, and examining their armour, whilst many a fair hand was
as anxiously occupied in ornamenting the devices, and arranging the
colours of the favored knight. The city was thronged with visitors, the
inhabitants of the adjacent country having been attracted by the fame of
the reported games, insomuch that Granada could not hold her numerous
guests. For more accommodation, numerous temporary tents had been
pitched along the smiling plain of the Vega. The voices of vacant joy
and revelry were heard on all sides, and the warriors and irregular
groups, moving along in all the recklessness of anticipated pleasure,
presented a gay and lively picture.

CHAPTER III.

Cada uno dellos mientes tiene al so,
Abrazan los escudos delant los corazones:
Abaxan las lauzas abueltas con los pendones;
Enclinaban las caras sobre los arzones:
Batien los cavallos con los espolones,
Tembrar quierie la tierra dod eran movedores.

_Poema del Cid._

The morning arrived, and the entrances to the lists were thronged by the
inhabitants of Granada and their visitors; all anxious to witness a
display which it was expected would surpass in magnificence any thing of
the kind they had ever seen. A large piece of ground, perfectly level
and free from impediment, had been appropriately chosen without the
walls of the city, for the exhibition of the games of strength, valour,
and skill, and a temporary gallery had been constructed, extending on
either side to the extremity of the lists. At the end nearest the city,
was erected a temporary wooden fortress, painted in imitation of
stone-work, curiously fabricated, covered over with canvas, and capable
of containing a number of men-at-arms. On the front turret of this
castle streamed a large banner, on which was emblazoned a red cross
decorated with gold, being the arms of the order of Calatrava, of which
the _Mantenedor_[3] was the grand master. Other smaller banners were
placed around it, and they appertained to the four knights, who had
volunteered to support the _Mantenedor_, and who, in conjunction with
him, were bound to accept the challenge of all knights adventurers
disposed to encounter them. On each side of the castle were two tents,
before which were placed the pennon and shield of the knights to whom
they belonged, and at the entrance stood a squire, ready to meet the
demands of all comers.

Directly facing the castle, at the other ex