CHAPTER II.
Far in a wild, unknown to public view,
From youth to age a reverend hermit grew;
The moss his bed, the cave his humble cell,
His food the fruits, his drink the crystal well;
Remote from man, with God he pass'd his days,
Prayer all his business—all his pleasure praise.
Parnell.
The reader cannot have forgotten that the
event of the tournament was decided by the exertions of an unknown knight, whom, on account
of the passive and indifferent conduct which he
had manifested on the former part of the day,
the spectators had entitled, Le Noir Faineant.
This knight had left the field abruptly when
the victory was achieved; and when he was called
upon to receive the reward of his valour, he was
no where to be found. In the meantime, while
summoned by heralds and by trumpets, the