lists, attended by a numerous and
gay train, consisting partly of laymen, partly of church-men, as light
in their dress, and as gay in their demeanor, as their companions. Among
the latter was the Prior of Jorvaulx, in the most gallant trim which a
dignitary of the church could venture to exhibit. Fur and gold were not
spared in his garments; and the points of his boots turned up so very
far as to be attached not to his knees merely, but to his very girdle,
and effectually prevented him from putting his foot into the stirrup.
This, however, was a slight inconvenience to the gallant Abbot, who,
perhaps even rejoicing in the opportunity to display his accomplished
horsemanship before so many spectators, especially of the fair sex,
dispensed with the use of these supports to a timid rider. The rest of
Prince John's retinue consisted of the favorite leaders of his mercenary
troops, some marauding barons and profligate attendants upon the court,
with several Knights Templars and Knights of Saint John.

Attended by this gallant equipage, himself well mounted, and splendidly
dressed in crimson and in gold, bearing upon his hand a falcon, and
having his head covered by a rich fur bonnet, adorned with a circle of
precious stones, from which his long curled hair escaped and overspread
his shoulders, Prince John, upon a gray and high-mettled palfrey,
caracoled within the lists at the head of his jovial party, laughing
loud with his train, and eyeing with all the boldness of royal criticism
the beauties who adorned the lofty galleries.

In the midst of Prince John's cavalcade, he suddenly stopped, and,
appealing to the Prior of Jorvaulx, declared the principal business of
the day had been forgotten.

"By my halidom," said he, "we have neglected, Sir Prior, to name the
fair Sovereign of Love and of Beauty, by whose white hand the palm is to
be distributed. For my part, I am liberal in my ideas, and I care not if
I give my vote for the black-eyed Rebecca."

"Holy Virgin," answered the Prior, turning up his eyes in horror, "a
Jewess! We should deserve to be stoned out of the lists; and I am not
yet old enough to be a martyr. Besides, I swear by my patron saint that
she is far inferior to the lovely Saxon, Rowena."

From the tone in which this was spoken, John saw the necessity of
acquiescence. "I did but jest," he said; "and you turn upon me like an
adder! Name whom you will, in the fiend's name, and please yourselves."

"Nay,