ull ring, proceeding from before
our own tent door, where our armourers examined the suits given us by
the late King Edward, and which had never since been tested with the
lance.

The sun at length sank beneath the floor of earth, and the windows of
Heaven began to throw forth their each particular ray of light. As we
sat there, watching those far away, twinkling points, I could not
refrain from wondering why the Saints and Angels there all seem so busy
in the still night time; as can be seen by their passing and repassing
of the windows, in never ceasing numbers, each casting a fleeting
shadow as he goes. As the light on earth kept fading, more shades in
Heaven were drawn aback, as though the kindly folk up there would lend
to us more cheer.

Then the pale and trouble-featured moon raised up her hairless head
above the earth's surface, and slowly climbed she up the Heaven's arch.

As the sounds of the armourers and the grooms died out, the nightingale
did make his voice more plainly heard, as he hurled down, from his
perch beside the field, upon our ears, his darts of Heaven's own joy.
Aslanting did the music come, as borne by the gentle evening breeze it
fell, like April's rain, into our ears and drenched our hearts with
sweetness.

The wide-eyed frogs, far from the field, as they sat on their floating
thrones, flung, from their baggy throats, at the stars, as countless as
themselves, their quavering coward-challenges of battle. Yet no doubt
these were as well meant as some we should hear to-morrow.

The moon now stood well up the sky and therefore, when the flap was
closed a trifle, shone not far back into the tent.

The nightingale had ceased to sing.

The frogs still hurled their insolence.

Frederick and I, who had been in silence sitting for some time, arose
and walked back under our covering. Michael followed, and, when we had
laid down, stretched his huge frame across the opening. How like a
lifeless statue there he lay; his arms locked o'er his chest. 'Twas
seven feet of Hercules, as broad as two good men. Gazing at this
picture of strength and loyalty, the latter shown in his firm-cut,
honest face, with our shields beneath our heads, my friend and I sank
into sleep.

CHAPTER XXI

THE TOURNAMENT

After a night of refreshing, sweet oblivion we awakened bright and
strong, well fitted for a day of tilting. It was uncommon early to be
stirring; but Richard had given out that the games