t in ivory; her cheeks,
like the carnation of the rose, gently illuminated her face and
were tempered by the transparent whiteness of her veil. Her chin,
more polished than crystal, showed silver reflections, and her
slender neck fitly separated her head from the shoulders. The
firm rotundity of her breasts attested the full expansion of
youth; her charming arms, advancing toward you, seemed to call
for caresses; the regular curve of her flanks, justly
proportioned, completed her beauty. All the visible traits of her
face and form thus sufficiently told what those charms must be
that the bed alone knew." (The Latin text is given by Houdoy, _La
Beaute des Femmes du XIIe au XVIe Siecle_, p. 119. Robert de
Flagy's portrait of Blanchefleur in _Sarin-le-Loherain_, written
in same century, reveals very similar traits.)

"The young woman appeared with twenty brightly polished daggers
and swords," we read in the Irish _Tain Bo Cuailgne_ of the
Badhbh or Banshee who appeared to Meidhbh, "together with seven
braids for the dead, of bright gold, in her right hand; a
speckled garment of green ground, fastened by a bodkin at the
breast under her fair, ruddy countenance, enveloped her form; her
teeth were so new and bright that they appeared like pearls
artistically set in her gums; like the ripe berry of the mountain
ash were her lips; sweeter was her voice than the notes of the
gentle harp-strings when touched by the most skillful fingers,
and emitting the most enchanting melody; whiter than the snow of
one night was her skin, and beautiful to behold were her
garments, which reached to her well molded, bright-nailed feet;
copious tresses of her tendriled, glossy, golden hair hung
before, while others dangled behind and reached the calf of her
leg." (_Ossianio Transactions_, vol. ii, p. 107.)

An ancient Irish hero is thus described: "They saw a great hero
approaching them; fairest of the heroes of the world; larger and
taller than any man; bluer than ice his eye; redder than the
fresh rowan berries his lips; whiter than showers of pearl his
teeth; fairer than the snow of one night his skin; a protecting
shield with a golden border was upon him, two battle-lances in
his hands; a sword with knobs of ivory [teeth of the sea-horse],
and ornamented with gold, at his side; he had no other