The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-04-19
a RIDE FOR THE RING,
CONCLUDED.

1 RpE FQR The .RlMG+ .
CONCLUDED.
AS at q bull fight in modern Spain,
so at o passage-of-arms in medieval
Europe, the fair sex mustered in con-
siderable numbers, and betrayed q
vital interest, tinged, of course, with
womanly pity in the fate of the prin-
cipal actors. Not that they suffered
the real tragedy to interfere with
their own bye-play, or allowed them
selves to be SO engrossed with the
admirer in mail and plate down
yonder, fighting for his life, rs to
neglect the nearer conquest up here
in satin doublet and silken hose,
whispering elaborate compliments in
willing ear. Their dresses, too, oc-
cupied a large share of their atten-
tion. Sumptuous apparel in both
sexes was the principal extravaganza
of the age. It was not probable the
daughters of Eve, whose conscious
ness of dress has in all times been as
sensitive as their mothers was of
nudity, would forego the opportunity
Of arraying themselves in q style Of
splendor fatal to all beholders.
Tier upon tier, the ranks of beauty
shone and sparkled in the gallery,
commenting freely the while on the
warriors below.
"See how Kalbsbraten backs his
Flemish roam. He looks like a tower
Of steel. 'Tis fair device, too, the
Iete de Veau, so cunnningly embroi-
dered on his surcoat. In my opinion,
Sigismund's weight and size must
bear down all before itr'
"Nay, Baroness, observe how
Count Schmarn sits in the saddle.
Trust me, he is the better lance.
They say last year, at the tournament
at AK, he unhorsed six French
knights running. without unlacing
his helmet"
e'Pooh! the French knights never
won O course against Burgundy.
Montmorency acknowledged it him
self. Honorable lady, I will wager
you my collar of pearls against your
diamond cross, that in six courses
Ehrenbreitstein proves himself the
best knight here, save one."
81 will accept. Baroness, know
you that the Lord of the Rhine has
sold his good bay horse to Rodolph? ?
Perhaps the Chatelaine may win the
prize, after ALL"
'Nay, Countess" interrupted q
deep voice, joining in the conversa-
tion; with sword and battle-axe,
Rodolph is formidable champion,
but his hand is not so steady as it
once was with the lance. There
rides one who could have held the
Lists against all corners in tho days of
Charlemagner'
The ladies gazed intently in the
direction pointed out. Their inform
ant was an undoubted authority ON
all such matters, having held the
post of honor for ten years rs one of
the ten champions of the empire, q
distinction which now conferred on
him an immunity from all military
service for life; and, in the present
instance, the critical approval of the
warrior was ratified by the plaudits
of the multitude.
AS the Alsatian, in complete armor,
and with his vizor down, rode into
the lists, there was loud cheer OF
approval even from the phlegmatic
Saxons, and the air resounded with
outeries Of "The Landgrave! the
Landgrave! an Ehenheim! IN Ehen-
heim!" whilst the royal trumpets gave
an extra flourish in honor of his
gallant bearing and the splcndor OF
his appointments.
Had one of the Seven Champions
of Christendom re-appeared upon
earth, he could not have more com.
pletely realized the ideal of chivalry
than did Otto of Ehenheim, as he
guided his managed charger into the
spacious enclosure. Over his burn
ished armor, which shone like glass,
and which was curiously inlaid il
gold with an elaborate pattern repre-
senting wreaths of violets, he wore Q
velvet surcoat of the same hue as