Here are ten short stories, written around the works of ten poets, plus two poems and a lengthy introduction by Cabell. Of note is "Balthazar's Daughter," which became the basis for James Branch Cabell's only published play, The Jewel Merchants. Although their relationship to Poictesme is tenuous at best, Cabell stated that his more mainstream historical works, such as these, were not to be distinguished from the fantasies and so placed this volume is officially part of the chronology of his imaginary Poictesme.