, and that just for one second, then stretched out
over the lists again.

Now till about this time I had made no cry as I jousted. But there came
against me a very tall knight, on a great horse, and when we met our
spears both shivered, and he howled with vexation, for he wished to slay
me, being the brother of that knight I had struck down in the hall the
day before.

And they say that when Alys heard his howl sounding faintly through the
bars of his great helm, she trembled; but I know not, for I was stronger
than that knight, and when we fought with swords, I struck him right out
of his saddle, and near slew him with that stroke.

Whereupon I shouted 'Alys' out loud, and she blushed red for pleasure,
and Sir Guy took note of it, and rose up in a rage and ran down and
armed.

Then presently I saw a great knight come riding in with three black
chevrons on a gold shield: and so he began to ride at me, and at first we
only broke both our spears, but then he drew his sword, and fought quite
in another way to what the other knights had, so that I saw at once that
I had no chance against him: nevertheless, for a long time he availed
nothing, though he wounded me here and there, but at last drove his sword
right through mine, through my shield and my helm, and I fell, and lay
like one dead.

And thereat the King cried out to cease, and the degree was given to Sir
Guy, because I had overthrown forty knights and he had overthrown me.

Then they told me, I was carried out of the lists and laid in a hostelry
near the palace, and Guy went up to the pavilion where Alys was and she
crowned him, both of them being very pale, for she doubted if I were
slain, and he knew that she did not love him, thinking before that she
did; for he was good and true, and had saved her life and honour, and she
(poor maid!) wished to please her father, and strove to think that all
was right.

But I was by no means slain, for the sword had only cleft my helm, and
when I came to myself again I felt despair of all things, because I knew
not that she loved me, for how should she, knowing nothing of me?
likewise dust had been cast on my gold wings, and she saw it done.

Then I heard a great crying in the street, that sounded strangely in the
quiet night, so I sent to ask what it might be: and there came presently
into my chamber a man in gilded armour; he was an old man, and his hair
and beard were gray, and behind him came six men armed, who car