Within the chain, again, was the silver Serpent, coiled as before and resting upon a surface of foliage and flowers.

In the centre of all was repeated the silver Star within the golden band; the emblem from which the Order derives its name, and in which it embodies its deepest symbolism.

Following again the direction of my unseen prompter, I repeated words which may be roughly translated as follows:-- "By the outer Night of gloom, By the ray that leads us home, By the Light we claim to share, By the Fount of Light, we swear.
Prompt obedience, heart and hand, To the Signet's each command: For the Symbols, reverence mute, In the Sense faith absolute.
Link by link to weld the Chain, Link with link to bear the strain; Cherish all the Star who wear, As the Starlight's self--we swear.
By the Life the Light to prove, In the Circle's bound to move; Underneath the all-seeing Eye Act, nor speak, nor think the lie; Live, as warned that Life shall last, And the Future reap the Past: Clasp in faith the Serpent's rings, Trust through death the Emerald Wings, Hand and voice we plight the Oath: Fade the life ere fail the troth!" Rising from his seat and standing immediately before and to the left of the Throne, Esmo replied.

But before he had spoken half-a-dozen words, a pressure on my arm drew my eyes from him to Eveena.

She stood fixed as if turned to stone, in an attitude which for one fleeting instant recalled that of the sculptured figures undergoing sudden petrifaction at the sight of the Gorgon's head.