earer.

"Restrain him!" hastily exclaimed the broadminded Sovereign. "Give the
venerable necromancer clearly to understand that we have worshipped
them enough for one day. Doubtless the accommodating soothsayer has
discovered some rare jewel which he is loyally bringing to embellish
our crown."

"There are rarer jewels than those which can be pasted in a crown,
Supreme Head," said the stranger, entering unperceived behind the
attending slave. He bore the external signs of an infirm magician,
while his face was hidden in a cloth to mark the imposition of a
solemn vow. "With what apter simile," he continued, "can this person
describe an imperishable set of verses which he heard this morning
falling from the lips of a wandering musician like a seven-roped cable
of pearls pouring into a silver bucket? The striking and original
title was 'Concerning Spring,' and although the snow lay deep at the
time several bystanders agreed that an azalea bush within hearing came
into blossom at the eighty-seventh verse."

"We have heard of the poem to which you refer with so just a sense of
balance," said the impartial Monarch encouragingly. (Though not to
create a two-sided impression it may be freely stated that he himself
was the author of the inspired composition.) "Which part, in your
mature judgment, reflected the highest genius and maintained the most
perfectly-matched analogy?"

"It is aptly said: 'When it is dark the sun no longer shines, but who
shall forget the colours of the rainbow?'" replied the astrologer
evasively. "How is it possible to suspend topaz in one cup of the
balance and weigh it against amethyst in the other; or who in a single
language can compare the tranquillizing grace of a maiden with the
invigorating pleasure of witnessing a well-contested rat-fight?"

"Your insight is clear and unbiased," said the gracious Sovereign.
"But however entrancing it is to wander unchecked through a garden of
bright images, are we not enticing your mind from another subject of
almost equal importance?"

"There is yet another detail, it is true," admitted the sage, "but
regarding its comparative importance a thoroughly loyal subject may be
permitted to amend the remark of a certain wise Emperor of a former
dynasty: 'Any person in the City can discover a score of gold mines if
necessary, but One only could possibly have written "Concerning
Spring."'"

"The arts may indeed be regarded as lost," acquiesced the magnanimous