Then they turn toward
their lodgings, and when they had returned, here and there men
began to say: "What has become of the worst, the most craven and
despised of knights? Whither did he go? Where is he concealed?
Where is he to be found? Where shall we search for him? We
shall probably never see him again. For he has been driven off
by cowardice, with which he is so filled that there is no greater
craven in the world than he. And he is not wrong, for a coward
is a hundred times more at ease than a valorous fighting man.
Cowardice is easy of entreaty, and that is the reason he has
given her the kiss of peace and has taken from her all she has to
give. Courage never so debased herself as to lodge in his breast
or take quarters near him. But cowardice is altogether lodged
with him, and she has found a host who will honour her and serve
her so faithfully that he is willing to resign his own fair name
for hers." Thus they wrangle all night, vying with each other in
slander. But often one man maligns another, and yet is much
worse himself than the object of his blame and scorn. Thus,
every one said what he pleased about him. And when the next day
dawned, all the people prepared and came again to the jousting
place. The Queen was in the stand again, accompanied by her
ladies and damsels and many knights without their arms, who had
been captured or defeated, and these explained to them the
armorial bearings of the knights whom they most esteem.
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