At the place where the tournament was to be, there were some
large wooden stands for the use of the Queen with her ladies and
damsels. Such fine stands were never seen before they were so
long and well constructed. Thither the ladies betook themselves
with the Queen, wishing to see who would fare better or worse in
the combat. Knights arrive by tens, twenties, and thirties, here
eighty and there ninety, here a hundred, there still more, and
yonder twice as many yet; so that the press is so great in front
of the stands and all around that they decide to begin the joust.
As they assemble, armed and unarmed, their lances suggest the
appearance of a wood, for those who have come to the sport
brought so many lances that there is nothing in sight but lances,
banners, and standards. Those who are going to take part begin
to joust, and they find plenty of their companions who had come
with similar intent. Still others prepare to perform other feats
of chivalry. The fields, meadows, and fallow lands are so full
of knights that it is impossible to estimate how many of them are
there. But there was no sign of Lancelot at this first gathering
of the knights; but later, when he entered the middle of the
field, the herald saw him and could not refrain from crying out:
"Behold him who will take the measure! Behold him who will take
the measure!" And the people ask him who he is, but he will not
tell them anything.
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