angement they all agree. Then they turn toward their lodgings, and
when they had returned, here and there men began to say: "What has
become of the worst, the most craven and despised of knights? Whither
did he go? Where is he concealed? Where is he to be found? Where shall
we search for him? We shall probably never see him again. For he has
been driven off by cowardice, with which he is so filled that there
is no greater craven in the world than he. And he is not wrong, for a
coward is a hundred times more at ease than a valorous fighting man.
Cowardice is easy of entreaty, and that is the reason he has given her
the kiss of peace and has taken from her all she has to give. Courage
never so debased herself as to lodge in his breast or take quarters near
him. But cowardice is altogether lodged with him, and she has found a
host who will honour her and serve her so faithfully that he is willing
to resign his own fair name for hers." Thus they wrangle all night,
vying with each other in slander. But often one man maligns another, and
yet is much worse himself than the object of his blame and scorn. Thus,
every one said what he pleased about him. And when the next day dawned,
all the people prepared and came again to the jousting place. The Queen
was in the stand again, accompanied by her ladies and damsels and many
knights without their arms, who had been captured or defeated, and these
explained to them the armorial bearings of the knights whom they most
esteem. Thus they talk among themselves: [424] "Do you see that knight
yonder with a golden band across the middle of his red shield? That is
Governauz of Roberdic. And do you see that other one, who has an eagle
and a dragon painted side by side upon his shield? That is the son of
the King of Aragon, who has come to this land in search of glory and
renown. And do you see that one beside him, who thrusts and jousts so
well, bearing a shield with a leopard painted on a green ground on
one part, and the other half is azure blue? That is Ignaures the
well-beloved, a lover himself and jovial. And he who bears the shield
with the pheasants portrayed beak to beak is Coguillanz of Mautirec. Do
you see those two side by side, with their dappled steeds, and golden
shields showing black lions? One is named Semiramis, and the other is
his companion; their shields are painted alike. And do you see the one
who has a shield with a gate painted on it, through which a stag appears
to be p