art to live speechless a whole year at Arthur's Court, and then suddenly before all the king's household declare that this fellow is the flower of knighthood."

Peredur, still sitting astride the piebald horse, would have smitten Sir Kai then and there; but he held his peace.

"Tall man," he said, "show me to King Arthur, that he may give me the honor of knighthood."

"A fine fellow thou art," answered Sir Kai, “and finely art thou equipped with horse and arms. Ride forth into the meadow outside the castle walls, and there thou wilt find a knight with a golden goblet which he has carried away from the king's table. Take the goblet from him, overthrow him, and possess thyself of his steed and arms; then come back and receive the order of knighthood."

"I will do so, tall man," said Peredur.

So he turned his horse about and rode out to the meadow. And when he came there he saw the knight, riding proudly back and forth, and glorying in his strength.

"The tall man that is at Arthur's Hall," said Peredur, "told me to come and overthrow thee and take thy horse and thy armor for myself."

"Silence!" shouted the knight. "Go back to the Hall and tell the king, from me, that I challenge the bravest of his knights to fight with me."

"Indeed, I will not," answered Peredur calmly.

"I tell thee that, willing or unwilling, thou must give me that goblet and thy horse and thy arms."

Thereupon the knight ran at him furiously and struck him a violent blow between the shoulders, shouting, "Get thee gone, idiot!"

But Peredur stood his ground unafraid. "Ha ha, lad!" he cried, "I am not used to being played with in that way; therefore, I will play thus with

thee!"

And he threw one of his sharp-pointed sticks at the knight with all the force that was in his arm; and it hit the knight in the eye and so dazed him that he fell senseless to the ground.

VI

Now it chanced that about this time Sir Owain of Arthur's Court was riding through the meadow; and hearing an outcry, he saw Peredur dismount from his old horse and begin to drag the fallen knight about upon the ground.

"What are you doing, my lad?" he asked.

"I want this iron coat of his," answered Peredur; "but it is hard to get off. The tall man told me to get it."

Then Sir Owain helped him, and they took off the knight's armor; and Peredur put it on over the ragged coat that he had worn from home. And he took also the shield and the spear of the knight, and

-the golden goblet which the boastful fellow had taken from the king's table.

"Now, indeed, you are well equipped," said Sir Owain. "Here are horse and armor worthy of your valor. Take them joyfully, and come with me to Arthur to receive the order of knighthood; for you surely do merit it."

-Retold from "The Mabinogion" of Lady Charlotte Guest.

OH, young Lochinvar is come out of the west.

Through all the wide Border his steed was the best, And save his good broadsword he weapons had none; He rode all unarmed, and he rode all alone.

So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war,

There never was knight like the young Lochinvar.

He stayed not for brake, and he stopped not for stone,
He swam the Eske River where ford there was none;
But ere he alighted at Netherby gate

The bride had consented, the gallant came late:
For a laggard in love, and a dastard in war

Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar.

So boldly he entered the Netherby Hall,

Among bridesmen and kinsmen and brothers and all: Then spoke the bride's father, his hand on his sword, (For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word), "Oh, come ye in peace here, or come ye in war, Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar?”

"I long wooed your daughter, my suit you denied;
Love swells like the Solway, but ebbs like its tide
And now am I come, with this lost love of mine,
To lead but one measure, drink one cup of wine.
There are maidens in Scotland more lovely by far,
That would gladly be bride to the young Lochinvar.”

The bride kissed the goblet; the knight took it up;
He quaffed off the wine, and he threw down the cup.
She looked down to blush, and she looked up to sigh,
With a smile on her lips and a tear in her eye.
He took her soft hand ere her mother could bar,
"Now tread we a measure!" said young Lochinvar.

So stately his form, and so lovely her face,
That never a hall such a galliard did grace;

While her mother did fret, and her father did fume,
And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume,
And the bridesmaidens whispered, ""Twere better by far
To have matched our fair cousin with young Lochinvar."