Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/104

82 much grief among all the knights of Maidenhood, whom Prince Arthur had stirred up in league to find and rescue the lost maiden. And since Satyrane could lay no claim to her girdle, as he had not won it in any decisive combat, it was deemed fair that it should be put up as the prize, at a tournament, at which all knights, far and wide, should gather, to take part in the contest.

Thereupon, many gallant gentlemen, from all parts, were making haste to the place appointed, and numberless fair ladies rode with them to see the brave deeds which would be sure to appear. Through the very wood in which the witch’s son roamed with his fair semblance of a woman, rode a boastful knight, called Braggadochio, who was on his way to swell the lists at Sir Satyrane’s tourney. He came upon the clown, walking with his Florimel; and believing her the lady whom all the knights of Faery supposed dead, Braggadochio stopped his horse to challenge her rude guard as to his right to her.

The poor clown, half frightened from his wits by the knight’s manner, gave her up, without daring a remonstrance, and so soon lost the mage which had cost him so much grief to possess. Then Braggadochio rode on, swelling with pride and vainglory, that he bore, as his prize to the tourney, the fair lady who was the cause of all these preparations.