Pilgrim  and  the  Knight  were  sitting  opposite  each
other  at  the  vast  stone  table,  whereon  many  tapers  were
burning ;  and  a  rare  sight  it  was  to  behold  those  two
tall  pale  Figures  move  and  eat  and  drink  in  the  midst
of  the  huge  motionless  Suits  of  Armour."

SiMTBAM  AND  HIS  COMPANIONS.
The  object  which  detained  my  attention  longest,
and  on  which  I  dwelt  with  the  most  unmixed
satisfaction,  was  the  magnificent  Shield  attributed
to  Benvenuto  Cellini,  and  justly,  as  I  am  con-
vinced, from  th6  infinite  superiority  of  its  grayures
over  similar  productions  in  this  sanguinary  Mu^
seum.  It  is  reputed  to  have  belonged  to  Diana
of  Poictiers ;  at  any  rate  it  has  her  beloved  device,
the  Crescent  of  her  celestial  namesake.
'*  Oh  !  goodly  usage  of  those  antique  times,
In  which  the  Sword  was  servant  unto  Right,
When  not  for  malice  or  contentious  crimes.
But  all  for  praise  and  proof  of  manly  might,
The  Martial  Brood  accustomed  to  fight ;
Then  Honor  was  the  meed  of  Victory,
And  yet  the  vanquished  had  no  despight :
Let  later  age  that  noble  use  envy.
Vile  rancour  to,  avoid,  and  cruel  surquedry.*'

Fairy  Que£n«

It  may  well  be  supposed  that  a  royal  picture
gallery  is  not  wanting  to  the  magnificence  which'
adorns  the  palace  of  Turin.  It  is  situated  in  that
fine  old  castle,  the  Palazzo  M adama,  whose  broad
machicolated  towers  remain  to  chronicle  its  va-
nished grandeur.  It  is  a  splendid  spectacle,  not
more  remarkable  for  the  gems  which  it  contains


THE  SUPERGA,  167

than  for  the  general  excellence  of  the  collection.
