The King Orgulous 261

through the water, and beyond, andso reached
the strait doorways of their earth-bound
stronghold, the Hring.

Now, seeing that the King of Sarras
had left neither child nor brother to heir-
ship, and that their deliverer was a stalwart
champion, young and nobly statured, and
handsome and gracious as he was valiant,
frank too and open-handed, and that more-
over he seemed a man skilled in the mastery
of men and in affairs of rule, the fighting
men of Sarras thought that no better fortune
could befall them than they should choose
this Talisso for their king. To Sarras there-
fore they carried him with them on their
merry home-going, and having entered the
free town, called the Council of Elders to
say yea or nay. With few words the
Elders confirmed the choice, and the joy-
bells were rung, and great was the rejoicing -
of all men, gentle and simple, that God had
sent them so goodly a man for their ruler
and bulwark.

In a week from that the city was dight
and decked for the crowning of Talisso.
Garlands were hung across the streets ;
windows and walls were graced with green