The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-12-25

proachlhS party OF the gentry. ne country lO
miles around was alive with men, women, anC
even children, of all ranks and ages, pouring to-
ward the centre of the plain, where the gay pen
mons Of the various knights, and the proud banner
of England floating in the breeze, marked the spo,
of the approaching contest. Opposite the centre Of
the lists was erected a rich gallery, in which the
queen of the day, Blanche, was to sit, and bcstow
a chapet upon the successful knight. Around her
were seats for the ladies of the court, and not far
off was placed throne for the usurper. The rest
of the lists was arranged much in the same manner
as those at Ashby de la Couch, so graphically de-
scribed in Ivunhoc.
1t was some hours after the plain had become
crowded with spectators, before the principal par
ties in the ensuing display took their station but
at length Blanche appeared, and assumed her
throne, lat which, shout from the assembled thou
sands rent the skies. She was pale, and yet sur
passingIy beautiful for the very melancholy of her
look added to her loneliness. Every eye was turn
ed instantly toward her, and the deepest interest
was felt for her by the crowd. Yet moi, one among
them dreamed of her real feelings at that moment.
They deemed her happy and triumphant, and lit
tic knew of the breaking heart she carried in her
bosom.
The knights who purposed taking part in the
tournamcnt-and all the flower of the English
chiyalry was ,hcrc--now entered the circle, and
each one retired for while to his tent, preparatory
to the commencement oflhc joust. II was SPLEEN
did sight to gaze upon the long line Of pavllons
belonging 10 the competitors, stretching along el-
thcr end of the lists, Haunting with their silkcn
canopy, their rich, gay pcnons, the coat of arms,
and the squres in gay apparel at their doors,
AT length the herald rode into the lists and an
nounccd the regulations of the joust, The candi-
dates were to be divided by lot into two parties,
aud these again were TO be numbered according TO
the time since they had been knightcd, the oldest
to take precedence. The first knight of one party
was then to run course with his opponent, and
the victor was TO retire from the field until the rest
had each run a course, The remaining knights
were then To be divided again into two parties
the like mode ofprecedence was to take pacc-nnd
the courses were TO be run between them in the
same way. This was to continue until but two
KNIGHTS were left, when the victor was 10 claim the
prize, unless some one knight should he willing to
challenge him, when if defeated, the new victor
was in his turn to stand against all chaengers,-
These regulations having been proclaimed, the
herads withdrew, and the business of the day COM
menccd.
We will not pause to describe the course of the
various conflicts. They were characterized by va
rous skill on the part of the conbaans, but as the
contest was one only of proves, the lonccs were
no, ms in the ioust at outrunce, furnished with steel
heads. After an hours jousting, however, only
two remained to concs, the field they were De
Thicvry and the equally celebrated Lord Morley,
of the northern marches.
Every eve was turned toward the two comba-
unls us they rode into the lists, 10 run last course
| for the hand of the beautiful Blanche 1t may well
be supposed that the maiden was not the least IN
tcrcs,cd in the group. The appearance of De
Thieyry in the lists--he tournament il'cli-llic
hints dropped by the careless prince that day-thc
removal of her person to court soon alter the re-
rusal of De Thicyry lashad upon her mind the sus-
picions that the rrcnchman had laid deep iatcd
plot against her which was now upon the pOin, OF
being executed. thousand things REQUIRED Ia
her memory, all pointing suspicion toward DE
Thcvry, as she thought Her Revision of opn-
ion was as speedy as it was complete. She would
have giycl worlds that his competitor, little known
as Lord Morley was 10 Blanche, might prove III,
victor; and as they now darlcd from their station,
her heart beat fast with apprehension.
1t was a gallant sight that course! Shooting like
arrows toward each other, from either end of The
long lists, the two combatants, cycling his opponcn
through his closed visor, seemed TO sit like irol
statutes on their mailed, but rapid sccds. There
was but moment apparently between the begin
ning aud end of their career. There was tram
of horses feci-a mcieor-like CHANGING Of the com
batanis along the Ists-a shock, crash, and lhcI
the Frcnchman was seen carcerlng on in his conrs
unframed, while his antagonist, ailer Keeling in III
saddle, beneath the shock of his opponents lance
which broke the fastening of his helmet, recovcrc'
himself with difficulty, and rode crcst-iacn back
hastily dismounted and sought 10 hide his dciea
in his tent.
The shouts that rent the skies at the victory 0
De Thieyry, fell upon the heart of Blanche like til
doom of her hopes. Oh! what would she not Ia,
given at that moment, TO have been some unknow
peasant girl, far, far away from the spendor tia
j surrounded her, aud where she might never NOR
see the naughty, and as she now felt periidlOu'
I'renchman again. What rcyulsion of feeling ha
= those few moments produced! Hope Is ever san
guine in the youthful bosom, and till the very min
> ute of Lord Morey's FALL Blanch had INDUCED til
o fancy that De T'hievry wond yet be overthrow
o but when she saw the Frcnchman sweeping VII
ioriously onward TO the goal the blood rushed bac
e fearfuy upon her heart, and she gasped for brcai
VIVA, to her was wealth, or rank, spendor, sine
o she was destined for one she loatled. Oh! beii'
had she never been born than 10 be thus mocke
+ sspe Tbieyry has the heircss, saba nOb