The Junior Classics, Volume 4: Heroes and heroines of chivalry
General
The Junior Classics, Volume 4: Heroes and heroines of chivalry
Children's literature
The porter went and told Sir Lambard of the knight, and Sir Lambard
was glad, and vowed to joust with him. Thereupon the porter came again
to Le Beau Disconus, and said, "Adventurous knight, ride to the field
without the castle gate, and arm you speedily, for my lord would joust
with you."
Sir Le Beau Disconus rode to the field and made ready. Presently there
came the steward all armed for the fight, and they fell to. Long and
fierce was the fray, but at the last Le Beau Disconus struck Sir
Lambard so fiercely that he was borne clean out of his saddle
backwards.
"Will you have more?" asked Sir Le Beau Disconus.
"Nay," answered Sir Lambard. "Never since I was born came I against
such a knight. If you will fight for my lady, you are welcome, sir
knight."
"Nay," said Sir Le Beau Disconus, "but I fight for a lady even now."
Then they went into Sir Lambard's castle and feasted and were right
merry. Sir Lambard and Sir Le Beau Disconus spoke much of adventures,
and at last Sir Le Beau Disconus asked him concerning his quest. "What
is the knight's name who holds in prison the gentle lady of Synadown?"
"Nay, sir, knight is he none. Two magicians are her foes, false in
flesh and bone: Mabon and Irayn are their names, and they have made
this town a place of strange magic arts. They hold this noble lady in
prison, and often we hear her cry, but have no power to come to
her. They have sworn to slay her if she will not do their will, and
give up to them all her rights in this fair dukedom which is hers."
They took their rest. On the morrow Le Beau Disconus clad himself in
his best armour, and rode forth to the gate of the great palace of
Synadown; and with him for escort came Lambard and his knights.
They found the gate open, but no further durst any man go save Le Beau
Disconus and his squire Gyfflet; and Le Beau Disconus made Gyfflet
also turn back with the rest.
Then he rode alone into the palace, and alighted at the great hall. He
saw minstrels before the dais, and a fire burning brightly, but no
lord of the palace was there. Le Beau Disconus paced through all the
chambers, and saw no one but minstrels who made merry. Le Beau
Disconus went further, seeking those whom he should fight. He peered
into all the corners, and looked on wondrous pillars of jasper and
fine crystal; but never a foe did he see.
At last he sat him down at the dais in the great hall. As he sat, the
minstrels ceased their music and vanished, and the torches were
extinguished; doors and windows shook like thunder, and the very
stones of the walls fell round him. The dais began to quake, and the
roof above opened.
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