"And is it really the wonderful Rose of Hesperus which you seek?" asked
the monarch: "that magic flower hitherto unplucked by mortals? Bring
one to each of my daughters, and I here pledge you my word that you
shall wed one of them, if you can gain her consent!" The knight, full of
gratitude, knelt down to express his thanks. He then told the Emperor
and the listening Edith in what manner he had been led to take the vow
to acquire these precious roses, and to place this emblem upon his
shield. He had been engaged in defence of his native land against the
invader and the oppressor, but his efforts, and those of a small, brave
band of friends, had been wholly in vain: his country was crushed by the
ruthless heel of despotism. On that night when it had been agreed in
assembled council that all resistance was fruitless, and that nothing
now remained for patriots but to seek freedom in exile, after tossing in
troubled slumbers, he had been visited with a calming and inspiring
dream. He saw bending over him a lovely female form, which he knew
instinctively to be that of his Guardian Angel. She was clothed in
white, and a soft light streamed out from her soul. The morning before
the tournament, as he rode along at break of day, he had seen the
Princess Edith bending down to speak encouragement to a poor cripple,
and he had at once recognized the earthly form of which he had then seen
the glorified image. The Angel spoke, and commanded him not to yield to
despair: she had work for him still to do. She said that, with her help,
he should pluck roses from the Gardens of Hesperus, which mortal man had
never yet done. She gave him exact directions how to reach the spot
where the invisible gate was placed, through which alone he could enter
the charmed Paradise. Only at sunrise, upon the repetition of a form of
words, which she gave him, could a brave knight, of unsullied honor and
purity, obtain admittance. And only at sunset could he leave, upon
reciting the same formula. And then telling him that the accomplishment
of this feat would lead to the fulfilment of his destiny, and that a
crown yet awaited him, she had suddenly vanished, leaving a smile upon
the air.

The next day, having bid adieu to his friends at court, the cavalier
departed with his Moorish page. They travelled in a southwesterly
direction, towards the Mediterranean Sea. It is worthy of remark, that
when they had passed away from towns and populous districts, the p