from the strife and intrigue of the court. 'Tis true I did not promise
to lay aside the sword and shield forever. On the contrary, faithfully
did I promise the ex-Queen to aid her party when the proper time
arrived. And, besides, I had an oath to be fulfilled.

No longer could I bear to serve the murderous tyrant, even for mine
ends. Indeed he treated me with great civility and some consideration.
Yet ever would there rise before my memory's eye the traitorous scene
at Stony Stratford. 'Twas when Richard smiled I feared him most.
Beware, my children, of a man who smileth on ye all too frequently.
Such men are seldom to be trusted. Never did I fall asleep without the
fear ahaunting me that I should never gaze upon the sun again; but that
the three which murdered our young King would rid our present ruler of
one which visited Elizabeth; for no hope of mine could be so sanguine
as to cause me to believe that I had thus far escaped Richard's
ever-watchful eye.

At length the day before the commencement of the tournament came
around, and knights and squires all were busy with the work of
preparation.

The place chosen by the King for the holding of the joust was just
beyond the city's gates, between London and Westminster, and in the
direction of the setting sun, that cast its fiery rays along the bosom
of the earth, that it might point out to each separate champion the
levelest spot for the pitching of his tent. Where'er the ground had
received a wound, and the scar remained, the King of Day, as he settled
down to rest, did paint the surrounding turf and leave a darker spot
upon the earth, to guide the warrior's servants from their putting up
his canvas house.

My friend and I both occupied the one tent, which was both high and
broad.

My faithful Michael, and our other servants, bustled about in
preparation for the morrow's work.

Pennons and streamers of England's noblest sons now floated on the
evening flower-scented breeze, which bore in its fairy arms the sounds
of the armourer's anvils, as the men worked, putting on some fine
completing touches. Some of these pleasant and familiar sounds were
worn to such a thinness as to scarcely have existence, they having
travelled from the far end of the field and, in their flight, visited
the ears of many knights and squires who, fond of this sweet martial
music, consumed a part each one. Others there were ranging in bodily
strength until they reached a rich, f