The princess, however, had a troubled look. The color came and
went from her cheek, and her eye wandered with a restless and
unsatisfied expression over the plumed throng of knights. The trumpets
were about sounding for the encounter, when the herald announced the
arrival of a strange knight; and Ahmed rode into the field. A steel
helmet studded with gems rose above his turban; his cuirass was
embossed with gold; his cimeter and dagger were of the workmanship
of Fez, and flamed with precious stones. A round shield was at his
shoulder, and in his hand he bore the lance of charmed virtue. The
caparison of his Arabian steed was richly embroidered and swept the
ground, and the proud animal pranced and snuffed the air, and
neighed with joy at once more beholding the array of arms. The lofty
and graceful demeanor of the prince struck every eye, and when his
appellation was announced, "the Pilgrim of Love," a universal
flutter and agitation prevailed among the fair dames in the galleries.
When Ahmed presented himself at the lists, however, they were closed
against him: none but princes, he was told, were admitted to the
contest. He declared his name and rank. Still worse!- he was a Moslem,
and could not engage in a tourney where the hand of a Christian
princess was the prize.
The rival princes surrounded him with haughty and menacing
aspects; and one of insolent demeanor and herculean frame sneered at
his light and youthful form, and scoffed at his amorous appellation.
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