Perfect in all manly accomplishments, Henry splintered several lances
with his brother-in-law, the Duke of Suffolk, who formed an admirable
match for him in point of weight and strength; and at last, though he did
not succeed in unhorsing the duke, he struck off his helmet, the clasp
of which, it was whispered, was left designedly unfastened; and being
thereupon declared the victor, he received the prize--a scarf
embroidered by her own hands--from the fair Anne herself.
He then retired from the lists, leaving them free for the younger knights
to run a course at the ring. The first to enter the arena was Sir Thomas
Wyat; and as he was known to be a skilful jouster, it was expected he
would come off triumphantly. But a glance from the royal balcony
rendered his arm unsteady, and he missed the mark.
Next came the Duke of Richmond, superbly accoutred. Laughing at
Wyat's ill success, he bowed to the Fair Geraldine, and taking a lance
from his esquire, placed it in the rest, and rode gallantly forward. But
he was equally unsuccessful, and retired, looking deeply chagrined.
The third knight who presented himself was Surrey. Mounted on his
favourite black Arabian--a steed which, though of fiery temper, obeyed
his slightest movement--his light symmetrical figure was seen to the
greatest advantage in his close-fitting habiliments of silk and velvet.
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