Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-30

VI say tiuly, pfOlAei, CitcA tAiS PAALiSSs
his eyes kindiing at the thought. Me-
thinks that we could not do anything more
pleasing to Our Lady than to drive the
heather Moors out 0. the country"
Il am with you, Edward. as true as h,it
to blade. But, by st. James! we shall not
let these Moors make mock at US from
over the sea. We must take ship and
thrust them from Africa"
And II is the dream of my heart that
our English pennon shall wave upon
the Mount OF Olives. and the Hons and lilies
float over the whole city,
And why not, dear coz? Your bowmen
have cleared path to Paris. and why not
to Jerusalem? Once there. your arms might
rest
NAY, there is more to be DONE" cried the
prince, carried away by the ambitious
dream. There Is still the city OF Constan-
tine to be taken, and war to be wageo
against the Sedan of Damascus. And be-
yond him again there Is tribute to be levied
from the Cham of Tartary and from the
kingdom of Cathay. Ha! John. what say
you? Can we not go as far eastward as
Richard OF the Lion Hearth
'Old John will -bide at home. sire" said
as am seneschal of Aquitaine I will find
enough to do in guarding the marches
which you have intrusted to me. It would
be blithe day for the King OF France
when he heard that the seas lay between
him and u.s.
by my soul! John" said tho prince. II
have never known you turn laggard BE-
fore
1.-The babbang hound. sire. 10 not always
the first at the mort" the old knight an
swered.
MAY, my true heart! I have tried you
too often not to know. But. by my soul!
have not seen so dense throng since the
day that We brought King John down
Cheapside.''
1t was indeed an enormous crowd which
covered the whole vast plain from the line
of vineyards to the river bank. From the
northern gate the prince and his compan-
ions looked down at q dark sea OF heads.
frightened here and there by the colored
hoods of the women, or by the sparkling
headpieces of archers and men alarms. N
the center of this vast assemblage the lists
seemed but a narrow strip of green marked
out with banners and streamers. while
CLEAN of white with futter of pennons at
either end showed where the marques were
pitched which served as the dressing rooms
Of the combatants. A path had been staked
off from the city gate to the stands which
had been erected for the court and the no
bility. Down this, amid the shouts of tha
enormous multitude. the prince cantered
with his two attendant kings his high Of
ficers of state, and his long train of lords
and ladies, courtiers, counselors and SOL
ders, with toss of plume and fash Of Jewel,
sheen of silk and CLINT of gold-as rich and
gallant show heart could wish. The
head of the cavafcade had reached the lists
ere the rear had come clear Of the city
gate, for the fairest and the brayest had
assembled from all the broad lands which
are watered by the Dordogne and the Ga
rome. Here rode dark-browed cavaliers
from the sunny south. fiery soldiers from
Gascony, graceful courtiers Of Limousin or
Saintonge, and gallant young Englishmen
from beyond the seas. Here. too, were the
beautiful brunettes of the Gironde, with
eyes which outf1ashed their jewels. while
beside them rode their blonde sisters OF
England, clear-cut and aquilIne swathed in
SwanS-dOwn and a1>YpinA 10 air
biting, though the sun was bright Slowly
the long and glittering train wound into the
lists, until every horse had been tethered
by the yarlets in waiting. and every lord
and lady seated in the long stands which
stretched, rich in tapestry and velvet and
blazoned arms, on either side OF the center
of the arena
The holders of the lists occupied the end
which was nearest to the city gate. There.
in front of their respective pavilions flew
the martlets of Audley, the roses of Loring
the scarlet bars of Wake, the Hon OF the
Percies and the silver wings of the Beau
champs each supported by squire clad In
hanging green stuff to represent so many
Tritons. and bearing huge conch shell in
their left hands. Behind the tents the
great war horses, armed at all points,
champed and reared, while their masters
sat at the doors OF their pavilions, with
their helmets upon their knees, chatting
to the order of the days dongs. The Eng
lsh archers and men-at-arms had mustered
at that end Of the lists, but the vast ma
tority of the spectators were in favor of the
attacking party, for the English had de-
clined in popularity ever since the bitter
dispute as to the disposal of the royal cap
applause was by no means general when
the herald-at-arms proclaimed, after a
flourish of trumpets, the names and styles
OF the knights who were prepared, for the
honor Of their country and for the love OF
their ladies. to hold the field against all
who might do them the favor to run
course with them On the other hand, a
deafening burst OF cheering greeted the
rival herald. who. advancing Prom the other
end of the lists, rolled forth the we'll
known titles OF the five famous warriors
who had accepted the defiance.
Faith. john" said the prince, at sounds
as though you were right Ha! my grace
d Armagnac 1t seems that our friends on
this side will not grieve " our English
champions lose the day"
1T may be so. SIRE the Gascon noble
man answered. II have little doubt that In
Smithfield or at Windsor an English crowd
would favor their own countrymen-"
by my faith! that's easily SEEN" said
the prince. laughing, for few score Eng
though they would outshout the mighty
multitude. / fear that they will have little
to shout over this journey. for my gold
vase has small prospect of crossing the
water. What are the conditions John?''
They are to tilt singly not less than
three courses, sire, and the victory to rest
with that party which shall have won the
greater number of courses each pair con-
unuing till one or other have the vantage
He who carries himself best Of the victors
hath the prize. and he who is judged best
OF the other party hath jeweled clasp.
Shall order that the nakirs sound, sire7'
The prince nodded, and the trumpets rang
out. while the champions rode forth one
after the other. each meeting his opponent
IN the center Of the lists. Sir william
Beauchanp went down before the practiced
lance of the CAPITAL de Buch. Sir Thomas
Percy won the vantage over the Lord of
Mucdent, and the Lord Audley struck Sir
Perducas dAlbret from the saddle. The
buriy De Clisson. however, restored the
hopes OF the attackers by beating to the
ground Sir Thomas Wake OF Yorkshire. So
tar there was little to choose bet chaI-
lengers and challenged.
by st. James Of Santsagor' cried DON
Pedro. with a tinge of color upon his pale
cheeks. win who will. this has been a most
notable contest"
Who comes next for England, Johnr'
asked the prince, In voice which quivered
with excitement.
''sIr Nigel Loring of Hampshire SIRE.
Ha! he IL man of good courage and
skilled in the use of all weapons"
HE is indeed. sire: but his eyes, like my
own, are the worse for wars. Yet ne can