In this troop, too, rode many of the best blood of Spain; for in that chivalric army, the officers vied with each other who should most eclipse the meaner soldiery in feats of personal valour; and the name of Villena drew around him the eager and ardent spirits that pined at the general inactivity of Ferdinand's politic campaign.
The sun, now high in heaven, glittered on the splendid arms and gorgeous pennons of Villena's company, as, leaving the camp behind, it entered a rich and wooded district that skirts the mountain barrier of the Vega.

The brilliancy of the day, the beauty of the scene, the hope and excitement of enterprise, animated the spirits of the whole party.
In these expeditions strict discipline was often abandoned, from the certainty that it could be resumed at need.

Conversation, gay and loud, interspersed at times with snatches of song, was heard amongst the soldiery; and in the nobler group that rode with Villena, there was even less of the proverbial gravity of Spaniards.
"Now, marquess," said Don Estevon de Suzon, "what wager shall be between us as to which lance this day robs Moorish beauty of the greatest number of its worshippers ?" "My falchion against your jennet," said Don Alonzo de Pacheco, taking up the challenge.
"Agreed.

But, talking of beauty, were you in the queen's pavilion last night, noble marquess?
it was enriched by a new maiden, whose strange and sudden apparition none can account for.

Her eyes would have eclipsed the fatal glance of Cava; and had I been Rodrigo, I might have lost a crown for her smile." "Ay," said Villena, "I heard of her beauty; some hostage from one of the traitor Moors, with whom the king (the saints bless him!) bargains for the city.