You will come to the sports in the meadows later, fair maidens?
And I have a favour to ask of you twain.

May I be bold enough to proffer it now ?" They looked at him with smiling, questioning eyes.
"A favour, fair sir ?" "Yes, truly; for I would ask of you to be witness to our contest of calcio in yonder green meadow, and to present to the victors the garlands of laurel and flowers which are to be their reward who shall come off triumphant in the strife.

No contest is so keenly contested as that which is watched by the bright eyes of fair ladies, and I would ask that ye be the queens of the strife, and reward the victorious company with your own fair hands." The girls assented gladly and gaily.

They had heard much of this newly-introduced game, and were curious to witness it.

The more ancient sports of quintain, on land and water, morris dancing, quarterstaff, archery, and such like, were all familiar enough.