The Argument: A Youth goes out to meet the broader experiences

of a less sheltered life than the one he has known, he is

offered advice and help of three different kinds. The first

is spiritual advice, the second is love and faith, and the

third is the warning and the counsel of experience.

The story:

Bright shone the summer sun on Malot's walls

And rounded towers, that lifted from the trees,

And pile on stony pile, pointed to heaven.

Red gleamed the roofs, and gold the windows

Where the. sunlight caught the glass. All gray

The great cathedral stood amidst the pile

Of Castle Malot. Gray to the highest point

Its slender bell-tower stood among the shafts

of windowed stone about. Before the church

The wind snapped scarlet pennons o'er the yard,

Where glinted sun on countless spears and shields.

Flaring, the horns sang out their silver cry.

The youngest knight of all went forth that day.

The knights in armor, rank on double rank

Sat motionless, and watched the church's door

From which the youngest knight would issue forth.

Within the dim cathedral where the sun

Fused softly into colors, knelt the youth

Before the altar, Where he bowed, a ray

Of light struck o'er his face so that it shone

Like a young saint's.

Blessing being given

The young knight moved sway. There came to him

Where light streamed down from gorgeous windows

Behind a massy pillar, near the door,

An old man, called the sage, who spoke to him

And drew him back. The young knight, courteous,

And knowing the wisdom of this aged man,

Gave careful heed and heard these earnest words,

"Eager and young thou art, but the long years

Will whiten that golden head and bend that back,

And will wither those ruddy cheeks of thine.

Great fighter thou mayst become, yet one day

That strong young arm will lift no more a sword,

And the hard years take from thee what thou hast

Leaving thee empty-handed, gray, alone--

But if thy blazoned shield still learn as now

And thy life shine like that glittering steel,

And if men still count on thy promised word

That never has failed them yet, then if wealth

And lands and youth and power--all these, are gone,

What matter all, if honor still remains?

Gold is illusion, power all is vain.

Virtue and honor count at last. Naught else."

And the young knight, heeding all, knelt down

To receive the old man's gentle blessing.

And the long dim shaft of light fell softly

Over his golden head and fair young face.

Rising, he moved from the transept's holy hush

To the door, and the organ's heavy roll

Shook all the place-- whirled glorious clouds

Of sound to the high-arched roof.

These broke

And poured down in a silver flood. The boy

Stood forth and it seamed as though the sound

Had born him outward, it seemed that he stood

In the sun, thence ushered by a burst

Of music, even as swimmers are born

To high and distant shores. And then he saw

Across the fragrant garden on a bench

A young and lovely maiden whom he knew

And half had hoped to see before he went.

She waited, bright as any garden flower.

All downcast eyes and proper modesty

She watched him cross the garden. As he came

She rose, and shyly met him. All around

The low wind in the trees set countless leaves

A-whisper, and the murmurous music

Of the fountains filled all the air about.

He stood before her and the maiden spoke

Saying farewell, wishing him all success,

And thus, the gentle lady said to him,

Mine are poor words to speed a parting knight

To bless him or give strength unto his heart,

But these are the simple words I give you:

This is success using the talents you had from God

With utmost skill, and all your days.

Only in failing this you fail."

The young knight bowed his golden head,

Half-understanding-half inspired. And then

She proffered him a colored scarf to wear

Upon his arm, as symbol of her love.

The young knight pressed to his lips the scarf,

And tying the bit on his arm, he said,

Thinking on thee, and on my world-wide quest

I made from my heart this song," and he sang,

Whate'er I do, whenever I may go

Abroad, or yet at home abide,

All safe and sure I am. I have

My unseen Lady by my side.

She makes me gladly see the world,

Holds me to do high honor's part,

Be gentle, brave, and strong as she,

The lady deep within my heart

A moment he held her hand and looked deep

In her eyes, and then turned, and bore away

The memory of her tremulous brave smile.

Impatient the knights in the courtyard grew

And the horses stamped, and the hoofs rang out,

And all eyes were turned to the postern door.

Presently there the tall young knight appeared.

All down the line a long low murmur grew

And the bright swords flashed up in quick salute.

The knights in shining armor, stern lips set

Behind their helmets, thought of their brave youth,

And envied the boy his quest in the world.

Last of the line, the oldest knight drew up

By the young knight's side, dropped his iron helm,

And thus the grim knight spoke,

"With thee, my son

Go forth our hopes and prayers to keep thee safe.

I give thee more. I give thee my keen-edged sword,

That has swung in many a battle now.

No more the bloody fields will know my shout.

My life is lived and done. It is for thee

To carry on the fight. Take from my hand

The hilt, and never draw, but for the right.

Thine the young strength to wield again this blade,

Thine the strong heart to bear against the foe.

I give thee a motto. Blazon it bright,

My son, 'Fight the good fight and keep the faith."

Twas said in days long gone and still is strong.

Go now, my son, and bear this still in mind,

Fight the good fight and ever keep the faith."

And then the youth held high the shining sword,

And a great cry broke out from many throats.

Now the time was come, He turned to the gate.

The iron clanged loud on the ringing stone,

The ports swung open to the summer day.

Trumpets flared, and the crimson banners waved.,Beyond, Youth saw the long road stretch away.