and received diploma of Ehrenhold from that same learned
fraternity.«
    »You could not derive it from a source more worthy,« answered Toison d'Or,
bowing still lower than he had done before; »and if I presume to confer with you
on the mysteries of our sublime science, in obedience to the orders of the most
gracious Duke, it is not in hopes of giving, but of receiving knowledge.«
    »Go to,« said the Duke, impatiently. »Leave off ceremony, and ask him some
question that may try his skill.«
    »It were injustice to ask a disciple of the worthy College of Arms at
Ratisbon, if he comprehendeth the common terms of blazonry,« said Toison d'Or;
»but I may, without offence, crave of Rouge Sanglier to say if he is instructed
in the more mysterious and secret terms of the science, by which the more
learned do emblematically, and as it were parabolically, express to each other
what is conveyed to others in the ordinary language, taught in the very
accidence as it were of Heraldry?«
    »I understand one sort of blazonry as well as another,« answered Rouge
Sanglier, boldly; »but it may be we have not the same terms in Germany which you
have here in Flanders.«
    »Alas, that you will say so!« replied Toison d'Or; »our noble science, which
is indeed the very banner of nobleness and glory of generosity, being the same
in all Christian countries, nay, known and acknowledged even by the Saracens and
Moors. I would, therefore, pray of you to describe what coat you will after the
celestial fashion, that is, by the planets.«
    »Blazon it yourself as you will,« said Rouge Sanglier; »I will do no such
apish tricks upon commandment, as an ape is made to come aloft.«
    »Show him a coat, and let him blazon it his own way,« said the Duke; »and if
he fails, I promise him that his back shall be gules, azure, and sable.«
    »Here,« said the herald of Burgundy, taking from his pouch a piece of
parchment, »is a scroll, in which certain considerations led me to prick down,
after my own poor fashion, an ancient coat. I will pray my brother, if indeed he
belong to the honourable College of Arms at Ratisbon, to decipher it in fitting
language.«
    Le Glorieux, who seemed to take great pleasure in this discussion, had by
this time bustled himself close