The King Orgulous 273

he rode at their head and they all hurled
through the gates, and, clattering up the
empty street, carried the castle out of hand?

Not a blow was struck, no drop of blood
reddened iron or stone; and such divinity
doth hedge even a wicked king dethroned
that when the guards saw the tyrant once
more ascending the steps of power they
lowered their points and stood at a loss how
to act. But Talisso, with some touch of his
pristine graciousness, bade no man flee or
fear who was willing to return to his alle-
giance. “First, however, of all things, bring
me hither the Archbishop; bring with ropes
and horses if need be; but see that not a

hair of his head be injured.”

Now on this same night that these Hun-
nish folk were pressing forward to Sarras city
Desiderius saw in a dream Talisso standing
before the throne of God. On his head he
wore his crown, but otherwise he was but
such as he stood for sentence on the Mound
of Coronation, to wit, with a rope around his
neck, and naked save for the fold of sack-
cloth about his loins.

Beside him stood an Angel, and the Angel

18