presence of their Mistresses, to vindicate their Beauty; and were just spurring on to engage the Champions, when a Gentleman stopping them, told them their mistake, that it was the Picture of Donna Catharina, and a particular Honour done to her by his Highness’s Commands, and not to be disputed.  Upon this they would have returned to their Post, much concerned for their mistake; but notice being taken by Don Ferdinand of some Show of Opposition that was made, he would have begged leave of the Duke, to have maintained his Lady’s Honour against the Insolence of those Cavaliers; but the Duke would by no means permit it.  They were arguing about it when one of them came up, before whom the Shield was born, and demanded his Highness’s Permission, to inform those Gentlemen better of their mistake, by giving them the Foyl.  By the Intercession of Don Ferdinand, leave was given them; whereupon a Civil Challenge was sent to the two Strangers, informing them of their Error, and withal telling them they must either maintain it by force of Arms, or make a publick acknowledgment by riding bare headed before the Picture once round the Lists.  The Stranger-Cavaliers remonstrated to the Duke how sensible they were of their Error, and though they would not justifie 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