me, poor afflicted
damosel, from this cruel tyrant. Can your towering spirit,
which hath quarried upon kingdoms, make a stoop at him ?
361
THE WORM OUROBOROS
O that should approve you noble indeed, and bless you for
ever ! "
Surely the very heart of him groaned, and he clapped hand
to sword wishing to right so cruel a wrong. But onthe motion
he bethought him of the wiles of evil that dwelt in that place,
and of his brother, and with a great groan passed on. In
which instant he beheld sidelong how the cruel murtherer
smote with his spear that delicate lady, and detrenched and
cut the two master-veins of her neck, so as she fell dying in
her blood. Juss mounted with a great pace to the head of the
gully, and looking back beheld how black-a-moor and lady
both were changed to two coiling serpents. And he laboured
on, shaken at heart, yet glad to have so escaped the powers that
would have limed him so.
Darker grew the mist, and heavier the brooding dread
which seemed elemental of the airs about that mountain.
Pausing well nigh exhausted on a small stance of snow Juss
beheld the appearance of a man armed who rolled prostrate
in the way, tearing with his nails at the hard rock and frozen
snow, and the snow was all one gore of blood beneath the
man ; and the man besought him in a stifled voice to go no
further but raise him up and bring him down the mountain.
And when Juss, after an instant's doubt betwixt pity and his
resolve, would have passed by, the man cried and said, " Hold,
for I am thy very brother thou seekest, albeit the King hath
by his art framed me to another likeness, hoping so to delude
thee. For thy love sake be not deluded ! " Now the voice
was like to the voice of his brother Goldry, howbeit weak.
But the Lord Juss bethought him again of the words of
Sophonisba the Queen, that he should see his brother in his
own shape and nought else must he trust ; and he thought,
" It is an illusion, this also." So he said, " If that thou be
truly my dear brother, take thy shape. " But the man cried
as with the voice of the Lord Goldry Bluszco, " I may not,
till that I be brought down from the mountain. Bring me
down, or my curse be upon thee for ever."
The Lord Juss was torn with pity and doubt and wonder,
to hear that voice again of his dear brother so beseeching him .
Yet he answered and said," Brother, if that it be thou indeed,
then bide till I have won to this mountain top and the citadel
of brass which in a dream I saw, that I may know truly thou
362
ZORA RACH NAM PSARRION
art not there, but here. Then will I turn again and succour
thee. But until I see thee in thine own shape I will mistrust
all. For hither I came from the ends of the earth to deliver
thee, and I will set my good on no doubtful cast, having
spent so much and put so much in danger for thy dear
sake."
So with a heavy heart he set hand again to those black
rocks, iced and slippery to the touch. Therewith up rose an
eldritch cry, " Rejoice, for this earth-born is mad ! Rejoice,
for that was not perfect friend, that relinquished his brother
at his need ! " But Juss climbed on, and by and by looking
back beheld how in that seeming man's place writhed a grisful
serpent. And he was glad, so much as gladness might be in
that mountain of affliction and despair.
Now was his strength near gone, as day drew again toward
night and he climbed the last crags under the peak of Zora.
And he, who had all his days drunk deep of the fountain of
thejoy of life and the glory and the wonder of being, felt ever
deadlier and darker in his soul that lonely horror which he first
had tasted the day before at his first near sight of Zora, while
he flew through the cold air portent-laden; and his whole
heart grew sick because of it.
And now he was come to the ring of fire that was about
the summit of the mountain. He was beyond terror or the
desire of life, and trod the fire as it had been his own home's
threshold. The blue tongues of flame died under his foot-
tread, making a way before him. The brazen gates stood
wide. He entered in, he passed up the brazen stair, he stood
on that high roof-floor which he had beheld in dreams, he
looked as in a dream on him he had crossed the confines of
the dead to find: Lord Goldry Bluszco keeping his lone watch
on the unhallowed heights of Zora. Not otherwise was the
Lord Goldry, not by an hairsbreadth, than as Juss had afore-
time seen him on that first night in Koshtra Belorn, so long
ago. He reclined propped on one elbow on that bench of
brass, his head erect, his eyes fixed as on distant space, viewing
thedepths beyond the star-shine, as one waiting till time should
have an end.
He turned not at his brother's greeting. Juss went to him
and stood beside him. The Lord Goldry Bluszco moved not
an eyelid. Juss spoke again, and touched his hand. It was
363
THE WORM OUROBOROS
stiff and like dank earth. The cold of it struck through Juss's
body and smote him at the heart. He said in himself, " Не
isdead."
With that, the horror shut down upon Juss's soul like
madness. Fearfully he stared about him. The cloud had
lifted from the mountain's peak and hung like a pall above its
nakedness . Chill air that was like the breath of the whole
world's grave : vast blank cloud-barriers : dim far forms of
snow and ice, silent, solitary, pale, like mountains of the
dead : it was as if the bottom of the world were opened and
truth laid bare : the ultimate Nothing.
To hold off the horror from his soul, Juss turned in memory
to the dear life of earth, those things he had most set his heart
on, men and women he loved dearest in his life's days ; battles
and triumphs of his opening manhood, high festivals inGaling,
golden summer noons under the Westmark pines, hunting
morns on the high heaths of Mealand ; the day he first backed
a horse, of a spring morning in a primrose glade that opened
on Moonmere, when his small brown legs were scarce the
length of his fore-arm now, and his dear father held him by
the foot as he trotted, and showed him where the squirrel had
her nest in the old oak tree.
He bowed his head as if to avoid a blow, so plain he seemed
to hear somewhat within him crying with a high voice and
loud, " Thou art nothing. And all thy desires and memories
and loves and dreams, nothing. The little dead earth-louse
were of greater avail than thou, were it not nothing as thou
art nothing. For all is nothing: earth and sky and sea and
they that dwell therein. Nor shall this illusion comfort thee,
if it might, that when thou art abolished these things shall
endure for a season, stars and months return, and men grow
old and die, and new men and women live and love and die
and be forgotten. For what is it to thee, that shalt be as a
blown-out flame ? and all things in earth and heaven, and
things past and things for to come, and life and death, and the
mere elements of space and time, of being and not being, all
shall be nothing unto thee; because thou shalt be nothing,
for ever."
And the Lord Juss cried aloud in his agony, " Fling me to
Tartarus , deliver me to the black infernal Furies, let them
blind me, seethe me in the burning lake. For so should there
364
ZORA RACH NAM PSARRION
yet be hope. But in this horror of Nothing is neither hope
nor life nor death nor sleep nor waking, for ever. For
ever."
In this black mood of horror he abode for awhile, until a
sound of weeping and wailing made him raise his head, and
he beheld a company of mourners walking one behind another
about the brazen floor, all cloaked in funeral black, mourning
the death of Lord Goldry Bluszco. And they rehearsed his
glorious deeds and praised his beauty and prowess and goodli-
ness and strength : soft women's voices lamenting,
lamenti SO that
the Lord Juss's soul seemed as he listened to arise again out of
annihilation's waste, and his heart grew soft again, even unto
tears. He felt a touch on his arm and looking up met the gaze
of two eyes gentle as a dove's, suffused with tears, looking
into his from under the darkness of that hood of mourning ;
and a woman's voice spake and said, " This is the observable
day of the death of the Lord Goldry Bluszco, which hath been
dead now a year ; and we his fellows in bondage do bewail
him, as thou mayst see, and shall so bewail him again year by
year whiles we are on life. And for thee, great lord, must
we yet more sorrowfully lament, since of all thy great works
done this is the empty guerdon, and this the period of thine
ambition. But come, take comfort for a season, since unto
all dominions Fate hath set their end, and there is no king on
the road of death ."
So the Lord Juss, his heart dead within him for grief and
despair, suffered her take him by the hand and conduct him
down a winding stairway that led from that brazen floor to an
inner chamber fragrant and delicious, lighted with flickering
lamps. Surely life and its turmoils seemed faded to a distant
and futile murmur, and the horror of the void seemed there
but a vain imagination, under the heavy sweetness of that
chamber. His senses swooned ; he turned towards his veiled
conductress. She with a sudden motion cast off her mourning
cloak, and stood there, her whole fair body bared to his gaze,
open - armed, a sight to ravish the soul with love and all
delight.
Well nigh had he clasped to his bosom that vision of dazzling
loveliness. But fortune, or the high Gods, or his own soul's
might, woke yet again in his drugged brain remembrance of his
purpose, so that he turned violently from that bait prepared for
365
THE WORM OUROBOROS
his destruction, and strode from the chamber up to that roof
where his dear brother sat as in death. Juss caught him by the
6
"
hand: Speak to me, kinsman. It is I, Juss. It is Juss, thy
brother."
But Goldry moved not neither answered any word.
Juss looked at the hand resting in his, so like his own to the
veryshapeofthe finger nails and the growth of the hairs on the
back ofthehand and fingers. He let itgo, and the arm dropped
lifeless. " It is very certain," said he, " thou art in a manner
frozen, and thy spirits and understanding frozen and congealed
within thee."
So saying, he bent to gaze close in Goldry's eyes, touching
his arm and shoulder. Not a limb stirred, not an eyelid
flickered. He caught him by the hand and sleeve as if to force
him up from the bench, calling him loudly by his name, shaking
him roughly, crying, " Speak to me, thy brother, that crossed
the world to find thee;" but he abode a dead weight in Juss's
grasp.
" If thou be dead," said Juss, " then am I dead with thee.
But till then I'll ne'er think thee dead." And he sat down on
the bench beside his brother, taking his hand in his, and looked
about him. Nought but utter silence. Night had fallen, and
the moon's calm radiance and the twinkling stars mingled with
the pale fires that hedged that mountain top in an uncertain
light. Hell loosed no more her denizens in the air, and since
the moment when Juss had in that inner chamber shaken him-
self free of that last illusion no presence had he seen nor
simulacrum of man or devil save only Goldry his brother ; nor
might that horror any more master his high heart, but the
memory of it was but as the bitter chill of a winter sea that
takes the swimmer's breath for an instant as he plunges first
into the icy waters .
So with a calm and a steadfast mind the Lord Juss abode
there, his second night without sleep, for sleep he dared not
in that accursed place. But for joy of his found brother, albeit
it seemed there was in him neither speech nor sight nor hearing,
Juss scarce wist of his great weariness. And he nourished
himself with that ambrosia given him by the Queen, for well
he thought the uttermost strength of his body should now be
tried in the task he now decreed him.
When it was day, he arose and taking his brother Goldry
366
ZORA RACH NAM PSARRION
bodily on his back set forth. Past the gates of brass Juss bore
him, and past the barriers of flame, and painfully and by slow
degrees down the long northern ridge which overhangs the
Psarrion Glaciers. All that day, and the night following, and
all the next day after were they on the mountain, and well nigh
dead was Juss for weariness when on the second day an hour
or two before sun-down they reached the moraine. Yet was
triumph in his heart, and gladness of a great deed done. They
lay that night in a grove of strawberry trees under the steep
foot of a mountain some ten miles beyond the western shore of
Ravary, and met Spitfire and Brandoch Daha who had waited
with their boat two nights at the appointed spot, about eventide
of the following day.
Now as soon as Juss had brought him off the mountain, this
frozen condition of the Lord Goldry was so far thawed that he
was able to stand upon his feet and walk ; but never a word
might he speak, and never a look they gat from him, but still
his gaze was set and unchanging, seeming when it rested on
his companions to look through and beyond them as at some
far thing seen in a mist. So that each was secretly troubled,
fearing lest this condition of the Lord Goldry Bluszco
should prove remediless, and this that they now received
back from prison but the poor remain of him they had so
much desired.
They came aland and brought him to Sophonisba the
Queen where she made haste to meet them on the fair lawn
before her pavilion. The Queen, as if knowing beforehand
both their case and the remedy thereof, took by the hand the
Lord Juss and said, " O my lord, there yet remaineth a thing
for thee to do to free him throughly, that hast outfaced terrors
beyond the use of man to bring him back : a little stone indeed
to crown this building of thine, and yet without it all were in
vain, as itself were vain without the rest that was all thine : and
mine is this last, and with a pure heart I give it thee."
So saying she made the Lord Juss bow down till she might
kiss his mouth, sweetly and soberly one light kiss. And she
said, " This give unto the lord thy brother." And Juss did
so, kissing his dear brother in like manner on the mouth ; and
she said, " Take him, dear my lords. And I have utterly put
out the remembrance of these things from his heart. Take
him, and give thanks unto the high Gods because of him."
367
THE WORM OUROBOROS
Therewith the Lord Goldry Bluszco looked upon them and
upon that fair Queen and the mountains and the woods and
the cool lake's loveliness , as a man awakened out of a deep
slumber.
Surely there was joy in all their hearts that day.

368
 XXIX : THE FLEET AT MUELVA
HOW THE LORDS OF DEMONLAND CAME AGAIN TO THEIR SHIPS AT
MUELVA, AND THE TIDINGS THEY LEARNED THERE

OR nine days' space the lords of Demonland abode with

Queen Sophonisba in Koshtra Belorn and beside the
F Lake of Ravary tasting such high and pure delights as
belike none else hath tasted, if it were not the spirits of the
blest in Elysium. Whentheybade her farewell, the Queen said,
66
My little martlets shall bring me tidings ofyou. And when
you shall have brought to mere perdition the wicked regiment
of Witchland and returned again to your dear native land, then
is my time for that, my Lord Juss, whereof I have often talked
to thee and often gladded my dreams with the thought thereof :
to visit earth again and the habitations of men, and be your
guest in many-mountained Demonland."
Juss kissed her hand and said," Fail not in this, dear Queen ,
whatsoe'er betide."
So the Queen let bring them by a secret way out upon the
high snow-fields that are betwixt Koshtra Belorn and Romshir,
whence they came down into the glen of the dark water that
descends from the glacier of Temarm, and so through many
perilous scapes after many days back by way of the Moruna to
Muelva and the ships .
There Gaslark and La Fireez, when their greetings were
done and their rejoicings, said to the Lord Juss, " We abide
too long time here. We have entered the barrel and the bung-
hole is stopped." Therewithal they brought him Hesper
Golthring, who three days ago sailing to the Straits for forage
came back again but yesterday with a hot alarum that he met
certain ships of Witchland : and brought them to battle : and
2B 369
THE WORM OUROBOROS
gatone sunkenere they brake off the fight: and took up certain
prisoners. " By whose examination," saith he, " as well as
from mine own perceiving and knowing, it appeareth Laxus
holdeth the Straits with eight score ships of war, the greatest
ships that ever the sea bare until this day,come hither ofpurpose
to destroy us."
"Eight score ships ? " said Lord Brandoch Daha. " Witch-
land commandeth not the half, nor the third part, of such a
strength since we did them down last harvest-tide in Aurwath
haven. It is not leveable, Hesper."
Hesper answered him, " Your highness shall find it truth ;
and more the sorrow on't and the wonder."
""
Tis the scourings of his subject-allies," said Spitfire.
" We shall find them no such hard matter to dispatch after the
others ."
Juss said to the Lord Gro, " What makest thou of these
news, my lord ? "
" I think no wonder in it," answered he. " Witchland is
of good memory and mindeth him of your seamanship off
Kartadza. He useth not to idle, nor to set all on one hazard.
Nor comfort not thyself, my Lord Spitfire, that these be
pleasure-galleys borrowed from the soft Beshtrians or the simple
Foliots. They be new ships builded for us, my lords, and our
undoing : it is by no conjecture I say it unto you, but of mine
own knowledge, albeit the number appeareth far greater than
ere I dreamed of. But or ever I sailed with Corinius to Demon-
land, great buildings of an army naval was begun at Tenemos."
" I do very well believe," said King Gaslark, " that none
knoweth all this better than thou, because thyself didst
counsel it."
" O Gaslark," said Lord Brandoch Daha, " must thou still
itch to play at chop-cherry when cherry-time is past ? Let
him alone. He is our friend now."
"
Eight score ships i' the Straits," said Juss. "And ours an
hundred. 'Tis well seen what great difference and odds there
is betwixt us . Which we must needs encounter, or else ne'er
sail home again, let alone to Carcë. For out of this sea is no
sea-way for ships, but only by these Straits of Melikaphkhaz ."
" We shall do of Laxus," said Lord Brandoch Daha, " that
he troweth to do of us ."
But Juss was fallen silent, his chin in his hand.
370
THE FLEET AT MUELVA
Goldry Bluszco said, " I would allow him odds and beat
him."
“
It is a great shame in thee, O Juss," said Brandoch Daha,
" if thou wilt be abashed at this. If that they be in number
more than we, what then ? They are in hope, quarrel, and
strength far inferior."
But Juss, still in a study, reached out and caught him by the
sleeve, holding him so a moment or two, and then looked up at
him and said, " Thou art the greatest quarreller, of a friend,
that ever I knew, and if I were an angry man I could not abear
thee. May I not three minutes study the means, but thou
shalt cry out upon me for a milksop ? "
They laughed, and the Lord Juss rose up and said, " Call
we a council of war. And let Hesper Golthring be at it, and
his skippers that were with him o' that voyage. And pack up
the stuff, for we will away o' the morn. If we like not these
lettuce, we may pull back our lips. But no choice remaineth.
If Laxus will deny us sea-room through Melikaphkhaz Straits ,
I trow there shall go up thence a crash which when the King
heareth it he shall know it for our first banging on the gates
of Carce . "

371
 XXX :
TIDINGS OF MELIKAΡΗΚHAZ

OF NEWS BROUGHT UNTO GORICE THE KING IN CARCË OUT OF THE

SOUTH, WHERE THE LORD LAXUS LYING IN THE STRAITS WITH
HIS ARMADA HELD THE FLEET OF DEMONLAND PRISONED IN THE
MIDLAND SEA .

Na night of late summer leaning towards autumn,

eight weeks after the sailing of the Demons out of
Ο Muelva as is aforewrit, the Lady Prezmyra sate before
her mirror in Corund's lofty bed-chamber in Carcë. The
night without was mild and full of stars . Within, yellow flames
ofcandles burning steadily on either side of the mirror rayed
forth tresses of tinselling brightness in twin glories or luminous
spheres of warmth. In that soft radiance grains as of golden
fire swam and circled, losing themselves on the confines of the
gloom where the massy furniture and the arras and the figured
hangings of the bed were but cloudier divisions and congestions
of the general dark. Prezmyra's hair caught the beams and
imprisoned them in a tawny tangle of splendour that swept
about her head and shoulders down to the emerald clasps of
her girdle. Her eyes resting idly on her own fair image in the
shining mirror, she talked light nothings with her woman of
the bed-chamber who, plyingthe comb,stood behind her chair
of gold and tortoiseshell.
Reach me yonder book, nurse, that I may read again the
words of that serenade the Lord Gro made for me, the night
when first we had tidings from my lord out of Impland of his
conquest of that land, and the King did make him king thereof."
The old woman gave her the book, that was bound in goat-
skin chiselled and ornamented by the gilder's art, fitted with
372
 TIDINGS OF MELIKAΡΗΚΗΑΖ
clasps of gold, and enriched with little gems, smaragds and
margery-pearls, inlaid in the panels of its covers. Prezmyra
turned the page and read :
You meaner Beauties of the Night,
That poorly satisfie our Eies,
More by your number then your light,
You Common-people of the Skies ;
What are you when the Moone shall rise ?
You Curious Chanters of the Wood,
That warble forth Dame Natures layes,
Thinking your Passions understood
By your weake accents ; what's your praise
When Philomell her voyce shall raise ?
You Violets that first apeare,
By your pure purpel mantles knowne,
Like the proud Virgins of the yeare,
As if the Spring were all your own ;
What are you when the Rose is blowne ?
So, when my Princess shall be seene
In form and Beauty of her mind,
By Vertue first, then Choyce a Queen,
Tell me, if she were not design'd
Th' Eclypse and Glory of her kind.
She abode silent awhile. Then, in a low sweet voice where
all the chords of music seemed to slumber : " Three years will
be gone next Yule-tide," she said, " since first I heard that
song. And not yet am I grown customed to the style of
Queen."
" Tis pity of my Lord Gro," said the nurse.
" Thou thinkest ? "
" Mirth sat oftener on your face, O Queen, when he was
here, and you were used to charm his melancholy and make a
pish of his phantastical humorous forebodings."
“
" Oft doubting not his forejudgement," said Prezmyra,
even the while I thripped my fingers at it. But never saw
I yet that the louring thunder hath that partiality of a tyrant,
to blast him that faced it and pass by him that quailed before
it."
" He was most deeply bound servant to your beauty," said
373
THE WORM OUROBOROS
the old woman. " And yet," she said, viewing her mistress
sidelong to see how she would receive it, " that were a miss
easilymade good."
She busied herself with the comb awhile in silence. After
a time she said, " O Queen, mistress of the hearts of men,
there is not a lord in Witchland, nor in earth beside, you might
not bind your servant with one thread of this hair of yours.
The likeliest and the goodliest were yours at an eye-glance."
The Lady Prezmyra looked dreamily into her own sea-
green eyes imaged in the glass. Then she smiled mockingly
and said, " Whom then accountest thou the likeliest and the
goodliest man in all the stablished earth ? "
The old woman smiled. " O Queen," answered she,
" this was the very matter in dispute amongst us at supper
only this evening."
" A pretty disputation ! " said Prezmyra. " Let me be
merry. Who was adjudged the fairest and gallantest by your
high court of censure ? "
" It was not generally determined of, O Queen. Some
would have my Lord Gro."
"Alack, he is too feminine," said Prezmyra.
" Others our Lord the King." 66

" There is none greater," said Prezmyra, nor more

worshipful. But for an husband, thou shouldst as well wed
with a thunder-storm or the hungry sea. Give me some
more."
" Some chose the lord Admiral ."
66

" That," said Prezmyra, was a nearer stroke. No skip-

jack nor soft marmalady courtier, but a brave, tall, gallant
gentleman. Ay, but too watery a planet burned at his nativity.
He is too like a statua of a man. No, nurse, thou must bring
me better than he."
The nurse said, " True it is, O Queen, that most were of
my thinking when I gave 'em my choice : the king of Demon-
land."
" Fie on thee ! " cried Prezmyra. " Name him not so
that was too unmighty to hold that land against our enemies."
" Folk say it was by foxish arts and practices magical a
was spilt on Krothering Side. Folk say 'twas divels and not
horses carried the Demons down the mountain at us."
"

They say ! " cried Prezmyra. " I say to thee, he hath

374
TIDINGS OF MELIKAΡΗΚΗAZ
found it apter to his bent to flaunt his crown in Witchland than
make 'em give him the knee in Galing. For a true king both
knee and heart do truly bow before him. But this one, if he
had their knee 'twas in the back side of him he had it, to kick
him home again."
"

Fie, madam ! " said the nurse.

" Hold thy tongue, nurse," said Prezmyra. " It were
good ye were all well whipped for a bunch of silly mares that
know not a horse from an ass ."
The old woman watching her in the glass counted it best
keep silence. Prezmyra said under her breath as if talking
to herself, " I know a man, should not have miscarried it thus.
The old nurse that loved not Lord Corund and his haughty
fashions and rough speech and wine-bibbing, and was besides
jealous that so rude a stock should wear so rich a jewel as was
her mistress, followed not her meaning.
After some time, the old woman spake softly and said,
" You are full of thoughts to-night, madam." ،،

Prezmyra's eyes met hers in the mirror. Why may I not

be so and it likes me ?" said she .
That stony look of the eyes struck like a gong some twenty-
year-old memory in the nurse's heart : the little wilful maiden,
ill to goad but good to guide, looking out from that Queen's
face across the years. She knelt down suddenly and caught
"

her arms about her mistress's waist. Why must you wed
then, dear heart ? " said she, " if you were minded to do
what likes you ? Men love not sad looks in their wives. You
may ride a lover on the curb, madam, but once you wed him
'tis all t'other way : all his way, madam, and beware of ' had
I wist. "
Her mistress looked down at her mockingly. " I have
been wed seven years to-night. I should know these things."
" And this night ! " said the nurse. " And but an hour
till midnight, and yet he sitteth at board."
The Lady Prezmyra leaned back to look again on her own
mirrored loveliness. Her proud mouth sweetened to a smile.
" Wilt thou learn me common women's wisdom ? " said she,
and there was yet more voluptuous sweetness trembling in her
voice. " I will tell thee a story, as thou hast told them me in
the old days in Norvasp to wile me to bed. Hast thou not
heard tell how old Duke Hilmanes of Maltraëny, among some
375
THE WORM OUROBOROS
other fantasies such as appear by night unto many in divers
places, had one in likeness of a woman with old face of low and
little stature or body, which did scour his pots and pans and
did such things as a maid servant ought to do, liberally and
without doing of any harm ? And by his art he knew this
thing should be his servant still, and bring unto him whatso-
ever he would, so long time as he should be glad of the things
it brought him. But this duke, being a foolish man and a
greedy, made his familiar bring him at once all the year's
seasons and their several goods and pleasures, and all good
things of earth at one time. So as in six months' space, he
being sated with these and all good things, and having no
good thing remaining unto him to expect or to desire, for very
weariness did hang himself. I would never have ta'en me an
husband, nurse, and I had not known that I was able to give
him every time I would a new heaven and a new earth, and
never the same thing twice."
She took the old woman's hands in hers and gathered them
to her breast, as if to let them learn, rocked for a minute in the
bountiful infinite sweetness of that place, what foolish fears
were these. Suddenly Prezmyra clasped the hands tighter in
her own, and shuddered a little. She bent down to whisper
in the nurse's ear, " I would not wish to die. The world
without me should be summer without roses. Carcë without
me should be a night without the star-shine."
Her voice died away like the night breeze in a summer
garden. In the silence they heard the dip and wash of oar-
blades from the river without ; the sentinel's challenge, the
answer from the ship .
Prezmyra stood up quickly and went to the window. She
could see the ship's dark bulk by the water-gate, and comings
and goings, but nought clearly. " Tidings from the fleet,"
she said. " Put up my hair."
And ere that was done, came a little page running to her
chamber door, and when it was opened to him, stood panting
from his running and said, " The king your husband bade me
tell you, madam, and pray you go down to him i' the great
hall. Itmaybe ill news, I fear."
" Thou fearest, pap-face ? " said the Queen. " I'll have
thee whipped if thou bringest thy fears to me. Dost know
aught ? What's the matter ? "
376
TIDINGS OF MELIKAΡΗKHAZ
" The ship's much battered, O Queen. He is closeted
with our Lord the King, the skipper. None dare speak else.
'Tis feared the high Admiral "
" Feared ! " cried she, swinging round for the nurse to
put about her white shoulders her mantle of sendaline
and cloth of silver, that shimmered at the collar with
purple amethysts and was scented with cedar and galbanum
and myrrh. She was forth in the dark corridor, down by
the winding marble stair, through the mid-court, hasting
to the banquet hall. The court was full of folk talking ;
but nought certain, nought save suspense and wonder ;
rumour of a great sea-fight in the south, a mighty victory
won by Laxus upon the Demons : Juss and those lords of
Demonland dead and gone, the captives following with the
morning's tide. And here and there like an undertone to these
triumphant tidings, contrary rumours, whispered low, like the
hissing of an adder from her shadowy lair : all not well, the
lord Admiral wounded, half his ships lost, the battle doubtful,
the Demons escaped. So came that lady into the great hall ;
and there were the lords and captains of the Witches all in a
restless quiet of expectation. Duke Corsus lolled forward in
his seat down by the cross-bench, his breath stertorous, his
small eyes fixed in a drunken stare. On the other side Corund
sate huge and motionless, his elbow propped on the table, his
chin in his hand, sombre and silent, staring at the wall. Others
gathered in knots, talking in low tones. The Lord Corinius
walkedup and down behind the cross-bench, his hands clasped
behind him, his fingers snapping impatiently at whiles, his
heavy jaw held high, his glance high and defiant. Prezmyra
came to Heming where he stood among three or four and
touched him on the arm. " We know nothing, madam," he
said. " He is with the King."
She came to her lord . " Thou didst send for me."
Corund looked up at her. " Why, so I did, madam.
Tidings from the fleet. Maybe somewhat, maybe nought.
But thou'dst best be here for't ."
" Good tidings or ill : that shaketh not Carcë walls," said
she.
Suddenly the low buzz of talk was hushed. The King
stood in the curtained doorway. They rose up all to meet
him, all save Corsus that sat drunk in his chair. The crown
377
THE WORM OUROBOROS
of Witchland shed baleful sparkles above the darkness of the
dark fortress-face of Gorice the King, the glitter of his dread
eyeballs, the deadly line of his mouth, the square black beard
jutting beneath. Like a tower he stood, and behind him in
the shadow was the messenger from the fleet with countenance
the colour of wet mortar.
The King spake and said, " My lords, here's tidings touch-
ing the truth whereof I have well satisfied myself. And it
importeth the mere perdition of my fleet. There hath been
battle off Melikaphkhaz in the Impland seas. Juss hath
sunken our ships, every ship save that which brought the
tidings, He
him." sunk, with: Laxus
paused then, "and all be
These hisheavy
men news,"
that were
he with
said,
" and I'll have you bear 'em in the old Witchland fashion :
the heavier hit the heavier strike again."
In the strange deformed silence came a little gasping cry,
and the Lady Sriva fell a-swooning.
The King said, " Let the kings of Impland and of Demon-
land attend me. The rest, it is commanded that all do get
them to bed o' the instant."
The Lord Corund said in his lady's ear as he went by,
taking her with his hand about the shoulder, " What, lass ?
if the broth's spilt, the meat remaineth. To bed with thee,
and never doubt we'll pay them yet."
And he with Corinius followed the King.
It was past middle night when the council brake up, and
Corund sought his chamber in the eastern gallery above the
inner court. He found his lady sitting yet at the window,
watching the false dawn over Pixyland. Dismissing his lamp-
bearers that lighted him to bed, he bolted and barred the great
iron-studded door. The breadth of his shoulders when he
turned filled the shadowy doorway; his head well nigh touched
the lintel. It was hard to read his countenance in the un-
certain gloom where he stood beyond the bright region made
by the candle-light, but Prezmyra's eyes could mark how
care sat on his brow, and there was in the carriage of his
ponderous frame kingliness and the strength of some strong
determination .
She stood up, looking up at him as on a mate to whom she
could be true and be true to her own self. " Well ? " she said.
378
TIDINGS OF MELIKAΡΗΚΗΑΖ
" The tables are set," said he, without moving. " The
Kinghath named me his captain general in Carcë."
"Is it come to that ? " said Prezmyra.
“ “

They have hewn a limb from us," answered he. They

have wit to know the next stroke should be at the heart ."
66

" Is it truly so ? " said she. Eight thousand men ? twice

thine army's strength that won Impland for us ? all drowned ? ”
""Twas the devilish seamanship of these accursed Demons,"
said Corund. " It appeareth Laxus held the Straits where they
must go if ever they should win home again, meaning to fight
'em inthe narrows and so crush 'em with the weight of's ships
as easy as kill flies, having by a great odds the bigger strength
bothinships and men. They o' their partkept the seawithout,
trying their best to 'tice him forth so they might do their sailor
tricks i' the open. A week or more he withstood it, till o' the
ninth day (the devil curse him for a fool, wherefore could
a not have had patience ?) o' the ninth morning, weary of
inaction and having wind and tide something in his favour " ;
the Lord Corund groaned and snapped his fingers contemptu-
ously. " O I'll tell thee the tale to-morrow, madam. I'm
surfeited with it to-night. The sum is, Laxus drownded and
all that were with him, and Juss with his whole great armament
northward bound for Witchland."
" And the wide seas his. And we expect him, any day ? "
" The wind hangeth easterly. Any day," said Corund.
Prezmyra said, " That was well done to rest the command
in thee. But what of our qualified young gentleman who had
that office aforetime. Will he play o' these terms ? "
Corund answered, " Hungry dogs will eat dirty puddings.
I think he'll play, albeit he showed his teeth i' the first while."
" Let him keep his teeth for the Demons," said she.
" This very ship was ta'en," said Corund, " and sent home
by them in a bravado to tell us what betid : a stupid insolent
part, shall cost 'em dear, for it hath forewarned us. The
skipper had this letter for thee : gave it me monstrous secretly."
Prezmyra took away the wax and opened the letter, and
knew the writer of it. She held it out to Corund : " Read it
to me, my lord. I am tired with watching ; I read ill by this
flickering candle-light."
But he said, " I am too poor a scholar, madam. I prithee
read it."
379
THE WORM OUROBOROS
And in the light of the guttering candles, vexed with an east
wind that blew before the dawn, she read this letter, that was
conceived in manner following :

" Unto the right high mighti and doubtid Prynsace the Quen
of Implande, one that was your Servaunt but now beinge both
a Traitor and a manifald parjured Traitor, which Heaven
above doth abhorre, the erth below detest, the sun moone and
starres be eschamed of, and all Creatures doo curse and ajudge
unworthy of breth and life, do wish onelie to die your Penytent.
Inhevye sorrowe doo send you these advisoes which I requyre
your Mageste in umblest manner to pondur wel, seeinge ells
your manyfest Overthrowe and Rwyn att hand. And albeit in
Carcee you reste in securitie, it is serten you are there as saife
as he that hingeth by the Leves of a Tree inthe end ofAutumpne
when as the Leves begin to fall. For in this late Battaile in
Mellicafhaz Sea hath the whole powre of Wychlande on the sea
been beat downe and ruwyned, and the highe Admirall of our
whole Navie loste and ded and the names of the great men of
accownte that were slayen at the battaile I may not numbre
nor of the common sorte much lesse by reaisoun that the more
part were dround in the sea which came not to Syght. But of
Daemounlande not ij schips companies were lossit, but with
great puissaunce they doo buske them for Carsee. Havinge
with them this Gowldri Bleusco, strangely reskewed from his
preassoun-house beyond the toombe, and a great Armey of the
moste strangg and fell folke that ever I saw or herd speke of.
Such is the Die of Warre. Most Nowble Prynsace I will speke
unto you not by a Ryddle or Darck Fygure but playnly that you
let not slipp this Occasioun. For I have drempt an evillDreeme
and one pourtending ruwyn unto Wychlande, beinge in my
slepe on the verie eve of this same bataille terrified and smytten
with an appeering schape of Laxus armde cryinge in an hyghe
voise and lowd, An Ende an Ende an ende of All. Therefore
most aernestly I do beseek your Magestie and your nowble
Lorde that was myFrend before that by myvenemous tresun I
loste both yo
you and him and alle, take order for your proper
saffetie, and the thinge requyers Haste of your Magestes. And
this must you doo, to fare strayght way into your owne cuntrie
ofPicselande and there raise Force. Beyou before these rebalds
and obstynates of Demounlande in their Prowd Attempts,
380
TIDINGS OF MELIKAΡΗΚΗAZ
to strike at Wychlande and so purchas their Frenshyp who it is
verie sertan will in powre invintiable stand before Carsee or
ever Wychlande shall have time to putt you downe. This
Counsell I give you knowinge full well that the Power and
Domynyon of the Demouns standeth now preheminent and not
to be withstode. So tarry not by a Sinckinge Schippe, but do
as I saye lest all bee loste.
" One thinge more I telle you, that shall haply enforce my
counsell unto you, the hevyeste Newes of alle."
" 'Tis heavy news that such a false troker as he is should
yet supervive so many honest men," said Corund.
The Lady Prezmyra held out the letter to her lord. " Mine
eyes dazzle," she said. " Read thou the rest." Corund put his
great arm about her as he sat down to the table before the
mirror and pored over the writing, spelling it out with one
finger. He had little book-learning, and it was some time ere
he had the meaning clear. He did not read it out ; his lady's
face told him she had read all ere he began.
This was the last news Gro's letter told her : the Prince
her brother dead in the sea-fight, fighting for Demonland ;
dead and drowned in the sea off Melikaphkhaz.
Prezmyra went to the window. Dawn was beginning,
bleak and gray. After a minute she turned her head. Like
a she-lion she looked, proud and dangerous-eyed. She was
very pale. Her accents , level and quiet, called to the blood
like the roll of a distant drum, as she said, " Succours of
Demonland : late or never ."
Corund beheld her uneasily. “
" Their oaths to me and to him ! " said she, sworn to us
that night in Carcë. False friends ! O, I could eat their
hearts with garlic."
He put his great hands on her two shoulders. She threw
them off. " In one thing," she cried, " Gro counselleth us
well : to tarry no more on this sinking ship. We must raise
forces. But not as he would have it, to uphold these Demons,
these oath-breakers. We must away this night."
Her lord had cast aside his great wolfskin mantle. " Come,
madam," said he, " to bed's our nearest journey."
Prezmyra answered, " I'll not to bed. It shall be seen now,
O Corund, if that thou be a king indeed."
381
THE WORM OUROBOROS
He sat down on the bed's edge and fell to doing off his
boots. " Well," he said, " every one as he likes, as the good-
man said when he kissed his cow. Day's near dawning ; I
must be up betimes, and a sleepless night's a poor breeder of
invention.'
But she stood over him, saying, " It shall be seen if thou be
a true king. And be not deceived: if thou fail me here I'll
have no more of thee. This night we must away. Thou shalt
raise Pixyland, which is now mine by right : raise power in
thine own vast kingdom of Impland. Fling Witchland to the
winds. What care I if she sink or swim ? This only is the
matter : to punish these vile perjured Demons, enemies of ours
and enemies of all the world. "
" We need ride o' no journey for that," said Corund, still
putting off his boots. " Thou shalt shortly see Juss and his
brethren before Carcë with three score hundred fighting men
at's back. Then cometh the metal to the anvil. Come, come,
thou must not weep."
I do not weep," said she. " Nor I shall not weep. But
I'll not be ta'en in Carcë like a mouse in a trap."
" I'm glad thou'lt not weep, madam. It is as great pity
to see a woman weep as a goose to go barefoot. Come, be not
foolish. We must not part forces now. We must bide this
storm in Carcë."
But she cried, " There is a curse on Carcë. Gro is lost to
us and his good counsel. Dear my lord, I see something wicked
that like a thick dark shadow shadoweth all the sky above us .
What place is there not subject to the power and regiment of
Gorice the King ? but he is too proud : we be all too insolent
overweeners of our own works. Carcë hath grown too great,
and the Gods be offended at us . The insolent vileness of
Corinius, the old dotard Corsus that must stillbe at his boosing-
can, these and our own private quarrels in Carcë must be our
bane. Repugn not therefore against the will of the Gods, but
take the helm in thine own hand ere it be too late."
،،

Tush, madam," said he, " these be but fray-bugs. Day-

light shall make thee laugh at 'em."
But Prezmyra, queening it no longer, caught her arms about
his neck. " The odd man to perform all perfectly is thou.
Wilt thou see us rushing on this whirlpool and not swim for it
ere it be too late ? " And she said in a choked voice, " My
382
TIDINGS OF MELIKAΡΗΚΗAZ
heart is near broke already. Do not break it utterly. Only
thou art left now."
The chill dawn, the silent room, the guttering candles, and
that high-hearted lady of his, daunted for an instant from her
noble and equal courage, cowering like a bird in his embrace :
these things were like an icy breath that passed by and quailed
him for a moment. He took her by her two hands and held
her off from him. She held her head high again, albeit her⚫
cheek was blanched ; he felt the brave comrade-grip of her
hands in his .
" Dear lass ," he said, " I cast me not to be odd with none
of these spawn of Demonland. Here is my hand, and the
hand of my sons, heavy while breath remaineth us against
Demonland for thee and for the King. But sith our lord the
King hath made me a king, come wind, come weet, we must
weather it in Carcë. True is that saw, ' For fame one maketh
a king, not for long living.' "
Prezmyra thought in her heart that these were fey words.
But having now put behind her hope and fear, she was resolved
to kick against the wind no more, but stand firm and see what
Destiny would do .

383
 XXXI : THE DEMONS BEFORE
CARCË
HOW GORICE THE KING , ALBEIT SO STRONG A SORCERER, ELECTED
THAT BY THE SWORD , AND CHIEFLY BY THE LORD CORUND HIS
CAPTAIN GENERAL , SHOULD BE DETERMINED AS FOR THIS TIME
THE EVENT OF THESE HIGH MATTERS ; AND HOW THOSE TWAIN,
THE KING AND THE LORD JUSS, SPAKE FACE TO FACE AT LAST ;
AND OF THE BLOODY BATTLE BEFORE CARCË, AND WHAT FRUIT
WAS GARNERED THERE AND WHAT MADE RIPE AGAINST HARVEST .

ORICE THE KING sate in his chamber the thirteenth

morning after these.tidings brought to Carcë. On the
Gtable under his hand were papers of account and
schedules of his armies and their equipment. Corund sate at
the King's right hand, and over against him Corinius .
Corund's great hairy hands were clasped before him on
the table. He spoke without book, resting his gaze on the
steady clouds that sailed across the square of sky seen through
the high window that faced him. Of Witchland and the
home provinces, O King, nought but good. All the companies
of soldiers which were appointed to repair to this part by the
tenth of the month are now come hither, save some bands of
spearmen from the south, and some from Estreganzia. These
last I expect to-day ; Viglus writeth they come with him with
the heavy troops from Baltary I sent him to assemble. So is
the muster full as for these parts : Thramnë, Zorn, Permio, the
land of Ar, Trace, Buteny, and Estremerine. Of the subject
allies, there's less good there. The kings of Mynia and Gilta :
Olis of Tecapan : County Escobrine of Tzeusha : the king of
Ellien : all be here with their contingents. But there's mightier
names we miss. Duke Maxtlin of Azumel hath flung off's
384
THE DEMONS BEFORE CARCË
allegiance and cut off your envoy's ears, O King ; 'tis thought
for some supposed light part of the sons of Corsus done to his
sister. That docketh us thirty score stout fighters. The lord
of Eushtlan sendeth no answer, and now are we advertised by
Mynia and Gilta of his open malice and treason, who did
stubbornly let them the way hither through his country while
they hastened to do your majesty's commands. Then there's
the Ojedian levies, should be nigh a thousand spears, ten days
overdue. Heming, that raiseth Pixyland in Prezmyra's name,
will bring them in ifhe may. Who also hath order, being on
his way, to rouse Maltraëny to action, from whom no word as
yet ; and I do fear treachery in 'em, Maltraëny and Ojedia both,
they have been so long of coming. King Barsht of Toribia
sendeth flat refusal."
" It is known to you besides, O King," said Corinius , " that
the king of Nevria came in last night, many days past the day
appointed, and but half his just complement."
The King drew back his lips . " I will not dash his spirits
by blaming him at this present. Later, I'll have that king's
head for this."
" This is the sum," said Corund. " Nay, then, I had
forgot the Red Foliot with's folk, three hundred perchance,
came in this morning." "
Corinius thrust out his tongue and laughed : One hen-
lobster such as he shall scarce afford a course for this
banquet."
" He keepeth faith," said Corund," where bigger men turn
dastards. "
Tis seen now that these forced leagues be as sure
as they were sealed with butter. Your majesty will doubtless
give him audience."
The King was silent awhile, studying his papers . " What
strength to-day in Carcë ? " he asked.
Corund answered him, " As near as may be two score
hundred foot and fifty score horse : five thousand in all. And,
that I weigh most, O King, big broad strong set lads of
Witchland nigh every jack of 'em.
The King said, " 'Twas not well done, O Corund, to bid
thy son delay for Ojedia and Maltraëny. He might else have
been in Carcë now with a thousand Pixylanders to swell our
strength."
" I did that I did," answered Corund, " seeking only your
2 C 385
THE WORM OUROBOROS
good, O King. A few days' delay might buy us a thousand
spears."
" Delay," said the King, " hath favoured mine enemy.
This we should have done at his first landing give him no
time but wink, set on him with all our forces, and throw him
into the sea."
" If luck go with us that may yet be," said Corund.
The King's nostrils widened. He crouched forward,
glaring at Corund and Corinius, his jaw thrust out so that the
stiff black beard on it brushed the papers on the table before
him. " The Demons," said he, " landed i' the night at Ralpa.
They come on with great journeys northward. Will be here
ere three days be spent."
Both they grew red as blood. Corund spake : "Who told
you these tidings, O King ? "
" Care not thou for that," said the King. " Enough for
thee, I know it. Hath it ta'en you napping ? "
،،
No," answered he. " These ten days past we have been
ready, with what strength we might make, to receive 'em, come
they from what quarter they will. So it is, though, that while
we lack the Pixyland succours Juss hath by some odds the
advantage over us, if, as our intelligence saith, six thousand
fighting men do follow him, and these forced besides with some
that should be ours ."
" Thou wouldst," said the King, " await these out of
Pixyland, with what else Heming may gather, afore we offer
them battle ? "
Said Corund, " That would I. We must look beyond the
next turn of the road, O my Lord the King."
" That would not I," said Corinius .
" That is stoutly said, Corinius," said the King. " Yet
remember, thou hadst the greater force on Krothering Side,
yet wast overborne."
66

'Tis that standeth in my mind, Lord," said Corund.

" For well I know, had I been there I'd a fared no better."
The Lord Corinius, whose brow had darkened with the
naming of his defeat, looked cheerfully now and said, " I pray
you but consider, O my Lord the King, that here at home is
no room for such a sleight or gin as that whereby in their
own country they took me. When Juss and Brandoch Daha
and their stinking gaberlunzies do cry huff at us on Witchland
386
THE DEMONS BEFORE CARCË
soil, 'tis time to give 'em a choke-pear. Which with your
leave, Lord, I will promise now to do, other else to lose my
life."
" Give me thy hand," said Corund. " Of all men else
would I a chosen thee for such a day as this, and (were't
to-day to meet the whole power of Demonland in arms) to
stand perdue with thee for this bloody service. But let us
hear the King's commands : which way soe'er he choose, we
shall do it right gladly."
Gorice the King sat silent. One lean hand rested on the
iron serpent-head of his chair's arm, the other, with finger
outstretched against the jutting cheekbone, supported his chin.
Only in the deep shadow of his eye-sockets a lambent light
moved. At length he started, as if the spirit, flown to some
unsounded gulfs of time or space, had in that instant returned
to its mortal dwelling. He gathered the papers in a heap and
tossed them to Corund.
" Too much lieth on it," said he. " He that hath many
peasmayput more in the pot. But now the day approacheth
when I and Juss must cast up our account together, and one
or all shall be brought to death and bane." He stood up from
his chair and looked down on those two, his chosen captains,
great men ofwar raised up by him to be kings over two quarters
of the world. They watched him like little birds under the
eye of a snake. " The country hereabout," said the King,
" is not good for horsemanship, and the Demons be great
horsemen. Carcë is strong, and never can it be forced by
assault. Also under mine eye should my men of Witchland
acquit themselves to do the greatest deeds. Therefore will we
abide them here in Carcë, until young Heming come and his
levies out of Pixyland. Then shall ye fall uponthem and never
make an end till the land be utterly purged of them, and all the
lords of Demonland be slain ."
Corinius said, " To hear is to obey, O King. Howsoever,
not to dissemble with you, I'd liever at 'em at once, 'stead of
let them sit awhile and refresh their army. Occasion is a
wanton wench, O King, that is quick to beckon another man
if one look coldly on her. Moreover, Lord, could you not by
your art, in small time, with certain compositions ? "
But the King brake in upon him saying, " Thou knowest
not what thou speakest. There is thy sword ; there thy men ;
387
 THE WORM OUROBOROS
these my commands. See thou perform them punctually when
time shall come."
" Lord," said Corinius," you shall not find me wanting."
Therewith he did obeisance and went forth from before the
King.
The King said unto Corund, " Thou hast manned him
well, this tassel-gentle. There was some danger he should so
mislike subjection unto thee in these acts martial as it should
breed some quarrel should little speed our enterprise."
" Think not you that, O King," answered Corund. " Tis
grown like an almanac for the past year, past date. A will
feed out of my hand now."
" Because thou hast carried it with him," said the King,
" in so honourable and open plainness. Hold on the road
thou hast begun, and be mindful still that into thine hand is
given the sword of Witchland, and therein have I put my trust
for this great hour."
Corund looked upon the King with gray and quick eyes
shining like unto the eagle's. He slapped his heavy sword
with the flat of his hand : " "Tis a tough fox, O my Lord the
King ; will not fail his master."
Therewith, glad at the King's gracious words, he did
obeisance unto the King and went forth from the chamber.

The same night there appeared in the sky impending over

Carcë a blazing star with two bushes. Corund beheld it in
an open space betwixt the clouds as he went to his chamber.
He said nought of it to his lady wife, lest it should trouble her ;
but she too had from her window seen that star, yet spake not
of it to her lord for a like reason .
And King Gorice, sitting in his chamber with his baleful
books, beheld that star and its fiery streamers, which the King
rather noted than liked. For albeit he might not know of a
certain what way that sign intended, yet was it apparent to one
so deeply learned in nigromancy and secrets astronomical that
this thing was fatal, being of those prodigies and ominous
prognosticks which fore-run the tragical ends of noble persons
and the ruins of states .

The third day following, watchmen beheld from Carcë

walls in the pale morning the armies of the Demons that filled
388
THE DEMONS BEFORE CARCË
the whole plain to southward. But of the succours out of
Pixyland was as yet no sign at all. Gorice the King, according
as he had determined, held allhis power quiet within the fortress.
But for passing of the time, and because it pleased his mind to
speak yet face to face with the Lord Juss before this last mortal
trial in arms should be begun betwixt them, the King sent
Cadarus as his herald with flags of truce and olive-branches
into the Demons' lines. By which mission it was concluded
that the Demons should withdraw their armies three bowshots
from the walls, and they of Witchland should abide all within
the hold ; only the King with fourteen of his folk unarmed
and Juss with a like number unarmed should come forth
into the midst of the bateable ground and there speak
together. And this meeting must be at the third hour after
noon.

So either party came to this parley at the hour appointed.

Juss went bare-headed but, save for that, all armed in his
shining byrny with gorget and shoulder-plates damasked and
embossed with wires of gold, and golden leg-harness, and rings
of red gold upon his wrists. His kirtle was of wine-dark silken
tissue, and he wore that dusky cloak the sylphs had made for
him, the collar whereof was stiff with broidery and strange
beasts worked thereon in silver thread. According to the
compact he bare no weapon ; only in his hand a short ivory
staff inlaid with precious stones, and the head of it a ball of
that stone which men call Belus' eye, that is white and hath
within it a black apple, the midst whereof a man shall see to
glitter like gold. Very masterful and proud he stood before
the King, carrying his head like a stag that sniffs the morning.
His brethren and Brandoch Daha remained a pace or two
behind him, with King Gaslark and the lords Zigg and Gro,
and Melchar and Tharmrod and Styrkmir, Quazz with his two
sons, and Astar, and Bremery of Shaws : goodly men and
lordly to look on, unweaponed all; and wondrous was the
sparkle of their jewels that were on them.
Over against them, attending on the King, were these :
Corund king of Impland, and Corinius called king of Demon-
land, Hacmon and Viglus Corund's sons, Duke Corsus and his
sons Dekalajus and Gorius, Eulien king of Mynia, Olis lord
of Tecapan, Duke Avel of Estreganzia, the Red Foliot, Erp
theking of Ellien, and the counts of Thramnë and Tzeusha ;
389
THE WORM OUROBOROS
unweaponed, but armoured to the throat, big men and strong
the most of them and of lordly bearing, yet none to match with
Corinius and Corund .
The King, in his mantle of cobra-skins, his staff-royal in
his hand, topped by half a head all those tall men about him,
friend and foe alike. Lean and black he towered amongst
them, like a thunder - blasted pine tree seen against the
sunset.
So, in the golden autumn afternoon, in the midst of that
sad main of sedgelands where between slimy banks the weed-
choked Druima deviously winds toward the sea, were those
two men met together for whose ambition and their pride the
world was too little a place to contain them both and peace
lying between them. And like some drowsy dragon of the
elder slime, squat, sinister, and monstrous, the citadel of Carcë
slept over all.
By and by the King spake and said : " I sent for thee
because I think it good I and thou should talk together while
yet is time for talking."
Juss answered, " I quarrel not with that, O King."
66

Thou," said the King, bending his brow upon him, " art
a man wise and fearless. I counsel thee, and all these that be
with thee, turn back from Carcë. Well I see the blood thou
didst drink in Melikaphkhaz will not allay thy thirst, and war
is to thee thy pearl and thy paramour. Yet, if it be, turn back
from Carcë . Thou standest now on the pinnacle of thine
ambition ; wilt leap higher, thou fall'st in the abyss. Let the
four corners of the earth be shaken with our wars, but not this
centre. For here shall no man gather fruit, but and if it be
death he gather ; or if, then this fruit only, that Zoacum, that
fruit of bitterness, which when he shall have tasted of, all the
bright lights of heaven shall become as darkness and all earth's
goodness as ashes in his mouth all his life's days until he
die."
He paused. The Lord Juss stood still, quailing not at all
beneath that dreadful gaze. His company behind him stirred
and whispered. Lord Brandoch Daha, with mockery in his
eye, said somewhat to Goldry Bluszco under his breath.
But the King spake again to the Lord Juss, " Be not de-
ceived. These things I say unto thee not as labouring to
scare you from your set purpose with frights and fairy-babes :
390
THE DEMONS BEFORE CARCË
I know your quality too well. But I have read signs in heaven :
nought clear, but threatful unto both you and me. For thy
good I say it, O Juss, and again (for that our last speech leaveth
the firmest print) be advised : turn back from Carcë or it be
too late."
Lord Juss harkened attentively to the words of Gorice the
King, and when he had ended, answered and said, " O King ,
thou hast given us terrible good counsel. But it was riddle-
wise. And hearing thee, mine eye was still on the crown thou
wearest, made in the figure of a crab-fish, which, because it
looks one way and goes another, methought did fitly pattern
out thy looking to our perils but seeking the while thine own
advantage."
The King gave him an ill look, saying, " I am thy lord
paramount. With subjects it sits not to use this familiar style
unto their King."
Juss answered, " Thou dost thee and thou me. And
indeed it were folly in either of us twain to bend knee to t'other,
when the lordship of all the earth waiteth on the victor in our
great contention. Thou hast been open with me, Witchland,
to let me know thou art uneager to strike a field with us. Iwill
be open too, and I will make an offer unto thee, and this it is :
that we will depart out of thy country and do no more unpeace-
ful deeds against thee (till thou provoke us again); and thou,
of thy part, of all the land of Demonland shalt give up thy
quarrel, and of Pixyland and Impland beside, and shalt yield
me up Corsus and Corinius thy servants that I may punish
them for the beastly deeds they did in our land whenas we were
not there to guard it."
He ceased, and for a minute they beheld each other in
silence. Then the King lifted up his chin and smiled a dread-
ful smile.
Corinius whispered mockingly in his ear, " Lord, you may
lightly give 'em Corsus. That were easy composition, and
false coin too methinks ."
" Stand back i' thy place," said the King, " and hold thy
peace." And unto Lord Juss he said, " Of all ensuing harm
the cause is in thee ; for I am now resolved never to put up
my sword until of thy bleeding head I may make a football.
And now, let the earth be afraid, and Cynthia obscure her
shine : no more words but mum. Thunder and blood and
391
THE WORM OUROBOROS
night must usurp our parts, to complete and make up the cata-
strophe of this great piece."
That night the King waked late in his chamber in the Iron
Tower alone. These three years past he had seldom resorted
thither, and then commonly but to bear away some or other of
his books to study in his own lodging. His jars and flasks and
bottles of blue and green and purple glass wherein he kept his
cursed drugs and electuaries of secret composition, his athals
and athanors , his crucibles, his horsebellied retorts and alembics
and bains-maries, stood arow on shelves coated with dust and
hung about with the dull spider's weavings ; the furnace was
cold; the glass of the windows was clouded with dirt ; the
walls were mildewed ; the air of the chamber fusty and stagnant.
The King was deep in his contemplation, with a big black book
openbefore him on the six-sided reading-stand : the damnablest
of all his books, the same which had taught him aforetime what
he must do when by the wicked power of enchantment he had
wanted but a little to have confounded Demonland and all the
lords thereof in death and ruin.
The open page under his hand was ofparchment discoloured
with age, and the writing on the page was in characters of
ancient out-of-fashion crabbedness, heavy and black, and the
great initial letters and the illuminated borders were painted and
gilded in dark and fiery hues with representations of dreadful
faces and forms of serpents and toad-faced men and apes and
mantichores and succubi and incubi and obscene representa-
tions and figures of unlawful meaning. These were the words of
thewriting on the page which the King conned over and over,
falling again into a deep study betweenwhiles, and then conning
these words again of an age-old prophetic writing touching the
preordinate destinies of the royal house of Gorice in Carcë :
Soo schel your hous stonde and bee
Untoeternytee
Yet walke warilie
Wyttinge ful sarteynlee
That if impiouslie
The secounde tyme in the bodie
Practisinge grammarie
One ofye katched shulle be
By the feyndis subtiltee
Andhys liffe lossit bee
392
THE DEMONS BEFORE CARCË
Broke ys thenne this serye
Dampned are you thenne eternallie
Yerth shuldestow thenne never more se
Scarsly the Goddes mought reskue ye
Owt of the Helle where you woll lie
Unto eternytee
The sterres tealde hit mee.

Gorice the King stood up and went to the south window.

The casement bolts were rusted : he forced them and they
flew back with a shriek and a clatter and a thin shower of dust
and grit. He opened the window and looked out. The heavy
night grew to her depth of quiet. There were lights far out
in the marshes, the lights of Lord Juss's camp-fires of his armies
gathered against Carcë. Scarcely without a chill might a man
have looked upon that King standing by the window ; for there
was in the tall lean frame of him an iron aspect as of no natural
flesh and blood but some harder colder element ; and his
countenance, like the picture of some dark divinity graven ages
ago by men long dead, bore the imprint of those old qualities
ofunrelenting power, scorn, violence, and oppression, ancient
as night herselfyet untouched by age, young as each night when
it shuts down and old and elemental as the primaeval dark.
A long while he stood there, then came again to his book.
" Gorice VII .," he said in himself. " That was once in the
body. And I have done better than that, but not yet well
enough. 'Tis too hazardous, the second time, alone. Corund
is a man undaunted in war, but the man is too superstitious
and quaketh at that which hath not flesh and blood. Appari-
tions and urchin-shows can quite unman him. There's
Corinius, careth not for God or man a point. But he is too
rash and unadvised : I were mad to trust him in it. Were the
Goblin here, it might be carried. Damnable both-sides villain,
he's cast off from me." He scanned the page as if his piercing
eyes would thrust beyond the barriers of time and death and
discover some new meaning in the words which should agree
better with the thing his mind desired while his judgement
forbade it. " He says ' damned eternally : ' he says that
breaketh the series, and ' earth shouldst thou then never more
see.' Put him by."
And the King slowly shut up his book, and locked it with
three padlocks, and put back the key in his bosom. " The
393
THE WORM OUROBOROS
need is not yet," he said. " The sword shall have his day,
and Corund. But if that fail me, then even this shall not turn
me back but I will do that I will do."

In the same hour when the King was but now entered again
into his own lodgings, came through a runner of Heming's
to let them know that he, fifteen hundred strong, marched
down the Way of Kings from Pixyland. Moreover they were
advertised that the Demon fleet lay in the river that night, and
it was not unlike the attack should be in the morning by land
and water.
All night the King sate in his chamber holding council with
his generals and ordering all things for the morrow. All night
long he closed not his eyes an instant, but the others he made
sleep by turns because they should be brisk and ready for the
battle. For this was their counsel, to draw out their whole
army on the left bank before the bridge-gate and there offer
battle to the Demons at point of day. For if they should abide
within doors and suffer the Demons to cut young Heming off
from the bridge-gate, then were he lost, and if the bridge-house
should fall and the bridge, then might the Demons lightly ship
what force they pleased to the right bank and so closely invest
them in Carcë. Of an attack on the right bank they had no
fear, well knowing themselves able to sit within doors and laugh
at them, since the walls were there inexpugnable. But if a
battle were now brought about before the bridge-gate as they
were minded, and Heming should join in the fight from the
eastward, there was good hope that they should be able to
crumple up the battle of the Demons , driving them in upon
their centre from the west whilst Heming smote them on the
other part. Whereby these should be cast into a great rout
and confusion and not be able to escape away to their ships ,
but there in the fenlands before Carcë should be made a prey
unto the Witches .
When it was the cold last hour before the dawn the generals
took from the King their latest commands ere they drew forth
their armies. Corinius came forth first from the King's
chamber a little while before the rest. In the draughty
corridor the lamps swung and smoked, making an uncertain
windy light. Corinius espied by the stair-head the Lady Sriva
standing, whether watching to bid her father adieu or but
394
THE DEMONS BEFORE CARCË
following idle curiosity. Whichever it were, not a fico gave
he for that, but coming swiftly upon her whisked her aside into
an alcove where the light was barely enough to let him see the
pale shimmer of her silken gown, dark hair pinned loosely up
in deep snaky coils, and dark eyes shining. " My witty false
one, have I caught thee ? Nay, fight not. Thy breath smells
like cinnamon. Kiss me, Sriva. " “

" I'll not ! " said she, striving to escape. Naughty man,
am I used thus ? " But finding she got nought by struggling,
she said in a low voice, " Well, if thou bring back Demonland
to-night, then, let's hold more chat."
" Harken to the naughty traitress ," said he, " that but last
night didst do me some uncivil discourtesies , and now speaketh
me fair : and what a devil for ? if not 'cause herseemeth I'll
likely not come back after this day's fight. But I'll come back,
mistress kiss-and-be-gone ; ay, by the Gods, and I'll have my
payment too."
His lips fed deep on her lips, his strong and greedy hands
softly mastered her against her will, till with a little smothered
cry she embraced him, bruising her tender body against the
armour he was girt withal. Between the kisses she whispered,
Yes, yes, to-night." Surely he damned spiteful fortune, that
sent him not this encounter but an half-hour sooner.
When he was departed, Sriva remained in the shadow of
the alcove to set in order her hair and apparel, not a little dis-
arrayed in that hot wooing. Out of which darkness she had
convenience to observe the leave-taking of Prezmyra and her
lord as they came down that windy corridor and paused at the
head of the stairs .
Prezmyra had her arm in his. " I know where the Devil
keepeth his tail, madam," said Corund. " And I know a very
traitor when I see him ."
" When didst thou ever yet fare ill by following of my
counsel, my lord ? " said Prezmyra. " Or did I refuse thee
ever any thing thou didst require me of ? These seven years
since I put off my maiden zone for thee ; and twenty kings
sought me in sweet marriage, but thee I preferred before them
all, seeing the falcon shall not mate with popinjays nor the
she-eagle with swans and bustards. And will you say nay to
me in this ? "
She stood round to face him. The pupils of her great eyes
395
THE WORM OUROBOROS
were large in the doubtful lamplight, swallowing their green
fires in deep pools of mystery and darkness. The rich and
gorgeous ornaments of her crown and girdle seemed but a poor
casket for that matchless beauty which was hers : her face,
where every noble and sweet quality and every thing desirable
of earth or heaven had framed each feature to itself: the glory
of her hair, like the red sun's glory : her whole body's poise
and posture, like a stately bird's new-lighted after flight.
"Though it be very rhubarb to me," said Corund, " shall
I saynay to thee thisis tide ? Not this tide, my Queen."
" Thanks , dear my lord. Disarm him and bring him in
if you may. The King shall not refuse us this to pardon his
folly, when thou shalt have obtained this victory for him upon
our enemies ."
The Lady Sriva might hear no more, harkened she never
so curiously. But when they were now come to the stair foot,
Corund paused a minute to try the buckles of his harness. His
brow was clouded. At length he spake, " This shall be a battle
mortal fierce and doubtous for both parties. 'Gainst such
mighty opposites as here we have, 'tis possible: No more; but
kiss me, dear lass. And if : tush, 't will not be ; and yet, I'd
not leave it unsaid : if ill tide ill, I'd not have thee waste all thy
days a-grieving. Thou knowest I am not one of your sour
enviousjacks, bear sopoor aconceit o' themselves they begrudge
their wives should wed again lest the next husband should
prove the better man. "
But Prezmyra came near to him with good and merry
countenance : " Let me stop thy mouth, my lord. These be
foolish thoughts for a great king going into battle. Come back
in triumph, and i' the mean season think on me that wait for
thee: as a star waits, dear my lord. And never doubt the
issue."
" The issue,” answered he, " I'll tell thee when 'tis done.
I'm no astronomer. I'll hew with my sword, love; spoil some
of their guesses if I may. "
"Good fortune and my love go with thee," she said.
Sriva coming forth from her hiding hastened to her mother's
lodging, and there found her that had just bid adieu to her two
sons, her face all blubbered with tears. In the same instant
came the Duke her husband to change his sword, and the Lady
Zenambria caught him about the neck and would have kissed
396
THE DEMONS BEFORE CARCË
him. But he shook her off, crying out that he was weary of her
and her slobbering mouth ; menacing her besides with filthy
imprecations, that he would drag her with him and cast her to
the Demons, who, since they had a strong loathing for such
ugly tits and stale old trots, would no doubt hang her up or
disembowel her and so rid him of his lasting consumption.
Therewith he went forth hastily. But his wife and daughter,
either weeping upon other, came down into the court, meaning
to go up to the tower above the water-gate to see the army
marshalled beyond the river. And on the way Sriva related
all she had heard said betwixt Corund and Prezmyra.
In the court they met with Prezmyra's self, and she going
with blithe countenance and light tread and humming a merry
tune bade them good-morrow.
" You can bear these things more bravelier thanwe, madam,"
said Zenambria. " We be too gentle-hearted methinks and
pitiful."
Prezmyra replied upon her, " 'Tis true, madam, I have not
the weak sense of some of you soft-eyed whimpering ladies.
And by your leave I'll keep my tears (which be great spoilers
of the cheeks beside) until I need 'em.'
When they were passed by, " Is it not a stony-livered and
a shameless hussy, O my mother ? " said Sriva. "And is it
not scandalous her laughing and jesting, as I have told it thee,
when she did bid him adieu, devising only how best she might
coax him to save the life of yonder chambering traitorous
hound ? "
" With whom," said Zenambria, " she wont to do the thing
I'd think shame to speak on. Truly this foreign madam with
her loose and wanton ways doth scandal the whole land for us."
But Prezmyra went her way, glad that she had not by an
eyelid's flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her
mind, who had in all the bitter night seen strange and cruel
visions portending loss and ruin of all she held dear.
Now, when dawn appeared, was the King's whole army
drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house. Corinius
held command on the left. There followed him fifteen hundred
chosen troops of Witchland, with the Dukes of Trace and
Estreganzia, besides these kings and princes with their out-
landish levies : the king of Mynia, Count Escobrine of Tzeusha,
397
THE WORM OUROBOROS
and the Red Foliot. Corsus led the centre, and with him went
King Erp of Ellien and his green-coated sling-casters, the king
of Nevria, Axtacus lord of Permio, the king of Gilta, Olis of
Tecapan, and other captains : seventeen hundred men in all.
The right the Lord Corund had chosen for himself. Two
thousand Witchland troops, the likeliest and best, hardened to
war in Impland and Demonland and the south-eastern borders ,
followed his standard, beside the heavy spearmen of Baltary
and swordsmen of Buteny and Ar. Viglus his son was there,
and the Count of Thramnë , Cadarus, Didarus of Largos, and
the lord of Estremerine.
But when the Demons were ware of that great army standing
before the bridge-gate, they put themselves in array for battle.
And their ships made ready to move up the river under Carcë,
if by any means they might attack the bridge by water and so
cut off for the Witches their way of retreat.
It was bright low sunshine, and the splendour of the
jewelled armour of the Demons and their many-coloured
kirtles and the plumes that were in their helms was a wonder
to behold. This was the order of their battle. On their left
nearest the river was a great company of horse, and the Lord
Brandoch Daha to lead them on a great golden dun with fiery
eyes. His island men, Melchar and Tharmrod, with Kamerar
of Stropardon and Styrkmir and Stypmar, were the chief
captains that rode with him to that battle. Next to these came
the heavy troops from the east, and the Lord Juss himself their
leader on a tall fierce big-boned chestnut. About him was his
pickedbodyguard of horse, with Bremery ofShaws their captain;
and in his battle were these chiefs besides : Astar of Rettray
and Gismor Gleam of Justdale and Peridor of Sule. Lord
Spitfire led the centre, and with him Fendor of Shalgreth, and
Emeron, and the men of Dalney, great spearmen ; also the
Duke of Azumel, sometime allied with Witchland. There went
also with him the Lord Gro, that scanned still those ancient walls
with a heavy heart, thinking on the great King within, and with
what mastery of intellect and will he ruled those dark turbulent
and bloody men who bare sway under him ; thinking on Queen
Prezmyra. To his sick imagining, the blackness of Carcë
which no bright morning light might lighten seemed not as of
old the image and emblem of the royal house of Witchland and
their high magnificency and power on earth, but rather the
398
THE DEMONS BEFORE CARCË
shadow thrown before ofdestiny and death ready to put down
that power for ever. Which whether it should so befall or no
he did not greatly care, being aweary of life and life's fevers,
wild longings, and exorbitant affects, whereof he thought he
had now learned thus much : that to him, who as it seemed
must still adhere to his own foes abandoning the others' service,
fortune through whatever chop could bring no peace at last.
On the Demon right the Lord Goldry Bluszco streamed his
standard, leading to battle the south-firthers and the heavy
spearmen of Mardardale and Throwater. With him was King
Gaslark and his army of Goblinland, and levies from Ojedia
and Eushtlan, lately revolted from their allegiance to King
Gorice. The Lord Zigg, with his light horse of Rammerick
and Kelialand and the northern dales, covered their flank to
the eastward.
Gorice the King beheld these dispositions from his tower
above the water-gate. He beheld, besides, a thing the Demons
might not see from below, for a little swelling of the ground
that cut off their view: the marching of men far away along
the Way of Kings from the eastward : young Heming with
the vassalry of Pixyland and Maltraëny. He sent a trusty
man to apprise Corund of it.
Now Lord Juss let blow up the battle call, and with the
loud braying of the trumpets the hosts of the Demons swung
forth to battle. And the clash of those armies when they met
before Carcë was like the bursting of a thundercloud. But like
a great sea-cliff patient for ages under the storm-winds' furies,
that not one night's loud wind and charging breakers can wear
away, nor yet a thousand thousand nights , the embattled
strength of Witchland met their onset, mixed with them, flung
them back, and stood unremoved. Corund's iron battalions
bare in this first brunt the heaviest load, and bare it through.
For the ships, with young Hesper Golthring incommand most
fiercely urging them, ran up the river to force the bridge, and
Corund whiles he met on his front the onset of the flower of
Demonland must still be shot at by these behind. Hacmon
and Viglus, those young princes his sons, were charged with
the warding of the bridge and walls to burn and break up
their ships. And they of all hands bestirring them twice and
thrice threw back the Demons when they had gotten a footing
on the bridge ; until in fine, both sides for a long space fighting
399
THE WORM OUROBOROS
very cruelly, it fell out very fatally against Hesper and his
power, his ships all lighted in a lowe and the more part of his
folk burned or drowned or slain with the sword; and himself
after many and grievous wounds in his last attempt left alone
on the bridge, and crawling to have got away was stabbed in
with a dagger and died.
After this the ships fell back down the river, so many as
might avail thereto, and those sons of Corund, their task man-
fully fulfilled, came forth with their folk to join in the main
battle. And the smoke of the burning ships was like incense
in the nostrils of the King watching these things from his
tower above the water-gate.
Little pause was there betwixt this first brunt and the
next, for Heming now bare down from the east, drave in
Zigg's horsemen that were hampered in the heavy ground, and
pressed his onset home on the Demon right. Along the whole
line from Corund's post beside the river to the eastern flank
where Heming joined Corinius the Witches now set on most
fiercely ; and now were the odds of numbers, which were at
first against them, swung mightily in their favour, and under
this great side-blow on his flank not all the Lord Goldry
Bluszco's soldiership nor all the terror of his might in arms
could uphold the Demons' battle-line. Yard by yard they fell
back before the Witches, most gloriously maintaining their
array unbroken, though the outland allies broke and fled.
Meantime on the Demon left Juss and Brandoch Daha most
stubbornly withstood that onslaught, albeit they had to do with
the first and chosen troops of Witchland. In which struggle
befell the most bloody fighting that was yet seen that day, and
the stour of battle so asper and so mortal that it was hard to
see how any man should come out from it with life, since not a
man of either side would budge an inch but die there in his
steps if he might not rather slay the foe before him. So the
armies swayed for an hour like wrastlers locked, but in the end
the Lord Corund had his way and held his ground before the
bridge-gate.
Romenard of Dalney, galloping to Lord Juss where he
paused a while panting from the violence of the battle, brought
him by Spitfire's command tidings from the right : telling him
Goldry's self could hold no longer against such odds : that the
centre yet held, but at the next onset was like to break, or the
400
THE DEMONS BEFORE CARCË
right wing else be driven in upon their rear and all overwhelmed:
" If your highness cannot throw back Corund, all is lost."
In these short minutes' lull (if lull it were when all the
time the battle like a sounding sea rolled on with a ceaseless
noise of riding and slaying and the clang of arms), Juss chose.
Demonland and the whole world's destinies hung on his choice.
He had no counsellor. He had no time for slow deliberation .
In such a moment imagination, resolution, swift decision, all
high gifts of nature, are nought : swift horses gulfed and lost
inthe pit which fate the enemy digged in the way before them ;
except painful knowledge, stored up patiently through years
of practice, shall have prepared a road sure and clean for their
flying hooves to bear them in the great hour of destiny. So it
was from the beginning with all great captains : so with the
Lord Juss in that hour when ruin swooped upon his armies .
For two minutes' space he stood silent ; then sent Bremery
of Shaws galloping westward like one minded to break his
neck with his orders to Lord Brandoch Daha, and Romenard
eastward again to Spitfire. And Juss himself riding forward
among his soldiers shouted among them in a voice that was
like a trumpet thundering, that they should now make ready
for the fiercest trial of all.
" Is my cousin mad ? " said Lord Brandoch Daha, when he
saw and understood the whole substance and matter of it .
" Or hath he found Corund so tame to deal with he can make
shift without me and well nigh half his strength, and yet
withstand him ? "
" He looseth this hold," answered Bremery, " to snatch at
safety. '"
Tis desperate, but all other ways we but wait on
destruction. Our right is clean driven in, the left holdeth but
hardly. He chargeth your highness break their centre if you
may. They have somewhat dangerously advanced their left,
and therein is their momentary peril if we be swift enough.
But remember that here, o' this side, is their greatest power
before us, and if we be 'whelmed ere you can compass it ”
" No more but Yes," said Lord Brandoch Daha. " Time
gallopeth : so must we.
Even so in that hour when Goldry and Zigg, giving way
step by step before superior odds, were bent back well nigh
with their backs to the river, and Corund on the Demons'
left had after a bitter battle checked and held them and
2D 401
THE WORM OUROBOROS
threatened now to complete in one more great blow the ruin
of them all, Juss, choosing a desperate expedient to meet a
danger that else must destroy him,weakened his hard-pressed
left to throw Brandoch Daha and well nigh eight hundred
horse into Spitfire's battle to drive a wedge betwixt Corsus and
Corinius .
It was now long past noon. The tempest of battle that
had quietened awhile for utter weariness roared forth anew
from wing to wing as Brandoch Daha hurled his horsemen
upon Corsus and the subject allies, while all along the battle-
line the Demons rallied to fling back the enemy. For a breath-
less while, the issue hung in suspense : then the men of Gilta
and Nevria broke and fled, Brandoch Daha and his cavalry
swept through the gap, wheeled right and left and took Corsus
and Corinius in flank and rear.
There fell in this onset Axtacus lord of Permio, the kings
of Ellien and Gilta, Gorius the son of Corsus, the Count of
Tzeusha, and many other noblemen and men of mark. Of
the Demons many were hurt and many slain, but none of great
note save Kamerar of Stropardon, whose head Corinius swapt
off clean with a blow of his battle-axe, and Trentmar whom
Corsus smote full in the stomach with a javelin so that he fell
down from his horse and was dead at once. Now was all the
left and centre of the Witches' battle thrown into great con-
fusion, and the allies most of all fallen into disorder and fain
to yield themselves and pray for mercy. The King, seeing
the extent of this disaster, sent a galloper to Corund, who
straightway sent to Corsus and Corinius commanding them get
them at their speediest with all their folk back into Carcë while
time yet served. Himself in the meantime, showing now,
like the sun, his greatest countenance in his lowest estate, set
on with his weary army to stem the advance ofJuss, who now
momently gathered fresh force against him, and to keep open
for the rest of the King's forces their way by the bridge-gate
into Carcë. Corinius,when he understood it, galloped thither
with aband of men to aid Corund, and this did likewise Heming
and Dekalajus and other captains of the Witches. But Corsus
himself, counting the day lost and considering that he was an
old man and had fought now long enough, gat him privily back
into Carcë as quickly as he was able. And truly he was bleed-
ing from many wounds.
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THE DEMONS BEFORE CARCË
By this great stand of Corund and his men was time won
for a great part of the residue of the army to escape into Carcë.
And ever the Witches were put aback and lost much ground,
yet ever the Lord Corund by his great valiance and noble
heart recomforted his folk, so that they gave back very slowly,
most bloodily disputing the ground foot by foot to the bridge-
gate, that they also might win in again, so many as might.
Juss said, " This is the greatest deed of arms that ever I in
thedays of my life did see, and I have so great an admiration
and wonder in my heart for Corund that almost I would give
him peace. But I have sworn now to have no peace with
Witchland."
Lord Gro was in that battle with the Demons . He ran
Didarus through the neck with his sword, so that he fell down
and was dead.
Corund, when he saw it, heaved up his axe, but changed
his intention in the manage, saying, " O landskip of iniquity,
shalt thou kill beside me the men of mine household ? But
my friendship sitteth not on a weather vane. Live, and be a
traitor."
But Gro, being mightily moved with these words , and
staring at great Corund wide-eyed like a man roused from a
dream, answered, " Have I done amiss ? "
Tis easy remedied."
Therewith he turned about and slew a man of Demonland.
Which Spitfire seeing, he cried out upon Gro in a great rage
for a most filthy traitor, and bloodily rushing in thrust him
through the buckler into the brain.
Insuch wise and by such a sudden vengeance did the Lord
Gro most miserably end his life-days. Who, being a philo-
sopher and a man of peace, careless of particular things of
earth, had followed and observed all his days steadfastly one
heavenly star; yet now in the bloody battle before Carcë died
inthe commonopinion ofmen a manifold perjured traitor, that
had at length gottenthe guerdon of his guile.
Now came the Lord Juss with a great rout of men armed on
his great horse with his sword dripping with blood, and the
battle sprang up into yet more noise and fury, and great man-
slaying befell, and many able men of Witchland fell in that
stour and the Demons had almost put them from the bridge-
gate. But the Lord Corund, rallying his folk, swung back yet
again thebattle-tide, albeit he was by a great odds outnumbered.
403
THE WORM OUROBOROS
And he sought none but Juss himself in that deadly mellay ;
who when he saw him coming he refused him not but made
against him most fiercely, and with great clanging blows they
swapped together awhile, until Corund hewed Juss's shield
asunder and struck him from his horse. Juss, leaping up
again, thrust up at Corund with his sword and with the violence
of the blow brake through the rings of his byrny about his
middle and drave the sword into his breast. And Corund
felled him to earth with a great down-stroke on the helm, so
that he lay senseless.
Still the battle raged before the bridge-gate, and great
wounds were given and taken of either side. But now the
sons of Corund saw that their father had lost much of his
blood and waxed feeble, and the residue of his folk seeing it
too, and seeing themselves so few against so many, began to
be abashed. So those sons of Corund, riding up to him on
either side with a band of men, made him turn back with them
and go with them in by the gate to Carcë, the which he did
like a man amazed and knowing not what he doeth. And
indeed it was a great marvel how so great a lord, wounded to
the death, might sit on horseback.
In the great court he was gotten down from his horse.
The Lady Prezmyra, when she perceived that his harness was
all red with blood, and saw his wound, fell not down in a
swoon as another might, but took his arm about her shoulder
and so supported, with her step-sons to help her, that great
frame which could no more support itselfyet had till that hour
borne up against the whole world's strength in arms. Leeches
came that she had called for, and a litter, and they brought him
to the banquet hall. But after no long while those learned
men confessed his hurt was deadly, and all their cunning
nought. Whereupon, much disdaining to die in bed, not in
the field fighting with his enemies, the Lord Corund caused
himself, completely armed and weaponed, with the stains and
dust of the battle yet upon him, to be set in his chair, there to
await death .
Heming, when this was done, came to tell it to the King,
where from the tower above the water-gate he beheld the end
of this battle. The Demons held the bridge-house. The
fight was done. The King sat in his chair looking down to
the battle-field. His dark mantle was about his shoulders .
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THE DEMONS BEFORE CARCË
He leaned forward resting his chin in his hand. They of his
bodyguard, nine or ten, stood huddled together some yards
away as if afraid to approach him. As Heming came near,
the King turned his head slowly to look at him. The low sun,
swinging blood-red over Tenemos, shone full on the King's
face. And as Heming looked in the face of the King fear gat
hold upon him, so that he durst not speak a word to the King,
but made obeisance and departed again, trembling like one
who has seen a sight beyond the veil.

405
XXXII : THE LATTER END OF
ALL THE LORDS OF WITCHLAND

OF THE COUNCIL OF WAR ; AND HOW THE LORD CORSUS, BEING

REJECTED OF THE KING, TURNED HIS THOUGHTS TO OTHER THINGS ;
AND OF THE LAST CONJURING THAT WAS IN CARCE AND THE LAST
WINE- BIBBING ; AND HOW YET ONCE AGAIN THE LADY PREZMYRA
SPAKE WITH THE LORDS OF DEMONLAND IN CARCË.

ORICE THE KING held in his private chamber a

-council of war on the morrow of the battle before Carcë.
G Themorning was over-cast with sullen cloud, and though
all the windows were thrown wide the sluggish air hung heavy
in the room, as if it too were pervaded by the cold dark humour
that clogged the vitals of those lords of Witchland like a
drowsy drug, or as if the stars would breathe themselves for a
greater mischief. Pale and drawn were those lords' faces; and,
for all they strove to put on a brave countenance before the
King, clean gone was the vigour and war-like mien that clothed
them but yesterday. Only Corinius kept some spring of his
old valiancy and portly bearing, seated with arms akimbo over
against the King, his heavy under-jaw set forward and his
nostrils wide. He had slept ill or watched late, for his eyes
were blood-shotten, and the breath of his nostrils was heavy
with wine.
" We tarry for Corsus," said the King. " Had he not word
of my bidding ? "
Dekalajus said, " Lord, I will summon him again. These
misfortunes I fear me hang heavy on his mind, and, by your
majesty's leave, he is scarce his own man since yesterday."
" Do it straight," said the King. "Give me thy papers ,
Corinius. Thou art my general since Corund gat his death.
406
THE LORDS OF WITCHLAND

I will see what yesterday hath cost us and what power yet
remaineth to crush me these snakes by force of arms.
" These be the numbers, O King," said Corinius . " But
three thousand and five hundred fighting men, and well nigh
half of these over much crippled with wounds to do aught save
behind closed walls. It were but to give the Demons easy
victory to adventure against them, that stand before Carcë four
thousand sound men in arms ."
The King blew scornfully through his nostrils . " Who
told thee their strength ? " said he.
" It were dangerous to write them down a man fewer,"
answered Corinius. And Hacmon said, " My Lord the King ,
I would adventure my head they have more. And your majesty
will not forget they be all flown with eagerness and pride after
yesterday's field, whereas our men "
"Were ye sons of Corund," said the King, breaking in
quietly onhis speech and looking dangerously upon him, " but
twigs of your father's tree, that he being cut down ye have no
manhood left nor vital sap, but straight wither in idiotish
dotage ? I will not have these womanish counsels spoke in
Carcë ; no, nor thought in Carcë."
Corinius said, " We had sure intelligence, O King, whenas
they landed that their main army was six thousand fighting
men; and last night myself spake with full a score of our
officers, andhad atrue tale of some few of the Demons captured
by us before they were slain with the sword. When I say to
you Juss standeth before Carcë four thousand strong, I swell
not the truth. His losses yesterday were but a flea-biting
'gainst ours."
The King nodded a curt assent.
Corinius proceeded," If we might contrive indeed to raise
help from without Carcë, were it but five hundred spears to
distract his mind some part from usward, nought but your
majesty's strict command should stay me but I should assault
him. It were perilous even so, but never have you known me
leave a fruit unplucked at for fear of thorns. But until that
time, nought but your straight command might win me to
essay a sally. Since well I wot it were my death, and the ruin
ofyou, O King, and of all Witchland."
The King listened with unmoved countenance, his shaven
lip set somewhat in a sneer, his eyes half closed like the eyes
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
of a cat couched sphinx-like in the sun. But no sun shone in
that council chamber. The leaden pall hung darker without,
even as morning grew toward noon. My Lord the King,"
said Heming, " send me. To overslip their guards i' the night,
'tis not a thing beyond invention. That done, I'd gather you
some small head of men, enough to serve this turn, if I must
rake the seven kingdoms to find 'em."
While Heming spoke, the door opened and the Duke Corsus
entered the chamber. An ill sight was he, flabbier of cheek and
duller of eye than was his wont. His face was bloodless, his
great paunch seemed shrunken, and his shoulders yet more
hunched since yesterday. His gait was uncertain, and his hand
shook as he moved the chair from the board and took his seat
before the King. The King looked on him awhile in silence,
and under that gaze beads of sweat stood on Corsus's brow and
his under-lip twitched.
" We need thy counsel, O Corsus," said the King. "Thus
it is : since our ill-faced stars gave victory to the Demon rebels
in yesterday's battle, Juss and his brethren front us with four
thousand men, whiles I have not two thousand soldiers unhurt
in Carcë. Corinius accounteth us too weak to risk a sally but
and if we might contrive some diversion from without. And
that (after yesterday) is not to be thought on. Hither and to
Melikaphkhaz did we draw all our powers, and the subject allies
not for our love but for fear sake and for lust of gain flocked
to our standard. These caterpillars drop off now. Yet if we
fight not, then is our strength in arms clean spent, and our
enemies need but to sit before Carcë till we be starved. 'Tis a
point of great difficulty and knotty to solve."
" Difficult indeed, O my Lord the King," said Corsus.
His glance shifted round the board, avoiding the steady gaze
bent on him from beneath the eaves of King Gorice's brow, and
resting at last on the jewelled splendour ofthe crown of Witch-
land on the King's head. " O King," he said," you demand
my rede, and I shall not say nor counsel you nothing but
that good and well shall come thereof, as much as yet
may be in this pass we stand in. For now is our greatness
turned in woe, dolour, and heaviness. And easy it is to be
after- witted."
He paused, and his under-jaw wobbled and twitched.
Speak on," said the King. " Thou stutterest forth nothings
408
THE LORDS OF WITCHLAND
by fits and girds, as an ague taketh a goose. Let me know thy
rede."
Corsus said, " You will not take it, I know, O King. For we
of Witchland have ever been ruled by the rock rather than by
the rudder. I had liever be silent. Silence was never written
down."
" Thou wouldst, and thou wouldst not ! " said the King.
" Whence gottest thou this look of a dish of whey with blood
spit in it ? Speak, or thou'lt anger me."
" Then blame me not, O King," said Corsus. " Thus it
seemeth to me, that the hour hath struck whenas we of Witch-
land must needs look calamity in the eye and acknowledge we
have thrown our last, and lost all. The Demons, as we have
seen to our undoing, be unconquerable in war. Yet are their
minds pranked with many silly phantasies of honour and
courtesy which may preserve us the poor dregs yet unspilt from
the cup of our fortune, if we but leave unseasonable pride and
see where our advantage lieth."
Chat, chat, chat !" said the King. " Perdition catch me
if I can find a meaning in it ! What dost thou bid me do ? "
Corsus met the King's eye at last. He braced himself as if
to meet a blow. " Throw not your cloak in the fire because
your house is burning, O King. Surrender all to Juss at
his discretion. And trust me the foolish softness of these
1
Demons will leave us freedom and the wherewithal to live at
ease."
The King was leaned a little forward as Corsus, somewhat
dry-throated but gathering heart as he spake, blurted forth his
counsel ofdefeat. No man among them looked on Corsus, but
all on the King, and for a minute's space was no sound save the
sound of breathing in that chamber. Then a puff of hot air
blew a window to with a thud, and the King without moving
his head rolled his awful glance forth and back over his council
slowly, fixing each in his turn. And the King said, " Unto
which of you is this counsel acceptable ? Let him speak and
instruct us ."
All did sit mum like beasts . The King spake again, saying,
" It is well. Were there of my council such another vermin,
so sottish, so louse-hearted, as this one hath proclaimed himself,
I had been persuaded Witchland was a sleepy pear, corrupted
in her inward parts. And that were so, I had given order
409
THE WORM OUROBOROS
straightway for the sally; and, for his chastening and your
dishonour, this Corsus should have led you. And so an end,
ere the imposthume of our shame brake forth too foul before
earth and heaven."
" I admire not, Lord, that you do strike at me," said Corsus.
" Yet I pray you think how many Kings in Carcë have heaped
with injurious indignities them that were so hardy as give them
wholesome counsel afore their fall. Though your majesty were
a half-god or a Fury out of the pit, you could not by further
resisting deliver us out of this net wherein the Demons have
gotten us caught and tied. You can keep geese no longer,
O King. Will you rend me because I bidyou be content to
keepgoslings ?"
Corinius smote the table with his fist. " O monstrous
vermin ! " he cried," because thou wast scalded, must all we
be afeared of cold water ? "
But the King stood up in his majesty, and Corsus shrank
beneath the flame of his royal anger. And the King spake
and said, " The council is up, my lords. For thee, Corsus, I
dismiss thee from mycouncil. Thou art to thank my clemency
that I take not thy head for this. It were for thy better safety,
which well I know thou prizest dearer than mine honour, that
thou show not in my path till these perilous days be overpast."
And unto Corinius he said, " On thy head it lieth that the
Demons storm not the hold, as haply their hot pride may
incense them to attempt. Expect me not at supper. I lie in
the Iron Tower to-night, and let nonedisturb me there at peril
of his head. You of my council must attend mehere four hours
ere to-morrow's noon. Look to it well, Corinius, that nought
shalt thou do nor in any wise adventure our forces against the
Demons till thou receive my further bidding, save only to hold
Carcë against any assault if need be. For this thy life shall
answer. For the Demons, they were wisest praise a fair day
at night. If mine enemy uproot a boulder above my dwelling,
so I be mighty enow of mine hands I may, even in the nick of
time that it tottereth to leap and crush mine house, o'erset it
onhim and pash him to a mummy."
So speaking, the King moved resolute with a great strong
step toward the door. There paused he, his hand upon the
silver latch, and looking tigerishly on Corsus, " Be advised," he
said, " thou. Cross not my path again. Nor, while I think
410
 THE LORDS OF WITCHLAND
on't, send me not thy daughter again, as last year thou didst .
Apt to the sport she is, and well enow she served my turn
aforetime. But the King of Witchland suppeth not twice
of the same dish, nor lacketh he fresh wenches if he need
them."
Whereat all they laughed. But Corsus's face grew red as
blood.

On such wise brake up the council. Corinius with the sons

of Corund and of Corsus went upon the walls ordering all in
obedience to the word of Gorice the King. But that old Duke
Corsus betook him to his chamber in the north gallery. Nor
might he abide even a small while at ease, but sate now in his
carven chair, now on the window-sill, now on his broad-
canopied bed, and now walked the chamber floor twisting his
hands and gnawing his lip. And ifhe were distraught in mind,
small wonder it were, set as he was betwixt hawk and buzzard,
the King's wrath menacing him in Carcë and the hosts of
Demonland without.
So wore the day till supper-time. And at supper was
Corsus, to their much amaze, sitting inhis place, and the ladies
Zenambria and Sriva with him. He drank deep, and when
supper was done he filled a goblet saying," My lord the king
ofDemonland and ye other Witches, good it is that we, who
stand as now we stand with one foot in thejaws of destruction,
should bear with one another. Neither should any hide his
thought from other, but say openly, even as I this morning
before the face of our Lord the King, his thought and counsel.
Wherefore without shame do I confess me ill-advised to-day,
whenI urged the King to make peace with Demonland. I wax
old, and old men will oft embrace timorous counsels which, if
there be wisdom and valiancy left in them, they soon renounce
when the stress is overpast and they have leisure to afterthink
them with a sad mind. And clear as day it is that the King
was right, both in his chastening ofmy faint courage and in his
bidding thee, O King Corinius, stand to thy watch and do
nought till this night be worn . For went he not to the Iron
Tower ? And to what end else spendeth he the night in yonder
chamber ofdread than to do sorcery or his magic art, as afore-
time he did, and in such wise blast these Demons to perdition
eveninthe spring-tide of their fortunes ? At no point of time
411
THE WORM OUROBOROS
hath Witchland greater need of our wishes than at this coming
midnight, and I pray you, my lords, let us meet a little before
in this hall that we with one heart and mind may drink fair
fortune to the King's enchantery."
With such pleasant words and sympathetical insinuations,
working at a season when the wine-cup had caused unfold some
gayness in their hearts that were fordone with the hard scapes
and chances of disastrous war, was Corsus grown to friendship
again with the lords of Witchland. So, when the guard was
set and all made sure for the night, they came together in the
great banquet hall, whereas more than three years ago the
Prince La Fireez had feasted and after fought against them of
Witchland. But now was he drowned among the shifting tides
in the Straits of Melikaphkhaz. And the Lord Corund, that
fought that night in such valiant wise, now in that same hall,
armed from throat to foot as becometh a great soldier dead,
lay in state, crowned on his brow with the amethystine crown of
Impland. The spacious side-benches were untenanted and
void their high seats, and the cross-bench was removed to make
place for Corund's bier. The lords of Witchland sate at a
small table below the dais : Corinius in the seat of honour at
the end nearest the door, and over against him Corsus, and on
Corinius's left Zenambria, and on his right Dekalajus son to
Corsus, and then Heming; and on Corsus's left his daughter
Sriva, and those two remaining of Corund's sons on his right.
All were there save Prezmyra, and her had none seen since her
lord's death, but she kept her chamber. Flamboys stood in
the silver stands as of old, lighting the lonely spaces of the hall,
and four candles shivered round the bier where Corund slept.
Fair goblets stood on the board brimmed with dark sweet
Thramnian wine, one for each feaster there, and cold bacon
pies and botargoes and craw-fish in hippocras sauce furnished
a light midnight meal.
Now scarce were they set, when the flamboys burned pale
in a strange light from without doors : an evil, pallid, bale-like
lowe, such as Gro had beheld in days gone by when King
Gorice XII. first conjured in Carcë. Corinius paused ere
taking his seat. Goodly and stalwart he showed in his blue
silk cloak and silvered byrny. The fair crown of Demonland,
wherewith Corsus had been enforced to crown him on that
great night in Owlswick, shone above his light brown curling
412
THE LORDS OF WITCHLAND
hair. Youth and lustihood stood forth in every line of his
great frame, and on his bare arms smooth and brawny, with
their wristlets of gold; but somewhat ghastly was the corpse-
like pallor ofthat light on his shavenjowl, and his thick scornful
lips were blackened, like those of poisoned men, in that light
ofbale.
" Saw ye not this light aforetime ? " he cried, " and 'twas
the shadow before the sun of our omnipotence. Fate's hammer
is lifted up to strike. Drink with me to our Lord the King
that laboureth with destiny."
All drank deep, and Corinius said, " Pass we on the cups
that each may drain his neighbour's. 'Tis an old lucky custom
Corund taught me out of Impland. Swift, for the fate of
Witchland is poised in the balance." Therewith he passed
his cup to Zenambria, who quaffed it to the dregs. And all
they, passing on their cups, drank deep again ; all save Corsus
alone. But Corsus's eyes were big with terror as he looked
on the cup passed on to him by Corund's son.
Drink, O Corsus," said Corinius; and seeing him still
waver, " what ails the old doting disard ? " he cried. " He
stareth on good wine with an eye as ghastly as a mad dog's
beholding water."
In that instant the unearthly glare went out as a lamp in a
gust of wind, and only the flamboys and the funeral candles
flickered on the feasters with uncertain radiance. Corinius
said again, " Drink."
But Corsus set down the cup untasted, and stayed irresolute.
Corinius opened his mouth to speak, and his jaw fell, as of a
man that conceiveth suddenly some dread suspicion. But ere
hemight speak word, a blinding flash went from earth to heaven,
and the firm floor of the banquet hall rocked and shook as with
an earthquake. All save Corinius fell back into their seats ,
clutching the table, amazed and dumb. Crash after crash,
after the listening ear was well nigh split by the roar, the horror
broken out of the bowels of night thundered and ravened in
Carcë. Laughter, as of damned souls banqueting in Hell, rode
on the tortured air. Wildfire tore the darkness asunder, half
blinding them that sat about that table, and Corinius gripped
the board with either hand as a last deafening crash shook the
walls, and a flame rushed up the night, lighting the whole sky
with a livid glare. And in that trisulk flash Corinius beheld
413
THE WORM OUROBOROS
through the south-west window the Iron Tower blasted and
cleft asunder, and the next instant fallen in an avalanche of
red-hot ruin .
" The keep hath fallen ! " he cried. And, deadly wearied
on a sudden, he sank heavily into his seat. The cataclysm
was passed by like a wind in the night ; but now was heard a
sound as of the enemy rushing to the assault. Corinius strove
to rise, but his legs were over feeble. His eye lit on Corsus's
untasted cup, that which was passed on to him by Viglus
Corund's son, and he cried, " What devil's work is this ? I
have a strange numbness in my bones. By heavens, thou shalt
drink that cup or die."
Viglus, his eyes protruding, his hand clutching at his
breast, struggled to rise but could not.
Heming half staggered up, fumbling for his sword, then
pitched forward on the table with a horrid rattle of the throat.
But Corsus leaped up trembling, his dull eyes aflame with
triumphant malice. " The King hath thrown and lost," he
cried, " as well I foresaw it. And now have the children of
night taken him to themselves. And thou, damned Corinius,
and you sons of Corund, are but dead swine before me. Ye
have all drunk venom, and ye are dead. Now will I deliver
up Carcë to the Demons. And it, andyour bodies, with mine
electuary rotting in your vitals, shall buy me peace from
Demonland."
" O horrible ! Then I too am poisoned," cried the Lady
Zenambria, and she fell a-swooning.
" Tis pity," said Corsus. " Blame the passing of the
cups for that. I might not speak ere the poison had
chained me the limbs of these cursed devils, and made 'em
harmless."
Corinius's jaw set like a bulldog's. Painfully gritting his
teeth he rose from his seat, his sword naked in his hand.
Corsus, that was now passing near him on his way to the door,
saw too late that he had reckoned without his host. Corinius,
albeit the baneful drug bound his legs as with a cere-cloth,
was yet too swift for Corsus, who, fleeing before him to the
door, had but time to clutch the heavy curtains ere the sword
of Corinius took him in the back. He fell, and lay a-writhing
lumpishly, like a toad spitted on a skewer. And the floor of
steatite was made slippery with his blood.
414
 KH

THE LAST CONJURING IN CARCE.

415
THE WORM OUROBOROS
" 'Tis well. Through the guts," said Corinius. No
might he had to draw forth the sword, but staggered as one
drunken, and fell to earth, propped against the jambs of the
loftydoorway.
Some while he lay there, harkening to the sounds of battle
without ; for the Iron Tower was fallen athwart the outer
wall, making a breach through all lines of defence. And
through that breach the Demons stormed the hold of Carcë,
that never unfriendly foot had entered by force in all the
centuries since it was builded by Gorice Ⅰ. An ill watch it
was for Corinius to lie harkening to that unequal fight, unable
to stir a hand, and all they that should have headed the defence
dead or dying before his eyes. Yet was his breath lightened
and his pain some part eased when his eye rested on the gross
body of Corsus twisting in the agony of death upon his
sword.
In such wise passed well nigh anhour. The bodily strength
of Corinius and his iron heart bare up against the power of
the venom long after those others had breathed out their souls
in death. But now was the battle done and the victory with
them of Demonland, and the lords Juss and Goldry Bluszco
and Brandoch Daha with certain of their fighting men came
into the banquet hall. Smeared they were with blood and the
dust of battle, for not without great blows and the death of
many a stout lad had the hold beenwon. Goldry said as they
paused at the threshold, " This is the very banquet house of
death. How came these by their end ? "
Corinius's brow darkened at the sight of the lords ofDemon-
land, and mightily he strove to raise himself, but sank back
groaning. " I have gotten an everlasting chill o' the bones,"
he said. " Yon hellish traitor murthered us all by poison ;
else should some ofyou have gotten your deaths by me or ever
ye won up into Carcë."
66

Bring him some water," said Juss. And he with Bran-

doch Daha gently lifted Corinius and bare him to his chair
where he should be more at ease.
Goldry said, " Here is a lady liveth." For Sriva, that
sitting on her father's left hand had so escaped a poisoned
draught at the passing of the cups, rose from the table where
she had cowered in fearful silence, and cast herself in a flood
of tears and terrified supplications about Goldry's knees.
416
 THE LORDS OF WITCHLAND
Goldry bade guard her to the camp and there bestow her in
safe asylum until the morning.
Now was Corinius near his end, but he gathered strength
to speak, saying, " I do joy that not by your sword were we
put down, but by the unequal trumpery of Fortune, whose
tool was this Corsus and the King's devilish pride, that desired
to harness Heaven and Hell to his chariot. Fortune's a right
strumpet, to fondle me in the neck and now yerk me one thus
i' the midriff . "
" Not Fortune, my Lord Corinius, but the Gods," said
Goldry, " whose feet be shod with wool."
By then was water brought in, and Brandoch Daha would
have given him to drink. But Corinius would have none of
it, but jerked his head aside and o'erset the cup, and looking
fiercely on Lord Brandoch Daha, " Vile fellow," he said,
"

so thou too art come to insult on Witchland's grave ?

Thou'dst strike me now into the centre, and thou wert not
more a dancing madam than a soldier."
" How ? " said Brandoch Daha. Say a dog bite me in
the ham: must I bite him again i' the same part ? "
Corinius's eyelids closed, and he said weakly, " How look
thy womanish gew-gaws in Krothering since I towsed 'em ? "
And therewith the creeping poison reached his strong heart-
strings, and he died.
Now was silence for a space in that banquet hall, and in
the silence a step was heard, and the lords of Demonland
turned toward the lofty doorway, that yawned as an arched
cavern-mouth of darkness ; for Corsus had torn down the
arras curtains in his death-throes, and they lay heaped athwart
the threshold with his dead body across them, Corinius's
sword-hilts jammed against his ribs and the blade standing a
foot's length forth from his breast. And while they gazed,
there walked into the shifting light of the flamboys over that
threshold the Lady Prezmyra, crowned and arrayed in her
rich robes and ornaments of state. Her countenance was
bleak as the winter moon flying high amid light clouds
on a windy midnight settling towards rain, and those
lords, under the spell of her sad cold beauty, stood without
speech .
In a while Juss, speaking as one who needeth to command
2E
417
THE WORM OUROBOROS
his voice, and making grave obeisance to her, said, " O Queen,
we give you peace. Command our service in all things
whatsoever. And first in this, which shall be our earliest task
ere we sail homeward, to stablish you in your rightful realm of
Pixyland. But this hour is over-charged with fate and desperate
deeds to suffer counsel. Counsel is for the morning. The
night calleth to rest. I pray you give us leave."
Prezmyra looked upon Juss, and there was eye-bite in her
eyes, that glinted with green metallic lustre like those of a she-
lion brought to battle.
" Thou dost offer me Pixyland, my Lord Juss," said she,
" that am Queen of Impland. And this night, thou thinkest,
can bring me rest. These that were dear to me have rest
indeed : my lord and lover Corund ; the Prince my brother ;
Gro, that was my friend. Deadly enow they found you,
whether as friends or foes ."
Juss said, " O Queen Prezmyra, the nest falleth with the
tree. These things hath Fate brought to pass, and we be but
Fate's whipping-tops bandied what way she will. Against thee
we war not, and I swear to thee that all our care is to make thee
amends ."
“
O, thine oaths ! " said Prezmyra. " What amends canst
thou make ? Youth I have and some poor beauty. Wilt
thou conjure those three dead men alive again that ye have
slain ? For all thy vaunted art, I think this were too hard a
task."
All they were silent, eyeing her as she walked delicately
past the table. She looked with a distant and, to outward
seeming, uncomprehending eye on the dead feasters and their
empty cups. Empty all, save that one passed on by Viglus,
whereof Corsus would not drink; and it stood half drained.
Ofcurious workmanship it was, of pale green glass, its stand
formed of three serpents intertwined, the one of gold, another
of silver, the third of iron. Fingering it carelessly she raised
her glittering eyes once more on the Demons, and said, " It
was ever the wont of you of Demonland to eat the egg and
give away the shell in alms." And pointing at the lords of
Witchlarrd dead at the feast, she asked, " Were these also your
victims in this day's hunting, my lords ? "
"Thou dost us wrong, madam," cried Goldry. "Never
hath Demonland used suchlike arts against her enemies."
418
THE LORDS OF WITCHLAND
Lord Brandoch Daha looked swiftly at him, and stepped
idly forward, saying, " I know not what art hath wrought yon
goblet, but 'tis strangely like to one I saw in Impland. Yet
fairer is this , and of more just proportions." But Prezmyra
forestalled his out-stretched hand, and quietly drew the cup
towards her out of reach. As sword crosses sword, the glance
of her green eyes crossed his, and she said, " Think not that
you have a worse enemy left on earth than me. I it was that
sent Corsus and Corinius to trample Demonland in the mire.
Had I but some spark of masculine virtue, some soul at least
of you should yet be loosed squealing to the shades to attend
my dear ones ere I set sail. But I have none. Kill me then,
and let me go."
Juss, whose sword was bare in his hand, smote it home in
the scabbard and stepped towards her. But the table was
betwixt them, and she drew back to the dais where Corund
lay in state. There, like some triumphant goddess, she stood
above them, the cup of venom in her hand. " Come not
beyond the table, my lords," she said, " or I drain this cup to
your damnation."
Brandoch Daha said, " The dice are thrown, O Juss .
And the Queen hath won the hazard."
" Madam," said Juss, " I swear to you there shall no force
nor restraint be put upon you, but honour only and worship
shown you, and friendship if you will. That surely mightest
thou take of us for thy brother's sake." Thereat she looked
terribly upon him, and he said, " Only on this wild night lay
not hands upon yourself. For their sake, that even now haply
behold us out of the undiscovered barren lands, beyond the
dismal lake, do not this."
Still facing them, the cup still aloft in her right hand,
Prezmyra laid her left hand lightly on the brazen plates of
Corund's byrny that cased the mighty muscles of his breast.
Her hand touched his beard, and drew back suddenly ; but in
an instant she laid it gently again on his breast. Somewhat
her orient loveliness seemed to soften for a passing minute in
the altering light, and she said," I was given to Corund young.
This night I will sleep with him, or reign with him, among the
mighty nations of the dead."
Juss moved as one about to speak, but she stayed him with
a look, and the lines of her body hardened again and the lioness
419
 THE WORM OUROBOROS
looked forth anew in her peerless eyes. " Hath your greatness,"
“

she said, so much outgrown your wit, that you think I will
abide to be your pensioner, that have been a Princess in Pixy-
land, a Queen of far-fronted Impland, and wife to the greatest
soldier in this hold of Carcë, which till this day hath been the
only scourge and terror of the world ? O my lords of Demon-
land, good comfortable fools, speak to me no more, for your
speech is folly. Go, doff your hats to the silly hind that
runneth on the mountain; pray her gently dwell with you
amid your stalled cattle, whenyou haveslainher mate. Shall
the blackening frost, when it hath blasted and starved all the
sweet garden flowers, say to the rose, Abide with us ; and shall
she harken to such a wolfish suit ? ‫י‬
So speaking she drank the cup; and turning from those lords
of Demonland as a queen turneth her from the unregarded
multitude, kneeled gently down by Corund's bier, her white
arms clasped about his head, her face pillowed on his
breast.

When Juss spake, his voice was choked with tears. He

commanded Bremery that they should take up the bodies of
Corsus and Zenambria and those sons of Corund and of Corsus
that lay poisoned and dead in that hall and on the morrow give
them reverent burial. " And for the Lord Corinius I will
that ye make a bed of state, that he may lie in this hall to-night,
and to-morrow will we lay him in howe before Carcë, as is
fitting for so renowned a captain. But great Corund and his
lady shall none depart one from the other, but in one grave
shall they rest, side by side, for their love sake. Ere we be
gone I will rear them such a monument as beseemeth great
kings and princes when they die. For royal and lordly was
Corund, and a mighty man at arms, and a fighter clean of
hand, albeit our bitter enemy. Wondrous it is with what
cords of love he bound to him this unparagoned Queen
of his. Who hath known her like among women for true-
ness and highness of heart ? And sure none was ever more
unfortunate."
Now went they forth into the outer ward of Carce. The
night bore still some signs of that commotion of the skies that
had so lately burst forth and passed away, and some torn palls
of thundercloud yet hung athwart the face ofheaven. Betwixt
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THE LORDS OF WITCHLAND
them in the swept places of the sky a few stars shivered, and
the moon, more than half waxen towards her full, was sinking
over Tenemos. Some faint breath of autumn was abroad, and
the Demons shuddered a little, fresh from the heavy air of the
great banquet hall. The ruins of the Iron Tower smoking to
the sky, and the torn and tumbled masses ofmasonry about it,
showed monstrous in the gloom as fragments ofold
of old cha
chaos ; and
from them and from the riven earth beneath steamed up
pungent fumes as of brimstone burning. Ever busily, back
and forth through those sulphurous vapours, obscene birds of
the night flitted a weary round, and bats on leathern wing,
fitfully and dimly seem in the uncertain mirk, save when their
passage brought them dark against the moon. And from the
solitudes of the mournful fen afar voices of lamentation floated
on the night : wild wailing cries and sobbing noises and long
moans rising and falling and quivering down to silence.
Juss laid his hand on Goldry's arm, saying, " There is
nought earthly in these laments, nor be those that thou seest
circling in the reek very bats or owls. These be his masterless
familiars wailing for their Lord. Many such served him, simple
earthy divels and divels of the air and of the water, held by him
in thrall by sorcerous and artificial practices, coming and going
and doing his will. " "
" These availed him not," said Goldry, nor the sword of
Witchland against our might and main, that brake it asunder
inhis hand and slew his mighty men of valour."
" Yet true it is," said Lord Juss, " that none greater hath
lived on earth than King Gorice XII. When after these long
wars we held him as a stag at bay, he feared not to assay a
second time, and this time unaided and alone, what no man else
hath so much as once performed and lived. And well he knew
that that which was summoned by him out of the deep must
spill and blast him utterly if he should slip one whit, as slip he
did in former days, but his disciple succoured him. Behold
now with what loud striking of thunder, unconquered by any
earthly power, he hath his parting : with this Carcë black and
smoking in ruin for his monument, these lords of Witchland
and hundreds besides of our soldiers and of the Witches for his
funeral bake-meats, and spirits weeping in the night for his
chief mourners ."
So came they again to the camp. And in due time the
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THE WORM OUROBOROS
moon set and the clouds departed and the quiet stars pursued
their eternal way until night's decline ; as if this night had been
but as other nights : this night which had beheld the power
and glory that was Witchland by such a hammer-stroke of
destiny smitten in pieces .

422
 XXXIII : QUEEN SOPHONISBA IN
GALING

OF THE ENTERTAINMENT GIVEN BY LORD JUSS IN DEMONLAND TO

QUEEN SOPHONISBA, FOSTERLING OF THE GODS, AND OF THAT
CIRCUMSTANCE WHICH , BEYOND ALL THE WONDERS FAIR AND
LOVELY TO BEHOLD SHOWN HER IN THAT COUNTRY, MADE HER
MOST TO MARVEL : WHEREIN IS A RARE EXAMPLE HOW IN A
FORTUNATE WORLD, OUT OF ALL EXPECTATION , IN THE SPRING
OF THE YEAR, COMETH A NEW BIRTH .

OW the returning months brought the season of the

N year when Queen Sophonisba should come according to
her promise to guest with Lord Juss in Galing. And so
it was that in the hush of a windless April dawn the Zimiamvian
caravel that bare the Queen to Demonland rowed up the firth
to Lookinghaven.
All the east was a bower for the golden dawn. Kartadza,
sharp-outlined as if cut in bronze, still hid the sun ; and in the
great shadow of the mountain the haven and the low hills and
the groves of holm-oak and strawberry tree slumbered in a
deep obscurity of blues and purples, against which the avenues
of pink almond blossom and the white marble quays were
bodied forth in pale wakening beauty, imaged as in a looking-
glass in that tranquillity of the sea. Westward across the firth
all the land was aglow with the opening day. Snow lingered
still on the higher summits . Cloudless, bathing in the golden
light, they stood against the blue : Dina, the Forks of Nan-
treganon, Pike o' Shards , and all the peaks of the Thornback
range and Neverdale. Morning laughed on their high ridges and
kissed the woods that clung about their lower limbs : billowy
woods , where rich hues of brown and purple told of every
423
THE WORM OUROBOROS
twig on all their myriad branches thick and afire with buds.
White mists lay like coverlets on the water-meadows where
Tivarandardale opens to the sea. On the shores of Bothrey
and Scaramsey, and on the mainland near the great bluff of
Thremnir's Heugh and a little south of Owlswick, clear spaces
among the birchwoods showed golden yellow : daffodils abloom
inthe spring.
They rowed in to the northernmost berth and made fast the
caravel. The sweetness of the almond trees was the sweetness
of spring in the air, and spring was in the face of that Queen
as she came with her attendants up the shining steps, her little
martlets circling about her or perching on her shoulders : she
to whom the Gods of old gave youth everlasting, and peace
everlasting in Koshtra Belorn .
Lord Juss and his brethren were on the quay to meet her,
and the Lord Brandoch Daha. They bowed in turn, kissing
her hands and bidding her welcome to Demonland. But she
said, " Not to Demonland alone, my lords, but to the world
again. And toward which of all earth's harbours should I
steer, and toward which land if not to this land of yours, who
have by your victories brought peace and joy to all the world ?
Surely peace slept not more softly on the Moruna in old days
before the names of Gorice and Witchland were heard in that
country, than she shall sleep for us on this new earth and
Demonland, now that those names are drowned for ever under
the whirlpools of oblivion and darkness ."
Juss said, " O Queen Sophonisba, desire not that the names
of great men dead should be forgot for ever. So should these
wars that we last year brought to so mighty a conclusion to
make us undisputed lords of the earth go down to oblivion
with them that fought against us. But the fame of these
things shall be on the lips and in the songs of men
from one generation to another, so long as the world shall
endure."
They took horse and rode up from the harbour to the upper
road, and so through open pastures on to Havershaw Tongue.
Lambs frisked on the dewy meadows beside the road ; black-
birds flew from bush to bush ; larks trilled in the sightless sky ;
and as they came down through the woods to Beckfoot wood-
pigeons cooed in the trees, and squirrels peeped with beady
eyes. The Queen spoke little. These and all shy things of
424
QUEEN SOPHONISBA IN GALING
the woods and field held her in thrall, charming her to a silence
that was broken only now and then by a little exclamation of
joy. The Lord Juss, who himself also loved these things,
watched her delight.
Now they wound up the steep ascent from Beckfoot, and
rode into Galing by the Lion Gate. The avenue of Irish yews
was lined by soldiers of the bodyguards of Juss, Goldry, and
Spitfire, and Brandoch Daha. These, in honour of their great
masters and of the Queen, lifted their spears aloft, while
trumpeters blew three fanfares on silver trumpets. Then to
an accompaniment of lutes and theorbos and citherns moving
above the pulse of muffled drums, a choir of maidens sang a
song of welcome, strewing the path before the lords ofDemon-
land and the Queen with sweet white hyacinths and narcissus
blooms, while the ladies Mevrian and Armelline, more lovely
than any queens of earth, waited at the head of the golden
staircase above the inner court to greet Queen Sophonisba
come to Galing.
A hard matter it were to tell of all the pleasures prepared
for Queen Sophonisba and for her delight by the lords of
Demonland. The first day she spent among the parks and
pleasure gardens of Galing, where Lord Juss showed her his
great lime avenues, his yew-houses, his fruit gardens and sunk
gardens and his private walks and bowers ; his walks of creep-
ing thyme which being trodden on sends up sweet odours to
refresh the treader ; his ancient water-gardens beside the
Brankdale Beck, whither the water nymphs resort in summer
and are seen under the moon singing and combing their hair
with combs of gold.
On the second day he showed her his herb gardens, dis-
closing to her the secret properties of herbs, wherein he was
deeply learned. There grew that Zamalenticion, which being
well beaten up with fat without salt is sovran for all wounds.
And Dittany,which if eaten soon puts out the arrow and healeth
the wounds ; and not only by its presence stayeth snakes where-
soever they be handy to it, but by reason of its smell carried by
wind andthey smellit theydie. And Mandragora, which being
taken into the middle of an house compelleth all evils out of the
house, and relieveth also headaches and produceth sleep. Also
he showed her Sea Holly in his garden, that is born in secret
425
THE WORM OUROBOROS
places and in wet ones, and the root of it is as the head of that
monster which men name the Gorgon, and the root-twigs have
both eyes and nose and colour of serpents. Of this he told her
how when taking up the root, a man must see to it that no
sun shine on it, and he who would carve it must avert his
head, for it is not permitted that man may see that root
unharmed.
The third day Juss showed the Queen his stables, where
were his war-horses and horses for the chase and for chariot
racing stabled in stalls with furniture of silver, and much she
marvelled at his seven white mares, sisters, so like that none
might tell one from another, given him in days gone by by the
priests ofArtemis in the lands beyond the sunset. They were
immortal, bearing ichor in their veins, not blood ; and the fire
of it showed in their eyes like lamps burning.
The fourth night and the fifth the Queen was at Drepaby,
guesting with Lord Goldry Bluszco and the Princess Armelline,
that were wedded in Zajë Zaculo last Yule ; and the sixth and
seventh nights at Owlswick, and there Spitfire made her lordly
entertainment. But Lord Brandoch Daha would not have the
Queen go yet to Krothering, for he had not yet made fair again
his gardens and pleasaunces and restored his rich and goodly
treasures to his mind after their ill handling by Corinius. And
it was not his will that she should look on Krothering Castle
until all was there stablished anew according to its ancient
glory.
The eighth day she came again to Galing, and now Lord
Juss showed her his study, with his astrolabes of orichalc,
figured with all the signs of the Zodiac and the mansions of the
moon, standing a tall man's height above the floor, and his
perspectives and globes and crystals and hollow looking-glasses ;
andgreat crystalglobes where he kept homunculi whom he had
made by secret processes of nature, both men and women, less
than a span long, as beautiful as one could wish to see in
their little coats, eating and drinking and going their ways in
those mighty globes of crystal where his art had given them
being.
Every night, whether at Galing, Owlswick, or Drepaby
Mire, was feasting held in her honour, with music and dancing
and merry-making and all delight, and poetical recitations and
feats of arms and horsemanship, and masques and interludes
426
QUEEN SOPHONISBA IN GALING
the like whereof hath not been seen on earth for beauty and wit
and all magnificence.
Now was the ninth day come of the Queen's guesting in
Demonland, and it was the eve of Lord Juss's birthday, when
all the great ones in the land were come together, as four years
ago they came, to do honour on the morrow unto him and unto
his brethren as was their wont aforetime. It was fine bright
weather, with every little while a shower to bring fresh sweet-
ness to the air, colour and refreshment to the earth, and gladness
to the sunshine. Juss walked with the Queen in the morning
in the woods of Moongarth Bottom, now bursting into leaf ;
and after their mid-day meal showed her his treasuries cut in
the live rock under Galing Castle, where she beheld bars of
gold and silver piled like trunks of trees ; unhewn crystals of
ruby, chrysoprase, or hyacinth, so heavy a strong man might
not lift them ; stacks of ivory in the tusk, piled to the ceiling ;
chests and jars filled with perfumes and costly spices, ambergris ,
frankincense, sweet-scented sandalwood and myrrh and spike-
nard ; cups and beakers and eared wine-jars and lamps and
caskets made of pure gold, worked and chased with the forms
of men and women and birds and beasts and creeping things ,
and ornamented with jewels beyond price, margarites and pink
and yellow sapphires, smaragds and chrysoberyls and yellow
diamonds.
When the Queen had had her fill of gazing on these, he
carried her to his great library where statues stood of the nine
Muses about Apollo, and all the walls were hidden with books :
histories and songs of old days, books of philosophy, alchymy
and astronomy and art magic, romances and music and lives
of great men dead and great treatises of all the arts of peace
and war, with pictures and illuminated characters. Great
windows opened southward on the garden from the library,
and climbing rose-trees and plants of honeysuckle and ever-
green magnolia clustered about the windows. Great chairs
and couches stood about the open hearth where a fire of cedar
logs burned in winter time. Lamps of moonstones self-effulgent
shaded with cloudy green tourmaline stood on silver stands on
the tableand byeach couch and chair, to give lightwhen the day
wasover; andall the air was sweet with the scent of dried rose-
leaves kept in ancient bowls and vases of painted earthenware.
427
THE WORM OUROBOROS
Queen Sophonisba said, " My lord, I love this best of all
the fair things thou hast shown me in thy castle of Galing :
here where all trouble seems a forgotten echo of an ill world
left behind. Surely my heart is glad, O my friend, that thou
and these other lords of Demonland shall now enjoy your
goodly treasures and fair days in your dear native land in peace
and quietness all your lives."
The Lord Juss stood at the window that looked westward
across the lake to the great wall of the Scarf. Some shadow
of a noble melancholy hovered about his sweet dark counten-
ance as his gaze rested on a curtain of rain that swept across the
face of the mountain wall, half veiling the high rock summits .
Yet think, madam," said he, " that we be young of years.
And to strenuous minds there is an unquietude in over-
quietness."
Now he conducted her through his armouries where he
kept his weapons and weapons for his fighting men and all
panoply of war. There he showed her swords and spears,
maces and axes and daggers, orfreyed and damascened and
inlaid with jewels ; byrnies and baldricks and shields ; blades
so keen, a hair blown against them in a wind should be parted
in twain ; charmed helms on which no ordinary sword would
bite. And Juss said unto the Queen, " Madam, what thinkest
thou of these swords and spears ? For know well that these
be the ladder's rungs that we of Demonland climbed up by
to that signiory and principality which now we hold over the
four corners of the world."
She answered, " O my lord, I think nobly of them. For
an ill part it were while we joy in the harvest, to contemn the
tools that prepared the land for it and reaped it."
While she spoke, Juss took down from its hook a great
sword with a haft bound with plaited cords of gold and silver
wire and cross-hilts of latoun set with studs of amethyst and a
drake's head at either end of the hilt with crimson almandines
for his eyes, and the pommel a ball of deep amber-coloured
opal with red and green flashes .
" With this sword," said he, " I went up with Gaslark to
the gates of Carcë, four years gone by this summer, being
clouded inmy mind by the back-wash of the sending ofGorice
the King. With this sword I fought an hour back to back
with Brandoch Daha, against Corund and Corinius and their
428
 QUEEN SOPHONISBA IN GALING
ablest men : the greatest fight that ever I fought, and against
the fearfullest odds . Witchland himself beheld us from
Carcë walls through the watery mist and glare, and marvelled
that two men that are born of woman could perform such
deeds ."
He untied the bands of the sword and drew it singing from
its sheath. " With this sword," he said, looking lovingly
along the blade, " I have overcome hundreds of mine enemies :
Witches, and Ghouls, and barbarous people out of Impland
and the southern seas, pirates of Esamocia and princes of the
eastern main. With this sword I gat the victory in many a
battle, and most glorious of all in the battle before Carcë last
September. There, fighting against great Corund in the press
of the fight I gave him with this sword the wound that was his
death-wound."
He put up the sword again in its sheath : held it a minute
as if pondering whether or no to gird it about his waist : then
slowly turned to its place on the wall and hung it up again.
He carried his head high like a war-horse, keeping his gaze
averted from the Queen as they went out from the great armoury
in Galing ; yet not so skilfully but she marked a glistening in
his eye that seemed a tear standing above his lower eyelash.
That night was supper set in Lord Juss's private chamber :
a light regale, yet most sumptuous. They sat at a round
table, nine in company : the three brethren, the Lords Bran-
doch Daha, Zigg, and Volle, the Ladies Armelline and Mevrian,
and the Queen. Brightly flowed the wines of Krothering and
Norvasp and blithely went the talk to outward seeming. But
ever and again silence swung athwart the board, like a gray
pall, till Zigg broke it with a jest, or Brandoch Daha or his
sister Mevrian. The Queen felt the chill behind their merri-
ment. The silent fits came oftener as the feast went forward,
as if wine and good cheer had lost their native quality and
turned fathers ofblack moods and gloomy meditations.
The Lord Goldry Bluszco, that till now had spoke little,
spake now not at all, his proud dark face fixed in staid pensive
lines of thought. Spitfire too was fallen silent, his face leaned
upon his hand, his brow bent ; and whiles he drank amain,
and whiles he drummed his fingers on the table. The Lord
Brandoch Daha leaned back in his ivory chair, sipping his
429
THE WORM OUROBOROS
wine. Very demure, through half-closed eyes, like a panther
dozing in the noon-day, he watched his companions at the
feast. Like sunbeams chased by cloud - shadows across a
mountain - side in windy weather, the lights of humorous
enjoyment played across his face.
The Queen said, " O my lords, you have promised me I
should hear the full tale of your wars in Impland and the
Impland seas, and how you came to Carcë and of the great
battle that there befell, and of the latter end of all the lords of
Witchland and of Gorice XII . of memory accursed. I pray
you let me hear it now, that our hearts may be gladdened by
the tale of great deeds the remembrance whereof shall be for
all generations , and that we may rejoice anew that all the lords
of Witchland are dead and gone because of whom and their
tyranny earth hath groaned and laboured these many years."
Lord Juss, in whose face when it was at rest she had beheld
that same melancholy which she had marked in him in the
library that same day, poured forth more wine, and said,
" O Queen Sophonisba, thou shalt hear it all." Therewith
he told all that had befallen since they last bade her adieu in
Koshtra Belorn : of the march to the sea at Muelva ; of Laxus
and his great fleet destroyed and sunk off Melikaphkhaz ; of
the battle before Carcë and its swinging fortunes ; of the
unhallowed light and flaring signs in heaven whereby they
knew of the King's conjuring again in Carcë ; of their waiting
in the night, armed at all points, with charms and amulets
ready against what dreadful birth might be from the King's
enchantments ; of the blasting of the Iron Tower, and the
storming of the hold in pitch darkness ; of the lords of Witch-
land murthered at the feast, and nought left at last of the power
and pomp and terror that was Witchland save dying embers
of a funeral fire and voices wailing in the wind before the
dawn.

“
When he had done, the Queen said, as if talking in a dream,
Surely it may be said of these kings and lords of Witchland
dead-
These wretched eminent things
Leave no more fame behind 'em than should one
Fall in a frost, and leave his print in snow ;
As soon as the sun shines, it ever melts
Both form and matter.
430
QUEEN SOPHONISBA IN GALING
With those words spoken dropped silence again like a pall
athwart that banquet table, more tristful than before and full
ofheaviness.
On a sudden Lord Brandoch Daha stood up, unbuckling
from his shoulder his golden baldrick set with apricot-coloured
sapphires and diamonds and fire-opals that imaged thunder-
bolts. He threw it before him on the table, with his sword,
clattering among the cups. " O Queen Sophonisba," said he,
" thou hast spoken a fit funeral dirge for our glory as for
Witchland's . This sword Zeldornius gave me. I bare it at
Krothering Side against Corinius, when I threw him out of
Demonland. I bare it at Melikaphkhaz. I bare it in the last
great fight in Witchland. Thou wilt say it brought me good
luck and victory in battle. But it brought not to me, as to
Zeldornius , this last best luck of all : that earth should gape
for me when my great deeds were ended."
The Queen looked at him amazed, marvelling to see him
so much moved that she had known until now so lazy mocking
and so debonair.
But the other lords of Demonland stood up and flung down
their jewelled swords on the table beside Lord Brandoch
Daha's. And Lord Juss spake and said, " We may well cast
down our swords as a last offering on Witchland's grave. For
now must they rust : seamanship and all high arts of war must
wither : and, now that our great enemies are dead and gone,
we that were lords of all the world must turn shepherds and
hunters, lest we become mere mountebanks and fops , fit
fellows for the chambering Beshtrians or the Red Foliot. Ο
Queen Sophonisba, and you my brethren and my friends, that
are come to keep my birthday with me to-morrow in Galing,
what make ye in holiday attire ? Weep ye rather, and weep
again, and clothe you all in black, thinking that our mightiest
feats of arms and the high southing of the bright star of our
magnificence should bring us unto timeless ruin. Thinking
that we, that fought but for fighting's sake, have in the end
fought so well we never may fight more ; unless it should be
in fratricidal rage each against each. And ere that should
betide, may earth close over us and our memory perish."
Mightily moved was the Queen to behold such a violent
sorrow, albeit she could not comprehend the roots and reason
of it. Her voice shook a little as she said, " My Lord Juss ,
431
THE WORM OUROBOROS
my Lord Brandoch Daha, and you other lords of Demonland,
it was little in mine expectation to find in you such a passion
of sour discontent. For I came to rejoice with you. And
strangely it soundeth in mine ear to hear you mourn and
lament your worst enemies, at so great hazard of your lives
and all you held dear, struck down by you at last. I am but
amaid and young in years, albeit my memory goeth back two
hundred springs, and ill it befitteth me to counsel great lords
and men of war. Yet strange it seemeth if there be not peace-
ful enjoyment and noble deeds of peace for you all your days,
who are young and noble and lords of all the world and rich
in every treasure and high gifts of learning, and the fairest
country in the world for your dear native land. And if your
swords must not rust, ye may bear them against the uncivil
races of Impland and other distant countries to bring them to
subjection.
But Lord Goldry Bluszco laughed bitterly. " O Queen,"
he cried, " shall the correction of feeble savages content these
swords , which have warred against the house of Gorice and
against all his chosen captains that upheld the great power of
Carcë and the glory and the fear thereof ? "
And Spitfire said, " What joy shall we have of soft beds
and delicate meats and all the delights that be in many- >
mountained Demonland, if we must be stingless drones,
with no action to sharpen our appetite for ease ? "
All were silent awhile. Then the Lord Juss spake saying,
" O Queen Sophonisba, hast thou looked ever, on a showery
day in spring, upon the rainbow flung across earth and sky,
and marked how all things of earth beyond it, trees, mountain
sides , and rivers, and fields, and woods, and homes of men,
are transfigured
"
by the colours that are in the bow ?"
Yes," she said, " and oft desired to reach them."
" We," said Juss, " have flown beyond the rainbow. And
there we found no fabled land of heart's desire, but wet rain
and wind only and the cold mountain-side. And our hearts
are a- cold because of it."
The Queen said, " How old art thou, my Lord Juss, that
thou speakest as an old man might speak ? "
He answered, " I shall be thirty-three years old to-morrow,
and that is young by the reckoning of men. None of us be
old, and my brethren and Lord Brandoch Daha younger than I.
432
QUEEN SOPHONISBA IN GALING
Yet as old men may we now look forth on our lives, since the
goodness thereof is gone by for us." And he said, " Thou
O Queen canst scarcely know our grief; for to thee the blessed
Godsgave thy heart's desire : youth for ever, and peace. Would
they might give us our good gift, that should be youth for ever,
and war ; and unwaning strength and skill in arms. Would
they might but give us our great enemies alive and whole again.
For better it were we should run hazard again of utter destruc-
tion, than thus live out our lives like cattle fattening for the
slaughter, or like silly garden plants."
The Queen's eyes were large with wonder. " Thou couldst
wish it ? " she said .
Juss answered and said, " A true saying it is that ' a grave
is a rotten foundation.' If thou shouldst proclaim to me at
this instant the great King alive again and sitting again in
Carcë, bidding us to the dread arbitrament ofwar, thou shouldst
quickly see I told thee truth."
While Juss spake, the Queen turned her gaze from one to
another round the board. In every eye, when he spake of
Carcë, she saw the lightning of the joy of battle as of life re-
turning to men held in a deadly trance. And when he had
done, she saw in every eye the light go out. Like Gods they
seemed, in the glory of their youth and pride, seated about
that table ; but sad and tragical, like Gods exiled from wide
Heaven .
None spake, and the Queen cast down her eyes, sitting as
if wrapped in thought. Then the Lord Juss rose to his feet,
and said, " O Queen Sophonisba, forgive us that our private
sorrows should make us so forgetful of our hospitality as weary
our guest with a mirthless feast. But think 'tis because we
know thee our dear friend we use not too much ceremony.
To-morrow we will be merry with thee, whate'er betide
thereafter ."
So they bade good-night. But as they went out into the
garden under the stars, the Queen took Juss aside privately
and said to him, " My lord, since thou and my Lord Brandoch
Daha came first of mortal men into Koshtra Belorn, and ful-
filled the weird according to preordainment, this only hath
been my desire : to further you and to enhance you and to
obtain for you what you would, so far as in me lieth. Though
I be but a weak maid, yet hath it seemed good to the blessed
2F 433
THE WORM OUROBOROS
Gods to show kindness unto me. One holy prayer may work
things we scarce dare dream of. Wilt thou that I pray to
Them to-night ? "
Alas, dear Queen," said he, " shall those estranged and
divided ashes unite again ? Who shall turn back the flood-tide
of unalterable necessity ? "
But she said, " Thou hast crystals and perspectives can
show thee things afar off. I pray bring them, and row me in
thy boat up to Moonmere Head that we may land there about
midnight. And let my Lord Brandoch Daha come with us and
thy brothers. But let none else know of it. For that were but
to mock them with a false dawn, if it should prove at last to be
according to thy wisdom, O my lord, and not according to my
prayers."
So the Lord Juss did according to the word of that fair
Queen, and they rowed her up the lake by moonlight. None
spake, and the Queen sate apart in the bows of the boat, in
earnest supplication to the blessed Gods. When they were
come to the head of the lake they went ashore on a little spit
of silver sand. The April night was above them, mild with
moonlight. The shadows of the fells rose inky black and
beyond imagination huge against the sky. The Queen kneeled
awhile in silence on the cold ground, and those lords ofDemon-
land stood together in silence watching her.
In a while she raised her eyes to heaven ; and behold,
between the two main peaks of the Scarf, a meteor crept slowly
out of darkness and across the night-sky, leaving a trail of silver
fire, and silently departed into darkness. They watched, and
another came, and yet another, until the western sky above the
mountain was ablaze with them. From two points of heaven
they came, one betwixt the foreclaws of the Lion and one in
the dark sign of Cancer. And they that came from the Lion
were sparkling like the white fires of Rigel or Altair, and they
that came from the Crab were haughty red, like the lustre of
Antares. The lords of Demonland, leaning on their swords,
watched these portents for a long while in silence. Then the
travelling meteors ceased, and the steadfast stars shone lonely
and serene. A soft breeze stirred among the alders and willows
by the lake. The lapping waters lapping the shingly shore
made a quiet tune. A nightingale in acoppice on a little hill
sang so passionate sweet it seemed some spirit singing. As
434
QUEEN SOPHONISBA IN GALING
in a trance they stood and listened, until that singing ended,
and a hush fell on water and wood and lawn. Then all the
eastblazed up for an instant with sheet lightnings, and thunder
growled from the east beyond the sea.
The thunder took form so that music was in the heavens ,
filling earth and sky as with trumpets calling to battle, first
high, then low, then shuddering down to silence. Juss and
Brandoch Daha knew it for that great call to battle which had
preluded that music in the dark night without her palace, in
Koshtra Belorn, when first they stood before her portal divine.
The great call went again through earth and air, sounding
defiance; and inits train newvoices, groping in darkness, rising
to passionate lament, hovering, and dying away on the wind,
till nought remained but a roll of muffled thunder, long, low,
quiet, big with menace.
The Queen turned to Lord Juss. Surely her eyes were
like two stars shining in the gloom. She said in a drowned
voice, " Thy perspectives, my lord."
So the Lord Juss made a fire of certain spices and herbs,
and smoke rose in a thick cloud full of fiery sparks, with a
sweet sharp smell. And he said," Not we, O my Lady, lest our
desires cheat our senses. But look thou in my perspectives
through the smoke, and say unto us what thou shalt behold in
the east beyond the unharvested sea."
The Queen looked. And she said, " I behold a harbour
town and a sluggish river coming down to the harbour through
a mere set about with mud flats, and a great waste of fen
stretching inland from the sea. Inland, by the river side, I
behold a great bluff standing above the fens. And walls about
the bluff, as it were a citadel. And the bluff and the walled hold
perched thereon are black like old night, and like throned
iniquity sitting in the place of power, darkening the desolation
of that fen."
Juss said, " Are the walls thrown down ? Or is not the
greatround tower south-westward thrown down in ruin athwart
the walls ? "
She said, " All is whole and sound as the walls of thine own
castle, my lord."
Juss said, " Turn the crystal, O Queen, that thou mayest
see within the walls if any persons be therein, and tell us their
shape and seeming."
435
 THE WORM OUROBORO
S
The Queen was silent for a space, gazing earnestly in the
crystal. Then she said, " I see a banquet hall with walls of
dark green jasper speckled with red, and a massy cornice borne
upby giants three-headed carved in black serpentine; and each
giant is bowed beneath the weight of a huge crab-fish. The
hall is seven-sided. Two long tables there be and a cross-
bench . There be iron braziers in the midst of the hall and
flamboys burning in silver stands , and revellers quaffing at the
long tables . Some dark young men black of brow and great of
jaw,most soldier-like, brothers mayhap. Another with them,
ruddy of countenance and kindlier to look on, with long brown
moustachios . Another that weareth a brazen byrny and sea-
greenkirtle; anold manhe, with sparsegray whiskers and flabby
cheeks ; fat and unwieldy ; not a comely old man to look upon .‫دو‬
She ceased speaking, and Juss said," Whom seest thou else
in the banquet hall, O Queen ? "
She said, " The flare of the flamboys hideth the cross-
bench. I will turn the crystal again. Now I behold two
diverting themselves with dice at the table before the cross-
bench. One is well-looking enough, well knit, ofa noble port ,
with curly brown hair and beard and keen eyes like a sailor.
The other seemeth younger in years, younger than any ofyou ,
my lords. He is smooth shaved, ofa fresh complexion and fair
curling hair, and his brow is wreathed with a festal garland.
Amost big broad strong and seemly young man. Yet is there
a somewhat maketh me ill at ease beholding him ; and for all
his fair countenance and royal bearing he seemeth displeasing
in mine eyes.
" There is a damosel there too, watching them while they
play. Showily dressed she is, and hath some beauty. Yet
scarce can I commend her-" and, ill at ease on a sudden, the
Queen suddenly put down the crystal.
The eye of Lord Brandoch Daha twinkled, but he kept
silence. Lord Juss said," More, I entreat thee, O Queen, ere
the reek be gone and the vision fade. If this be all within the
banquet hall, seest thou nought without ? "
Queen Sophonisba looked again, and in a while said,
" There is a terrace facing to the west under the inner wall of
that fortress of old night, and walking on it in the torchlight a
man crowned like a King. Very tall he is : lean of body, and
long of limb. He weareth a black doublet bedizened o'er with
436
QUEEN SOPHONISBA IN GALING
diamonds, and his crown is in the figure of a crab-fish, and the
jewels thereof out-face the sun in splendour. But scarce may
I mark his apparel for looking on the face of him, which is
more terrible than the face of any man that ever I saw. And
the whole aspect of the man is full of darkness and power and
terror and stern command, that spirits from below earth must
tremble at and do his bidding."
Juss said, " Heaven forfend that this should prove but a
sweet and golden dream, and we wake to-morrow to find it
flown."
" There walketh with him," said the Queen, " in intimate
converse, as of a servant talking to his lord, one with a long
black beard curly as the sheep's wool and glossy as the raven's
wing. Pale he is as the moon in daylight hours, slender, with
fine-cut features and great dark eyes, and his nose hooked like
a reaping-hook ; gentle-looking and melancholy-looking, yet
noble."
Lord Brandoch Daha said, " Seest thou none, O Queen, in
the lodgings that be in the eastern gallery above the inner court
ofthe palace ? "
The Queen answered, " I see a lofty bed-chamber hung
with arras . It is dark, save for two branching candlesticks of
lights burning before a great mirror. I see a lady standing
before the mirror, crowned with a queen's crown of purple
amethysts on her deep hair that hath the colour of the tipmost
tongues of a flame. A man cometh through the door behind
her, parting the heavy hangings left and right. A big man he
is, and looketh like aking, inhis great wolf-skin mantle and his
kirtle of russet velvet with ornaments of gold. His bald head
set about with grizzled curls and his bushy beard flecked with
gray speak him something past his prime ; but the light of
youth burns in his eager eyes and the vigour of youth is in his
tread. She turneth to greet him. Tall she is, and young she
is, and beautiful, and proud-faced, and sweet-faced, and most
gallant-hearted too, and merry of heart too, if her looks belie
her not."
Queen Sophonisba covered her eyes, saying, “ My lords,
I see no more. The crystal curdles within like foam in a
whirlpool under a high force in rainy weather. Mine eyes
grow sore with watching. Let us row back, for the night is
far spent and I am weary."
437
THE WORM OUROBOROS
But Juss stayed her and said, " Let me dream yet awhile.
The double pillar of the world, that member thereof which we,
blind instruments of inscrutable Heaven, did shatter, restored
again ? From this time forth to maintain, I and he, his and
mine, ageless and deathless for ever, for ever our high con-
tention whether he or we should be great masters of all the
earth ? If this be but phantoms, O Queen, thou'st 'ticed us to
the very heart of bitterness. This we could have missed,
unseen and unimagined : but not now. Yet how were it
possible the Gods should relent and the years return ? "
But the Queen spake, and her voice was like the falling
shades of evening, pulsing with hidden splendour, as of a sense
of wakening starlight alive behind the fading blue. " This
King," she said, " in the wickedness of his impious pride did
wear on his thumb the likeness of that worm Ouroboros, as
much as to say his kingdom should never end. Yet was he,
when the appointed hour did come, thundered down into the
depths of Hell. And if now he be raised again and his days
continued, 'tis not for his virtue but for your sake, my lords ,
whom the Almighty Gods do love. Therefore I pray you
possess your hearts awhile with humility before the most
high Gods, and speak no unprofitable words. Let us row
back."

Dawn came golden-fingered, but the lords of Demonland

lay along abed after their watch in the night. About the third
hour before noon, the presence was filled in the high presence
chamber, and the three brethren sat upon their thrones, as four
years ago they sat, between the golden hippogriffs, and beside
themwere thrones set for Queen Sophonisba and Lord Brandoch
Daha. All else of beauty and splendour in Galing Castle had
the Queen beheld, but not till nowthis presence chamber ; and
much she marvelled at its matchless beauties and rarities, the
hangings and the carvings on the walls, the fair pictures, the
lamps ofmoonstone and escarbuncle self-effulgent, the monsters
on the four-and-twenty pillars, carved in precious stones so
great that two men might scarce circle them with their arms,
and the constellations burning in that firmament of lapis lazuli
below the golden canopy. And when they drank unto Lord
Juss the cup ofglory to be, wishing him longyears andjoy and
greatness for ever more, the Queen took a little cithern saying,
438
QUEEN SOPHONISBA IN GALING
" O my lord, I will sing a sonnet to thee and to you my lords
and to sea-girt Demonland." So saying, she smote the strings ,
and sang in that crystal voice of hers, so true and delicate that
all that were in that hall were ravished by its beauty :
Shall I compare thee to a Summers day ?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate :
Rough windes do shake the darling buds of Maie,
And Sommers lease hath all too short a date :
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimn'd ;
And every faire from faire some-time declines,
By chance or natures changing course untrim'd ;
But thy eternall Sommer shall not fade
Nor loose possession of that faire thou ow'st ;
Nor shall Death brag thou wandr'st in his shade.
When in eternall lines to time thou grow'st :
So long as men can breath, or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
When she had done, Lord Juss rose up very nobly and
kissed her hand, saying, " O Queen Sophonisba, fosterling of
the Gods, shame us not with praises that be too high for mortal
men. For well thou knowest what thing alone might bring us
content. And 'tis not to be thought that that which was seen
at Moonmere Head last night was very truth indeed, but rather
the dream of a night vision."
But Queen Sophonisba answered and said," My Lord Juss ,
blaspheme not the bounty of the blessed Gods, lest They
be angry and withdraw it, Who have granted unto you of
Demonland from this day forth youth everlasting and unwaning
strength and skill in arms, and-but hark ! " she said, for a
trumpet sounded at the gate, three strident blasts.
At the sound of that trumpet blown, the lords Goldry and
Spitfire sprang from their seats, clapping hand to sword. Lord
Juss stood like a stag at gaze. Lord Brandoch Daha sat still
in his golden chair, scarce changing his pose of easeful grace.
But all his frame seemed alight with action near to birth, as the
active principle of light pulses and grows in the sky at sunrise.
He looked at the Queen, his eyes filled with a wild surmise.
A serving man, obedient to Juss's nod, hastened from the
chamber.
439
THE WORM OUROBOROS
No sound was there in that high presence chamber in Galing
till in a minute's space the serving man returned with startled
countenance, and, bowing before Lord Juss, said, " Lord, it is
an Ambassador from Witchland and his train. He craveth
present audience."

THE WORM

OUROBOROS

440
 ARGUMENT : WITH DATES

[Dates Anno Carces Conditae. The action of the story covers exactly
four years : from the 22nd April 399 to 22nd April 403 A.C.C.] .
Year
A.C.C.

171. Queen Sophonisba born in Morna Moruna.

187. Gorice III. eat up with mantichores beyond the Bhavinan.
188. Morna Moruna sacked by Gorice IV. Queen Sophonisba
lodged by divine agency in Koshtra Belorn.
337. Gorice VII., conjuring in Carcë, slain by evil spirits.
341. Birth of Zeldornius.
344. Birth of Corsus in Tenemos.
353. Corund born in Carcë.
354. Birth of Zenambria, duchess to Corsus .
357. Birth of Helteranius .
360. Volle born at Darklairstead in Demonland.
361. Birth of Jalcanaius Fostus.
363. Birth of Vizz at Darklairstead.
364. Gro born in Goblinland at the court of Zajë Zaculo, the
foster-brother of Gaslark the King.
Gaslark born in Zajë Zaculo.
366. Laxus, high Admiral of Witchland and after king of Pixyland,
born in Estremerine .
367. Birth of Gallandus in Buteny.
369. Zigg born at Many Bushes in Amadardale.
370. Juss born in Galing.
371. Goldry Bluszco born in Galing .
Dekalajus, eldest of the sons of Corsus, born in Witchland.
372. Spitfire born in Galing.
Brandoch Daha born in Krothering.
374. La Fireez born in Norvasp of Pixyland.
Gorius, second of Corsus's sons, born in Witchland.
375. Corinius born in Carcë.
376. Prezmyra, sister to the Prince La Fireez, second wife to Corund,
and after Queen of Impland, born in Norvasp.
379. Birth of Hacmon, eldest ofthe sons of Corund.
Mevrian, sister to Lord Brandoch Daha, born in Krothering.
380. Heming born, second of Corund's sons.
381. Dormanes born, third of Corund's sons.
382. Birth of Viglus, Corund's fourth son, in Carcë.
Recedor, King of Goblinland, privily poisoned by Corsus :
Gaslark reigns in his stead in Zajë Zaculo.
Sriva, daughter to Corsus and Zenambria, born in Carcë.
441
THE WORM OUROBOROS
383. Armelline, cousin-german to King Gaslark, after betrothed
and wed to Goldry Bluszco, born in Goblinland.
384. Cargo, youngest ofthe sons of Corund, born in Carcë.
388. Goblinland invaded by the Ghouls : the flight out of Zajë
Zaculo : Tenemos burnt : the power of the Ghouls crushed
by Corsus.
389. Zeldornius, Helteranius, and Jalcanaius Fostus sent by Gaslark
with an armament into Impland, and there ensorcelled.
390. The Witches harry in Goblinland : their defeat by the help of
Demonland on Lormeron field: the slaying of Gorice X.
by Brandoch Daha : Corsus taken captive and shamed by
the Demons : Gro, abandoning the Goblin cause, dwells in
exile at the court of Witchland.
393. La Fireez, besieged by Fax Fay Faz at Lida Nanguna in Outer
Impland, delivered by the Demons : Goldry Bluszco re-
pulsed by Corsus before Harquem .
395. Corund weds in Norvasp with the Princess Prezmyra.
398. The Ghouls burst forth in unimagined ferocity: their harrying
in Demonland and burning of Goldry's house at Drepaby.
399. Holy war of Witchland, Demonland, Goblinland, and other
polite nations against the Ghouls : Laxus, with the counten-
ance of his master Gorice XI. and by the counsel of Gro,
deserts with all his fleet in the battle off Kartadza (eastern
seaboard of Demonland) : the Ghouls nevertheless over-
whelmed by the Demons in Kartadza Sound, and their
whole race exterminated : Gorice XI. demands homage of
Demonland, wrastles with Goldry Bluszco, and is in that
encounter slain. Gorice XII ., renewing with happier
fortune the artificial practices of Gorice VII. in Carcë, takes
Goldry with a sending magical : Juss and Brandoch Daha,
partly straught of their wits, unadvisedly go up with Gaslark
against Carcë and are there clapped up : their delivery by
the agency of La Fireez, and return to their own country :
Juss's dream : the council in Krothering : the first expedi-
tion to Impland. The King's revenge on Pixyland executed
by Corinius, and La Fireez dispossessed and driven into
exile : Corund's great march over Akra Skabranth, sudden
irruption into Outer Impland, and conquest ofthat country :
shipwreck of the Demon fleet : carnage at Salapanta : march
ofthe Demons into Upper Impland : amorous commerce
of Brandoch Daha with the Lady of Ishnain Nemartra, who
lays a weird upon him: Corund besieges and captures
Eshgrar Ogo : Juss and Brandoch Daha escape across the
Moruna and winter by the Bhavinan.
442
ARGUMENT : WITH DATES
400. News of Eshgrar Ogo brought to Carcë : Corund honoured
by the King therefor with the style of king of Impland.
Juss and Brandoch Daha cross the Zia Pass : fight with the
mantichore : ascent of Koshtra Pivrarcha, entrance into
Koshtra Belorn, and entertainment by Queen Sophonisba :
Juss's vision of Goldry bound on Zora : the Queen's further-
ance of their designs : the hippogriff hatched beside the
Lake of Ravary : the fatal folly of Mivarsh : Juss in despite
of the Queen's admonitions assays Zora Rach on foot and
comes within a little of losing his life. Prezmyra Queen of
Impland and Laxus king of Pixyland crowned in Carcë :
the King sends an expedition to put down Demonland,
setting Corsus in chief command thereof : Laxus defeats
Volleby sea off Lookinghaven, and Corsus Vizz by land at
Crossby Outsikes, Vizz slain on the field : cruel anddespite-
ful policy of Corsus : dissensions betwixt him and Gal-
landus : great reversal ofthese disasters by Spitfire, Corsus's
army cut in pieces by him on the Rapes of Brima and the
survivors besieged in Owlswick : discontent of the army :
Corsus with his own hands murthers Gallandus in Owls-
wick : tidings brought by Gro to Carcë : Corsus degraded
by the King, who commissions Corinius as king of Demon-
land to retrieve the matter : battle of Thremnir's Heugh,
with the overthrow of Spitfire's power : Corinius crowned
in Owlswick : arrest of Corsus and his sons and their
despatch home to Witchland.
401. Reduction of eastern Demonland by Corinius, save only
Galing which Bremery holds with seventy men : Corinius
moves west over the Stile : his insolent demands to Mevrian :
miscarriage of Gaslark's expedition to the relief of Krother-
ing, his defeat at Aurwath : masterly retreat of Corinius
from Krothering before superior numbers : his ambushing
and destroying of Spitfire's army on the shores of Switch-
water : fall of Krothering and surrender of Mevrian : her
escape by the counsel of Gro, the help of Corund's sons,
and the connivance of Laxus : her flight to Westmark and
thence east again into Neverdale : Gro abandons the cause
of Witchland for that of Demonland : his and Mevrian's
meeting with Juss and Brandoch Daha on their return
home after two years : revolt of the east and relief
of Galing : masterly dispositions both by Corinius and
by the Demons for a decisive encounter : battle of
Krothering Side and expulsion of the Witches from
Demonland.
443
THE WORM OUROBOROS
402. Second expedition to Impland, in which Gaslark and La
Fireez join the Demons, lands at Muelva on the Didornian
Sea : Juss, Spitfire, Brandoch Daha, Gro, Zigg, and Astar
cross the Moruna : Juss's riding of the hippogriff to Zora
Rach and deliverance of Goldry : Laxus sent by the King
with an overwhelming power of ships to close Melikaphkhaz
Straits against the Demons on their homeward voyage :
battle off Melikaphkhaz : destruction of the Witchland
armada : Laxus and La Fireez slain : a single surviving ship
brings the tidings to Carcë : Corund called captain general
in Carcë : gathering of the Witchland armies and their
subject allies : landing of the Demons in the south : parley
before Carcë : the King's warning to Juss : implacable
enmity between them : signs and prognosticks in the
heavens : the King's desperate resolution if the fight should
go against him : battle before Carcë : slaying of Gro and
Corund: defeat of the King's forces : council of war in
Carcë, Corinius the second time captain general : Corsus,
counselling surrender, falls greatly into the King's dis-
pleasure and is by him shamed and dismissed : in despair
he compasses the taking off of Corinius and the sons of
Corund, and unhappily of his own son too and his duchess,
by poison, but is himself slain by Corinius : blasting of the
IronTower in the miscarriage of the King's last conjuring :
the Demons enter into Carce : their encounter there with
Queen Prezmyra : her tragical end and triumph : in all of
which is completed the fall of the empire and kingdom of
the house of Gorice in Carcë .
403. Queen Sophonisba in Demonland : the marvel of marvels that
restored the world on Lord Juss's natal day, the thirty-third
year of his life in Galing.

444
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE ON THE VERSES

CHAP .

III . The Funeral dirge on King William Dunbar (late 15th

Gorice XI . century) " Lament for the
Makaris : quhen he wes
seik."
" Lampoon on Gro Epigram in memory of
William Parrie, " a capital
traitor," executed for
treason in 1584 : quoted
byHolinshed.
Iv. Prophecy concerning the last
three Kings of the house of ۱
Gorice in Carcë
VII . Song in praise of Prezmyra Thomas Carew (1598-
1639) .
" Corund's Song of the Chine " An Antidote against
،،
Melancholy " (1661).
"
Corsus's Whene'er I bib Anacreonta xxv.; transl .
the wine down " from the Greek, E. R. E.
"
Corsus's other ditties From the " Roxburgh
Ballads "
(
collected
1774) .
Ix. Mivarsh's staves on
panta
Sala- Herrick (1591-1674), "Hes-
perides.
xv. Prezmyra's song of Lovers Donne (1573-1631) .
" Corinius's love ditty : " What 66
an Ass is he " . Merry Drollerie " ( 1691).
‫دو‬ Corinius's song on his Mis-
tress Ibid.
XVI . Laxus's Serenade Anacreonta ii.; transl.
from the Greek, E. R. E.
XVII . March of Corsus's veterans
XXII . Mevrian's ballad of the Old Ballad : " The Three
Ravens Ravens ."

XXIV. Mevrian's quotation on the Robert Greene (1560-92),

asbeston stone. " Alphonsus, King of
Arragon."
xxx. Gro's serenade to Prezmyra . Sir Henry Wotton (1568-
1639), verses to Elizabeth ,
Queen of Bohemia.
XXXI . Prophecy concerning con-
juring
2F2
445
THE WORM OUROBOROS
CHAP .

XXXIII . Lines quoted by Queen Webster ( beginning of

17th century) ; " The
Sophonisba on the fall of
Witchland Duchess of Malfi," Act
V. v.
" Queen Sophonisba's Sonnet Shakespeare, Sonnet xviii.
The text here printed of Wotton's poem is that of " Reliquiae
Wottonianae, " 1st ed., 1651, edited by Izaak Walton ; except that
I read (with the earlier texts) 1. 5 Moone, 1. 8 Passions, 1. 16 Princess,
instead of Sun, Voyces, Mistris of the 1651 edition.
Shakespeare's Sonnet is from the Quarto of 1609.
The passage from Njal's Saga in the Induction is quoted from
the late Sir George Dasent's classic translation.

Printed in Great Britain by R. & R. CLARK, LIMITED, Edinburgh.

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