noon
If , leaving this task , which might be compared to spurring a tired jade , or to hammering upon cold iron , Cedric fell back to his ward Rowena , he received little more satisfaction from conferring with her . For , as his presence interrupted the discourse between the lady and her favourite attendant upon the gallantry and fate of Wilfred , Elgitha failed not to revenge both her mistress and herself , by recurring to the overthrow of Athelstane in the lists , the most disagreeable subject which could greet the ears of Cedric . To this sturdy Saxon , therefore , the day 's journey was fraught with all manner of displeasure and discomfort ; so that he more than once internally cursed the tournament , and him who had proclaimed it , together with his own folly in ever thinking of going thither . At noon , upon the motion of Athelstane , the travellers paused in a woodland shade by a fountain , to repose their horses and partake of some provisions , with which the hospitable Abbot had loaded a sumpter mule . Their repast was a pretty long one ; and these several interruptions rendered it impossible for them to hope to reach Rotherwood without travelling all night , a conviction which induced them to proceed on their way at a more hasty pace than they had hitherto used . A train of armed men , some noble dame Escorting , -LRB- so their scatter 'd words discover 'd , As unperceived I hung upon their rear , -RRB- Are close at hand , and mean to pass the night Within the castle . -- Orra , a Tragedy The travellers had now reached the verge of the wooded country , and were about to plunge into its recesses , held dangerous at that time from the number of outlaws whom oppression and poverty had driven to despair , and who occupied the forests in such large bands as could easily bid defiance to the feeble police of the period .