ry one, that it was not possible
for to do better, as them thought, by their strokes. But,
above all other, OLIVER and ARTHUR (his loyal fellow) had
the _bruit_ and _loos_. The justing endured long: it was
marvel to see the hideous strokes that they dealt; for the
justing had not finished so soon but that the night
_separed_ them. Nevertheless, the adversary party abode
'till the torches were light. But the ladies and
_damoyselles_, that of all the justing time had been there,
were weary, and would depart. Wherefore the justers departed
in likewise, and went and disarmed them for to come to the
banquet or feast. And when that the banquet was finished and
done, the dances began. And there came the king and the
valiant knights of arms, for to enquire of the ladies and
_damoyselles_, who that had best borne him as for that day.
The ladies, which were all of one accord and agreement, said
that Oliver and Arthur had surmounted all the best doers of
that _journey_. And by cause that Oliver and Arthur were
both of one party, and that they could find but little
difference between them of knighthood, they knew not the
which they might sustain. But, in the end, they said that
Arthur had done right valiantly: nevertheless, they said
that Oliver had done best unto their seeming. And therefore
it was concluded that the _pryce_ should be given unto
Oliver, as for the best of them of within. And another noble
knight, of the realm of Algarbe, that came with the queen,
had the pryce of without. When the pryce of the juste that
had been made was brought before Oliver, by two fair
_damoyselles_, he waxed all red, and was ashamed at that
present time; and said that it was of their bounty for to
give him the pryce, and not of his desert: nevertheless, he
received it; and, as it was of custom in guerdoning them, he
kissed them. And soon after they brought the wine and
spices; and then the dances and the feast took an end as for
that night." _Hystorye of Olyuer of Castylle, and of the
fayre Helayne, &c._, 1518, 4to., sign. A. v. vj. This I
suppose to be the passage alluded to by Lysander. The
edition from which it is taken, and of which the title was
barely known to Ames and Herbert, is printed by Wynkyn De
Worde. Mr. Heber's copy of it is at presen