Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/136

crashing of spears. He once held a tournament, and caused it to be proclaimed that the conqueror should obtain a magnificent reward. This caused a great assemblage of the princes and peers of the kingdom; and the emperor ordained that the knights should be divided, so many on one side, and so many on the other. But they who first entered the field were to dispose their shields and arms in order, in a certain place: and further, whosoever of the adverse party would touch the shield of another with his lance, immediately he, whose shield was touched, being previously armed by a maiden selected for the purpose, should descend to the contest; and if he proved victorious, dispute the field with the next opponent. The day being come, the emperor assumed the imperial crown, and sat down at the royal table. Now a certain knight, having diligently inspected the shield of his antagonists, was wonderfully taken with one bearing three apples, or; and that shield he touched. Instantly the owner of it armed and met his opponent, and, after a short conflict,