I.

THE ADVENTURER SETS OUT.

What was it Sigismond and Ladisläus said?

I know not if the rock, or tree o'erhead, Had heard their speech;--but when the two spoke low, Among the trees, a shudder seemed to go Through all their branches, just as if that way A beast had passed to trouble and dismay. More dark the shadow of the rock was seen, And then a morsel of the shade, between The sombre trees, took shape as it would seem Like spectre walking in the sunset's gleam.

It is not monster rising from its lair, Nor phantom of the foliage and the air, It is not morsel of the granite's shade That walks in deepest hollows of the glade. 'Tis not a vampire nor a spectre pale But living man in rugged coat of mail. It is Alsatia's noble Chevalier, Eviradnus the brave, that now is here.

The men who spoke he recognized the while He rested in the thicket; words of guile Most horrible were theirs as they passed on, And to the ears of Eviradnus one-- One word had come which roused him. Well he knew The land which lately he had journeyed through.

He down the valley went into the inn Where he had left his horse and page, Gasclin. The horse had wanted drink, and lost a shoe; And now, "Be quick!" he said, "with what you do, For business calls me, I must not delay." He strides the saddle and he rides away.