Argosy (UK), January 1955 — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

Pee Pde fe a ee ee a es eee ELIZABETH MYERS three kings, and upon her asking them whither they were going, ___ She had marvelled at their reply. “We are three great kings, going to pay our homage to the greatest King.”’ The High King of Ireland, who is inclined to believe in dreams, does not relish intelligence of this sort. He is depressed at the thought of one rising who will be greater than himself. anh Finally he rises from his seat and, going to the bottom of the table where his druid is sitting, the tall, light-haired King speaks to him. “ Conal, I am afraid this night.” The druid’s eyes are like blue frosty flowers in his beautiful old face, and they shine now with compassionate amusement. “That’s a pity for you,” replies the druid. “ You might ask yourself if you have the right to be dismal when you have so much . at hand to give you glee.” “True for you, little wise one,” says his lord. “A king I am with sons to follow after me. I have the finest warriors in the land, and a palace full of all the choice things in the world. Every- thing is assured to my family for a thousand years. No man could be greater, yet this Celtic heart of mine is heavy. I feel threatened. I am aware of the presence of a strange new One, who is mightier than I am, who turns and says: ‘To possess is not to own.’ Come, Conal, let us look about my halls to be sure that no savagery lurks in any place.” _~uary Ge Ve oe ee Ee w FEL i lane They go through forty or fifty of the two hundred rooms of the 3 palace, beginning with the treasury where the gold runs out like ____ fire from the mouths of the leather bags, and finally reaching the druid’s tower with its delicate bronze instruments and gauges - _ for experimenting with stars and rocks and water. The King throws himself into a seat beside the glowing | brazier, and he stares moodily at its flying saffron flames. ne ‘‘ Look at the stars, honest man,” he says, “‘ and tell me what ; you see.” Conal goes to his telescope. He is a long time spying out the stellar spaces. At last he turns to the King, saying, “* There’s a new star to- 5 night, and under its benign and brilliant beam, across the sea, in the East, in the land of the Jews, the King of the World was born a few hours ago.” > ‘“ T knew it, I knew it,” cries the High King of Ireland, start- ing to his feet, apprehension in his proud, ruddy face. ‘ What did the woman dream only last night, and now this news coming to me! Oh, I’m beside myself. What will he do to me? What comiclooks.comn