Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/276

252 notes of the bugles. At the beginning of the combat Pericles and the first knight rode twice rapidly round the amphitheatre and approached each other at full speed with extended spears. At the shock of the onset both horses threw themselves nearly erect upon their haunches, and when the dust cleared away, the adversary of Pericles lay stretched, pale and fainting upon the earth. One after another thus engaged with him, and one by one they were left unhorsed and powerless, till at last, with broken spear and covered with the dust and sweat of the encounter, young Pericles stood alone upon the field. Weary and dizzy from the affray, he dismounted, and knelt at the feet of the princess to receive the silver wreath of victory, which she placed upon his head. With her fair hand she gave him her colors to wear upon his helmet, and looking up into her face he gave and received a glance which sealed the fate of both. For Pericles knew from that moment that for him there lived no other woman, and Thaisa felt her heart melted in the ardent glance from the eyes of the young stranger.

The tourney over, Simonides held a great banquet, at which all the nobles and ladies of the court were present. Among these, Pericles in his rusty armor proved himself as accomplished in the graces of the dance as in feats of arms.