His steed at the barrier’s limit he halted,
And toss’d to his Squire the rich gold-emboss’d rein;
Cased in steel as he was, o’er the high pales he vaulted,
And, bowing, cried, “Messieurs Chevaliers, prey deign
To lend me an ear—
Lo, I’m singly come here,
Since none of you dared against me to appear.
One and all I defy,
Nor fear I shall fly,
Win me then, if you can—for my knighthood I try.”