And they had the date of the contest proclaimed s long while in
advance in all the countries near and far, in order that there
might be more participants. Now the Queen arrived before the
date they had set, and as soon as the ladies heard of the Queen's
return, most of them came at once to the King and besought him
to grant them a favour and boon, which he did. He promised to do
whatever they wished, before he knew what their desire might be.
Then they told him that they wished him to let the Queen come to
be present at their contest. And he who was not accustomed to
forbid, said he was willing, if she wished ir so. In happy mood
they go to the Queen and say to her: "Lady, do not deprive us of
the boon which the King has granted us." Then she asks them:
"What is that? Don't fail to tell!" Then they say to her: "If
you will come to our tournament, he will not gainsay you nor
stand in the way." Then she said that she would come, since he
was willing that she should. Promptly the dames send word
throughout the realm that they are going to bring the Queen on
the day set for the tournament. The news spread far and near,
here and there, until it reached the kingdom whence no one used
to return--but now whoever wished might enter or pass out
unopposed.
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