THE HORSE OF BRASS 227 



the flat part of it over the wound. This mirror 

 and the ring are for your daughter, fair Canace. 

 In the mirror she can see everything that is going 

 on in your kingdom, and can even read the 

 thoughts of her lover. And while wearing the 

 ring she will understand the language of all the 

 birds, and be able to answer them in their own 

 manner of speaking." 



Then the knight, having delivered his message, 

 turned his steed around and rode out into the 

 courtyard. Having dismounted, he was con- 

 ducted, by the king's command, back into the 

 banquet-hall, where a place was made for him at 

 the feast. But the horse of brass stood in its place 

 immovable, the center of a gaping, wondering 

 crowd. It was as tall and well-proportioned as 

 the famous steeds of Lombardy, and as handsome 

 and light of limb as the finest horses of Polish 

 breed. Some said that it was such a steed as the 

 fairies ride; others that it was Pegasus, the 

 winged steed of Grecian story; still others de- 

 clared that it looked like the great horse which 

 Epeus contrived for the destruction of the Trojan 

 people; and they feared that armed men might 

 somehow be hidden within it. But the greater 

 number were agreed that it was the skilful work 



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