"I have
little doubt that in Smithfield or at Windsor an English crowd
would favor their own countrymen."
"By my faith! that's easily seen," said the prince, laughing,
"for a few score English archers at yonder end are bellowing as
though they would out-shout the mighty multitude. I fear that
they will have little to shout over this tourney, for my gold
vase has small prospect of crossing the water. What are the
conditions, John?"
"They are to tilt singly not less than three courses, sire, and
the victory to rest with that party which shall have won the
greater number of courses, each pair continuing till one or other
have the vantage. He who carries himself best of the victors
hath the prize, and he who is judged best of the other party hath
a jewelled clasp. Shall I order that the nakirs sound, sire?"
The prince nodded, and the trumpets rang out, while the champions
rode forth one after the other, each meeting his opponent in the
centre of the lists. Sir William Beauchamp went down before the
practiced lance of the Captal de Buch.
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