Now came Pentecost and brought with it to King Arthur's Tournament brave knights2 from everywhere. Distant Normandy, the far shores of Ireland, sent each the flower of its knighthood. Scotland's king was there, the brave Cadoris, to answer the challenge of the King of Northgalis who was also present. Ban, King of Northumberland, had come. Sir Palomides came too, and it was he who was declared, by many to be the bravest and the most skillful of all of Britain's knights. Yet there were equal number and more who held the same for both Sir Launcelot and for Sir Tristram. Sir Lauvecor, leading a hundred knights, came late, with the blessing3 of his father, who was none other than King of Ireland.
A brave show they all made, these many knights seeking adventure, and each, as he so easily bestrode his steed, found it hard matter to find comrade and friend, for the many who were there. Gay were the colors each knight1 wore and on some fortune had smiled, for these carried token of some fair lady. Of fair ladies there were many to watch the deeds of skill and bravery and most beautiful of them all, was Arthur's queen, Guenever.
Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine had found no need to journey to Cornwall. For word had come that Sir Tristram had had a bitter quarrel with King Mark and had left his court carrying that wicked King's curse. Tristram had made final demand on the traitorous4 King to release the maiden5 Beatrice whom he was holding for ransom6 and this the King had had no mind to do. Then had the bold knight himself made for the door of the great dungeon7 and with hilt of sword knocked long and loud to summon the keeper. And when the door was opened this same keeper could not withstay him, nor would he. Then had Tristram carried the maiden to point of safety and so earned her gratitude8. Nor would any knight of King Mark take issue with him for none felt the King's deed to be knightly9. And though the King made pretense10 of bearing no ill will, yet did Sir Tristram leave Cornwall that same day.
And Sir Gawaine knew not whether to be pleased or otherwise at the news.
"I would have fancied making rescue of the Lady Beatrice myself. And fancied even more to have told King Mark the scurvy11 knave12 I deem him; yet I doubt not Sir Tristram did the deed well and since it leaves me free to stay and have part in the jousting13, I am not displeased14."
"And methinks," added Sir Launcelot, "Sir Tristram will make his way hither, for tournament such as this holds all alluring15 call."
King Arthur, together with Ban of Northumberland, and Sir Percival were declared the judges for all but the last of the three days.
Now then Sir Percival, finding a moment's brief respite16, followed by his page rode to the palace where sat his mother and two sisters. There he found Sir Uwaine already in deep converse17 with Helene, who was the older of the two maidens18 and whose knight he was.
"See you, son, there do be knights who find time to pay respect to us, even though our own are slower footed." So spoke19 the Lady Olande yet did it jestingly and with no intent to hurt for she had great love for her son.
"And I doubt not, Uwaine does make up for any seeming lack of mine," replied Sir Percival. "If, mother mine, I were not made a judge, my time would be more my own.
"But here, I must have lost what manners I have been taught. Mother, this is Allan who is my page, and these, Allan, are my sisters Helene and Yosalinde. Allan is son of Sir Gaunt, whom you all know. Forgive my not making you known before this, lad."
Pleasantly did the ladies greet him and so well that he found no embarrassment20 therewith. And so now Sir Percival turned and spoke in low tones to his mother. Sir Uwaine and his lady walked away, claiming that they must give greeting to certain high ladies. And therewith left Allan, the boy, and Yosalinde, who was even younger than he, to themselves.
Allan strove to speak but found he could not and so sat on horse waiting. The girl calmly watched him from her place, yet was there mischief21 in her eyes.
"If you would, you may dismount from your horse and find place hither. There is room, as you see," she suggested.
The lad looked uncertain. Yet Sir Percival had already found place next to his mother and was now in earnest converse. So he found he could not do otherwise.
Now Yosalinde laughed at what showed so plainly his unwillingness22 to sit beside her.
"I shall not bite you. See how harmless I am? No witch, I hope, you think I am. For shame that youth, who would be brave knight, should fear a lady and in especial one so young as I."
"I fear you not," replied Allan hotly.
"Then perhaps you dislike me?" the minx questioned innocently.
"Certes, no. How could I?" the guileless youth replied.
"Then you do like me? Although I doubt I find any pride in that since I must need force the words from you."
At a loss now the lad could not answer. For the girl had better of him because of her quick tongue and he found she twisted his words and meaning to suit her taste. Yet finally, she turned the talk and so Allan found himself telling her of his high hopes. So simply too, without boasting, he told her of the fine words of Arthur to him. And last, because it had made its deep impress upon him, he spoke of Merlin's dream. And of this Yosalinde, now serious and wide eyed, questioned him closely, and soon knew all that he did.
So now Percival uprose and made ready to return to his duties. So therefore, too, did Allan, and found he now felt more at ease and without constraint23 of the girl.
"I like you, Allan, and I say it though I should make it harder for you to know, than it was for me. I give you my friendship and if it help you, take this ring and wear it. May it serve you in time of stress. And at all times consider it token of your lady."
And then once again the laughing, teasing minx, she, added:
"Yet, after all, you are but a boy and I am no less a girl. Yet, let us make-believe, you a bold knight and I your lady. Mayhap it may be true some day."
So she was gone now to her mother leaving Allan with stirred feelings and somewhat in a dream, too. For Sir Percival had to call twice to him before he mounted his own horse. And even as they both made their way, he turned his head back to see if he could perceive aught of this strange girl. And thought he saw a waving hand but was not sure.
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1
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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2
knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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3
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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4
traitorous
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| adj. 叛国的, 不忠的, 背信弃义的 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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6
ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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7
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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8
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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9
knightly
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| adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
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10
pretense
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| n.矫饰，做作，借口 | |
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11
scurvy
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| adj.下流的，卑鄙的，无礼的；n.坏血病 | |
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12
knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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13
jousting
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| （骑士）骑马用长矛比武( joust的现在分词 ) | |
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14
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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15
alluring
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| adj.吸引人的，迷人的 | |
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16
respite
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| n.休息，中止，暂缓 | |
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17
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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18
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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19
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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20
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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21
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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22
unwillingness
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| n. 不愿意，不情愿 | |
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23
constraint
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| n.(on)约束，限制；限制(或约束)性的事物 | |
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