Argosy (UK), January 1955 — page 49: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

r? “—" = THE STAR IN THE EAST The High King was aware of a strange new One, 7 | mightier than he 4 by ELIZABETH MYERS = N this. glittering starry night most of the known world © belongs to the Romans. One of the exceptions is a wild island lying like a great green fern in the Atlantic Ocean. The — Roman Eagle is not flying there because the conqueror of Britain _ never received the extra legion that would have enabled him to — cross the sea and subdue Ireland. And now on this first Christmas night—though as yet the word — “Christmas ”’ is unknown, both to the Romans and the uncon- quered Gael—the High King of Ireland sits at a feast, tn by feelings of fear and dismay. He stares round the banqueting-hall, from the furs on the floor to the oak shingles of the roof inlaid with gold—all one tawny — livingness up there with reflections from the fires, and the lamps, — and the candles. | Long shutters, masking the snowy wastes outside, are drawn :: over the real glass windows. Golden trumpets and tall harps, shining grey spears, and silver _ crooks lean against the walls that are solid slabs of oak, riveted — together with copper, and on which are painted stars and wolves _ and hazel trees. 3 The guests themselves are a colourful crew. The King’s wife _ is wearing a gay emerald dress, stitched all over with black and white devices, and her ladies seem to have plundered the rain- | bow itself for their brilliant clothes. The King’s comely young — sons sit in cloaks of shining purple with fringes of silver, worn _ loosely over white satin tunics; while the warriors, bards, and chariot-drivers are magnificent in crimson and blue tunics, or — coats of deerskin with clasps of red gold, and they have sandals — of white bronze on their feet. The board itself groans under mountains of roast meats, fruits, pasties, confectionery, tall cups of mead, and drinking-horns of red ale. 4 . It is a scene of great brilliancy and joviality, but the King turns _ from it with an uneasy frown. Last night his wife dreamt a — dream that troubles and offends him. In her dream she saw ERA POR We ane) a, Pe) age TE sane a) Se amen: Aa 5 ‘ comiclooolks, com