LXVII "The king, for pleasure of the tidings true, Prepares the costly feast in solemn state; And will on each fourth moon that shall ensue Make one, resembling this we celebrate. Pleased of that time the memory to renew, That he, in the orc's cavern, had to wait, -- For four months and a day -- which is to-morrow; When he was rescued from such cruel sorrow. LXVIII "The things related I in part descried, And from him, present at the whole, heard more; From Norandine, through calend and through ide, Pent, till he changed to smiles his anguish sore: And if from other you hear aught beside, Say, he is ill instructed in his lore." The Syrian gentleman did thus display The occasion of that feast and fair array. LXIX Large portion of the night, in like discourse, Was by those cavaliers together spent, Who deemed that Love and Pity's mickle force Was proved in that so dread experiment; Then rising, when the supper's sumptuous course Was cleared, to good and pleasant lodgings went; And, as the ensuing morning fairly broke, To sounds of triumph and rejoicing woke. LXX The circling drums' and trumpets' echoing strain Assemble all the town within the square; And now, when mixt with sound of horse and wain, Loud outcries through the streets repeated are, Sir Gryphon dons his glittering arms again, A panoply of those esteemed most rare; Whose mail, impassable by spear or brand, She, the white fay, had tempered with her hand. LXXI The man of Antioch in his company, Armed him (a recreant worse than he was none), Provided by their landlord's courtesy With sturdy spears and good, the course to run; Who with his kindred, a fair chivalry, To bring the warriors to the square is gone; With squires afoot and mounted upon steeds, Whom he bestowed, as aptest for their needs. LXXII They in the square arrived and stood aside, Nor of themselves awhile would make display; Better to see the martial gallants ride By twos and threes, or singly, to the fray. One told, by colours cunningly allied, His joy or sorrow to his lady gay; One, with a painted Love on crest or shield, If she were cruel or were kind, revealed. LXXIII It was the Syrians' practise in that age To arm them in this fashion of the west. Haply this sprung out of their vicinage And constant commerce with the Franks, possest In those days of the sacred heritage, That God incarnate with his presence blest; Which now, to them abandoned by the train Of wretched Christians, heathen hounds profane. LXXIV God's worshippers, where they should couch the lance, For furtherance of his holy faith and true, Against each other's breast the spear advance, To the destruction of the faithful few. You men of Spain, and you, ye men of France, And Switzers, turn your steps elsewhere , and you, Ye Germans, worthier empire to acquire; For that is won for Christ, which you desire.