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PRICE OF MANTLE AND HORN. 183
the tent, where now appeared a boy perhaps twelve
years old, with a laughing yet overwise expression upon
his handsome face, and a basket upon his arm. Holding
his gay cap in his hand, he passed quickly
through the
tent until, reaching the head of the table, he knelt beside
the king's chair, and humbly bowed his head. Looking
kindly at him, Arthur said :
4 '
Well, child, what is it
you have
"
there ?
"A mantle and a drinking horn, fair king," replied
the boy.
"
A mantle that will lend beauty and grace
to whoever wears it, so that she remain true and pure,
and a horn from which a brave man may always drink
without refilling, so long as he remains brave. But, O
king, the wonder still remains to be told, for, such are
the magic virtues of mantle and horn, that no woman
who has ever told
a lie, or even acted one, can wear the
mantle ;
and no man who has ever shown himself coward
or traitor can drink from the horn ;
and these rich possessions
are now mine own, and shall belong to her and to
him who can prove their right to possess them, if such
lady and knight can be found in this goodly company."
" And what, that either knight or lady can offer, will
repay you for such rich and curious "
fair son ?
gifts,
asked the king, smiling good-humoredly.
"
A kiss upon my mouth from the lady, and some heJp
against mine enemies from the knight," replied the boy
boldly. At the answer all the ladies smiled and looked
at each other, some angrily, some bashfully, or archly,