it, yet they could not decline the Combate, being pressed to it beyond an
honourable refusal. To the Bride they sent a Complement, wherein, having
first begg'd her pardon for not knowing her Picture, they gave her to
understand, that now they were not about to dispute her undoubted right
to the Crown of Beauty, but the honour of being her Champions was the
Prize they fought for, which they thought themselves as able to maintain
as any other Pretenders. Wherefore they pray'd her, that if fortune so
far befriended their endeavours as to make them Victors, that they might
receive no other Reward, but to be crown'd with the Titles of their
Adversaries, and be ever after esteem'd as her most humble Servants. The
excuse was so handsomely designed, and much better express'd than it is
here, that it took effect. The Duke, Don Ferdinand and his Lady were so
well satisfied with it as to grant their Request.

While the running at the Ring lasted, our Cavaliers alternately bore away
great share of the Honour. That Sport ended, Marshals were appointed for
the Field, and every thing in great form settled for the Combat. The
Cavaliers were all in good earnest, but orders were given to bring 'em
blunted Lances, and to forbid the drawing of a Sword upon pain of his
Highness's Displeasure. The Trumpets sounded and they began their
Course: The Ladies' Hearts, particularly the Incognita and Leonora's beat
time to the Horses Hoofs, and hope and fear made a mock Fight within
their tender Breasts, each wishing and doubting success where she lik'd:
But as the generality of their Prayers were for the graceful Strangers,
they accordingly succeeded. Aurelian's Adversary was unhorsed in the
first Encounter, and Hippolito's lost both Stirrups and dropt his Lance
to save himself. The Honour of the Field was immediately granted to
them, and Don Catharina sent them both Favours, which she pray'd them to
wear as her Knights. The Crowd breaking up, our Cavaliers made a shift
to steal off unmarked, save by the watchful Leonora and Incognita, whose