A sepulchral lamp of
everlasting oil shed a solemn light through the place. On an iron
table in the centre of the cavern lay the magic armor, against it
leaned the lance, and beside it stood an Arabian steed, caparisoned
for the field, but motionless as a statue. The armor was bright and
unsullied as it had gleamed in days of old; the steed in as good
condition as if just from the pasture; and when Ahmed laid his hand
upon his neck, he pawed the ground and gave a loud neigh of joy that
shook the walls of the cavern. Thus amply provided with "horse and
rider and weapon to wear," the prince determined to defy the field
in the impending tourney.
The eventful morning arrived. The lists for the combat were prepared
in the vega, or plain, just below the cliff-built walls of Toledo,
where stages and galleries were erected for the spectators, covered
with rich tapestry, and sheltered from the sun by silken awnings.
All the beauties of the land were assembled in those galleries,
while below pranced plumed knights with their pages and esquires,
among whom figured conspicuously the princes who were to contend in
the tourney. All the beauties of the land, however, were eclipsed when
the princess Aldegonda appeared in the royal pavilion, and for the
first time broke forth upon the gaze of an admiring world. A murmur of
wonder ran through the crowd at her transcendent loveliness; and the
princes who were candidates for her hand, merely on the faith of her
reported charms, now felt tenfold ardor for the conflict.
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