ariondas/full_text_dataset · Datasets at Hugging Face

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some indifference to the honour of the country; but it was spoken by
Athelstane, whom he held in such profound respect, that he would not
trust himself to canvass his motives or his foibles. Moreover, he had
no time to make any remark, for Wamba thrust in his word, observing, "It
was better, though scarce easier, to be the best man among a hundred,
than the best man of two."

Athelstane took the observation as a serious compliment; but Cedric,
who better understood the Jester's meaning, darted at him a severe and
menacing look; and lucky it was for Wamba, perhaps, that the time and
place prevented his receiving, notwithstanding his place and service,
more sensible marks of his master's resentment.

The pause in the tournament was still uninterrupted, excepting by
the voices of the heralds exclaiming--"Love of ladies, splintering of
lances! stand forth gallant knights, fair eyes look upon your deeds!"

The music also of the challengers breathed from time to time wild bursts
expressive of triumph or defiance, while the clowns grudged a holiday
which seemed to pass away in inactivity; and old knights and nobles
lamented in whispers the decay of martial spirit, spoke of the triumphs
of their younger days, but agreed that the land did not now supply dames
of such transcendent beauty as had animated the jousts of former times.
Prince John began to talk to his attendants about making ready
the banquet, and the necessity of adjudging the prize to Brian de
Bois-Guilbert, who had, with a single spear, overthrown two knights, and
foiled a third.

At length, as the Saracenic music of the challengers concluded one of
those long and high flourishes with which they had broken the silence of
the lists, it was answered by a solitary trumpet, which breathed a note
of defiance from the northern extremity. All eyes were turned to see
the new champion which these sounds announced, and no sooner were the
barriers opened than he paced into the lists. As far as could be judged
of a man sheathed in armour, the new adventurer did not greatly exceed
the middle size, and seemed to be rather slender than strongly made.
His suit of armour was formed of steel, richly inlaid with gold, and the
device on his shield was a young oak-tree pulled up by the roots, with
the Spanish word Desdichado, signifying Disinherited. He was mounted on
a gallant black horse, and as he passed through the lists he gracefully
saluted the Prince and the ladies by lowering his lance. The dexterity
with which he managed his steed, and something of youthful grace which
he displayed in his manner, won him the favour of the multitude, which
some of the lower classes expressed by calling out, "Touch Ralph de
Vipont's shield--touch the Hospitallers shield; he has the least sure
seat, he is your cheapest bargain."

The champion, moving onward amid these well-meant hints, ascended the
platform by the sloping alley which led to it from the lists, and,
to the astonishment of all present, riding straight up to the central
pavilion, struck with the sharp end of his spear the shield of Brian
de Bois-Guilbert until it rung again. All stood astonished at his
presumption, but none more than the redoubted Knight whom he had thus
defied to mortal combat, and who, little expecting so rude a challenge,
was standing carelessly at the door of the pavilion.

"Have you confessed yourself, brother," said the Templar, "and have you
heard mass this morning, that you peril your life so frankly?"

"I am fitter to meet death than thou art" answered the Disinherited
Knight; for by this name the stranger had recorded himself in the books
of the tourney.

"Then take your place in the lists," said Bois-Guilbert, "and look your
last upon the sun; for this night thou shalt sleep in paradise."

"Gramercy for thy courtesy," replied the Disinherited Knight, "and to
requite it, I advise thee to take a fresh horse and a new lance, for by
my honour you will need both."

Having expressed himself thus confidently, he reined his horse backward
down the slope which he had ascended, and compelled him in the same
manner to move backward through the lists, till he reached the
northern extremity, where he remained stationary, in expectation of his
antagonist. This feat of horsemanship again attracted the applause of
the multitude.

However incensed at his adversary for the precautions which he
recommended, Brian de Bois-Guilbert did not neglect his advice; for
his honour was too nearly concerned, to permit his neglecting any means
which might ensure victory over his presumptuous opponent. He changed
his horse for a proved and fresh one of great strength and spirit. He
chose a new and a tough spear, lest the wood of the former might have
been strained in the previous encounters he had sustained. Lastly,
he laid aside his shield, which had received some little damage, and
received another from his squires. His first had only borne the general
device of his rider, representing two knights riding upon one horse, an
emblem expressive of the original humility and poverty of the Templars,
qualities which they had since exchanged for the arrogance and wealth
that finally occasioned their suppression. Bois-Guilbert's new shield
bore a raven in full flight, holding in its claws a skull, and bearing
the motto, "Gare le Corbeau".

When the two champions stood opposed to each other at the two
extremities of the lists, the public expectation was strained to the
highest pitch. Few augured the possibility that the encounter could
terminate well for the Disinherited Knight, yet his courage and
gallantry secured the general good wishes of the spectators.

The trumpets had no sooner given the signal, than the champions vanished

some indifference to the honour of the country; but it was spoken by

Athelstane, whom he held in such profound respect, that he would not

trust himself to canvass his motives or his foibles. Moreover, he had

no time to make any remark, for Wamba thrust in his word, observing, "It

was better, though scarce easier, to be the best man among a hundred,

than the best man of two."

Athelstane took the observation as a serious compliment; but Cedric,

who better understood the Jester's meaning, darted at him a severe and

menacing look; and lucky it was for Wamba, perhaps, that the time and

place prevented his receiving, notwithstanding his place and service,

more sensible marks of his master's resentment.

The pause in the tournament was still uninterrupted, excepting by

the voices of the heralds exclaiming--"Love of ladies, splintering of

lances! stand forth gallant knights, fair eyes look upon your deeds!"

The music also of the challengers breathed from time to time wild bursts

expressive of triumph or defiance, while the clowns grudged a holiday

which seemed to pass away in inactivity; and old knights and nobles

lamented in whispers the decay of martial spirit, spoke of the triumphs

of their younger days, but agreed that the land did not now supply dames

of such transcendent beauty as had animated the jousts of former times.

Prince John began to talk to his attendants about making ready

the banquet, and the necessity of adjudging the prize to Brian de

Bois-Guilbert, who had, with a single spear, overthrown two knights, and

foiled a third.

At length, as the Saracenic music of the challengers concluded one of

those long and high flourishes with which they had broken the silence of

the lists, it was answered by a solitary trumpet, which breathed a note

of defiance from the northern extremity. All eyes were turned to see

the new champion which these sounds announced, and no sooner were the

barriers opened than he paced into the lists. As far as could be judged

of a man sheathed in armour, the new adventurer did not greatly exceed

the middle size, and seemed to be rather slender than strongly made.

His suit of armour was formed of steel, richly inlaid with gold, and the

device on his shield was a young oak-tree pulled up by the roots, with

the Spanish word Desdichado, signifying Disinherited. He was mounted on

a gallant black horse, and as he passed through the lists he gracefully

saluted the Prince and the ladies by lowering his lance. The dexterity

with which he managed his steed, and something of youthful grace which

he displayed in his manner, won him the favour of the multitude, which

some of the lower classes expressed by calling out, "Touch Ralph de

Vipont's shield--touch the Hospitallers shield; he has the least sure

seat, he is your cheapest bargain."

The champion, moving onward amid these well-meant hints, ascended the

platform by the sloping alley which led to it from the lists, and,

to the astonishment of all present, riding straight up to the central

pavilion, struck with the sharp end of his spear the shield of Brian

de Bois-Guilbert until it rung again. All stood astonished at his

presumption, but none more than the redoubted Knight whom he had thus

defied to mortal combat, and who, little expecting so rude a challenge,

was standing carelessly at the door of the pavilion.

"Have you confessed yourself, brother," said the Templar, "and have you

heard mass this morning, that you peril your life so frankly?"

"I am fitter to meet death than thou art" answered the Disinherited

Knight; for by this name the stranger had recorded himself in the books

of the tourney.

"Then take your place in the lists," said Bois-Guilbert, "and look your

last upon the sun; for this night thou shalt sleep in paradise."

"Gramercy for thy courtesy," replied the Disinherited Knight, "and to

requite it, I advise thee to take a fresh horse and a new lance, for by

my honour you will need both."

Having expressed himself thus confidently, he reined his horse backward

down the slope which he had ascended, and compelled him in the same

manner to move backward through the lists, till he reached the

northern extremity, where he remained stationary, in expectation of his

antagonist. This feat of horsemanship again attracted the applause of

the multitude.

However incensed at his adversary for the precautions which he

recommended, Brian de Bois-Guilbert did not neglect his advice; for

his honour was too nearly concerned, to permit his neglecting any means

which might ensure victory over his presumptuous opponent. He changed

his horse for a proved and fresh one of great strength and spirit. He

chose a new and a tough spear, lest the wood of the former might have

been strained in the previous encounters he had sustained. Lastly,

he laid aside his shield, which had received some little damage, and

received another from his squires. His first had only borne the general

device of his rider, representing two knights riding upon one horse, an

emblem expressive of the original humility and poverty of the Templars,

qualities which they had since exchanged for the arrogance and wealth

that finally occasioned their suppression. Bois-Guilbert's new shield

bore a raven in full flight, holding in its claws a skull, and bearing

the motto, "Gare le Corbeau".

When the two champions stood opposed to each other at the two

extremities of the lists, the public expectation was strained to the

highest pitch. Few augured the possibility that the encounter could

terminate well for the Disinherited Knight, yet his courage and

gallantry secured the general good wishes of the spectators.

The trumpets had no sooner given the signal, than the champions vanished