Sometimes the spirit of his youth
awoke; the glory of past ages was stirred up within him; and, like the
aged war-horse neighing to the shrill note of the trumpet, he greeted
the approaching tournament with something of his wonted ardour,--though
now but an expiring flash, brightening a moment ere it was extinguished.
The day rose calm and unclouded. The thin haze of the morning had
disappeared, and an atmosphere of more than common brilliancy succeeded.
Through a great part of the preceding night the armourers had been
busily employed altering and refitting the equipments, and the dawn had
already commenced ere their labours were suspended. The lists were
carefully scrutinised, and all chance of foul play averted. The priests,
too, had blessed the armour and weapons from magic spells and "foul
negromancie."
The barriers were built of stout boards, firmly riveted together; the
royal pavilion being on the southern side, richly canopied and
embroidered with costly devices. Galleries were provided for the nobles,
not a few of whom, with their courtly dames, were expected to be
present.
The lists were sixty paces in length and forty in breadth between the
platforms on which the knights' tents were erected.
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