The Game Knut Platted

I A page who seemed of low degre, And bore the name of Knut, wbb he ; The high-boruPriacCBS Hilga Bhe. And that tho youth had scrvcd her long, Itcing quick at errandB, Rkilled in song, To jeet with hiin she thought no wroüg. And so it chanced one suinmer day, At chess, to while the time away, The pago and Princees sat at play, At length rfic said, " To play for naught la only eport to labor brought, So let a wager guerdon thought." He answcred, " Lady. naught have I Whose worth might tempt a Princesa liigh Her uttermost of skül to try." ( And yet this ruby ring," phe said, w l'll risk against the bonnet red Witli gnow-white plunie that crowns ihy head. " And ehould I win, do not forget, Or Bhould I lose, whíchever yet, Vil take my due, or pay my debt." And po they played, as sank the min ; But when the game they played web done The page's cap the princesa won. " My diamond necklaec," then ghe cried, l'll match against thy greatest pride, The brand held pendent at tliy Bidé." " Not eo," he eaid ; " that tcmpered glaive, Borne oft by noble hands and bravo, To me my dyiiig father gavc. " Fit only for a true inan's touch, I hold it dear aud prize it much- No diamond necklacc matee with sueli, II But, though my father's ghost be wroth, I'Jl riak the weapon, nothing loth, AgainBt thy love and virgin troth." Reddened her cheelis at this in iré, Thís daughtcr of a royal Bire, And flashed those eyes of hers Hke flre. " Thy words, bold youth, shall work thee ill ; Thou canst not win against my skill, But I can punish at my wül. " Begin Ihe game ; that hilt so fine Shall nevermore kies hand of thine, Nor thou again be page of mine I " Answered the page : l( Do not forget, Or win or lose, whichever yet, l'll take my due, or pay my debt. " And Iet this truth the end record : I rif k to-day my father's sword To be no more thy page, but lord." Down eat the pair to play once more, Hope in his bosom briinniing o'er, And hers with pride and anger eore. From square to square the bishops crept, The agile knights eccentric. leapt, The castles onward etately Bwept. Pawns feil in combat one by one ; Knights, rooks, and bishops oould not shun Their fate bcfore that game was done. Well fought the battie waa, I ween, Untü two castles and a queen Guarding the kings alone were se " Check ! " cried tho Prince all c]ato ■ " Check ! " cried the pa?-, aud eealed tnc fate Of her beleaguered ki with- "mate!" The Princesa smÜêd. and said: "I lose, Nor can I well to r;'ay refuse- From my poesePi.ibiis piek and choose. "Or diarü'jDas bright, or cbeeta of gold, Or Btru'g8 of pcarla of worth untold, 'j may be thine to have and hold ; " Or costly robes to feed thy pride, Or coursers such as monarchs rule, Or castles tall, or inanors wide - " Any or all of such be thine ; But, save he spring from royal line, No husband ever can be mine." " Nor jewels rich, nor lands in fee, Steeds, robes, nor castles, pleasuro me ; TÜy love and troth be mine," eaidhe. " Nor ehalt thou lack of state and pride Wb.ec seated crowned thy lord beside, As Kunt the King of Denmark's bride ! " Ring marriage bells from Bun to gun, And teil the gossips, as they run, How Sweden's Princess has been won." - A'pplétonf1 Joiifuül fitr Xoveinbcr.