tudents
and masters and all interested in the spectacle hastened to the
spot where the game of calcio was to be played, great numbers of
the townsfolk flocked there also, and were neither hustled nor
jeered by the gowned concourse in the inner circle.

There was something distinctly sumptuous in the pavilion which had
been raised for a certain number of spectators of the better class,
and there was quite a buzz and acclamation as the two beautiful
sisters were seen to ascend the few steps and take their places on
the centre seats, which had something of the aspect of a throne.
They were very well known in Oxford, not for their beauty alone,
but for their gentleness and charity, being always ready to succour
the sick and afflicted, and to visit with their own presence any
stricken houses where trouble of any kind had entered. So that not
only the gownsmen but the townsmen were ready to welcome them with
cheers, and to acclaim them eagerly as the queens of the day.

And now the players came streaming out from another pavilion on the
opposite side of the ground, and exclamations of wonder and
admiration arose at the picturesque magnificence of their dress.
Arthur Cole had had these garments fashioned in Italy and brought
over, and very gorgeous did he and his companions look.

The lower limbs of the players were encased in woven silk tights,
which were thick and strong and elastic. On their feet they wore
soft tanned shoes, made all in one piece and fitting closely to the
foot. They wore woven silk shirts of fine texture, and over these
belted tunics of rich brocade or embroidered linen or any other
costly and elastic material. Arthur Cole's own tunic (as captain of
his side) was of cloth of gold; whilst that of Dalaber was of white
and silver brocade, with silver lacings. The colours of the two
sides were displayed in the calzone or silk tights, these being
blue and white for Arthur's side, and red and white for Dalaber's.
They wore knitted silk caps upon their heads, white and blue or red
and blue according to their company, and long gauntlet gloves of
soft tanned skin, almost white in colour, and laced with the colour
appropriate to the player.

A murmur of admiration ran through the spectators as these tall,
lithe, muscular youths stepped forth into the bright sunshine of
the playing field; and soon all eyes were intently watching the
evolutions of the game, which was very much like that of our modern
football, t