The mixed events, and fortunes of the field. Some broke their spears, some tumbled horse and man, And round the fields the lightened coursers ran. An hour and more, like tides, in equal sway They rushed, and won by turns, and lost the day: At length the nine (who still together held) } Their fainting foes to shameful flight compelled, } And with resistless force o'er-ran the field. } Thus, to their fame, when finished was the fight, The victors from their lofty steeds alight: Like them dismounted all the warlike train, And two by two proceeded o'er the plain; Till to the fair assembly they advanced, Who near the secret arbour sung and danced. The ladies left their measures at the sight, } To meet the chiefs returning from the fight, } And each with open arms embraced her chosen knight. } Amid the plain a spreading laurel stood, The grace and ornament of all the wood: That pleasing shade they sought, a soft retreat From sudden April showers, a shelter from the heat: Her leafy arms with such extent were spread, So near the clouds was her aspiring head, That hosts of birds, that wing the liquid air, Perched in the boughs, had nightly lodging there: And flocks of sheep beneath the shade from far Might hear the rattling hail, and wintry war; From heaven's inclemency here found retreat, Enjoyed the cool, and shunned the scorching heat: A hundred knights might there at ease abide, And every knight a lady by his side: The trunk itself such odours did bequeath, That a Moluccan breeze to these was common breath. The lords and ladies here, approaching, paid } Their homage, with a low obeisance made, } And seemed to venerate the sacred shade. } These rites performed, their pleasures they pursue, With songs of love, and mix with measures[199] new; Around the holy tree their dance they frame, And every champion leads his chosen dame. I cast my sight upon the farther field, And a fresh object of delight beheld: For from the region of the west I heard New music sound, and a new troop appeared; Of knights, and ladies mixed a jolly band, But all on foot they marched, and hand in hand. The ladies dressed in rich symars were seen } Of Florence sattin, flowered with white and green, } And for a shade betwixt the bloomy gridelin. } The borders of their petticoats below Were guarded thick with rubies on a row; And every damsel wore upon her head Of flowers a garland blended white and red. Attired in mantles all the knights were seen, That gratified the view with cheerful green: Their chaplets of their ladies' colours were, Composed of white and red, to shade their shining hair. Before the merry troop the minstrels played; All in their masters' liveries were arrayed, And clad in green, and on their temples wore The chaplets white and red their ladies bore.