th are thoroughly regal and formidable. Licurge is
black-bearded, for the sake of more savage effect; wherefore the monarch
of Inde, contrariwise to the actual distribution of races over the earth,
or more properly speaking to the known influence of climate, is fair. His
crisp and ringed locks are yellow, and glitter like the sun. His
complexion may trouble the physiologists; but is not likely to discompose
the poetical reader under the tuition of Christopher North. The "foure
white bolles" that draw the 'char of gold' upon which the Thracian
_stands_, are as antique as you can devise. The tamed eagle as any lily
white, which Emetrius carries "for his deduit"--therefore, in lieu of a
hawk upon his hand, is of manners that are almost our own.

Each king brings his own hundred knights. They arrive "on the Sonday
abouten prime." The tilting will be next day. The three persons
principally interested in the issue of the impending combat perform, in
the interval, their devotions at the three several shrines, which have
been aptly provided for them in the building of the lists. Each of them
obtains an answer from the respective deity. Two hours ere the day,
Palamon visits the oratory of Venus. He prays that he may win Emelie,
although he should lose what comparatively he regards with indifference,
the palm of the conflict. The statue of the goddess renders, after a long
delay, the signal of acceptance. Emelie, at sunrise, worships Diana. Her
first prayer is, that she may remain till death the virgin servant,
herself a huntress, of the divine huntress; and if that may not be, that
he may win her who best loves her. Upon the altar she kindles two fires,
which burn ominously. One goes out and revives again. Then the other is
wholly quenched--drops of blood falling out from the hissing and burning
brands. All this the process of the combat and its consequences afterwards
elucidate; as the appearing goddess forewarns her chaste worshipper. The
'nexte hour of Marte'--whereof anon--Arcite offers prayer and incense to
the God of War. He is accepted, and victory promised; but the oracular
voice murmurs the words faintly and hollowly.

All this intricate omination comes forcibly out in the sequence of events;
and is in itself, as you feel, at all events right classical. The
treatment of the Hours lies deeper. It is astrological. For the twelve now
longer and now shorter hours, into which the time from sunrise to
sunset--and the twelve n