chivalry, and one of her prettiest and most twelfth-century miracles is that of the knight who heard mass while Mary took his place in the lists. It is much too charming to lose (Bartsch, 1895, p. 311):-- Un chevalier courtois et sages, Hardis et de grant vasselages, Nus mieudres en chevalerie, Moult amoit la vierge Marie. Pour son barnage demener Et son franc cors d'armes pener, Aloit a son tournoiement Garnis de son contentement. Au dieu plaisir ainsi avint Que quant le jour du tournoi vint Il se hastoit de chevauchier, Bien vousist estre en champ premier. D'une eglise qui pres estoit Oi les sains que l'on sonnoit Pour la sainte messe chanter. Le chevalier sans arrester S'en est ale droit a l'eglise Pour escouter le dieu servise. L'en chantoit tantost hautement Une messe devotement De la sainte Vierge Marie; Puis a on autre comencie. Le chevalier vien l'escouta, De bon cuer la dame pria, Et quant la messe fut finee La tierce fu recomenciee Tantost en ce meisme lieu. "Sire, pour la sainte char dieu!" Ce li a dit son escuier, "L'heure passe de tournoier, Et vous que demourez ici? Venez vous en, je vous en pri! Volez vous devenir hermite Ou papelart ou ypocrite? Alons en a nostre mestier!" A knight both courteous and wise And brave and bold in enterprise. No better knight was ever seen, Greatly loved the Virgin Queen. Once, to contest the tourney's prize And keep his strength in exercise, He rode out to the listed field Armed at all points with lance and shield; But it pleased God that when the day Of tourney came, and on his way He pressed his charger's speed apace To reach, before his friends, the place, He saw a church hard by the road And heard the church-bells sounding loud To celebrate the holy mass. Without a thought the church to pass The knight drew rein, and entered there To seek the aid of God in prayer. High and dear they chanted then A solemn mass to Mary Queen; Then afresh began again. Lost in his prayers the good knight stayed; With all his heart to Mary prayed; And, when the second one was done, Straightway the third mass was begun, Right there upon the self-same place. "Sire, for mercy of God's grace!" Whispered his squire in his ear; "The hour of tournament is near; Why do you want to linger here? Is it a hermit to become, Or hypocrite, or priest of Rome? Come on, at once! despatch your prayer! Let us be off to our affair!"