It so happened that at about this time My Lord of Flanders let call
a tournament.
And sent out to all his lords and barons to come to Ghent for that
purpose.
Halewyn went thither and set up his shield among the others.
But the barons and lords, seeing the arrogant device and the great
size of the shield, were greatly put to offence thereat.
And all of them jousted with him, but each was overthrown in turn.
Among them was present an English knight of much prowess, who rode
out to the middle of the tourney-field and stood straight and proud
before Sir Halewyn.
"Well," quoth he, "My Lord the Invincible, it displeases me to see thee
planted there so arrogantly and unhorsing us all in this fashion. Wilt
thou fight with me?"
"Yes," said Sir Halewyn.
"If I overcome thee, thou shalt be my servant and I shall take thee
with me into Cornwall."
"Yes," said Sir Halewyn.
"And cause thee to grease my horses' hooves, and empty the dung
from the stable; and find out whether thou art invincible at such
work also."
"Yes," said Sir Halewyn.
"And if thou art not invincible, the invincible stick shall thrash
thee invincibly."
"Yes," said Sir Halewyn.
"But if thou overcome me, this shall be thy guerdon:
"Five-and-twenty bezants which are in the house of thy Lord, the
noble Count of Flanders; all the accoutrement of my horse, which is
of fine mail; his fair saddle of pear-wood, covered with leather,
and saddle-bows richly figured with ten horsemen lustily fighting and
with Our Lord driving out the devil from one possessed; furthermore
my helm of fine wrought steel, and on it a crest of silver, gilt
over, with spread wings, which may very well, notwithstanding thy
device, stand against thy bleeding heart, thy gaping sickle, and thy
miserable crow. Well, My Lord the Invincible, dost think thou shalt
win invincibly the five-and-twenty bezants, the helm of my head,
and the trappings of my horse?"
"Yes," said Sir Halewyn.
Then, after My Lord himself had given the signal, they ran together
with a great clatter.
And the English knight was overthrown like the rest.
Then all the ladies acclaimed and applauded the Miserable, crying out:
"Worship to Siewert Halewyn the noble, Siewert Halewyn the Fleming,
Siewert Halewyn the Invincible."
And on his way back to the house of My Lord, there to feast with him,
he was by these ladies kissed, fondled, and made much of without stint.
And, putting on the gear of the English knight, he went off to the
towns of Bruges, Lille, and Ghent, thieving and ravishing everywhere.
And came back from each expedition with much booty.
And felt the heart all the while pouring live strength into his breast
and beating against his skin.
Then he went back to his own castle with the five-and-twenty bezants
and the arms of the knight of England.
When he sounded the horn there came to him his mother, who, seeing him
so gilt over, was overcome with joy, and cried: "He brings us riches,
as he promised."
"Yes," said Sir Halewyn.
And she fell at his feet and kissed them.
As also did the younger brother, saying: "Sir Brother thou hast lifted
us up from poverty, I will willingly serve thee."
"So shouldst thou, indeed," said Halewyn. Then, going into the hall:
"I would sup," he said, "thou, woman, fetch me meat, and thou,
fellow, drink."
And on the morrow, and every day thereafter, he made to serve him at
table, as if they had been his private servants, his father, mother,
brother, and sister, turn by turn.