Senta Taketh EarthloveAAND when that Senta had taken Earthlove unto herself, and had passed, the evening was come, and there were stars a-many in the depths of Pool. Therewith, looking upon them, a great peace came upon Flame, and being weary, he laid himself down that he might sleep and be refreshed. And as he slept, he dreamed of that woman whose form was radiance, and whose eyes were stars. And Dreams and Awakeninghis fingers stirred, and sought to fashion out of the earth her form of beauty; but all crumbled under his touch, and he might not.

When the morning was come, and upon all things lay new freshness as of the world's beginning, the youth Flame arose and stripped him, and plunged his body in the Pool that sleep might be shaken from him. Whereafter he got him to the castle, and when that he had stayed his hunger with bread and new milk, asked that he might have speech with his troth-plight, the Princess Roseheart. Then a serving-man led him through many halls to a The Queen and her Womengreat room wherein with their women sat Roseheart and the Queen her mother.

And there, in seemly raiment of soft colours, crimson, and the brown of old wood, and fresh green, the women sat before their looms, and their frames wherein rich broidery grew under their white fingers. And over all was sunlight, a flickering whereof was made by blown vines without the casements, which were open to the morn. There was the whisper of silk, and much babble of talk, after the fashion of women working. Shuttles flew in the looms, and white arms wondrous fair in motion drew forth Beauty Added unto Beautylong silken threads, being wrought into fine stuffs, to the end that beauty might be added unto beauty.

Queen Ellaline sat very still in the midst of these her women. Of delicate fashion she was, and gentle. Her eyes were widely set, and blue, and mother-sweet, and her hair was silvering with the caress of the years. And she was sad in the midst of sunshine, forasmuch as she was troubled at the mien of the maid, her daughter, who sat with drooping head and still hands. And in good sooth, the heart of the Princess was heavy within her, and no little in fear. Nightlong had she Roseheart is Troubledseen the vision of Flame, in whose eyes like the sea lay her white body floating. Never before since he had loved her had she seen aught but her soul's self therein, and she was troubled.

And now Flame, son of Lokus, lord of that far isle of sea-surge and fire-bloom, entered in courtly wise this room of work and idleness, of gayety and gossip, and of love perplexed. In reverent greeting did he kiss the hand of Queen Ellaline; then turning him to the Princess Roseheart, he took both of her white hands in his, seeking to look into her eyes. And soon, for her love of him she Roseheart is Troubledmight not refrain, and bravely gave them to his seeing. And for that she was shamefast, in the way of a maid, she looked as one that saw not. But in the eyes of Roseheart, he who loved her saw as he was wont only the image and seeming of himself. And he was sorrowful therewith, forasmuch as he had thought mayhap to find in the eyes of his love the twin stars of the woman of his dream. But the thing was not. And remembering the Radiant One, and the things that she had said, he knew that, will-he, nill-he, he must fare forth in quest of that woman whose form was radiance, and whose eyes were stars—her from Mother of Menwhom he should fashion his Mother of Men.

Then spake Ellaline, the Queen, with quiet voice, saying, "What wouldst thou, Flame, son of Lokus? My daughter Roseheart hath seeming of some ill-hap with which thou hast to do."

Therewith did Flame drop the hands of Roseheart his love, and standing before the Queen her mother, he spake on this wise: "I know not what this thing may be, but somewhat hath been laid upon my will, so that choice it hath none. Wherefore, though thy daughter Roseheart is as the blood of Flame Speaketh Plainlymy heart to me, and fain would I take her to wife straightway, yet first must I go across the sea, and through all the earth, until I find a certain woman whose form is radiance and whose eyes are stars, that I may fashion of her in pure marble a Mother of Men that shall fulfill the dream of my soul. Not of my willing is this thing laid upon me. But the Lord God when I was born put into my soul the vision, and into my hands the cunning to fashion the shape of my vision. Therefore must I go, and abide the will of the Lord God lest He destroy me. Whether I shall return I know not, for many will be the perils of the way, The Pain of Roseheartbut in my heart meseems I know that I shall return and take to wife the maid Roseheart, whom in all honour I love and cherish."

Hearing these words at the last, Roseheart found somewhat of courage beyond that she had had, and looked into the eyes of Flame. Therein was no longer her own white body, as she had feared to see, but the noble form of a woman whose white silken draperies flowed and clung, whose form was radiance, and whose eyes were stars. With her were little children. And Roseheart, gazing, beheld the form of radiance, and the faces of the A White Stillnesschildren, as somewhat known, and not known, and in her heart was a white stillness, and no anger that Flame would leave her to seek this woman, but only the pain of longing, and a meekness like that of Mary, the Blessed Mother.

Flame, pitiful of the still sorrow of Roseheart, clasped her to his breast, and kissed her thrice upon the forehead. But the Lure of the Way of Life was upon him, and turning strongly from the maid and the Queen, her mother, he said: "Good greeting must I give you, from the heart, and long farewell, for that I must be about the Flame, His Farewellbusiness the Lord God hath set me. But ere I go, I would see Telwyn, and speak with him of that I have to do."