Ivanhoe

Whether from indecision, or some other motive of hesitation, the

champion of the day remained stationary for more than a minute, while

the eyes of the silent audience were riveted upon his motions; and then,

gradually and gracefully sinking the point of his lance, he deposited

the coronet which it supported at the feet of the fair Rowena. The

trumpets instantly sounded, while the heralds proclaimed the Lady Rowena

the Queen of Beauty and of Love for the ensuing day, menacing with

suitable penalties those who should be disobedient to her authority.

They then repeated their cry of Largesse, to which Cedric, in the height

of his joy, replied by an ample donative, and to which Athelstane,

though less promptly, added one equally large.

There was some murmuring among the damsels of Norman descent, who were

as much unused to see the preference given to a Saxon beauty, as the

Norman nobles were to sustain defeat in the games of chivalry which they

themselves had introduced. But these sounds of disaffection were drowned

by the popular shout of "Long live the Lady Rowena, the chosen and

lawful Queen of Love and of Beauty!" To which many in the lower area

added, "Long live the Saxon Princess! long live the race of the immortal

Alfred!"

However unacceptable these sounds might be to Prince John, and to

those around him, he saw himself nevertheless obliged to confirm the

nomination of the victor, and accordingly calling to horse, he left

his throne; and mounting his jennet, accompanied by his train, he again

entered the lists. The Prince paused a moment beneath the gallery of

the Lady Alicia, to whom he paid his compliments, observing, at the same

time, to those around him--"By my halidome, sirs! if the Knight's feats

in arms have shown that he hath limbs and sinews, his choice hath no

less proved that his eyes are none of the clearest."

It was on this occasion, as during his whole life, John's misfortune,

not perfectly to understand the characters of those whom he wished to

conciliate. Waldemar Fitzurse was rather offended than pleased at the

Prince stating thus broadly an opinion, that his daughter had been

slighted.

"I know no right of chivalry," he said, "more precious or inalienable

than that of each free knight to choose his lady-love by his own

judgment. My daughter courts distinction from no one; and in her own

character, and in her own sphere, will never fail to receive the full

proportion of that which is her due."

Prince John replied not; but, spurring his horse, as if to give vent

to his vexation, he made the animal bound forward to the gallery where

Rowena was seated, with the crown still at her feet.