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And he pointed with his hand to the course which the knight had followed. "As for the marks, know that he carried on his shield a broken sword on a field of blood: and, indeed, it seemed to be a fitting emblem."

"Follow him," said Sir Artegall to his page Talus. And the page followed him swift as a swallow flies over a field.

Nor was it long before he overtook the knightSir Sanglier he was called

and bade him

come back with him and answer for his deed. No little scorn did the knight feel to be so commanded, and, setting down the lady whom he carried on his steed, rode at the page Talus with all his force. Full on the body he struck him, but moved him no more than a rock is moved by some stone that is thrown at it. On the other hand, Talus dealt him such a blow that he laid him prostrate on the ground. Ere he could recover himself, Talus had seized him in an iron grip, and forced him to follow him, the lady also, though she would have fled in her fear, following. So they came to Sir Artegall.

"What is this that you have done?" said Sir Artegall.

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Nay," said the knight, "I did it not: I am guiltless of the blood of this dame, and this I will prove on the body of this false squire, if he will meet me hand to hand." Now the squire was not of such prowess as to meet so doughty a knight. Then said Sir Artegall: This is a doubtful cause, which it were not well to try by arbitrament of battle. Will you therefore commit the matter to me, and abide by my judgment and sentence?"

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To this they both consented. Then said Sir Artegall: "Since each of you denies that this lady came by her death through his deed, and each claims the living lady as his own, my judgment is that both the living and the dead shall be equally divided, and each shall have his part both of one and of the other. Also I decree that if either of you two shall reject this my sentence, he shall carry this head as a penance for twelve months, by way of witness that he brought about her death."

Sir Sanglier gladly accepted the doom,

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"He rode at the page Talus with all his force."

but the squire was ill-content, for he really loved the dame who had been reft from him. "Nay," said he, "I would rather by far that she should live, though I lose her."

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'Tis well said, squire!" cried Sir Artegall, "and now I perceive that you are indeed guiltless in this matter. As for you, Sir Knight, who care so little for the living or the dead, take this head and carry it for a twelve months' space, to be a witness of your shame and guilt." Sir Sanglier was ill-content with this sentence, and would have refused to abide by it. Only, when he saw Talus approaching with intent to compel him, he made his submission, for he knew by experience how great was his strength.

Then said the squire: "Oh, sir, you have done me such service as I can never repay. Let me therefore attend you as your squire, and that without fee or favor."

"Not so," Sir Artegall made answer, "I am well content to be as I am. Do you follow your own affairs. As for me, Talus here will be sufficient for my needs."

EDMUND SPENSER. Retold by A. J. CHURCH.

MERCY

THE quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath it is twice
bless'd,

It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes:

'Tis mightiest in the mightiest it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown; His scepter shows the force of temporal power,

The attribute to awe and majesty,

Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptered sway,
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;

And earthly power doth then show likest
God's

When mercy seasons justice.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.

THE HOG FAMILY

IT is a good sign of the times that the crusade against the large and omnipresent

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