CORNELL 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 THIS BOOK IS ONE OF A 
 COLLECTION MADE BY 
 
 BENNO LOEWY 
 1854-1919 
 
 AND BEQUEATHED TO 
 
 CORNELL UNIVERSITY 
 
Cornell University Library 
 PC 3328. J3 1856 
 
 Jaufry the knight and the fair Brunissen 
 
 3 1924 026 517 700 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924026517700 
 
%y 
 
 They reached the lofty rock, where, at the summit, they be 
 iuejf i'-"^ monster s horns. 
 
 beheld the khig hanging thus helpless from the 
 
JAUFEY THE KNIGHT 
 
 AND THE 
 
 FAIR BRUNISSENDE. 
 
 A TALE OF THE TIMES OF KING ARTHUR. 
 
 TEANSLATBD FROM THE FRENCH VERSION OF MARY^LAFON 
 BY ALFRED ELWES. 
 
 |U«8traleb( fait| itentg ingrabings bg #. Jort. 
 
 ADDEY AND CO. 
 
 HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON. 
 
 ,in)CCCLYI. 
 [Intematiunal Copyright Edition.] 
 
 3 
 
PRINTED BY ROBSONj LEVEY, AND EEANKLYN, 
 Great New Street and Fetter Lane. 
 
TRANSLATOE'S PREFACE. 
 
 The description given by one of tlie authors of Jaufry 
 about the origin of the romance, and the evidence 
 afforded by the French adapter concerning the Mss. 
 wherein it is contaiaed, make it unnecessary for me to 
 dwell upon these particulars. 
 
 The veneration in which King Arthur's name is 
 held by all lovers of the early romantic history of 
 Britain wUl give the tale a strong recommendation ia 
 such eyes ; while the personages with which it deals 
 render the appearance of its characters in. an EngHsh 
 dress the more pleasing and appropriate. 
 
 As answerable for the fashion and material of the 
 costume, I may be permitted to say a few words con- 
 cerning the rule which has guided me in producing it. 
 Keeping in view that the original romance is a poem 
 in form and composition, I have endeavoured, in my 
 translation, still to preserve the poetic character ; and 
 though compelled to base my work upon a prose ver- 
 
IV TBANSLATOE, S PBEPACE. 
 
 sioiij I have tried, within certain, limits, rather to 
 restore its original shape, than allow it, by the second 
 ordeal to which it is thus subjected, to lose it alto- 
 gether. Whether such attempt, however honestly con- 
 ceived, has been properly carried out, must be deter- 
 mined by my readers. 
 
 A. E. 
 
 Kind's Arms Yard, 
 
 Moorgate Street, London. 
 
PKEFACE TO THE FRENCH VERSION. 
 
 The literary world of France scarce knows tlie extent 
 of its own riches. In the catacombs of its libraries 
 and archives there is a heap of unknown jewels which 
 would give a new and brighter lustre to its poetic 
 wreath. The " great age" did not even suspect their 
 existence ; the eighteenth century passed over without 
 bestowing on them a glance; and if, in our days, a 
 few of our learned brethren have conceived the idea of 
 drawing them to light, the rumour of their labours, 
 which moreover were both superficial and incomplete, 
 never got beyond the doors of the Institute. 
 
 There still remains, then, more especially as regards 
 the south, to open up the lode of this mine of gold, 
 — a virgin mine as yet, inasmuch as Sainte-Palaye, 
 Hochegude, Raynouard, and ]Pauriel, have but scraped 
 upon its surface, — and reanimate, in a poetic point of 
 view, the middle ages, too easily sacrificed at the period 
 
Vi PEEFACE TO THE PHENCH VERSION. 
 
 of the renaissance, too severely proscribed by the TJni- 
 versity. Ped, in truth, from our entry into college 
 with the literature of Greece and Eome, which, how- 
 ever admirable in form, is but sober in invention, we 
 can have no conception of those works w^rein the 
 imagination of Prance, youthful, vigorous, and gay, 
 blossomed in fuU freshness like a rose in spring. Some 
 judgment may be formed of the value of the poems 
 rhymed by the troubadours in the tweKth and thir- 
 teenth centuries by the romance which is now pre- 
 sented to the public. Dragged from the dust beneath 
 which it has lain buried for six hundred years, the ro- 
 mance of JoAifry is translated for the first time ; and 
 when we consider the merit of the story, we may add, 
 without fear of contradiction, that it deserved such 
 honour long ago. 
 
 Let the reader call up in his mind a pavilion of 
 Smyrna or Granada, with columns of white marble 
 light and graceful as those of the Alhambra, with 
 elegant trellis-work, glass of varied hues, and filled 
 -with a pervading tone of warmth, — the warmth of a 
 May sun, — and he will have some notion of the ro- 
 mance of Jaufry and the fair Brunissende : — few things 
 being more piquant, more fresh, more fanciful, or 
 which better refl.ect the charming caprices of a south- 
 ern imagination in the middle ages. Feudal society 
 revives therein entire, with all its fairy doings, its 
 knightly fictions, its manners, and its grand lance- 
 thrusts ; and such is the interest of the tale, that we 
 
PREFACE TO THE FRENCH VERSION. VU 
 
 allow ourselves to be carried away by it with as much 
 pleasure as our ancestors must have felt, when it was 
 told to the sounds "of the minstrel's viol in the great 
 castle-hallj or beneath the shadow of the tent. 
 
 Two peculiarities, which are not matter of indiffer- 
 ence to history, enhance the value of this poetic gem : 
 one is, the influence of Arabic ideas, of which it has a 
 distant savour like the balmy oases of the East; and 
 the other, the inspiration which it evidently lent to 
 Cervantes. If, for instance, we discover therein the 
 roc, the wishes, and the tent of the Eairy Paribanou, 
 as traces of the Arabian Nights, we behold, on the 
 other hand, that this romance of Jamfry has furnished 
 the one-handed genius of Alcala with the first idea of 
 the adventure of the galley-slaves (desdichados gale- 
 otes), the cavalier in green {cavallero del verde gavan), 
 the braying of the regidors {rebuzno de los dos regi- 
 dores), the Princess Micomicona, and the enchanted 
 head. And in this respect we may be permitted to 
 remark, that the romance of Jaufry offers matter of 
 a piquant comparison with the work of Miguel Cer- 
 vantes. Is it not strange, after the ingenious Don 
 Quixote, to find ourselves reading with pleasure the 
 adventures of a knight-errant ? 
 
 "We should still have much to say concerning this ■ 
 poem and our system of translating it ; but as we are 
 averse to useless dissertations, we wUl confine our fur- 
 ther remarks within short space. This romance, which 
 is written in the Frovengal tongue of the twelfth cen- 
 
Vm PREFACE TO THE FRENCH VERSION. 
 
 tury, is composed of eleren thousand one hundred and 
 sixty verses of eight syllahles.* It was begun by a 
 troubadour, who heard the tale related at the court 
 of the king of Aragon, and finished by a poet whose 
 modesty caused him to conceal his own name and that 
 of his colleague. In order to render the reading of 
 their work more pleasant, while using our efforts to 
 retain the southern character and genuine tone of 
 colour, we have pared away some of the verbosity and 
 tautologies which at times encumber while they retard 
 the progress of the action. May this flower of the 
 genius of our fathers retain in our modern tongue a 
 part of that freshness and perfume which were its at- 
 tributes in former days ! 
 
 * The Imperial Library possesses two manuscript copies ; one in 
 small folio, written in a minute round Italian hand, with double columns 
 of forty-five verses, — 124 pages, classed under No. 291, 2d French sup- 
 plement ; the other, a small quarto, which will be found under No. 7988. 
 
AUTHOE'S PREFACE. 
 
 Now of a tale of chivalry, of proper fasMon, great 
 allurement, full of wise and courteous instances, and 
 wherein abound acts of great prowess, strange adven- 
 tures, assaults, encounters, and dread battles, you may 
 list the telling. An it amuse you, I will relate thereof 
 all that I do know, or that it please you to give ear 
 unto. Let me know only that which ye desire, and 
 if ye be inclined to listen in good sooth. When the 
 minstrel doth indeed recite, neither should hearers buy 
 nor sell, nor in low voice hold council; for thus the 
 recital is lost to him who speaketh, and they methinks 
 who listen cannot find therein great pleasure. 
 
 I come, then, to recount to you tidings of the court 
 of good King Arthur ; he who was so worthy, so valiant, 
 and so wise, that his name shall never die, but whereof 
 shall eternally be spoken the mighty things he did ; 
 and the good knights, all for their prowess known. 
 
X author's PRErACE. 
 
 whom lie did gather at his famed Round Table. In 
 that court, the fairest and most loyal that ever shone 
 beneath the stars, all men did find that counsel and 
 that aid of which they stood in need. There triumphed 
 right, and there were wrongs redressed. 
 
 There dames and damsels, widows and orphans 
 attacked unjustly, or disiaherited by force, ne'er failed 
 to meet with champions. The oppressed of aU condi- 
 tions there did find a refuge, and none e'er sought 
 protection there in vain. Give, then, sweet welcome 
 to a poem the fruit of such good place, and deign to 
 listen unto it in peace. 
 
 The troubadour who rhymed it never knew King 
 Arthur ; but he heard the entire story told at the court 
 of the king of Aragon, the best of monarchs ia this 
 world.* 
 
 A worthy father and a famous son, lord of goodly 
 fortunes, humble in heart, and frank in nature as in 
 mind, the king of Aragon loveth God and feareth Him. ; 
 he maintaineth faith and loyalty, peace and justice : 
 thus God protecteth him, giveth him the victory when 
 he raiseth his banner against the infidel, and placeth 
 him above all those who are alike worthy and bold. 
 "Where shall we seek youthful brows wearing a crown 
 which emitteth rays of greater splendour ? 
 
 He giveth good gifts to minstrels and to knights, 
 and his court is the resort of all those who are es- 
 
 * Don Pedro III., killed in 1213 at the battle of Muret. 
 
AUTHOR S PREFACE. XI 
 
 teemed brave and courteous. It was before bim tbe 
 troubadour heard related, by a stranger-knigbt of kin 
 to Arthur and Sir Gawain, the song he here hath 
 rhymed; and whereof the first adventure occurred 
 while the king of the B^ound Table held his court at 
 Carlisle on the day of Pentecost. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Translator's Preface . 
 Preface to the French Version . 
 Author's Preface 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 I. The Adventure of the Forest 
 II. Estout de Verfeil 
 
 III. The Dwarf and the Lance 
 
 IV. The Yeoman 
 
 V. The Castle of the Leper . 
 VI. The Orchard of Brunissende 
 VII. The Black Knight 
 VIII. Taulat de Eugimon . 
 IX. Brunissende and l'Ondine . 
 X. The Giant .... 
 XL The Court of Carlisle 
 
 PAGE 
 
 iii 
 
 17 
 
 33 
 
 47 
 
 59 
 
 71 
 
 87 
 
 107 
 
 119 
 
 131 
 
 143 
 
 153 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 They reached the lofty rook, where, at the summit, they beheld the king 
 
 hanging thus helpless from the monster's horns . . . Frontispiece. 
 " Knight," then cried Jaufry to the corpse, " it grieves me not to know thy 
 
 slayer, or whether thou wert wrong or whether right: thou now art ^^^^ 
 dead ; hut if I can, I even wiU learn why, and by whose hand" . . 35 
 
 " Knight," said Sir Jaufry, " thou dost press me sore" 43 
 
 The wood and iron, for a cubit's length, pierced through the shoulder . 53 
 " Good friend," he then apostrophised the knight, " the passage now may 
 
 be considered safe" 54 
 
 " Halt, knight," he cried ; " I'll have a word with thee" . . .60 
 A fierce wind, in passing, swept away the last memorial of the magic work 82 
 Knights and burghers, minstrels, jugglers from all countries, hither troop- 
 ing came 88 
 
 His troop returned, bearing him faint and bleeding on his shield . . 94 
 The wood was gloomy, intricate, and dense ; and at the first cross-road 
 before him, he beheld, squatted beneath a pine, a hag, whose aspect 
 
 struck him with surprise 109 
 
 " Heaven !" Sir Jaufry cried, " in thee I trust ; what figure have we here ?" - 110 
 Back returned the sable knight, hissing and growling as the thimder doth 
 
 when tempests vex the air . . . . . . . . .113 
 
 Jaufry with Augier's daughter rode away 117 
 
 No wonder, then, if Jaufry were surprised to see her come thus lovely, fuU 
 
 of grace, and smiling as the queen of the sweet south . . .131 
 
 I leave you to surmise the games and joy which at the castle on that day 
 
 were seen 1 34 
 
 They sat them down in the great hall of the castle 136 
 
 He his efforts used to save her with the butt-end of his lance . . . 140 
 Sir Jaufry found himself with those two dames in a delicious laud . . 143 
 Then was the convent-church most richly decked, to which the king in 
 
 pomp conducted him with the fair Brunissende 155 
 
 All the train which called Sir Melyan lord escorted back in triumph to 
 
 Monthrun that happy pair 157 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE ADVENTURE OF THE POEEST. 
 
 'TwAS on the day of Pentecost, a feast wMcli to Car- 
 lisle had drawn a host of knights, that Arthur, King 
 of Briton's isle, his crown placed on his brows, and 
 to the old monastic church proceeded to hear naass. 
 And with him went a brilliant train, the Knights of 
 the Eound Table, There were Sir Gawaia, Lancelot 
 du Lac, Tristrem, and Ivan bold, Eric frank of heart, 
 and Quex the seneschal, Percival and Calogrant, Cliges 
 the worthy, Coedis the handsome knight, and Caravis 
 short i' the arm ; the whole of his bright court, indeed, 
 was there, and many more whose names I have forgot. 
 When mass was done, they to the palace home re- 
 turned 'mid laughter and loud noise, the thoughts of 
 each on pleasure only bent. Each on arrival gave his 
 humour play. Some spoke of love, and some of chi- 
 
 B 
 
18 JATTFEY THE KNIGHT 
 
 valry ; and some of ventures they were going to seek. 
 Quex at this moment came into the hall, holding a 
 branch of apple in his hand. All made room for him ; 
 for there were few who did not fear his tongue and the 
 hard words which it was wont to utter. This baron 
 bold held nothing in respect. E'en of the best he 
 eyer said the worst. But this apart, he was a brave 
 stout knight, in council sage, a valiant man of war, 
 and lord of lineage high ; but this, his humour and his 
 biting words took from him much that was of right 
 his due. 
 
 He, going straightway to the king, thus said : 
 " Sire, an it please you, it is time to dine." 
 " Quex," replied Arthur, in an angry tone, " sure 
 thou wast born but to awake my wrath, and out of 
 season ever to discourse. Have I not told thee, ay, a 
 thousand times, naught should induce me to partake 
 of food, when thus my court had met, till some adven- 
 ture had turned up, some knight were vanquished, or 
 some maid set free? Gro sit thee down at bottom of 
 the haU." 
 
 Quex went without a word among that joyous 
 throng, where men of all conditions, knights and lords, 
 minstrels and mountebanks, ceased not their tricks, 
 
AND THE PAIR BRUNISSENDE. 19 
 
 their gay discourse, their laughter, tUl the hour of 
 noon. At noon. Bang Arthur called Sir Gawain, and 
 thus spoke : 
 
 " Pair nephew, cause our chargers to he brought ; 
 for since adventure cometh not to us, we must fain 
 seek it in the open field ; for should we longer stay, 
 our knights, indeed, would have a right to think that 
 it were time to dine." 
 
 " Tour will, my lord," Sir Gawain said, " shall be 
 obeyed." 
 
 And at the instant he the squires bade to saddle 
 horses and their armour bring. Soon were the steeds 
 prepared, the nobles armed. The king then girded on 
 his famous sword, and at the head of his bold barons 
 placed, set out for Bressiland, a gloomy wood. Hav- 
 ing along its deep and shady paths awhile proceeded, 
 the good king drew rein, and 'mid the greatest silence 
 bent his ear. A distant voice was then distinctly 
 heard, calling at intervals for human help, and turn 
 by turn invoking God and saints ! 
 
 " I will ride yonder," bold King Arthur cried ; 
 " but with no company save my good, sword." 
 
 " An it please you, my lord," Sir Gawain said, " I 
 fain would ride with you." 
 
20 JAUrUT THE KNIGHT 
 
 " Not SO, fair nephew," the king made reply; " I 
 need no company." 
 
 " Since such your wish," said Gawain, " have your 
 wiU." 
 
 Arthur called quickly for his shield and lance, and 
 spurred right eagerly towards the spot whence came 
 the plaintive voice. As he drew near, the cries the 
 sharper grew. The king pricked on with greater 
 speed, and stopped before a stream by which a mill 
 was placed. Just at the door he saw a woman stand, 
 who wept, and screamed, and wrung her trembling 
 hands, while she her tresses tore in deep despair. The 
 good king, moved to pity, asked her why she grieved. 
 
 " My lord," she weepingly replied, " oh ! help me, in 
 God's name ! a dreadful beast, come down from yonder 
 mount, is there within devouring all my corn !" 
 
 Arthur approached, and saw the savage beast, 
 which truly was most frightful to behold. 
 
 Larger than largest bull, it had a coat of long and 
 russet fur, a whitish neck and head, which bristled 
 with a pile of horns. Its eyes were large and round, 
 its teeth of monstrous size; its jaws were shapeless, 
 legs of massive build ; its feet were broad and square- 
 A giant elk were not of greater bulk. Arthur ob- 
 
AND THE PAIR BRTJNISSENDE. 21 
 
 served it for a certain time with wonder in Ms mind ; 
 crossing himself, he then got oflf his horse, drew forth 
 his sword, and, covered with his shield, went straight 
 into the mill. The beast, however, far from being 
 scared, did not so much as even raise its head, but 
 from the hopper still devoured the corn. Seeing it 
 motionless, the king believed the beast was lack of 
 spirit, and, to excite it, struck it on the back: but 
 still the creature moved not. He then advanced, and 
 standiag right in front, lunged at the beast as though 
 to run it through. It did not even seem to note the 
 act. Arthur then cautiously laid down his shield, re- 
 placed his sword, and, being stout and strong, he seized 
 it by the horns, and shook it with great force ; nathe- 
 less he could not make it leave the grain. In rage, he 
 was about to raise his fist, so as to deal it on the head 
 a blow; but lo ! he could not then remove his hands, 
 — they were as riveted unto its horns. 
 
 Soon as the beast perceived its foe was caught, it 
 raised its head; and issued from the mill, bearing, 
 pendant from its horns, the king, aghast, distracted, 
 and yet wUd with rage. It then regained the wood 
 at easy pace ; when Gawain, who, by good fortune, 
 happed to ride before his friends, beheld it thus his 
 
22 JATJEBT THE KNIGHT 
 
 uncle carrying off, — a siglit which half-deprived him. 
 of his wits. 
 
 " Knights !" he exclaimed aloud, " hie hither ! help 
 to our good lord ! and may the laggard never sit at his 
 Round Table more ! We should indeed deserve disho- 
 noured names were the king lost for want of timely aid." 
 
 As thus he spoke, he flew towards the beast, not 
 waiting for the rest, and couched his lance as though 
 to strike at it. 
 
 But the king, fearing harm would come to him, 
 addressed him thus : 
 
 " Pair nephew, thanks ; but e'en for my sake halt. 
 If thou do touch it, I am surely lost ; and if thou 
 spare it, saved. I might have slaia it, and yet did not 
 so ; something now tells me I held not* my hand ia 
 vain. Let it, then, go its course ; and keep my men 
 from coming on too near." 
 
 " My lord," Sir Gawaia answered him with tears, 
 " must I, then, let you perish without help ?" 
 
 " The best of help," the king rejoined, " will be to 
 do my biddiag," 
 
 Sir Gawain was at this so much incensed, he cast 
 down lance and shield, he tore his cloak and handfuls 
 from his hair. 
 
AND THE EAIR BRUNISSBNDE. 23 
 
 Just at this time Ivan and Tristrem came, with 
 lances lowered, and at top of speed ; Gawain threw up 
 his hands, and loudly cried : 
 
 " Strike not, my lords, for his, King Arthur's sake; 
 he 's a dead man if you but touch the beast." 
 
 " "What, then, are we to do ?" inquired they. 
 
 " We'll foUow it," quoth Gawain : " if the king be 
 hurt, the beast shall die." 
 
 The monster still kept on its even way, not seem- 
 ing to remark the knights, until a rock it reached, 
 lofty and round and high. It scaled it, as a swallow, 
 rapidly; and Gawain and his friends, who at a dis- 
 tance followed, sad and full of thought, saw it, when 
 thus the summit was attained, crawl straight towards 
 a peak which overhung. There, stretching out its 
 head, it held the king suspended o'er the abyss. Judge 
 the alarm of Gawain and his friends^ who each beside 
 was almost wild Vidth rage ! Hearing their cries, they 
 who remained behind carae up full spur, and reached 
 the lofty rock, where, at the summit, they beheld the 
 king hanging thus helpless from the monster's horns. 
 They then gave loose to the most doleful cries that 
 ever had been heard. I cannot picture to you their 
 despair. Brave knights and pages then you might 
 
24 JATTPBT THE KNIGHT 
 
 have seen tearing their hair and rending their attire, 
 that wood reviling and the strange adventure which 
 they had come to seek. And Quex exclaimed, by way 
 of fibaal stroke : 
 
 " Alas ! fair chivalry, how hard thy lot ! this day 
 to cause the death of our good king, and lose thy 
 valour when 'twas needed most !" 
 
 Saying these words he sank upon the ground. The 
 king, however, still remained suspended in mid air, 
 the beast meanwhile not offering to stir. The mon- 
 arch feared to drop in that abyss ; and in low voice 
 he prayed the saiats and God to save him. from this 
 pass. Then Gawain, Tristrem, and I know not who 
 beside, took counsel how they might heap up their 
 robes, so as to break the brave King Arthur's faU. 
 Gawaia had scarce proposed it to the crowd than each 
 one doffed his garments speedily. 
 
 In haste they brought their cloaks and mantles 
 gay ; stripped off with eagerness their doublets, hose ; 
 and in an instant every knight was bare : such was 
 the heap of garments 'neath that rock, the king had 
 fallen without deadly risk. When this the beast be- 
 held, it stirred as though it would draw back, and 
 slightly shook its head. The crowd below, alarmed. 
 
AND THE PAIR BRUNISSENDE. • 25 
 
 at once upraised a cry ; and on their bended knees 
 prayed Heaven to guard the king, and bear him safe 
 and sound. The beast with mighty spring then leaped 
 below ; and setting Arthur free, itself it changed into 
 a handsome knight, in scarlet richly clad from head to 
 heel. This noble bent his knee before the kiag, and 
 smiling said : 
 
 " My liege, command your men their garments to 
 resume ; they now may dine ia peace ; though some- 
 what late, the adventtire has been found." 
 
 Arthur amazed, nay, half-distraught at this adven- 
 ture strange, now recognised the knight, — a courtly 
 guest, esteemed among the brave, the courteous, and 
 the sage. 
 
 Adroit in arms, gay, graceful, and beloved ; among 
 the first in strife, yet kind and modest too, — this lord 
 was master of the seven arts, and in all spells was 
 versed. For some time past between him and the 
 king a compact stood, whereby it was agreed, if he 
 himself transformed when all the court was met, he 
 should as guerdon three good gifts receive — a cup of 
 gold, a charger of great price, and from the fairest 
 damsel a sweet kiss. 
 
 Gawain at once ran up, fearing his uncle in his 
 
26 JATJPRT THE KNIGHT 
 
 fall was crushed ; and you may safely judge of Ms sur- 
 prise — finding him thus, in high good humour, stand 
 loud laughing with the heast. 
 
 " In faith, fair friend," quoth he, " you can indeed 
 enchant poor folks, and force even barons to throw off 
 their clothes." 
 
 " You may resume them, good my lord," said the 
 enchanter in the same gay tone ; " for lo ! the king no 
 longer needs their use." 
 
 They did indeed soon put them on again, nor 
 stayed to pick or choose ; the court at once returned to 
 fair Carlisle, the monarch and Sir Gawain riding on 
 a-head. The palace- walls soon echoed with their joy. 
 The pages brought them wherewithal to wash, and 
 soon the knights were placed about the board. Grand 
 was that court, and rich and brave and good ; many a 
 puissant name, full many a king, and many a duke 
 and count, were seated there. Gawain the valiant 
 knight and Ivan the well-bred, each holding the 
 queen's arm, then led her in, where, at the table, sat 
 she 'neath the king. Gawain then placed himself the 
 other side, and Ivan by the queen : at once with 
 laughter they began to tell of the enchanter's skill ; 
 and when Queen Guenever, and they, the knights who 
 
AND THE PAIR BBTJNISSENDE. 27 
 
 were not in the wood, had learned the doings there, 
 they were indeed surprised; and soon loud laughed 
 and chatted with the rest. Meanwhile Sir Quex 
 before the king and fair Queen Guenever the golden 
 dishes placed ; he then sat down to eat his own good 
 meal, for he did boast a famous appetite, while ready 
 pages seryed the other knights. Nothing was wanting 
 at that banquet high : the roebuck, kid, and succulent 
 wild-boar ; the crane, the bustard, capons, swans, wild- 
 geese; peacocks, and fine fat hens and partridges; 
 white bread and purest wine, — of all good things the 
 best was there beheld. Served by a host of graceful 
 youths beside, the guests did honour to the feast. 
 
 Eating and drinking then engaged each thought; 
 when straight there entered, mounting a fleet horse, 
 with spotted robe, a youthful squire, taU and of 
 noble mien. Never, do I believe, was man more 
 finely-shaped. His shoulders were at least two cubits 
 broad, his features regular, his eyes were sparkling, 
 full of love and mirth; his hair was shining as the 
 brightest gold, his arms were large and square, his 
 teeth as ivory white. His frame,, which tapered at the 
 waist, was well developed, and displayed his strength. 
 His legs were long and straight, and feet high-arched. 
 
28 JAUPEY THE KNIGHT 
 
 His violet and well-cut robe rested in graceful folds 
 on hose of the same hue. A garland of fresh flowers 
 crowned his brows, to which the sun had given a 
 deeper tint, heightening the colour of his ruddy cheeks. 
 
 Entering the hall, he alighted from his horse, and 
 came with quick and joyous step to kneel at the good 
 monarch's feet. He then his purpose opened vrith 
 these words : 
 
 " May He who made this world and all it holds ; 
 He who no suzerain hath, — now save the king, and all 
 that's his!" 
 
 " Triend," replied Arthur, " thank thee for those 
 words ; if thou dost seek a boon, it shall be thine." 
 
 " My liege, I am a squire, come from far unto 
 your court, because I knew so doing I should meet 
 the best of kings ; and I conjure you for St. Mary's 
 sake, if you so please, to arm me now a knight." 
 
 " Priend," said the kiug, " arise, and take thy 
 seat ; it shall be done thee even as thou wilt." 
 
 " Never, my liege, if you permit, will I uprise 
 from hence tUl you have granted me the boon I 
 ask." 
 
 " It is conceded," then exclaimed the king. 
 
 The squire arose as these fair words were said, and 
 
AND THE EAIB, BETJNISSBNDE. 29 
 
 went to take his place at that rich board. But scarcely 
 was this done, than lo ! the guests beheld a knight, well 
 armed, and on a charger fleet, come riding in. Crossing 
 the hall, he with his lance did strike a lord upon the 
 breast, and stretched him dying just before the queen. 
 He then rode out, exclaiming as he went : 
 
 " This haye I done to shame thee, wicked king. If 
 it do grieve thee, and thy boasted knights should care 
 to follow, I am Taulat Lord of Rugimon ; and each 
 passing year, on this same day, will I return to do 
 thee the like scorn." 
 
 Good Arthur drooped his head, enraged, yet sad; 
 but then the squire rose, and knelt before the king : 
 
 " Sire," he said, " now give me knightly arms, that 
 I^may follow up that haughty lord who casts dis- 
 honour on this royal court," 
 
 " Priend," exclaimed Quex at this, " your cour- 
 age will be higher when you're drunk. Sit yourself 
 down again, and drink another bout; the heart will 
 be the merrier, and you can better floor a knight 
 with wine than with a sharp-edged sword, however 
 
 stout !" 
 
 The squire to this responded not a word, out of his 
 duty for the worthy king ; but for such cause, Quex 
 
30 JAUFUT THE KNIGHT 
 
 had for his speech paid dear. Arthur, hLOwever, gave 
 his anger vent, and thus exclaimed : 
 
 " "Wilt thou, then, Quex, ne'er hold that biting 
 tongue until I've driven thee from out my court? 
 What has emboldened thee to speak thus vilely, and to 
 a stranger who a suit prefers ? Canst thou not keep 
 within thee all the spite, the envy, wicked words, and 
 slanderous thoughts with which thou art swelling o'er?" 
 
 " My lord," the squire said, " pray let him have 
 his say ; little heed I the flings of his forked tongue, 
 for which I wiU a noble vengeance seek. Vile word 
 ne'er sullieth honour. Let me rather have a suit of 
 arms, to foUow him who now has issued hence ; for I 
 do feel I shall not eat at ease till he and I have met in 
 deadly fight." 
 
 The monarch courteously repHed : 
 
 " My friend, I williagly wiU give thee steed, good 
 arms, and knightly spurs; for thou dost ask these 
 gifts as squire of gentle birth. But thou art all too 
 young to fight with him who now has left this haU. 
 Not four among the knights of my Hound Table can 
 dare to meet his blows, or touch him in the field. 
 Leave, then, this care to others; I should grieve to 
 lose at once so stout and brave a squire." 
 
AND THE PAIR BRUNISSENDE. 31 
 
 " Since, sire, you thiak me stout, and call me brave, 
 'tis wrongfully or but to jeer you wish to stay my 
 fighting ; but in that you'll not succeed save you re- 
 fuse to grant the boon erewhile you promised me ; — 
 and should a king forget his promise made, gone are 
 his lustre and his courtesy." 
 
 The monarch answered : 
 
 " Priend, I yield me to thy ardent wish; thou 
 shalt be armed a knight." 
 
 He then commanded two attendant squires at once 
 go seek his armour, lance, a fine and tempered shield, 
 the casque, the sharp-edged sword, the spurs, and 
 horse of price in full caparison; then, when they 
 brought the arms and horse, he caused the squire 
 to put the hauberk on, he buckled his right spur, 
 girded his sword upon the youth's left flank, and 
 having kissed him gently on the mouth, he asked of 
 him his name. 
 
 " Sire, in the land where I was born my name is 
 Jaufry, son of Dovon." 
 
 The king, on hearing him speak thus, sighed 
 heavily, and said, while tears were in his eye : 
 
 " Ah ! what a knight and lord of mark was this 
 same Dovon ! He was of my table and my court. 
 
32 JAUPRT THE KNIGHT. 
 
 A brave knight and a learned : never had he superior 
 in arms. None were held stouter or more dread in. 
 fight. May God, if He so will it, grant him grace ; 
 since for my sake he died! An archer pierced his 
 heart with a steel bolt, while he a keep held out on 
 my domain in Normandy." 
 
 Meanwhile a squire brought Jaufry a bay steed. 
 The young knight placed his hand upon the bow, and 
 leaped upon the horse, all armed as he then stood, 
 without the use of stirrup ; then called he for his 
 shield and lance, consigned the king to God, and 
 having taken leave of aU the rest, he galloped from 
 that hall. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 ESTOTJT DE VEEFEIL. 
 
 The charg-er, wMch was fleet and fair to view, started 
 off like an arrow from its bow. So that, as Jaufry left 
 the castle-gates, he hoped he yet should overtake the 
 knight ; and therefore cried aloud to two men on the 
 way: 
 
 " Good fellows, if you can, tell me the road just 
 taken by the lord who left the castle yonder even 
 now. If naught prevent you, point me out the way." 
 
 One of those men replied : 
 
 " Speak you of him whose armour was so bright ?" 
 
 " The same," quoth Jaufry. 
 
 " He is on before ; you start too late, sir knight, 
 to catch him up." 
 
 " By Heaven !" murmured Jaufry, much aggrieved, 
 " he cannot flee so far, or sink so deep, but I will 
 
 o 
 
34 JATJFRY THE KNIGHT 
 
 reach him. I'll seek, him the world through, where 
 land and sea are found, and will discover his retreat 
 even beneath the earth !" 
 
 This said, he held his course ; and spurring, came 
 to a broad causeway where fresh prints of horses' 
 hoofs appeared upon the dust. 
 
 " Methinks," said Jaufry, " that a knight ere- 
 while hath passed this way : so I will follow up this 
 selfsame road while thus the trail is seen." 
 
 Putting his horse into an ambling pace, he rode on 
 all that day without a town or castle being met. At 
 eventide he still continued on, when a loud cry, fol- 
 lowed by din of arms and clash of steel on helm, 
 suddenly rose from out the heavy shade. 
 
 Jaufry spurred readily towards the spot, and 
 cried : 
 
 "Who are ye, lords, who at this hour do fight? 
 Reply, since eyes of man cannot behold you." 
 
 But no one replied ; and when, as fits a bold and 
 venturous man, he reached the place whence came the 
 clashing noise, the fight was over and the din had 
 ceased. Whilst then he listened, seeing naught, and 
 at the silence wondering, there rose from out the shade 
 deep sighs and moans; when, stooping forward, he made 
 
' Knight," cried Jaufry to the corpse, " it grieves me not to know thy slayer, or whether thou wert wrong 
 or whether right : thou art now dead ; but if I can, I even will learn why, and by whose hand.'' 
 
AND THE FAIB, BRTJNISSENDE. 35 
 
 out a knigM so sadly hurt the soil was hathed in 
 blood. 
 
 " Knight," he exclaimed, " speak, and inform me for 
 what, and by whom, thou hast been so sorely used." 
 
 The wounded man could not e'en stir his lips or 
 move a limb ; his arms grew stiff; and, with two fear- 
 ful groans, he yielded up the ghost. 
 
 " Knight," then cried Jaufry to the corpse, " it 
 grieves me not to know thy slayer, or whether thou 
 wert wrong or whether right : thou now art dead ; but 
 if I can, I even will learn why and by whose hand." 
 
 He then departed, and resumed his w,ay, now on the 
 trot and now at ambling pace, stopping at intervals to 
 bend his ear and give a look around. Por some time 
 nothing met his ear or eye; but, after having ridden for 
 a space, a noise of battle once again assailed him. Steel, 
 wood, and iron met with such dread force, it seemed as 
 though the thunder vexed the air, and that this din 
 proclaimed the bursting storm. At once, then, to the 
 side from whence it came Sir Jaufry turned his horse ; 
 and, with his shield about his neck, his lance in rest 
 prepared, he spurred with ardour on, for, in his mood, 
 it seemed as though he ne'er should learn who slew 
 the knight and who were they that fought. On, then. 
 
36 JATJTBY THE KNIGHT 
 
 to that affray he hotly came ; but *to behold, stretched 
 stiff upon the ground, a knight all armed, whose casque 
 and head beside had by a single blow been cloven to 
 the teeth, wMle his steel hauberk was all red with 
 gore. Jaufryhis visor raised, and touched him with 
 his lance; but, seeing no life was there, exclaimed 
 with grief: 
 
 " Heaven ! shall I, then, never know whose hand 
 hath slain these knights ?" 
 
 Pull of impatience he resumed his course; and 
 when he far had ridden, lit upon another knight, 
 whose body was so shattered with his hurts that 
 blood and life were oozing fast away. Moved deeply 
 at his cries and sad laments, Jaufry drew near, and 
 kindly asked what hand had dealt such measure to 
 himself and the two others slain, and which side was 
 moreover in the wrong ? 
 
 " Alas !" the wounded man made answer with a 
 sigh, " I will explain to you the simple truth. It is 
 Estout, the master of Verfeil, whp has reduced us to 
 the state you see, to feed his pride. This knight is 
 known so quarrelsome and fierce, that without mercy 
 and without a cause he doth assault all comers far and 
 near." 
 
AND THE FAIR BUUNISSENDE. 37 
 
 " Tell me," said Jaufry, " was lie wrong in 
 this ?" 
 
 " I wiU, my lord, with Heaven's help, and that 
 without e'en lying by a word. I and my Mends were 
 going to our rest, when Estout to my castle-gates, 
 hard by, rode up, and bade us high defiance. Had it 
 been day, we should hare tarried long ere venturing 
 forth ; for we did know him master of such skill, that 
 few as yet could e'er make head against him, — so mer- 
 ciless beside, as never ia his lifetime ever known to 
 grant his foeman grace : seeing him not, the bridge 
 was lowered, and at once was passed. He, having 
 drawn us far upon the road, — the better for the treach- 
 erous ends he had, — suddenly stopped, and turning, 
 with lance couched on him who pressed him nearest, 
 stretched him dead upon the earth. 
 
 " By this time we had recognised Estout, and 
 turned our horses' heads; but he with threatening 
 words pursued us close, and reaching my companion, 
 slew him with a blow. He then his rage concentrated 
 on me, and with such fierceness, thinking my end 
 come, I missed my aim, the lance just glancing from 
 his shield ; but he with one stroke bore me from my 
 horse, and three times struck me as I helpless lay, so 
 
38 JAUPBT THE KNIGHT 
 
 that, good faith, he little life hath left. This, my good 
 lord, is how the thing hath happed." 
 
 " Know you," asked Jaufry, full of thought, " the 
 road he took, and where he may be met ?" 
 
 " My lord, I cannot teU ; but little do I doubt that 
 you win find him earlier than you wish. Haste, then, 
 to fly such presence; for believe, you cannot gain there- 
 by aught else but iron : an you take my advice, you'll 
 change your route." 
 
 "Change my route, say ye?" quoth Sir Jaufry; 
 " no, by my troth ; nay more, I will but follow him 
 the closer up ; and, should I catch this lord, we part 
 not, he may rest assured, without a struggle; and 
 without learning, too, which of us twain doth bear the 
 stouter heart, the stronger arm, or wield the better 
 sword." 
 
 He took his leave, with these words, of the knight ; 
 the latter prayed him to pass by his keep and send 
 him aid from thence. 
 
 " I will not fail," said Jaufry. 
 
 Towards the manor of the dying man he took his 
 way, and after some brief space he saw high towers and 
 two squires well armed, who mounted guard before a 
 raised drawbridge. 
 
AND THE FAIR BEUNISSENDE. 39 
 
 " IFriends," lie exclaimed to thenij " God save you 
 both !" 
 
 "And you, my lord, from every harm," they said. 
 
 " I have sad message for you," added Jaufry, " and 
 bad news. Your lord is lying yonder sorely hurt ; and 
 his two comrades are both slaia. Estout de VerfeU 
 has misused them thus. So hasten to your lord, who 
 wants your help." 
 
 He then commended them to God, and parted in 
 all haste. Jaufry resumed his way, now trottiag hard 
 and now at ambling pace, until he reached a vaUey 
 deep and dark. There he beheld the blaze of a great 
 fire, round which were met a numerous company. 
 Trusting he might get tidings there of Estout and 
 of Taulat, — for truly counted he on fighting both, — 
 he straightway rode to where the fire was, and 
 found there figures that awaked surprise. Lords in 
 rich vestments roasted a wild-boar ; meanwhile, by 
 dwarfs, stunted and out of shape, the spit was turned. 
 
 " Good sirs," said Jaufry civilly, " could I but 
 learn from some of you where I may meet a lord I 
 have followed this night through ?" 
 
 " Eriend," exclaimed one in answer, " it may be 
 we can tell you when we know his name." 
 
40 JATJPRT THE KNIGHT 
 
 " I seek," said Jaufry, " Estout de Verfeil, and 
 Taulat called the Lord of Eugimon." 
 
 "Priend," said the knight with courtesy, "from 
 hence depart, and that with greatest speed ; for should 
 Estout hut chance to meet you here thus armed, I would 
 not give a denier for your life. He is so valiant and 
 so stout of limb, that never yet hath he encountered 
 foe who could make head against him. All these you 
 see around are knights of proof, and can meet sturdy 
 blows ; natheless he hath subdued us all, and we are 
 forced to follow him on foot wherever choice or ven- 
 ture leads him. on. We're now engaged preparing 
 him his food ; so I advise you to depart at once." 
 
 "Not so, indeed," said Jaufry; "I came not here 
 to flee. Before I turn my face, my shield shall be de- 
 stroyed, my hauberk riven, and my arm so bruised it 
 cannot wield a blade." 
 
 "Whilst thus they held discourse, behold Estout ar- 
 rived full spur, and, at the sight of Jaufry, cried aloud : 
 
 "Who art thou, vassal, who thus dar'st to come 
 and meddle with my men ?" 
 
 "And who are you," said Jaufry in reply, "who 
 use such pleasant words ?" 
 
 "Thou shalt know that anon." 
 
AND THE FAIR BRTINISSENDE. 41 
 
 " Are you Estout ?" 
 
 " I am, indeed." 
 
 "Pull long have I been seeking you througliout 
 this weary night, without e'er stopping in my course 
 or closing eye." 
 
 " And for what end hast thou thus sought me out ?" 
 
 " !Por that I wish to know why thou hast slain the 
 three knights on the road ; which act I take to be a sin 
 and wrong." 
 
 "And is it for this that thou art hither come? 
 Thou wouldst have better done to stay behind, for 
 to thy ruin do I meet thee here; thou shalt this in- 
 stant lose that head of thine, or follow me on foot like 
 yonder knights who patter humbly at %.j horse's heels. 
 Deliver, therefore, up to me thy shield, thy breastplate, 
 and thy sword, and the bay horse that brought thy 
 body here." 
 
 "My care shall be to guard them with my life," 
 quoth Jaufry. " 'Twas the good king bestowed this 
 courser on me when he armed me knight. As to the 
 shield, thou shalt not have it whole ; nor e'en the hau- 
 berk, without rent or stain. Thou tak'st me for a 
 chUd, whom thy poor threats can frighten : the shield, 
 the hauberk, and the horse, are not yet thine ; but if 
 
42 JATJFRT THE KNIGHT 
 
 they please thee, try a bout to win them. As to thy 
 threats, I scorn them: 'threats,' saith the proverb, 
 ' often cover fear.' " 
 
 Estout drew off his horse at these bold words, and 
 Jaufry nerved him to sustain the shock ; then ran they 
 at each other with their utmost speed. Estout struck 
 Jaufry on the shield's bright boss, and with such 
 mighty strength, that through the riven metal went 
 the lance, breaking the mail which guarded his broad 
 chest, and grazing e'en the skin. Jaufry meanwhile 
 had struck his foe in turn, and with so just an aim, he 
 lost at once his stirrups and his seat, and rolled half- 
 stunned upon the ground. 
 
 He rose again fuU quickly, pale with rage, and 
 came with upraised sword towards Jaufry. The latter, 
 wishing his ^ood horse to spare, at once leapt on the 
 sod and raised his shield. 'Twas just ia time : Estout, 
 in his fierce rage, brandished his sword with both his 
 hands, and made it thunder down with such effect 
 the shield was cloven to the arm. 
 
 "St. Peter!" murmured Jaufry, "thou dost covet 
 this poor shield ; stUl, if naught stay me, it shall cost 
 thee dear," 
 
 Suiting to such words the act, upon Estout' s bright 
 
AND THE EAIE, BEUNISSI^JpE. 43 
 
 casque he then let fly so fierce a downward stroke, 
 that "^fire issued therefrom. But the good helm of 
 proof was not a Vhit the worse. With gathering fury 
 Estout came again, and with one stroke pared from 
 ' Sir Jaufry's shield the double rim, full half a palm of 
 mail, and the left spur, which was cut through as the 
 blade reached the ground. 
 
 Wondering at the vigour of his dreadful foe, Jau- 
 fry, on his side, struck a second time his burnished 
 helm; and with such force, his sword in twain was 
 broken, yet left it not upon the trusty steel eren the 
 slightest dent. 
 
 "Heaven!" thought Jaufry, "what doth this por- 
 tend ? confounded be the hand that helmet wrought, 
 whereon my blade hath spent itself in vain !" 
 
 Then Estout, uttering a fearful cry as he beheld 
 Sir Jaufry's sword in two, flew straight towards him, 
 and in his turn struck the son of Devon on the helm, 
 smashing the visor as the blow came down. Had he 
 not raised in time the remnant ,9f his shield, which that 
 fell stroke for aye destr%ed, the combat had been done. 
 
 " Knight," said Sir Jaufry, " thou dost press me 
 sore; and I, good sootM, must be indeed bewitched; 
 
^4 JAUPBT THE KNIGHT 
 
 strike as I will upon that helm of thine, I carmot crack 
 its shell." ^' 
 
 As thus he spoke, he launched a desperate blow 
 with what was left him of his blade ; which, falling on 
 the casque of his stout foe like hammer on an anvil, 
 for the time deprived him both of sight and sound. 
 With dizzy eye and tottering step, Estout, thinking to 
 strike at Jaufry, whom he would have cloven to the 
 heel had he received the blow, let fall his sword with 
 such unbounded rage, it struck into the ground, and 
 buried haK its blade. Before he could withdraw it, 
 the young knight, casting aside the battered shield 
 and broken sword, seized with both arms Estout about 
 the waist, and that with such good-will, his very ribs 
 were heard to crack within. To cast him to the 
 ground, undo his helm, and seize his sword to strike 
 off his foe's head, were but an instant's work. 
 
 Estout, who moved not, cried with feeble voice : 
 
 " Mercy, good knight ! 0, slay me not, but take 
 of me such ransom as t^ou wilt ; I own that thou hast 
 vanquished me." 
 
 "Thou shalt have mercy," Jaufry then replied, 
 " an thou do'st that which I shall now command." 
 
AND THE PAIR BBTJNISSBNDE. 45 
 
 " It shall be done most willingly, my lord ; thou 
 canst not ask a thing I will not do." 
 
 " In the first place," said Jaufry, " thou shalt go and 
 yield thyself a captive to King Arthur, with all these 
 knights, to whom thou must restore what thou hast 
 ta'en from them; and thou shalt then relate to that 
 good king how I have thus o'ercome thee in the fight." 
 
 "I wiU do so full willingly, by Heaven!" Estout 
 replied. 
 
 " And now," said Jaufry, " give to me thine arms ; 
 for mine have been aU hacked and hewed by thee." 
 
 " Agreed, my lord. Give me your hand : the bar- 
 gain shall be kept ; and well can I aver, without a lie, 
 that ne'er did knight boast armour such as mine. 
 Many's the blow may fall upon this helm, yet never 
 pass it through ; no lance can dim this shield or pierce 
 this mail ; and for this sword, so hard is it of temper, 
 iron nor bronze nor steel resists its edge." 
 
 Jaufrv then donned these valuable arms: and whilst 
 he buckled on the shining helm and burnished shield 
 and girded the good sword, the captives of Estout 
 came up to do him homage. They were two score in 
 number, all of price and lofty lineage, who addressed 
 him, 'mid warm smiles of joy : 
 
46 JAUFRY THE KNIGHT. 
 
 "Fair lord, what answer will ye that we make 
 when good King Arthur asks the name of him who 
 sets us free ?" 
 
 "You will reply that Jaufry is his name, — Jaufry 
 the son of Dovon." 
 
 This said, he ordered that his horse be led ; for still 
 he burned to overtake Taulat. And though Estout and 
 aU the knights pressed him awhile to tarry, yet he 
 stayed neither to eat nor take the least repose : from 
 squires' hands receiying shield and lance, he took his 
 leave, and wandered on his way. 
 
 The day came on both clear and beautiful ; a 
 bright sun rose on fields humect with dew ; charmed 
 with the spring-tide and the matin hour, the birds 
 sang merrily beneath the verdant shade and conned 
 their latin notes.* Jaufry, natheless, went straight 
 upon his road, still bent on finding Taulat ; for to him 
 nor peace nor rest nor pleasure can e'er come tiU that 
 proud lord be met. 
 
 * E rjorn e clars e bel gentz 
 E I'solelz leva resplandents 
 Lo matiu que span la rosada, 
 E I's auzels per la matinada 
 E per lo temps qu'es en dousor, 
 Chantan desobre la verdor 
 E s'alegron en or latin .... 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE DWARP AND THE LANCE. 
 
 Apter Sir Jaufry had rode on his way, Estout his 
 promise kept, and to each knight restored both horse 
 and arms. That evening he set out forArthur's court, 
 which he resolved to reach before the jousts and games 
 and banquetings were o'er. Eight days had they been 
 holden ia those halls when he arrived there with his 
 company. 'Twas after dinner, as the king was seated 
 .with his lords, lending an ear to minstrels' tales and 
 the discourse of knights, who told of acts of lofty 
 prowess done, that Estout came with that armed troop 
 of knights. Having alighted at the palace-gates, they 
 soon w;ere led before the worthy king ; when, kneeling 
 at his feet, Estout expressed himseK in terms like 
 these : 
 
 " Sire, may that high King who made and 
 
48 JATJFBT THE KNI&HT 
 
 fashioned all things, He, the Lord of every sovereign, 
 who hath nor peer nor mate, now save us in your 
 company !" 
 
 "Eriend," the king replied, "God save you, and 
 your friends beside ! Who are ye, and what come ye 
 here to seek ?" 
 
 " My lord, I will recount you the whole truth : 
 from Jaufry, son of Dovon, come we, to proclaim 
 ourselves your captives, and submit to your just law. 
 Sir Jaufry hath delivered aU these knights, whom I 
 had captured one by one, and who were bound to 
 follow me on foot, — for they had mercy only on such 
 terms ; now he hath conquered me by force of arms." 
 
 "And when thou last beheldst him," asked the 
 king, " by that true faith thou ow'st to gracious Hea- 
 ven, say, was he well ia health?" 
 
 " Yea, sire, by the troth I owe to you, believe, that 
 eight days since, arise to-morrow's sun, I left him 
 sound, robust, and full of fire. He would not even 
 tarry to break bread ; for he declared no food should 
 pass his lips, no joy, no pleasure, no repose be his, untU 
 the knight named Taulat he had found. He now is on 
 his track ; and I engage, that if he meet him, and a 
 chance do get to measure sword with sword, it will be 
 
AND THE PAIR BBUNISSENDE. 49 
 
 strange an lie not force him to cry grace ; for I do not 
 believe the world doth own a braver knight, or one 
 more strong in arms, I speak from proof, who dearly 
 know his force." 
 
 "O Heaven, in which I trust," cried Arthur, as 
 he clasped his hands, " grant me my prayer, that Jau- 
 fry safe and sound may back return ! Already is he 
 known a doughty knight, and noble are the gifts he 
 hither sends." 
 
 Leave we now bold Estout to tell his tale, and turn 
 we to our knight. I have related how Sir Jaufry still 
 went on seeking his foe by valley and by mount ; yet 
 neither spied nor heard he living man to give him 
 tidings. He rode on thus, nor met he man or beast till 
 the high noon was passed. The sun had now become 
 intensely hot, and hardly could he bear its burning ray; 
 still, neither sun, nor hunger, thirst, nor aught beside, 
 could cow his spirit. Determined not to stop upon his 
 road till he had Taiilat met, he still progressed, though 
 ne'er a soul was seen. 
 
 As he pressed hotly on, some hours' riding found 
 the youthful knight close by a gentle hill shaded by 
 one of nature's finest trees. Pendent there hung from 
 an outstretching bough a fair white lance of ash with 
 
 D 
 
50 JAUPBT THE KNIGHT 
 
 point of bumislied steel. Thinking a knight per- 
 chance was resting near, Jaufry in that direction 
 turned his horse, and galloped towards the spot. 
 When he had reached the bottom of the hiU, he 
 nimbly leapt him down, and walked to the high tree ; 
 but, to his great surprise, no soul was there, naught 
 save the lance suspended to the bough. With wonder 
 then — asking of himself why arm so stout and good, 
 the point of which like virgin silver shone, should 
 there be placed — he took it down, and his own rest- 
 ing gainst the mossy trunk, handled and brandished 
 this new dainty lance, which he discovered to be good 
 as fair. 
 
 " Good faith," quoth he, " I will e'en keep this arm, 
 and leave mine own behind." 
 
 Whilst making this exchange, a dwarf of frightful 
 shape suddenly rushed from out a neighbouring grove. 
 Stunted and broad and fat, he had a monstrous head, 
 from which straight hair streamed down and crossed 
 his back; long eyebrows hid his eyes; his nose was 
 large and shapeless; nostrils so immense they would 
 have held your fists ; and thick and bluish lips rested 
 on large and crooked fangs; a stiff moustache sur- 
 rounded this huge mouth; and to his very girdle 
 
AND THE TAIK BRUNISSENDE. 51 
 
 flowed his beard; he measured scarce a foot from 
 waist to heel; his head was smikeii in his shoulders 
 high; and his arms seemed so short, that useless 
 would have been the attempt to bind them at his back. 
 As to his hands, they were Kke paws of toads, so 
 broad and webbed. 
 
 " Knight," cried this monster, " woe befals the 
 man who meddles with that lance ! Thou wilt receive 
 thy dues, and dangle on our tree; come, then, give 
 up thy shield." 
 
 Sir Jaufry eyed the dwarf, and angrily replied : 
 
 " What mean you by sach tale, misshapen wretch ?" 
 
 At this the dwarf set up so loud a cry that all 
 
 the vale resounded ; and at once a knight well armed, 
 
 mounted upon a steed in iron cased, came, with high 
 
 threats upon his Hps exclaiming : 
 
 "Woe to the man who hath dared touch the 
 
 lance !" 
 
 Having the hiU attained, he Jaufiy saw ; and there- 
 upon he said : 
 
 " By Heaven, sir knight ! to do what thou hast 
 done is proof thou carest little for thy life." 
 
 " And why so, lord?" Sir Jaufry calmly asked. 
 
 " Thou shalt soon learn. No man doth touch that 
 
52 JAUERT THE KNIGHT 
 
 lance and get him. hence without a fight with me. If 
 I unhorse the knight so bold as dare to touch it, and 
 conquer him by arms, no ransom saves his hfe, — I 
 hang him by the neck ; and on my gallows which thou 
 seest from here full three-and-thirty dangle in mid air." 
 
 " Tell me now faithfully," Sir Jaufry said, — " can 
 he who sues for mercy gain it at thy hands ?" 
 
 "Yea, but on one condition I have firmly fixed; 
 which is, that never in his life he cross a horse ; ne'er 
 cut his hair or pare his nails; ne'er eat of wheaten 
 bread, or taste of wine ; and never on his back wear 
 other dress than what his hands have woven. Should 
 he such terms accept before the fight, he may per- 
 chance find grace ; but naught can save the man who 
 once hath fought." 
 
 " And if he know not how to weave such dress ?" 
 asked Jaufry. 
 
 " The art to weave, to shape the cloth, and sew, must 
 then be learned," the knight replied. " Say, then, if 
 thou consent ; or if thou choose this hour to be thy last." 
 
 "I'll not do so," quoth Jaufry; "for too hard the 
 labour seems." 
 
 " Thou'lt do it well before five years are fled ; for 
 thou art tall and strong." 
 
13 
 
AND THE PAIR BRUNISSENDE. 53 
 
 " No, by my troth, I'd rather chance the fight, 
 since 'twould appear I've no alternative." 
 
 " Take my defiance, then !" cried out the knight ; 
 _" and bear in mind, the combat 's to the death." 
 
 " So be it !" said Sir Jaufry ; " I'll defend myself." 
 
 They drew apart some space with such-like words, 
 each thinking on his side a victim soon would fall. 
 Then the knight came and thundered at his foe. In 
 shivers flew the lance ; but Jaufry bore the shock un- 
 moved. Not so the knight; for Jaufry, his weapon 
 planting at his shield, broke it right through; the 
 hauberk too beside, and wood and iron, for a cubit's 
 length, pierced through the shoulder. 
 
 He fell : Jaufry with naked blade was by his side ; 
 but as he saw him thus, so poorly sped, — 
 
 "Knight," he exclaimed, "methioks thy hanging- 
 trade is done." 
 
 "Lord," cried the wounded man, "unhappily 'tis 
 true. Thou hast too well performed thy work for 
 safety henceforth to be banished hence." 
 
 " I will not trust to that," quoth Jaufry ; " or at 
 least, it shan't prevent my hanging thee." 
 
 " In Heaven's name, my lord, I crave thy grace !" 
 
 "And by what claim canst thou obtain it, thou 
 
64 JAUFBT THE KNIGHT 
 
 who never yet hast granted it to man ? Thou shalt 
 find pity, such as those yonder found who once begged 
 grace of thee." 
 
 " If, good my lord, my head have erred, my heart 
 been black and habits villanous, guard thee from fol- 
 lowing in my steps. I ask for mercy — that should I 
 receive. WUt thou, a man of lofty virtue, choose that 
 ever the reproach should come to thee of hanging up 
 a brave and courteous knight, such as I once did bear 
 the title.of ?" 
 
 " Thou liest in thy throat," Sir Jaufry said ; " never 
 couldst thou be prized a proper knight, but rather, I 
 beHeve, an arrant knave. Who doth a villain's act 
 doth forfeit rank and chivalry alike. In vain thy 
 suit ; no pardon shalt thou find," 
 
 Undoiag his steel helmet as he spoke, he seized a 
 rope and placed it roimd his neck ; then, dragging him 
 beneath the dismal tree, he weU and fairly hung him 
 up thereto. 
 
 " Good friend," he then apostrophised the knight, 
 "the passage now may be considered safe, and tra- 
 vellers need fear little more from thee." 
 
 Leaving him hanging upon such adieu, he rode to- 
 wards the dwarf, as with intent to kill. But when the 
 
3 
 
 « O 
 
AND THE FAIR BKUNISSENDE. 55 
 
 latter saw Mm thus return, crossing Ms arms full 
 quickly on Ms breast, — 
 
 " 3?air sir," he cried, " I yield to you and Heaven ; 
 but grant me, pray, your pity. Of myself no evil have I 
 done ; since, had I disobeyed the knight, I should have 
 lost my life. Maugre myself, for fourteen years I've 
 watched this lance, which twice a-day I burnished. 
 Woe had betided me if I had bilked such task, or failed 
 by signal to advise my lord when it was touched by 
 knight. This, fair my lord, hath been my only crime." 
 
 " Thou mayst have mercy," Jaufry said, " an thou 
 dost that which I shall now command." 
 
 " Speak, good my lord ; and God confound me if I 
 lose a word!" 
 
 " Rise, then, and Me thee to King Arthur's court. 
 TeU. to that kiag the son of Dovon sends thee, and pre- 
 sents this lance wMch he hath won, the fairest weapon 
 eye hath e'er beheld. Recouat to Mm beside thy 
 lord's ill-deeds, how that so many worthy knights he'd 
 hung, and how in his turn like meed was given unto 
 Mm." 
 
 " My lord," exclaimed the dwarf, " all this I pro- 
 mise you." 
 
 And Jaufry made reply, "Well then, begone 1" 
 
56 JAUrRT THE KNI&HT 
 
 It was one Monday eve that this fell out, just at 
 the setting sun. The night came shortly on serene 
 and fair, and the full moon shone out as bright as day. 
 Jaufry pursued his road, — for naught could change his 
 purpose, — and the dwarf prepared to execute his trust. 
 At peep of morn he started for Carlisle, where, after 
 certain time, he safely came. The king was breaking 
 up his court, which for two weeks he there had held, 
 and knights and barons all were going their way con- 
 tent and glad, bearing rich guerdons from their noble 
 lord, when curiosity their steps detained at sight of a 
 strange dwarf, who in his hand a handsome lance did 
 hold. This dwarf pushed forward to the palace-hall, 
 where each with eager eye observed his shape ; for never 
 till that day had they beheld such wondrous man ; but 
 he, passing the gaping crowd without remark, straight 
 to the monarch's throne his steps pursued; and there 
 he said : 
 
 " May God, most noble sire, grant you weal! Albeit 
 my form is strange, yet, please you, hear, for I do come 
 a messenger from far." 
 
 " Dwarf," said the kiag, " God save thee too ! for 
 thou methinks art honest. Speak without fear, and do 
 thy message featly." 
 
AND THE TAIR BRTJNISSENDE. 57 
 
 The dwarf preluded with a sigh, and thus began : 
 
 " Sire, from Devon's son I bear to you this lance, 
 which has been cause of mourning dire and great. 
 Proud of his valour and his strength, a knight had 
 hung it to a tree upon a hill, where I have watched it, 
 burnished it beside twice every day, for fourteen weary 
 years. If a knight touched it, I by my cry aroused 
 my lord, who then, aU armed, would rush upon the 
 stranger ; being vanquished, he was quickly seized and 
 by the neck incontinently hung. 'Twas thus that three- 
 and-thii-ty met their fate ; when that the knight, whose 
 messenger I am, conquered this lord and won the lance, 
 hanging in turn its owner for his deeds. This is the 
 lance that now he sends to you ; and here am I, your 
 vassal and your slave." 
 
 " 'Tis well," the king replied; "but, dwarf, now 
 give me, on thy faith, some news of brave Sir Jaufry : 
 without a lie, say when thou saw'st him last." 
 
 " 'Twas Monday evening, please you, my good lord ; 
 I left him when the fray was o'er and he had finished 
 hanging up the knight." 
 
 " And was his health then good ?" 
 
 " Yea, sire, with God's help, and well disposed and 
 
 gay-" 
 
58 JATirBY THE KNIGHT. 
 
 " Good Lord divine and full of glory," cried the 
 king with, clasped hands, " grant of your grace that I 
 behold him safe ; for scant my pleasure and my joys 
 will be till I have held him in these arms again !" 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE YEOMAN. 
 
 We now return to Jaufry, wlio still wanders on, re- 
 solving not to stay for food or sleep before he meets 
 with Taulat; for in his ears incessantly do ring the 
 biting words of Quex : " Yotir courage will he higher 
 when you We dry/nk," — and he yet trusts to prove that 
 lord did lie by beating Taulat fasting. Onward he 
 therefore pricked till naidnight hour, when he attained 
 a narrow and dark gorge shut in on either side by 
 mountains high. No other passage was there but this 
 one. Sir Jaufry gave his horse the spur ; when, at the 
 very mouth of the defile, before him stood a yeoman, 
 active, of stout build and large of limb, who held 
 within his grasp three pointed darts that were as 
 
60 JAUFRT THE KNIGHT 
 
 razors sharp. A large knife pended from his girdle, 
 which enclosed an outer garment of good form and 
 fashion. 
 
 " Halt, knight," he cried ; " I'll have a word 
 with thee." 
 
 Jaufry drew rein, and said : 
 
 "And what's thy quest, good friend?" 
 
 " Thou must give up thy horse and knightly arms ; 
 for upon such condition only mayst thou pass." 
 
 "Indeed," quoth Jaufry; "dost thou mean to say 
 an armed and mounted knight must not pass through 
 this strait ?" 
 
 " He might do so, hut for the toll I've levied." 
 
 " To the foul fiend such toU ! Never will I give up 
 my horse or arms, till strength 's denied me to defend 
 them hoth." 
 
 "An that thou yield' st them not with gentle 
 grace," the yeoman said, "I must use force to take 
 them." 
 
 "And wherefore so? what harm have I e'er 
 wrought thee ?' 
 
 " Dost thou not wish to pass this gorge, and bilk 
 the toU that's due save I use force to get it ?" 
 
 " And what's the force thou'lt use ?" 
 
•AK 
 
 
 
 'IIbS 
 
 if' 
 
 "\ 
 
 ^H^-^- 
 
 tni 
 
 ./' 
 
 .r .'V 
 
 
 '■ Halt, knight," he cried, " I'll have a word with thee." 
 
AND THE PAIR BRTINISSENDE. 61 
 
 " That thou Shalt briefly see ; meantime I bid thee 
 'ware my hand !" 
 
 " I will do so," quoth Jaufry. 
 
 The yeoman now prepared himself for fight, and 
 seized his dart as though in. act to strike ; but Jaufry, 
 feariug for his horse, awaited not the blow, but gal- 
 loped off amain. As o'er the road he sped, the man let 
 fly the missile with just aim ; it hit the shield, and that 
 with force so great, red fire and flame forth issued at the 
 stroke, which did not pierce it through. The sharp- 
 ened point curled upwards on the steel, and the wood 
 flew in shivers. 
 
 Sir Jaufry turned his steed at once and bore down 
 on his foe, counting full surely that the fight was done ; 
 but, lo, at that instant he had leapt aside, and in the 
 act discharged a second dart, which lighted on his 
 helm; so fierce the stroke, the casque seemed all on 
 fire ; yet it resisted, though its lord was stunned. 
 
 The yeoman, seeing his second blow had failed, was 
 as a man possessed ; so dread his rage as neither to have 
 hurt the knight or broken his bright arms. Jaufry, 
 whose senses had now back returned, thought only of 
 his horse, which he rode here and there to guard it from 
 the blow of the third dart. Not this, however, was his 
 
62 JATTPIIY THE KNIGHT 
 
 foe's intent, for he still thougM to take the beast alive ; 
 like lightning swift he came, and whirling round the 
 dart, launched the fell weapon with these haughty- 
 words : 
 
 " By Heaven, slave, thou now shalt leave the horse, 
 nor shall thy hauberk, helm, or shield protect thyself!" 
 
 Jaufry wheeled round his horse at this stern 
 threat; and as the dart came hissing to its prey, he 
 deftly bowed him down; it harmed him not, but 
 striking on his mail, tore from the goodly arms a palm 
 away, then bounded out of view. 
 
 "And now," cried Jaufry, the third dart being 
 flung, " my lance's point shall give me my revenge." 
 
 With lowered lance he flew towards the man, 
 trusting this time to pierce him through and through ; 
 but he was nimble as a roe or deer, and leapt from 
 place to place to such effect, that Jaufry missed his 
 aim ; and as he passed, the yeoman seized a rock and 
 hurled it at the knight, who, but for his shield, must 
 fain have bit the ground. The mass in atoms flew ; but 
 such the force with which the blow was struck, it 
 battered-in the shield. Jaufry, enraged at following 
 such a foe^ now doubly maddened at this fresh attack, 
 in wrath exclaimed : 
 
AND THE PAIR BBUNISSENDE. 63 
 
 "God, thou all-glorious King! how shall I meet 
 this fiend ? The world I'll hold not at a denier' s price 
 till he doth sue for grace !" 
 
 Then wielding his long lance, — 
 
 " This time," he loudly to the yeoman cried, " or 
 thou or I shall fall." 
 
 The yeoman from his girdle plucked his knife, and 
 made reply : 
 
 " Ere that thou leave this spot thou'lt pay the 
 toll !" 
 
 " Ay, that will I," quoth Jaufry, " take my pro- 
 mise on't; hefore we part, thou shalt have toll 
 enough !" 
 
 He once again renewed a brisk attack, but still the 
 other dodged; and ere that Jaufry could draw-in the 
 rein, with mighty spring upon the horse he leapt and 
 round Sir Jaufry' s body twined his arms. 
 
 " Stir not, sir knight," he cried, " unless thou wish 
 for death." 
 
 When Jaufry felt himself thus rudely seized, his 
 mind was in a maze, and for a time incapable of 
 thought. The yeoman held him with such strait 
 embrace he could not stir a limb, while in his ear 
 he hissed his future fate: how that a prison should 
 
64 JATJERY THE KNIGHT 
 
 his body hold, where tortures, griefs, unheard-of paias, 
 should vex him evermore. Till break of day his arms 
 were round him clasped ; but when the stars were gone, 
 then Jaufry communed with himself and said : 
 
 " Better to die for God, who made this earth, than 
 let my body be a dungeon's prey. We'll see what can 
 be done." 
 
 Reflecting thus, he let his lance drop down, and as 
 the yeoman's right arm pressed him most with energy 
 he clutched it in his grasp ; so vigorous the attack, so 
 nerved his strength, he forced the hand to loose the 
 gleaming knife : then, when he saw the arm was para- 
 lysed and drooped inertly down, he fixed with both 
 hands on the yeoman's left, which he then twisted till 
 he caused such pain, its owner reeled in groaning to the 
 ground. Dismounting from his horse, Jaufry drew 
 near his foe, who lay quite motionless crying for mercy 
 in his agony. 
 
 " By Heaven ! which I adore," quoth Jaufcy, " ne'er 
 wiU I pity show to wretch like thee." 
 
 And at the words he cut off both his feet. 
 
 "I prithee, now," he said, "run not, nor leap, nor 
 battle more with knights. Take to another trade ; for 
 far too long hath this one been thy choice." 
 
AND THE FAIR BEUNISSENDE. 65 
 
 He gathered up Ms lance and shield, and, mount- 
 ing on his horse, prepared him. quietly to go his way. 
 
 'Twas on a Tuesday, early in the morn, that Jaiifry 
 held this speech ; but as he turned him from his foot- 
 less foe, — 
 
 "I have not yet inquired," he observed, "if thou 
 perchance hold'st knights within thy walls ?" 
 
 " My lord," the man replied, " full flve-and-twenty 
 are there held in chains beyond the mount where 
 stands my dwelling-place." 
 
 "O, O!" said Jaufry, "these I must set free; it 
 Ukes me not that thou shouldst guard such prize." 
 
 Without delay he hied him to the house, whose 
 massive portals were thrown open wide; and to a 
 dwarf who stood before the gates he cried : 
 
 "Where lie the imprison' d knights ?" 
 
 Replied the dwarf : 
 
 " Methinks you're all too rash to venture here. 
 'Tis more indeed than rashness, — downright folly. 
 You 'wake my pity ; therefore take advice, and 
 get you gone before my lord returns, save that 
 you covet an inglorious death, or torments even 
 
 worse." 
 
 Jaufry with smiles replied : 
 
 E 
 
66 JAUFRY THE KNIGHT 
 
 " Nay, friend, I -want the knights ; quickly lead on, 
 tliat I may break their chairis." 
 
 " An I mistake not, you will join theif ranks ere 
 you deliver them ; and I must hold you as a fool dis- 
 traught, not to hare hied you hence; for should my 
 lord chance meet you by the way, deeply you'U grieve 
 that e'er you ventured here." 
 
 " Thy lord will ne'er return ; I have deprived him 
 of his nimble feet, and near his end he lies. The 
 knights shall now be free, and thou, my prisoner, their 
 place shalt take, save that thou goest where my bidding 
 sends ; then peradventure brief shall be thy thraU." 
 
 " Sir knight," the dwarf rephed, " siace, then, my 
 lord is thus so poorly sped, I, by my faith, wiU follow 
 your commands, and from great pain will draw those 
 suffering knights, whose language is but moans ; this 
 featly will I do, who by constraint and fear was here 
 detained. Truly, to God and you we should give 
 thanks, and joyfully obey what you ordain." 
 
 "Pirst, then," said Jaufry, "lead me to the 
 knights." 
 
 The dwarf most gladly acted as his guide; and 
 pacing on before, conveyed him to a haU where five- 
 and-twenty knights were rudely chained, as each by 
 
AND THE PAIR BRUNISSENDE. 67 
 
 turns had been the yeoman's prey. Jaufry on entering 
 made them a sahite, to which not one replied; nay, 
 they began to weep, and mutter in their teeth : 
 
 " Accurs'd the day that yeoman was e'er born, who 
 thus hath overcome so good a knight !" 
 
 But Jaufry, as he gaily drew him nigh : 
 
 " Why weep, fair knights ?" he said, with courtesy. 
 
 " Go, madman, go," did one of them reply; "for 
 sure thy senses must have left thee quite, to ask us 
 why we weep, when walls like these rise up on ev'ry 
 side. There is not one of us who doth not grieve to see 
 the yeoman's prisoner in thee. Unhappy was the day 
 that saw thy birth. In person thou art tall and fair 
 to view, yet soon Kke ours will torments be thy lot." 
 
 Quoth Jaufry, " Great is God ; easy to Him can 
 your deliverance be. Through Him my sword hath 
 'venged you on your foe, and now the yeoman lies de- 
 prived of feet. If, then, you see me in this weary spot, 
 'tis but to break your chains." 
 
 Scarce had the words escaped from out his mouth, 
 when loudly did they call : 
 
 " Happy the day which dawned upon thy birth ; for 
 thou hast saved us all, and swept our pain and martyr- 
 dom away !" 
 
68 JAUPBT THE KNIGHT 
 
 Then Jaiafry bade the dwarf set free the knights ; 
 the manikin obeyed, and with a hammer broke in bits 
 their chains. They all arose, and bowed their heads in. 
 token of submission, whilst they said : 
 
 " Lord, we are thy serfs ; do with us as thou please, 
 be it for good or evil, as is fit." 
 
 " Good knights," Sir Jaufry said, " whate'er of evil 
 may henceforth betide you, none shall come from me. 
 All that I ask of you is simply this, that ye betake you 
 to King Arthur's court, and teU him all you know." 
 
 " My lord," they all exclaimed, " fuU wUliagly shall 
 thy behest be done ; but to the service rendered, add 
 one more by telling us thy name." 
 
 " Barons," said Jaufry then, " teU him the son of 
 Dovon burst your chains. Now quickly set ye out; 
 and, mark, my friendship ne'er shall be bestowed, if 
 that ye fail to teU the king each word." 
 
 The dwarf meanwhile had gone to seek the arms 
 and fetch the steeds to furnish forth the knights. 
 Each donned his hauberk, mounted his good horse, and 
 then with Jaufry parted from that spot. He led them 
 to the great highway, and in their company rode full a 
 league. In passing by, he pointed to the place where, 
 cold and motionless, the yeoman lay : they stayed an 
 
AND THE FAIR BBTJNISSENDE. 69 
 
 instant to observe their foe, then went upon their 
 road. A little farther Jaufry got him down, and 
 tightened more his goodly charger's girths; then, 
 his impatience to fall in with Taulat reviving in full 
 force : 
 
 "God speed you, sirs," he said; "I can delay no 
 more; already have I wasted too much time." 
 
 "My lord," replied the knights, as they presented 
 him his shield and lance, " accept again our thanks : 
 where'er we be, the service thou hast done in this great 
 fight shall widely be proclaimed." 
 
 When that the band had watched him out of sight, 
 they went their way until they reached Carlisle. They 
 found King Arthur in his flowery mead with five-and- 
 twenty of his primest knights. There, kneeling at his 
 feet, one of the troop was spokesman for the rest ; and 
 thus he fearlessly and sagely said : 
 
 " Sire, so please it the true God, who knoweth aU 
 that every creature doth, give you good luck, and guard 
 from pain and ill the greatest king this world doth 
 now contain !" 
 
 "Triend," the good king replied, "God and St. 
 Mary keep thee and thy mates ! Speak without fear, 
 and teU me what thou wilt." 
 
70 JATTFRT THE KNIGHT. 
 
 "Sire, we come to yield ourselyes to thee, from 
 Jaufry, Devon's son; he liatli delivered us from 
 durance vile." 
 
 " Good sir, give me at once your tidings. Is't long 
 since you and he have parted company ?" 
 
 " "We left him, sire, on Tuesday morrdng last, hoth 
 safe and sound, ardent and fuU of strength, tracking a 
 lord with whom he seeks to fight, and to avenge thy 
 cause." 
 
 " O Lord, thou glorious Sire," said the king, with 
 joined hands, " grant I may Jaufry see unchecked, un- 
 scathed ; for, an I hold him not within six months, I'll 
 prize my fortunes as of nothing worth !" 
 
 Whilst that the dwarf in turn begins Ms speech, to 
 tell the king how this adventure happed, we will go 
 back to follow Jaufry' s steps, who still, unwearied, 
 presses stoutly on. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 THE CASTLE OF THE LEPER. 
 
 The knight had rode for great part of the day beneath 
 the rays of a most burning sun, and horse and rider 
 both alike fatigued, when he beheld a young and hand- 
 some squire running towards him at his greatest speed. 
 Rent was his garment even to his waist ; and on he 
 came, with madness in. his looks, tearing by handfuls 
 his fair curling hair. 
 
 Scarce did he make out Jaufry from afar when he 
 exclaimed : 
 
 " Ely, fly, brave knight, fly quickly from this spot, 
 an that thou choosest not to lose thy life !" 
 
 "And wherefore so, fair friend ?" asked Devon's 
 son. 
 
 " Ely, for the love of God, say I ; nor lose thou fur- 
 ther time." 
 
72 JAUFBT THE KNIGHT 
 
 "Art thou, then, shorn of sense," exclaimed the 
 knight, " such counsel to propose, when I behold no 
 foe?" 
 
 "Ah!" cried the squire then, "he comes; he's 
 there ; nor think I in a year to cure the fright that he 
 hath caused me ! He hath slain my lord, — a knight of 
 price, who was conducting to his castle-home his lady- 
 wife, a Norman count's most noble daughter. This 
 wretch hath seized the bride ; and to myself has caused 
 such dire fear, that ev'ry limb still trembles at the 
 shock." 
 
 "And is't because ihouie&vest," asked Sir Jaufry, 
 red with rage, " thou counsell'st flight to me ? By holy 
 faith, I hold thee fool, and worse." 
 
 As he spoke thus, a leper came in sight, who sped 
 along, a child within his arms. Its wretched mother, 
 with dishevelled hair, followed with piercing cries. 
 When she beheld the knight, she knelt down at his 
 feet, and in a tone of agony exclaimed : 
 
 " Mercy, my lord ; O, mercy ! Por the lore of 
 Heaven, grant me help, and get me back the child yon 
 leper bears." 
 
 "Woman," responded Jaufry, "wherefore takes he 
 it?" 
 
AND THE PAIR BRUNISSENDB. 73 
 
 " My lord, because it is his wicked will." 
 
 " Had he no other cause ?" 
 
 " No, by your glorious sire !" 
 
 "Since it is thus," quoth Jaufry, "he is wrong; 
 and I will try to win it back for you." 
 
 He spurred at once his horse, she following; and 
 cried aloud, with all the strength he had : 
 
 " Halt, leprous, wicked wretch ! and bring thou 
 back the chUd !" 
 
 The leper turned his head and raised his hand, 
 making the mark of scorn ; which so enraged the 
 knight, he swore the insult deeply to avenge. The hide- 
 ous leper answered with a laugh ; for he had reached 
 the threshold of his door. He darted ia for refuge, 
 followed full speed by Jaufry ; who, dismounting from 
 his horse, which with his lance he left to the poor 
 dame, dashed through the castle-gate with sword in 
 
 « 
 
 hand and shield upon his arm. 
 
 As he was traversing the castle through, which he 
 found vast and sumptuous to the view, he came into 
 a hall where a huge leper, frightful to behold, had cast 
 upon a couch a damsel in first youth, whose beauty in 
 that age could scarce be matched. Her cheek was 
 fresher than an opening rose at break of day, and her 
 
74 JAUPBT THE KNIGHT 
 
 torn vesture half-betrayed a bosom snowy white. Her 
 eyes were bathed in tears; her words, despair, and 
 sobs, moved Jaufry's soul : but when the leper rose 
 and seized his club, such feeHngs changed to horror 
 and surprise. 
 
 He was in height more tall than knightly lance, 
 and at the shoulders was two fathoms broad : his arms 
 and hands were huge, his fingers crookt and fuU of 
 knots, his cheeks were spread with pustules and with 
 scales ; a broken pupil, eyes without lids but with ver- 
 milion edged, blue Ups, and yellow teeth, made up the 
 portrait of this monster dread. Fiercer than living 
 coal he flew on Jaufry, bidding him straight to yield. 
 
 " No, certes," the knight replied. 
 
 " Say, who in evil hour sent thee here ?" 
 
 " No one." 
 
 "And pray what seekest thou?" 
 
 " A child, that from its mother hath been torn by 
 lep'rous hands, which must give up their prey." 
 
 " Vain fool, 'tis I forbid, — I, by whose mace thy 
 fate shall now be sealed; better for thee thou hadst 
 not risen the morn, since thou shalt now for ever lay 
 thee down." 
 
 His club he raised iu uttering these words, and on 
 
AND THE PAIR BRTJNISSENDE. 75 
 
 the shield of Jaufiy then let fall so fierce a blow, the 
 knight went reehng to the ground. Again that club 
 was raised ; bijt Jaufry rose and fled. Certes he had 
 cause to flee the stroke he saw impending; for that 
 huge mass of iron as it fell made the vast haU to 
 tremble. Then Jaufry, with a bound, before the leper 
 stood, and with firm hand dealt him in turn a blow 
 which took a pahn from off his raiment and the flesh 
 behind. Seeing his blood, which fast began to stream, 
 the giant uttered first a fearful cry, then ran at Jaufry, 
 raising his knotted club with both his hands. 
 
 Scarce could the youthfal knight evade the stroke 
 and leap behind a column ; the monster struck it with 
 such dire strength, the massive iron crushed the marble 
 plinth, and all the castle groaned. 
 
 Meanwhile the damsel fervently prayed Heaven, 
 as humbly on the blood-stained stones she knelt : 
 
 " O, mighty Lord, who in Thy image didst great 
 Adam make ; Thou who hast done so much to save us 
 aU, — now save me from this wretch, and let yon knight 
 withdraw me from his hands !" 
 
 Her orison scarce o'er, Jaufry stepped out, and ere 
 the giant could again his heavy club let faU, he with 
 his trenchant blade had severed his right arm. Being 
 
76 JAUPBT THE KNIGHT 
 
 thus lopped, the monster in his wrath and agony so 
 loudly groaned, the palace tremhled to its very hase 
 and shook the outer air. In vain did Jaufry dodge his 
 falling mace, it struck him to the ground ; so that from 
 nostrUs, eyes, and mouth, the purple stream burst 
 forth. The mace, ia falling on the marble flags, now 
 brake in twain, which Jaufry seeing, he uprose in 
 haste, and newly struck the leper; at the knee-joint 
 he aimed ; the monster reeled, then fell Uke some 
 great tree. 
 
 Prone as the leper lay, Jaufry ran up, his sword ia 
 air, and said : 
 
 "Methinks that peace will soon be made 'twixt 
 you and me." 
 
 Then letting fall his sword with both his hands, he 
 clove the monster's head e'en to the teeth. In the 
 convulsions of his agony still fiercely strove the wretch, 
 and with his foot hurled bim so madly 'gainst the dis- 
 tant wall. Sir Jaufry feU deprived of sound and sight. 
 His trembling hand no longer clutched his sword ; like 
 ruby wine, from nostrils and from mouth burst forth 
 his blood, and motion made he none.* 
 
 * E I'mezel a si repennat, 
 Que tal cop I'a del pe donat, 
 
AND THE FAIR BRUNISSENDE. 77 
 
 Por an instant's space the damsel tliouglit her 
 champion was gone. In grief she hastened to undo 
 the straps which boxmd his polished casque. The 
 freshness drawing from his breast a sigh, she ran for 
 water, and his face she bathed. His senses half-re- 
 turned, he staggered up, and thinking stUl to hold his 
 trusty blade, he struck the damsel, — deeming her the 
 foe, — to such effect that both roUed on the ground. 
 Like madman then he sped around the hall, and ran 
 behind a column, where he crouched and trembled 
 'neath his shield. 
 
 'Twas there the damsel came; and in a voice of 
 dulcet tone, she said : 
 
 " Brave knight, come, ope again those manly eyes, 
 and see who 'tis that speaks. Porget ye what is due to 
 chivalry, of which you are a lord ? your courage and 
 your fame? Recall yourself, and lower that bright 
 shield; behold, the leper's dead !" 
 
 C'a una part, lo fas anar 
 
 E si ab la paret urtar 
 
 Que I'auzer li tolc e I'vezer 
 
 Et anet h terra cazer 
 
 E I'sanc tot vin clar e vermeil 
 
 I eis per lo nas e la bocha 
 
 Ms. fol. 28 verso, verse 2461. 
 
78 JAUFBT THE KNIGHT 
 
 Jaufiy recovered at this heart'niiig speecli, and 
 finding his head bare, — 
 
 "Damsel," he asked, "who hath removed my 
 casque, and taken my good sword ?" 
 
 " Myself, good lord, whilst you were in a swoon." 
 
 " The giant, what doth he ?" 
 
 " Bathed in his blood and at your feet he lies." 
 
 Jaufry looked up, and when the corpse he saw thus 
 shattered and quite still, he slowly rose, and sat him 
 on a bench until his senses were again restored ; then, 
 when the dizziness had fled his braia, he thought upon 
 the mother and the child, and straightway ran from 
 hall to hall to search the infant out. But though he 
 sought and ran and called aloud, neither the leper nor 
 the chUd appeared. 
 
 " I will yet search and search," he then exclaimed ; 
 " or here or out the door they must be found ; for I'U 
 not hold me at a denier' s worth till to the mother her 
 poor child 's restored, and I've had vengeance for that 
 leper's scorn." 
 
 With such resolve, he strode towards the door ; but 
 though the portal was thrown open wide, he could not 
 pass it through. Spite of his wiU, his efforts, and his 
 
AND THE PAIR BRUNISSENDE. 79 
 
 strengtli, his feet seemed stopped before an unseen 
 bar. 
 
 " Good Heaven," lie said, " what ! am I then en- 
 tranced ?" 
 
 He drew him back, and gathering for a spring, 
 with wond'rons force he bounded to the door. Still 
 all was vain, he could not cross the sill. Again and 
 yet again he tried, tUl deep discouragement iced o'er 
 his heart. Then tears broke from his eyes, and mur- 
 muring: 
 
 "Alas, good Lord," he said, "Thou gav'st me 
 strength to kill yon wicked wretch ; what boots it, if 
 I here must captive be ?" 
 
 'Twas as he thus bemoaned his adverse fate, there 
 broke upon his ear from some nigh place a sound of 
 infant tongues, which sadly cried : 
 
 " Save us, O, save us, mighty lord !" 
 
 Swift at the sound he roused his spirit up, and run- 
 ning, found at one end of a hall a dose-shut door fast 
 bolted from within. Jaufry called out, and struck it 
 with great noise ; yet answer none was made : enraged 
 at this, he burst it in with force, and with his naked 
 blade entered a gloomy vault. There was the leper 
 found, with knife in hand, who seven infants had just 
 
80 JAUFRT THE KNIGHT 
 
 put to death. Some thirty more there still remained 
 alive, whose bitter cries went through the softened 
 soul. 
 
 Touched at the frightful sight, Jaufry struck down 
 the wretch, who called his master's help ; and then ia 
 wrath exclaimed : 
 
 " Thy master, villain, can no answer make ; his soul 
 this earth hath fled : and thou, for erstwhile making 
 mock of me, shalt now thy meed receive." 
 
 Raising meanwhile his arm, the leper's hand he 
 severed at a blow. The wretch upon the blood-stained 
 pavement rolled ; then crawling to his feet, he humbly 
 cried : 
 
 "Mercy, good knight; in God's name, pity me, 
 and take not quite my life ! 'Twas by constraint and 
 force I killed these babes. My lord, who sought to 
 cure his leprosy, bade me, with awful threats, each day 
 prepare a bath of human blood." 
 
 "Thy life I'U grant," quoth Jaufry to him then,. 
 " an that thou give me means to leave this place." 
 
 " I can," the leper said ; " but had you now deprived 
 me of my life, not knowing of the spell, a hundred 
 thousand years had roUed their course, and yet not 
 seen you free." 
 
AND THE I" AIR BBUNISSENDE. 81 
 
 ',' Haste thee, then, now," quoth Jaufry, eagerly. 
 
 " Sir knight," the naan with shining face replied, 
 " you still have much to bear. Such is the fashion of 
 this castle's spell, my lord alone could power grant to 
 such as hither came to cross the threshold ; but never 
 did they pass it in return save dead or maimed." 
 
 " How, then, wilt thou succeed?" said Jaufry. 
 
 " ^Py yo^j 0^ ^"^P of yonder casement high, a marble 
 head ?" 
 
 " Yea, by my faith ! .And then ?" 
 
 "Lo, reach it down; and break it fair in twain; 
 you'U thus destroy the charm : but first your armour 
 carefully put on ; for when the spell is o'er, these castle- 
 walls will crumble into dust." 
 
 Trusting not wholly to the lep'rous wretch, Jaufry 
 then bound him by the feet and arms, and to the 
 damsel thus confided him : 
 
 " If he hath lied," said he, " spare not his life." 
 
 Then he resumed his helm, took down the marble 
 head, whose shape was fair and cuaningly devised, and 
 setting it near him on a wooden bench, discharged on't 
 with his sword so great a blow, he clove it clean in 
 twain. Sudden it shrieked, it moaned, it bounded up, 
 hissing and growling as a thunderbolt; whilst the 
 
 F 
 
82 JATJPBT THE KNIGHT 
 
 vexed elements at once unch.ained, and beam and stone 
 at war with frightful din came crushing over Jaufry. 
 Vainly his shield was raised to guard his head ; Hea- 
 ven's face was darkened o'er ; an awful storm, where 
 wind and lightning strove, bursting with ruin, 'mid the 
 ambient air had borne the knight away, but for his 
 orison to heaven's King. Huge clouds of dust rose up- 
 wards to the skies ; while a fierce wind, in passing, swept 
 away the last memorial of the magic work : of castle 
 naught remained. Bowed down, and scarce himself, 
 did Jaufry move his limbs. Bowed down and bruised 
 and tottering, dragged he some steps, then feU. The 
 maid, the slave, and mother with her child, who had 
 sought refuge 'neath a huge rock's vault, found him at 
 length outstretched upon the turf, his strength ex- 
 hausted and quite motionless. 
 
 " Say, then, good knight," the damsel smiling 
 spoke, " how fares it with you now ?" 
 
 "I have no bruise that's perilous, nor mortal 
 wound," replied the knight; "but such this latter 
 strife, I find, indeed, I sadly lack repose." 
 
 The damsel then embraced bim with her arms, 
 and pressed her lips upon his eyes and mouth. When 
 Jaufry saw the mother, — 
 
A fierce ' 
 
 wind in passing swept away the last memorial of the magic work. 
 
AND THE PAIR BJRTJNISSENDE. 83 
 
 "Woman," he said, "hast thou regained thy 
 child ?" 
 
 " I have, my lord; thanks, he it told, to you." 
 
 "An it be so, proceed then to Carlisle, with this 
 fair damsel, babes, and leper, — all. There I must beg 
 you go, King Arthur thank, from Jaufry, Devon's son, 
 and tell him of this fight." 
 
 Thus speaking, he uprose; drew to his fancy his 
 good horse's girths ; and having consigned his friends 
 to Heaven's care, resumed his quest of Taulat : albeit 
 'twas now with measured steps and slow ; for this dread 
 battle had worn out his strength. 
 
 Having obtained her mantle and her horse, the 
 maid set out from thence at the like hour, and with 
 her went the leper and the rest ; nor stayed she on the 
 way, but only stopped when she had reached fair Car- 
 lisle's lofty towers. 
 
 There all regarded her with wonderment. 
 
 "Whence can proceed," they said, "this strange 
 cortege ? whence come these people ? and what want 
 they here ?" The curious crowd followed that damsel 
 fair up to the castle-gates, and there the knights, 
 who noble escort made, led her with all her troop 
 before the king. 
 
84 JATJPRT THE XNIGHT 
 
 There bended she her knee, and as a dame of gentle 
 breeding spoke : 
 
 " May He, the Lord of all and of aU things, who in 
 His hands doth justly hold the keys of good and iU, 
 increase your fame, and keep in glory the knights of 
 your E-ound Table !" 
 
 "And," said the worthy king, "may Heaven save 
 you, sweet damsel, who are fair and good as courteous 
 and well-bred !" 
 
 " Sire, from Jaufry, Dovon's son, I come, to thank 
 you for my life ; which to his mighty valour do I owe. 
 I am the daughter of the Count Passant, whose name 
 perchance hath reached your royal ear. A knight of 
 high esteem, who sought adventure to display his 
 worth, brought me from Normandy to these fair shores. 
 For seven long months, by valley and by hill we wan- 
 dered on, full many a snare escaping, and without 
 check full many a weary fight. This land did hold, 
 alas, a giant dread, of hideous aspect, and of awful 
 strength, eaten with leprosy and fearful sores, whose 
 thought doth make my very soul to heave. Before us 
 suddenly this wretch appeared; and taking from his 
 neck a monstrous club, struck at my lord with force 
 so terrible, he stunned him with the blow. Like as a 
 
AND THE rAIE, BBUNISSENDE. 85 
 
 child then, clutcliiiig at Ms arm, against a rock he frac- 
 tured every hone ; whilst me he seized from off my 
 palfrey's back, and to his magic castle quickly bore. 
 There I had lost my life, yea, more than life, but that 
 high Heaven, whose justice I implored, in mercy sent 
 Sir Jaufry to my aid. This doughty knight at length 
 the monster slew ; but ne'er can I with greater truth 
 aver, such battle never did these eyes behold, or blows 
 so great e'er given and received." 
 
 The mother and the handless leper told their tale 
 in turn. But whilst they thus "their message each re- 
 lates, we will to Jaufry go, who onward still his course 
 doth slowly take, without he yet a single soul descried 
 who could give tidings of the man he sought. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE ORCHARD OP BRXJNISSEKDE. 
 
 Harassed, fatigued, and sore with many a bruise, 
 Jaufry was sinking too for food and driok ; and yet the 
 want of sleep, — of all our wants the most imperious, — 
 so weighed him down, he scarce could keep his seat. 
 Still he went on a quarter of the night with limbs be- 
 numbed and eyelids partly closed, taking such course 
 his charger pleased to lead. 
 
 Serene and lovely was the atmosphere, and by the 
 light the stars in shining gave he by adventure a large 
 orchard saw, shut in with marble walls and skirt with 
 trees of umbrage such as earth scarce saw before. 
 Mowers and fragrant herbs abounded there ; and with 
 
88 JAUPET THE KNIGHT 
 
 each puff of wind there issued out a sweet and hahny 
 breath like paradise. 'Twas thus that, as night fell, the 
 birds for leagues around did hither flock, and perching 
 on the leafy boughs, warbled their dulcet notes tiU 
 matin prime. 
 
 This orchard appertained to a great dame known 
 as fair Brunissende. "Within the castle of Montbrun 
 she lived ; and father, mother, husband, had she none ; 
 fine was her court and richj of breeding high; and 
 knights and burghers, minstrels, jugglers from all 
 countries, hither trooping came. The palace, built of 
 hewn and massive stone whereon the sculptor had 
 employed his art, was flanked with towers blackened 
 o'er by time. 'Twas in the centre Brunissende was 
 lodged ; and to it seven gates a passage gave, where- 
 of the keepers could each one lead forth a thousand 
 men. 
 
 'Five hundred damsels waited her commands ; but 
 though 'twere rare to see such beauty met, yet Bru- 
 nissende held empire over all in loveliness and grace : 
 one might have sought throughout the realms of earth, 
 and yet not found such high and gentle dame, or one 
 so fine in form. Her eyes and her sweet face swept 
 from the mind of those who gazed on her all thought 
 
Kiiiglits and buri^'hcrs, niiustrels, jugglers from all countries, hither trooping came. 
 
AND THE FAIR BRTTNISSENDE. 89 
 
 of former cliarms. She was more fresh, more fair, 
 more purely white than snow that lies upon the frosted 
 deWj and rose that opens on a lily's hreast.* 
 
 But, ah, felicity did not attend her charms. Yield- 
 ing to some deep grief, four times a day she sadly wept 
 and mourned ; and thrice she rose at night to mourn 
 agaia. Her sole delight was listening to the notes of 
 those sweet hirds which fiUed her orchard near ; which, 
 when she had heard, she got some brief repose, — soon 
 to awake again to weep and mourn; and aU her vas- 
 sals, of each age and sex, little and great, at that same 
 hour of woe uttered the self-same moans, and shed 
 like tears. 
 
 Arrived, as we already said, before her orchard fair, 
 Jaufry got down ; and seeing an open gate, he ventured 
 in, removed the bridle from his charger's mouth, so 
 
 * Car plus es fresca e bella e blanca 
 Que neus gelada sus en branca 
 Ni que rosas ab flor de lis . . . . 
 Que cant bom auria cercat, 
 
 Totas cellas que son nascudas 
 
 Non auria bom una trobada 
 Tan bella ni tan gen formada ; 
 Que SOS oueils e sa bella cara 
 Fai oblidar qui ben I'esgara 
 Totas cellas que vistas a. 
 
 Ms. fol. 36, vv. 3062 and 3159. 
 
90 JATJFRT THE KNIGHT 
 
 that he grazed at ease, and his shield placing 'neath 
 his weary head, his limbs outstretching on the flowery 
 turf, he soon most soundly slept. Just then did Bru- 
 nissende her footsteps take towards her chamber, fol- 
 lowed by her maids. Surprised the birds no longer 
 tuned their notes, she straightway bade the seneschal 
 appear, to whom she said with wrath : 
 
 " Some creature surely must have passed the gates, 
 and scared my gentle birds. Go, quickly find it out ; 
 and if perchance a man it prove to be, he must be 
 hither brought, alive or dead," 
 
 " Lady," the seneschal at once replied, " I go with 
 speed." 
 
 Two squires preceding him, each with a lighted 
 torch, his horse he mounted, and rode down in haste, 
 and in the orchard found the weary knight, wrapt in 
 profoundest sleep. He called him frequently, then 
 shook him hard ; but for a time in vain. His eyes at 
 length with effort he unclosed, when, raising up his 
 head, — 
 
 'Tair knight," quoth he most courteously, "by 
 thine attainments and thy gentle birth, I do entreat 
 thee, in God's name, to let me here abide and sleep 
 my fill." 
 
AND THE FAIR BE.UNISSENDE. 91 
 
 " Sleep must you now no more," replied the chief, 
 " but come before my lady; she'U not rest until ayenged 
 on him who scares her birds." 
 
 Quoth Jaufry : 
 
 " God permit, thou shalt not take me off without 
 a fight !" 
 
 The seneschal, on heariag such resolve, called to his 
 squire to bring him out his arms. Meanwhile the son 
 of Dovon slept again ; so that the seneschal, when full 
 equipped, was forced a second time to wake him up, 
 and roughly as at first. 
 
 " Knight," exclaimed Jaufry, as he then arose, " 'tis 
 a great sin to trouble my repose, for I am wearied out ; 
 but since thou hast chosen to accept the fight, wilt 
 thou allow me to sleep on in peace if I do thee un- 
 horse ?" 
 
 "By Heaven's faith, I swear 't!" laughing, the 
 other said. 
 
 Jaufry then hastened to his horse's side ; replaced 
 the bit, and tightly drew the girths. Mounted, he 
 galloped at the seneschal; who, having drawn him 
 back a space, on rushing drove his lance at Jaufry' s 
 shield, but never harmed the knight. He, on the con- 
 trary, with happy stroke unhorsed the seneschal ; who. 
 
92 JAUPRT THE KNIGHT 
 
 full of shame, with head howed down, and slow and 
 thoughtful step, regained the castle and his lady's 
 room. 
 
 " "What is't," asked Brunissende, " that there doth 
 lurk?" 
 
 "A knight all armed, whose peer the world not 
 holds, sleeping so soundly he would scarce awake." 
 
 " "Why hroughtst thou him not here ? I wish him 
 hither led; for, with God's help, no food shall pass 
 these lips till that bold knight be hanged." 
 
 "Lady," replied the seneschal, "he would not 
 come; nor could I wake bim up." 
 
 " Indeed," quoth she; "then bid the tocsiu sound, 
 and rouse me up my knights." 
 
 The seneschal obeyed; the sound was heard, and 
 straightway flocking came five hundred knights. The 
 hall they entered, where their lady stood with spite and 
 anger pale. 
 
 " Barons," she said, " a bold and wicked knight my 
 grounds hath passed, and will not quit the walls ; now 
 if his head pay not this insolence, I never will hold 
 land or honour more." 
 
 "Lady," replied a tall and proper knight of great 
 renown, — Simon the Red by name, — "I will go seek 
 
AND THE TAIR BRTJNISSENDE. 93 
 
 him out, if such your wish ; and trust, alive or dead, 
 to bring him here." 
 
 " So be it," said Brunissende. 
 
 Added the seneschal : 
 
 " My troth, good friend, I bid thee shield thyself. 
 He can most sturdily defend his sconce; and braye 
 indeed I'll hold the happy knight who takes it off by 
 force." 
 
 Simon, without a word, went on his way, and Jau- 
 fry found still sleeping ; rudely he cried : 
 
 " Up, up, sir knight ; arouse !" 
 
 Jaufry, who moved not more than any rock, re- 
 ceived from Simon then so strong a kick, it woke him 
 up in haste. 
 
 "Nathless, thou promisedst to let me sleep," he 
 then exclaimed; "and 'tis a villain's act to break thy 
 faith, when thus I'm overcome." 
 
 "Oome, speak then to my lady," Simon said; "or 
 I by force must take thee to the haU." 
 
 "We first will see who's strongest, — ^thou or I," 
 said Jaufry in low tone ; when, springing on his horse, 
 he ran at Simon, who like haste displayed. 
 
 Bold Simon's lance was split on Jaufuy's shield; 
 but he was borne by that of his brave foe so swift to 
 
94 JATJ¥E,T THE KNIGHT 
 
 earth, it nearly cost his life. Jaufry ran up, as though 
 to make it sure, when loud he called for grace. 
 
 " WUt thou annoy me further in my sleep, if I do 
 grant it ?" 
 
 " No, lord, I promise thee." 
 
 " Go, then," said Jaufry, who agaia lay down, and 
 quick reclosed his eyes. 
 
 Simon the Red, with flush upon his face and shame 
 at heart, slowly retraced his steps. Certes, did he make 
 but half the noise he made on setting out ; so that the 
 seneschal, who watched him come, could not withhold 
 his smiles. 
 
 "Lady," he said, "behold your champion; but 
 with him comes no knight. I'd wage my spurs, like 
 me, he has taken oath." 
 
 "Maugre this pleasantry," the dame replied, "ere 
 I have rest, this naughty knight shall hang." 
 
 Hearing the words, one of the keepers of the seven 
 gates descended to the orchard ; but soon his troop re- 
 turned, bearing him faint and bleeding on his shield. 
 At such a spectacle, fair Brunissende could scarce con- 
 tain her rage, — 
 
 "What! have I round me naught but coward 
 folk," she loudly cried, " and knights without a heart ? 
 
AND THE PAIR BEUNISSENDE. 95 
 
 Go fifty ; if it need, go thrice that number still ; but 
 bring this vassal, or no more return !" 
 
 At this reproach, the knights rushed o& in troop, 
 and to the garden hied with clash and din. When 
 there, they Jaufry seized, — some by the arm, and 
 others by the leg ; while some his shoulders held, and 
 some his head, and brought him thus into that lordly 
 hall without his being able to stir limb. On seeing 
 them arrive, the dame impatient came with hasty step 
 and bade them set him free. They loosed their hold, 
 and Jaufry stood upright ; nor could he think, as round 
 his glance was thrown, 'twas sport that brought him 
 'mong such iron folk. TaU and well-shaped, his na- 
 tural manly grace, set off with hauberk rich and bur- 
 nished casque, struck Brunissende, who eyed him cu- 
 riously. 
 
 "'Tis you," at length she said, "who all this ill 
 have wrought." 
 
 "Pair lady," he replied, " so far am I from doing 
 what you say, or causing you annoy, I would defend 
 you with my utmost strength 'gainst all of mother 
 born," 
 
 " In that you say not truth ; for you erewhile have 
 so misused my knight, that he may chance to die." 
 
JATJPRY THE KNIGHT 
 
 "I own it, lady fair, but he was in the wrong; 
 having by oath engaged to let me sleep, he thrice re- 
 turned to wake me up, and struck me with his lance. 
 Still, had I known him feoffee to you, never on him 
 had risen this knightly hand, e'en for a greater cause." 
 
 " No matter ! I can see," replied the dame, "we '11 
 find in you, — and that ere morning sun, — a proper 
 subject for the cord, or worse." 
 
 Whilst thus she spoke, Jaufry regarded her; and 
 ne'er had tired admiring her brow, her neck, her fair 
 and sweet fresh face, her rosy mouth, and blue and 
 loving eyes. 
 
 "Lady," quoth he, love gliding o'er his soul, "do 
 with me what you will ; for with no other arms than 
 that rich robe, you would have vanquished me with 
 greater ease than ten knights clad in mail. If, 'gainst 
 my knowledge, I have caused you pain, wreak now your 
 own revenge; and never 'gaiast you shall uprise my 
 sword, or lance or shield be used." 
 
 Hearing him reason thus so courteously, the dame 
 forgets her wrath. Love with his golden shaft hath 
 pierced her heart, and now she pardons all. Those lips 
 still bear a menace to the ear; but those sweet eyes 
 belie 't. 
 
AND THE PAIR BRUNISSENDE, 97 
 
 Grown bold, the kniglit, who still did on her gaze, 
 begged her to grant a boon. 
 
 " Let me," he said, " but slumber at my ease ; then 
 do what justice bids. Eear not that I shall hence seek 
 means to fly ; for. Heaven preserve me, you have some- 
 how gained such power o'er my soul, that you alone 
 are better guard than are ten hundred of your men 
 with arms in hand." 
 
 Pair Brunissende retired with a sigh, leaving for 
 sole adieu a look so sweet, that, spite of his duU sense, 
 it fiUed his heart with joy. Meantime the seneschal, 
 whose care it was, bade the attendants then prepare a 
 couch in middle of the hall : he there conducted Jau- 
 fry, and then asked his name and country. 
 
 " I'm of King Arthur's court," quoth Devon's son; 
 " now prithee ask no more, but, in God's name, let me 
 in quiet rest." 
 
 Pull armed as he then was, he laid him down, 
 and sleep his eyelids closed. Not so fair Brunissende. 
 Love in her chamber had renewed the assault, and 
 banished sleep away; and thus she mused, until the 
 city- watch gave forth the accustomed sound. At that 
 trumpet's call, each in the castle and the city rose; 
 and all at once gave loose to tears and groans. High 
 
 G 
 
98 JATJPRY THE KNIGHT 
 
 dames and damsels, Brunissende in chief, clasping 
 tlieir hands in sign of deepest woe, beat their fair 
 breasts and face ; while the knights who guarded Jaufry 
 made such dreadful din, it woke him up, and made 
 him ask the cause. 
 
 All at the word rushed forward to the couch, and 
 struck with lance and sword and iron mace. WeU 
 'twas for him his hauberk was of proof; for the blows 
 came just like to a storm of haU. Nor did they cease, 
 thinking the knight was dead, until the doleful cries 
 had died away. Then each resumed his post, and 
 silence fell o'er aU. Again, at mid of night, those cries 
 uprose ; but Jaufry, whom no sleep agaia had blessed, 
 and whose cleared thoughts were fixed on Brunissende, 
 took careful note to guard his curious tongue ; holding 
 his breath, he said within himself : 
 
 " Certes are these men no folk of flesh and blood, 
 but demons hither sent to pester earth. With Hea- 
 ven's help, to-morrow's blessed sun shan't light upon 
 me here." 
 
 Persuaded he was dead after that storm of blows, 
 the knights relaxed their watch, and slumbered at their 
 posts ; Jaufry then seized the chance, and noiselessly 
 uprose. With shield and lance in hand, he left the 
 
AND THE FAIR BEUNISSBNDE. 99 
 
 castle-halls on tip of toe ; by good luck foimd his 
 horse, and mounting quick, at fullest speed set out. 
 Had he but dreamt the lore fair Brunissende con- 
 ceived, not aU her men-at-arms would from Montbrun 
 have chased him but with slaughter. Little deemed 
 he, as hill and dale he crossed with breathless speed, 
 she at that hour was in her fancy musing how she 
 might make him hers. 
 
 Who shaU depict, as rose the sun next morn, fair 
 Brunissende' s dismay, when, of the first who to the hall 
 came down, she heard of Jaufry's flight ? As one de- 
 prived of sense, those hundred knights she loudly did 
 accuse of treason to their faith ; their negligence she 
 banned; and to the seneschal in wrath exclaimed, 
 that, if he found not Jaufry, he should by fire or 
 cord full surely die, even if torments yet unheard were 
 hers. 
 
 Whilst that this scene was passing at Montbrun, 
 Jaufry already was well on his road. And shortly 
 after rising of the sun, he met a neatherd, driving of a 
 car laden with bread and wine and other things. This 
 man invited him, by holy charity, to eat with hitn; 
 and used such kindly words, that Jaufry yielded to his 
 hearty wish, frankly avowing that for three whole days 
 
100 JATTFRY THE KNIGHT 
 
 he had not tasted food. The neatherd therefore took 
 his shield and lance, drew from his car good wheaten 
 bread and wine, two roasted capons, three grilled par- 
 tridges, and part of a wild-boar ; then, spreading on the 
 turf beneath a leafy tree a fair white cloth, a brook 
 just bubbling by, he served the knight, and paid him 
 great respect. 
 
 When they had eat their fill, and in their thirst 
 emptied two bowls of wine, Jaufry prepared to go, 
 thanking the neatherd for his welcome meal. This 
 man was vassal to fair Brunissende, the lady of high 
 worth; and as the knight was turning to depart, he 
 drew the charger's rein and gently said : 
 
 " Good friend, one thing I fain would ask of you, 
 which I had half-forgot: why do the people of this 
 fair domain so weep and loudly moan ?" 
 
 "Ah, rascal, wretch, thou traitor, and thou fool !" 
 exclaimed the neatherd, bursting forth with rage, " thy 
 wretched life shall answer for those words." 
 
 With all his strength he then at Jaufry cast the 
 pond'rous axe he bore, which struck his shield and 
 brought out fire and flame. The knight spurred on his 
 horse and got clear off; but mid a storm of stones. The 
 neatherd then, enraged at missing him, shivered his 
 
AND THE FAIB BBUNISSENDE. 101 
 
 car to bits, and with his axe struck both his oxen 
 dead.* 
 
 In ignorance of the cause of all this rage, Jaufry 
 at length relaxed his horse's speed; stUl as he went 
 exclaiming, that he'd hold as naught aU that he 
 yet had done till he had met a creature who could 
 tell the reason of that wailing. Busied with such-like 
 thoughts and the remembrance of fair Brunissende, 
 he rode the live-long day, spite of fatigue and heat. 
 When daylight waned, two youths well-horsed, with 
 falcon on the fist, and hounds and terriers running 
 at their feet, came up to him; and after slight dis- 
 course, invited him to share their evening meal, — and 
 that so courteously, he could not make denial. The 
 three young men then gaily went along, talking of 
 love and battle's iron strife ; when, as 'twas sunset, 
 rose again that cry, at which the youths like mad- 
 men howled and wept. 
 
 " Good youths," quoth Jaufry, with astonishment, 
 " what means this grief? What heard you, sirs, I 
 pray ; and why such noise ?" 
 
 * Cervantes has wittily parodied this adventure by that of the 
 braying of the ass, which sets two villages of La Mancha at strife with 
 each other (Aventura del rebuxno, parte ii. lib. vi. cap. xxv.). 
 
102 JAUFBY THE KNIGHT 
 
 " WTiy? ask'st thou, foolisli, treach'rous serf? that 
 word shall cost thy life !" 
 
 And as one cast at him his startled bird, the other 
 plucked his cap from off his head and threw it madly 
 'gainst bold Jaufry's shield. Their fury and hard 
 words finished as ceased that cry; when, quickly fol- 
 lowing the wond'ring knight, with honeyed phrase 
 they charmed away his wrath, and to their habita- 
 tion led the way. 
 
 This was a chMelet of graceful form, girded by lofty 
 walls and outer fosse, through which a living stream 
 for ever ran. Beside the bridge there sat an aged 
 knight, listing a minstrel's song, — The Lay of the 
 Two Lovers.^ It was the father of the two young 
 men : beholding Jaufry, he in haste arose, and came 
 to give him welcome ; saying, with joyful tone :t 
 
 "I am beholden, lord, to those who've brought 
 you : seven long years have flown since stranger-guest 
 hath this my threshold crossed whose aspect pleased 
 me so : God save you, sir* !" 
 
 Thus speaking, by the arm the knight escorted 
 
 * Of Marie of France. 
 
 + This knight in Cervantes' hands is the nohleman clad in green 
 {CavaUero vestido en gavcm de panojmo verde, parte ii. lib. t. cap. xyi.). 
 
AND THE FAIR BBUNISSENDE. 103 
 
 Jaufry to the hall, where the two youths removed his 
 armour bright. Soon there came in a damsel fair, of 
 fresh and smUing look, who brought him a rich man- 
 tle, which when he had put on, she, on a cushion 
 placed beside him, sat. Then they discoursed on va- 
 rious pleasant things until 'twas time for water to be 
 brought. A well-bred page did pour it o'er his hands, 
 while the fair damsel held the ready bowl; at which 
 Sir Jaufry said : 
 
 " Maiden, I'll not this kindly act refuse ; for should 
 you e'er need service at my hands, whate'er the hour 
 or place, you may full surely call me to your aid." 
 
 They then at table sat; and when the meal was 
 o'er, the cloth removed, the damsel went the couches 
 to prepare, and left her father and the knight alone. 
 The old man asked his name, and wept for joy to learn 
 the son of Dovon was his guest, — his ancient friend in 
 arms. He would have fain a month detained him 
 there; but Jaufry cleverly excuses made, and at the 
 point of day he in his saddle found himself again. The 
 maid had given him his shield and lance, and he his 
 leave was then about to take, when it occurred to him 
 to ask his host about that wailing cry. Scarcely, how- 
 ever, was the question put when the old man and his 
 
104 JATJPEY THE KNIGHT 
 
 two sons alike assailed him with hard names : they 
 called him knave and wretch and villain's son; they 
 tried to strike at him with sturdy clubs, and tore their 
 hair in that unseemly rage. 
 
 Jaufry by dint of spur escaped their wrath; and 
 wond'ring saw them on each other turn their fitful 
 ire, and tear their clothes to rags. Their fury spent, 
 they called him back again; and Jaufry, wishing to 
 have news of Taulat, consented to return. As it feU 
 out, no man could give him more. The aged knight 
 well knew that champion fierce, and in these terms 
 did teU him what he sought : 
 
 " Eollow," he said, " all day this very road ; it leads 
 across a tract of desert space, where ne'er are found or 
 house or town, or bread or wine, or man of mother 
 born. If you should wish in passing to repose, naught 
 but the turf can be your host or tent. Go onward 
 thus until to-morrow's sun. Before the noon you will 
 have reached a plain, wherein is set a high and rugged 
 mount. There, at its foot, a castle you'U behold, plea- 
 sant and finely built; and round its moats a crowd 
 of tents and huts, where harbour knights and lords of 
 high descent. Pass stoutly on, nor speak a word to 
 man ; go to the castle without stop or stay, whatever 
 
AND THE FAIE, BRUNISSENDE. 105 
 
 may befall, and enter boldly in, leaving without your 
 lance, and eke your shield. There will you find two 
 dames, — one old, one young, — who watch a wounded 
 knight. Go to the ancient dame, and to her say, that 
 Augier de Cliart sends you there, that she may tell you 
 why the people groan, and give you news of Taulat." 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE BLACK KNIGHT. 
 
 Well pleased at Augier's words, wMcli seemed to raise 
 Ms heart by fuU a span, Jaufry spurred bravely on, 
 and by the morrow safely readied tbe spot his host 
 had named. While he was passing through the scat- 
 tered tents, the knights, who stared at him, exclaimed 
 aloud : 
 
 " Behold a man who has ridden the night long, and 
 hastens forward, but to seek his loss." 
 
 Seeming as though he never heard the words, he to 
 the noble castle straightway hied ; which seemed most 
 rich, and sculptured with fine art. Seeing a portal set 
 with marble leaves and tinged of various hues, he there 
 got down, secured his horse, and near him placing both 
 his lance and shield, he passed within the door. At 
 
108 JAUPRY THE KNIGHT 
 
 first his eyes no other forms beheld than those which 
 orned the walls; but as he wandered on from room 
 to room, he came at length where lay the wounded 
 knight, and at his couch two dames in robes of woe, 
 and tears upon their cheeks. As he was counselled 
 by good Augier, then he to the elder went, and prayed 
 her courteously, in Heaven's name, to tell him where 
 was Taulat, and why the people of that land he left 
 did day and night so weep. 
 
 Charmed with his breeding and his knightly words, 
 the lady then explained that Taulat, whose brutality 
 and pride exceeded bounds, would in eight days re- 
 turn. 
 
 "He comes," she said, "to glut his cruelty upon 
 the wretched man who yonder lies. Seven years agone 
 he with his lance did wound him cruelly; and when 
 that wound is healed, each year, upon the feast-day of 
 St. John, he has him fastened to a stake hard by, and 
 beaten with a scourge until the wounds are opened 
 once again. Por this the vassals of the neighbouring 
 land of Brunissende, — whereof this knight is lord, — 
 weep and lament, and e'en do put to death those who 
 would spy into their cause of grief." 
 
 " Lady," Sir Jaufry said, " pride slays its lord ; and 
 
The wood was '"-■loomyj intricate, and dense ; and at the first cross-road before him he beheld, squatted beneath 
 a pine, a hag whose aspect struck him with surprise. 
 
AND THE FAIE BRUNISSENDE. 109 
 
 by that pride, I trust, will Taulat fall. In eight days' 
 time to seek him I wiU come; and I can truly say 
 that term will seem a year." 
 
 Commending her to Hearen, he left those halls, 
 mounted again his horse, and took his way towards a 
 neighbouring wood, where he did trust some man to 
 meet to lodge him in his hut. The wood was gloomy, 
 intricate, and dense ; and at the first cross-road before 
 him, he beheld, squatted beneath a pine, a hag, whose 
 aspect struck him with surprise. Her head was larger 
 than a portal's arch; her eyes were small as deniers, 
 bleared besides and blue, misshapen, and deep-sunk be- 
 neath projecting brows. Her lips were black; teeth 
 red as orpiment, which jutted out unseemly from her 
 jaw. Her arms were sinewy, and her hands all knots ; 
 her face was colourless and wrinkled o'er; her body 
 puffed ; her shoulders round and high ; her legs were 
 skinny and of brownish hue ; her knees were pointed ; 
 her toe-nails so long, no shoe could ever have enclosed 
 her feet. A verdant wreath encircled her white hair, 
 which stiffly stood on end. Her under-garment was 
 of linen fine ; her robe of ruddy silk ; and over all a 
 scarlet mantle fell, with ermine lined. 
 
 Jaufry saluted her ; meanwhile with awe he gazed 
 
110 JAUrRT THE KNI&HT 
 
 upon her figure strange, and ugly face. She turned 
 her head, and without moving from her darksome seat, 
 exclaimed : 
 
 " Retrace thy steps, sir knight, and that at once." 
 
 " Not so, indeed," quoth Jaufry, "till I learn why 
 thou dost tell me thus to flee away." 
 
 " Thou wilt repent it, then," the hag replied ; " and 
 death or dungeon shalt thou surely find." 
 
 " And wherefore so ?" 
 
 " Go on, and thou wilt learn." 
 
 " Tell me at least with whom I'll have to strive." 
 
 "Those thou shalt meet will say." 
 
 " An.d thou, too ; what art thou ?" 
 
 " What thou beholdst !" the hag exclaimed, as, 
 rising, she unfolded her huge length, tall as a knightly 
 lance. 
 
 "Heaven I" Sir Jaufry cried, "ia thee I trust; 
 what figure have we here ?" 
 
 "Dare to pass onwards," growled the wretched 
 hag, "and thou shalt meet with worse." 
 
 "Nathless they stay not me: as to thy threats," 
 he said, " I hold them as the wind, or nothingness." 
 
 Pricking his charger as he spoke the words, he 
 passed along the path. 
 
" Heaven," Sir Jaufry cried, " in you I trust. What figure have we here V 
 
AND THE PAIR BRUNISSENDE. Ill 
 
 The hag, however, had but told the truth. ]Por 
 as he reached a chapel small, a holy hermit served, 
 a knight of sable hue, mounting a sable horse, with 
 sable arms, assailed him with such strength and un- 
 awares, that horse and knight were on the turf o'er- 
 thrown. Jaufry, aU red with shame, at once upsprang, 
 and, sword in hand, wished to avenge his fall ; but, lo, 
 no foe was there. He looked about, above, around, 
 below, but horse and knight had vanished quite away. 
 Again he mounted on his charger's back, when, at the 
 instant, his strange foe returned, with lowered lance 
 to strike at him again. Jaufry, prepared, now flew at 
 him in turn ; they midway met with shock so terrible, 
 each rolled upon the earth. Half-wild with anger 
 then, quick as the lightning Jaufry was afoot, with 
 shield on guard and ready for the fight; but ne'er a 
 foe was there. 
 
 " I will yet find him out," Sir Jaufry said, as in his 
 saddle he again did leap. But scarce was foot in stirrup 
 firmly set when back returned the sable knight, hissing 
 and growling as the thunder doth when tempests vex 
 the air, and for the third time bore him to the ground. 
 Jaufry, on his side, had so aimed his lance, it pierced 
 his foe right through, and cast him on the turf. But 
 
112 JAUrUT THE KNIGHT 
 
 when he wished to give the coup-de-grdce, in vain he 
 sought the knight, he neither saw nor heard. 
 
 "Good Heaven!" Jaufry cried, "where hath this 
 recreant, this demon, fled ? I drive my lance a fathom 
 through his breast, I hurl him to the ground ; and yet 
 he flies, and doth escape my wrath ! gracious Lord, 
 in Thee I put my trust !" 
 
 Again he mounted as he spoke these words ; when 
 the invisible once more appeared, unhorsing him anetr. 
 Why re- describe the scene ? While daylight lasted, still 
 this game went on. When off his horse, no creature did 
 he see ; but as he sat him on his charger's back the sable 
 knight appeared to strike and hew. Weary of fight. 
 Sir Jaufry then resolved to go on foot into the chapel- 
 gate ; but as he took his way, the spectre then his on- 
 ward footsteps barred, so that the battle did again com- 
 mence, and in the darkness without pause went on. 
 
 Por half that night their swords and lances clashed, 
 so that bright sparks of fire upward flew ; fatigued at 
 length to hear such din of arms, the hermit rose, and 
 with his stole and cross and holy water, chanting a 
 psalm, forth issued from his cell. The sable knight 
 did not attend his coming ; shrieking aloud, at once he 
 disappeared, albeit behind him leaving such a storm 
 
Back returned the sable knight, hissing and growling as the thunder doth when tempests vex the air. 
 
AND THE TAIB, BBUNISSENDE. 113 
 
 as suffered no allay, until the cliapel-beU rang out the 
 matin hour. 
 
 Sheltered by this good man, Sir Jaufry asked, and 
 thus obtained from him, the secret of the knight with 
 whom he had fought so long. 
 
 "Priend, what thou ask'st I'll tell thee in few 
 words : this knight in sable armour is a fiend, evoked 
 from realms of darkness by a hag, whom thou per- 
 chance hast met upon thy way. This hideous wretch 
 once boasted as her spouse a monstrous giant, whose 
 most wicked acts for twenty leagues around had spoiled 
 the earth. As mortal, all-ferocious though he be, is 
 ne'er without his peer, it happed this giant did return 
 one night so grievously ill-used, that, at the end of 
 three short days, he died. The hag, then, feariag for 
 her own sad life and that of her two sons, called by her 
 magic from the lower world that evil spirit who, for 
 thirty years, these lands hath vexed. Meantime her 
 sons have waxed in years and strength, and closely 
 followed in their father's steps. Grown leprous, one, 
 he dwelt within a house, built by his mother by the 
 force of spells, whither his brother hath set out in 
 haste, enraged and tost, — for that the rumour saith 
 a knight of Arthur's court the wretch hath slain. 
 
 H 
 
114 JAUPHY THE KNIGHT 
 
 An it be true, may Heaven, all powerM, defend that 
 knight !" 
 
 " He will endeavour to defend himself," quoth Jau- 
 fry smiling ; " and the raged giant, if he held the wish, 
 need not have gone so far to find him out : I am the 
 man who did his brother slay, and by whose hand the 
 wicked spell was burst." 
 
 Eight days being fled, the hermit chanted mass, 
 and at the altar prayed the holy saiats to guide 
 Sir Jaufry, and protect his life against the monster's 
 wrath. Having devoutly joined him in the prayer, 
 the son of Devon, Kke a valiant knight, did joyously 
 set out; and scarce had ridden for an hour's space 
 when he beheld the giant swiftly come, bearing beneath 
 his arm, — with the same ease as he had done a child, 
 — a damsel, who did utter doleful cries. Her voice was 
 hoarse from screaming out for help ; her yellow hair, 
 which sparkled in the sun, upon her shoulders aU di- 
 shevelled fell like molten gold; her robe was torn, 
 her eyes were swollen with tears; scarce, by Saint 
 Mary ! had she strength remaining to implore help of 
 Jaufry. 
 
 The knight, with pity touched, heard not in vain 
 the prayer. His shield advanced, his lance withia the 
 
AND THE FAIR BRUNISSBNDE. 115 
 
 rest, he at the giant rode, and called aloud that he 
 should loose the maid. 
 
 Letting her truly for an instant go, the giant ran 
 towards the nearest tree, and pulhng at the trunk, un- 
 earthed it, roots and all. Before, however, he had 
 done so quite, Jaufry had plunged his lance into his 
 side. Checked by the stroke, and trembliag in the 
 hand, the giant's blow lost half of its effect, yet ne'er 
 the less it bore to mother earth both Jaufry and his 
 steed. The knight full quickly leapt upon his feet; 
 and with his ready sword struck at the monster with 
 such vigorous hand, he sliced from off his flank a palm 
 of flesh ; and through the gaping wound one might 
 behold his beating heart, whilst streams of blood poured 
 through. Exhausted, tottering, still the giant over- 
 threw the knight by striking with his fist upon his 
 helm ; but though his sword escaped from Jaufry' s 
 grasp, it was too late for harm, — the giant fainting 
 fell. On this, the knight hewed off his monstrous feet ; 
 when, in all gentleness, the maid he raised, for she had 
 kneeled at her preserver's side, and thus did say : 
 
 " Accept, my lord, a thousand grateful thanks ; for 
 more than life have you preserved for me, in saving 
 me from him !" 
 
116 JAUFBT THE KNIGHT 
 
 " Damsel," Sir Jaufry answered, " God for ever aid 
 you ! But explain how is't I find you here ?" 
 
 " My lord, 'tis easy to relate the tale : but yesterday 
 I in an orchard strayed, to which my mother had con- 
 ducted me ; it was our usual walk ; when, as we left 
 the gates, behold, yon giant suddenly appeared, seized 
 me at once, and to his castle now was bearing me away, 
 when you, sir knight, so happily stepped in." 
 
 " I thank great Heaven, it was just in time ! But 
 where, I pray you, was your worthy sire, and where 
 your brothers, when this giant came ?" 
 
 " Hunting within the forest, good my lord : but you 
 surprise me, asking me of them. One fain would say 
 that you did know them all; and yet, methinks, I 
 ne'er have seen yourself." 
 
 "Sweet damsel, yea, and that few days agone. 
 'Twas at your father's, Augier's good house, where I, 
 at need, so courteously was served by you and all of 
 yours." 
 
 "Blest be the hour, gentle lord and knight, you 
 harboured 'neath our roof; and we, how happy to 
 have you for guest !" 
 
 " By this you see, my fair and courteous maid, how 
 meet it is that we should service do, even to those 
 
Jaufry with Augior's daughter rode away. 
 
AND THE EAIR BRTJNISSENDE. 117 
 
 unknown. One knows not wlio shall go or who shall 
 come, they who do hold or they who hold them not, 
 or what the future keeps for us in store. Well it be- 
 comes us, then, to render help where help we can ; wel- 
 come with courtesy, and honour guests with shelter 
 and with food, whom chance may send us as they 
 onward go." 
 
 " And where, Sir Jaufry," then inquired the maid, 
 " if I may ask, do you direct your steps ?" 
 
 " I will explain as we do ride along. But I must 
 haste : time presses ; and e'en now I greatly fear me 
 I shall come too late." 
 
 Remounting quickly as these words were said, he 
 then good Augier's daughter lifted up and placed upon 
 his horse ; for he resolved she should not quit his sight 
 untU he put her in her father's arms : this done he 
 rode apace towards the spot where lay the wounded 
 knight. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 TAULAT DE RTJGIMON. 
 
 Never did help come more in time of need. Returned 
 that very morn, Taulat had bound his prisoner to a 
 stake ; and four stout ploughmen, each armed with a 
 strap, already^raised their brawny arms to strike and 
 ope the closed wounds. But as Jaufry came, they 
 stayed their hand to gaze awhile at him ; nor less sur- 
 prised than they, Taulat, who on the castle-terrace 
 stood, descended in hot haste and thus accosted Jaufry : 
 
 " Sir knight, I fain would learn what madness or 
 what pride hath thus conducted thee into my lands. 
 Dismount and doff thine arms, for thou art prisoner 
 henceforth for ay." 
 
 "My lord," the knight replied, "methinks you 
 practise an unseemly haste. Give me, I beg, the time 
 
120 JAUrHY THE KNIGHT 
 
 to tell my errand. I come to speak in favour of the 
 knigM your knaves were going to strike ; and I entreat 
 you, for the sake of me, to grant unto him grace." 
 
 "May Heaven help me!" Taulat answered him, 
 " but sure thou art distraught : such words deserve the 
 rope, — a peasant's death." 
 
 " 'Twould be a grievous wrong, my lord, the words 
 being good and wise ; again I do repeat them, praying 
 grace for yonder knight, who seven long years hath 
 groaned." 
 
 "Go, churl; too long I've listed; go and disarm 
 thyself, if thou wUt live, and to my squires give up the 
 girl with thee." 
 
 " If she's dishonoured and I put to shame, this 
 arm, by Heaven, must indeed be weak." 
 
 " What ! wouldst thou fight with me ?" 
 
 " E'en unto death, before I suffer shame." 
 
 "Vain fool, beware; when on my neck I've put 
 my shield, thou'lt find but little grace." 
 
 "Mine ear," quoth Jaufry, "hath been oft assailed 
 by higher threats than these. I do reply, that, by the 
 faith of Him who built this world, you shall set free 
 yon knight, and to the court of good King Arthur 
 go, to pay the felony you there have done ; or you 
 
AND THE PAIR BRTJNISSBNDE. 121 
 
 shall figM with me, till you or I be vanquished and 
 slain." 
 
 " Know'st thou then not, I've fought and conquered 
 full five hundred knights, all better men than thou ?" 
 
 " It may be so," quoth Jaufry ; " now for proof: go 
 get your arms, and God's high will be done !" 
 
 " No other armour," proudly Taulat said, " do I re- 
 quire than my good lance and shield : seven of thy 
 strength might then come on, and I'd defy you all." 
 
 " 'Tis madness," did Sir Jaufry make reply, " to 
 enter fight unarmed. But since your pride doth blind 
 your senses so, e'en have it as you will." 
 
 Purious at the words, Taulat addressed a squire : 
 
 "Go to the castle, quickly as thou canst ; bring 
 me my lance and shield, and tell the knights I've con- 
 quered one by one to meet me here, that they may wit- 
 ness a base peasant's death, as with a single blow I do 
 intend, through shield and hauberk, to find out his 
 heart. And at the instant should this not be done, 
 may I lose arms and chivalry and lady's love !" 
 
 The squire ran quickly to the scattered camp, where 
 lodged the captive knights, — who all were grieving for 
 the wounded man, bound to the stake and waiting for 
 the scourge, — to them he briefly said : 
 
122 JATJFRY THE KNIGHT 
 
 " Barons, my lord attends you there beyond, that 
 you may see him battle with a fool, who comes to seek 
 his death." 
 
 Mounting then speedily the castle-stair, — amid 
 the tears and murmurs of the dames who ceaseless 
 mourned, — he took him down the shield and lance 
 suspended to the rack, and bore them to his lord, who, 
 vaulting on his horse, nor stopping to don breastplate 
 or aught else, cried in a haughty tone : 
 
 "Come to thy death, thou churl, whose sight of- 
 fends me !" 
 
 Sir Jaufry, angered at the insult, then dashed at 
 full speed upon the haughty knight, who like a lion 
 came : so fearful was the shock, no saddle, girth, or art, 
 availed Sir Jaufry. Down to the earth he rolled be- 
 neath the stroke. But not alone; for Taulat on his 
 side, by blow as vigorous and deftly put, at the same 
 instant fell, his shield pierced through, and Jaufry' s 
 lance within his side. 
 
 A shout of joy upsprang from those good knights : 
 
 " Good Heaven, but this day thou chast'nest Tau- 
 lat, and dost break that pride which long hath vexed 
 the land!" 
 
 Jaufry meanwhile, his sword within his grasp, ran 
 
AND THE PAIR BUTJNISSENDE. 123 
 
 to fierce Rugimon, fast pinned to earth, as though 
 some snake he were ; but as he came, Taulat in hum- 
 ble tone exclaimed : 
 
 "Eor God's love, knight, do not end thy work; 
 for 'tis my folly that hath brought my death." 
 
 " Thy folly, true, was great," Sir Jaufry said ; " but 
 ere we part, I count on curing thee. Too long this 
 pride endured, it now must have an end. Thou deem'st 
 this morn no knight was in the world who in address 
 and strength could vie with thee. Most brave no doubt 
 thou wast ; but thy consuming and most wicked pride 
 exceeded far thy valour, and 'tis a vice God neither 
 loves nor bears. Thou now canst learn that, but for 
 His resolve to chasten thee, this youthful arm, — 
 certes less robust than thine, — would ne'er have cast 
 thee down. 'Tis but the punishment for thy fierce 
 pride, the outrage thou to good King Arthur didst, — 
 that flower of chivalry, whose uprightness God loves. 
 And thus it fares with those who seek his shame : 
 sooner or later will the knights, who sit at his B/Ound 
 Table famed, mete out their punishment, save 'neath 
 the earth they hide. What they can do in fight, thou 
 mayst surmise by me, a novice, scarcely two months 
 armed, and who have sought thee day and night until 
 
124 JAUPRY THE KNIGHT 
 
 this hour, when thou dost find the guerdon of thy 
 deeds." 
 
 "All that thou sayst, sir knight, is hut too true," 
 Taulat replied in weak and failing voice ; " hut mercy 
 grant me, as thy conquered foe, as dying man, and 
 who doth yield to thee." 
 
 " The mercy that thou prayst for, thou shalt have," 
 Sir Jaufry said ; " hut upon certain terms : first, thou 
 shalt go to good King Arthur's court, there yield thy- 
 self a prisoner ; he will take such vengeance on thee 
 as his honour claims." 
 
 " That will I do ; hut now, for Heaven's sake, per- 
 mit the leech to bind me up this wound." 
 
 " No leech shall come, nor e'er shalt thou uprise, 
 till, by St. Thomas, thou hast let go free the knight 
 who 's bound to yonder cruel stake, and all the cap- 
 tives thou hast ever made." 
 
 "Do as thou wilt, my lord, with them and me." 
 
 Jaufry at once did sheathe his own good blade 
 and take the sword of Taulat. Then he allowed the 
 squire to fetch the leech, who probed his master's hurt 
 and washed the wound with water and white wine, 
 when on a couch he had him gently laid, and home 
 within the gates. 
 
AND THE FAIR BRUNISSENDB. 125 
 
 Jaufry meanwhile set free the wounded knight; 
 and having extorted from the captive lords their pro- 
 mise that they'd hasten to Carlisle, and to King Ar- 
 thur this affair relate, he was about to leave them to 
 God's care, when the wounded knight, — lord para- 
 mount of all those gentlemen, — most humbly to him 
 said: 
 
 "Grood sir, to you I yield, and with my person 
 offer men and lands. Most nobly have you won all 
 this and more, in freeing me from all the pangs I've 
 borne for seven weary years. So great those pangs, so 
 cruel was my lot, better for me had death relieved my 
 woes. Taulat, without a cause of enmity, hath tor- 
 tured me full long ; but now, by God's grace, and, sir 
 knight, by yours, at length his reign is o'er." 
 
 " Good lord," responded Jaufry, " pray retain your 
 having; naught do I wish for your deliverance, save 
 that, with these brave knights, you do proceed to good 
 King Arthur's throne, and there explain you owe 
 your hberty to Devon's son." 
 
 The knight such promise gave ; when Jaufry, call- 
 ing for his horse, which all prepared they brought, 
 while Augier's daughter mounted by his side, he took 
 of all farewell, and then set out for the fair damsel's 
 
126 JATJFRY THE KNIGHT 
 
 home ; his thoughts, in sooth, turning to Brunissende, 
 towards whom he felt his heart most sweetly drawn. 
 
 When he had gone, Taulat returned the knights 
 their steeds and arms, and, by the compact made, de- 
 parted in their train for fair Carlisle. There they ar- 
 rived upon the eleventh day. The worthy king gave 
 audience to a dame, who, bathed in tears, her castle 
 was to lose within a week, if she no champion found 
 to meet her foe. When he had listed to her dolorous 
 words, the king aggrieved replied : 
 
 " Lady, were Gawain here, most willingly would he 
 defend your cause ; but he is not : nor have I Devon's 
 son, nor Ivan bold, nor any of the braves of my Round 
 Table. If of the knights who here surround my throne, 
 there's standing one who'U venture your defence, great 
 is the honour that shall be his meed." 
 
 But no one made reply. In vain the dame, turn- 
 ing to spurred heels, with warmth exclaimed : 
 
 " Tore Heaven, brave knights, shall it be said a 
 woman came to seek in this high court for aid, yet 
 found it not ?" 
 
 Still no one made reply. 
 
 'Twas at this moment Taulat's troop appeared; 
 himself upon a gilded litter laid, covered with sump- 
 
AND THE TAIE BBTJNISSENDE. 127 
 
 tuous cloth, and gently by two snowy palfries borne. 
 !Five hundred knights he had in fight o'erthrown, 
 armed cap-a-pie, followed in his train, each mounted 
 on a charger richly decked. Their lord was at their 
 head, who, as they reached the king, knelt humbly 
 down before that monarch's throne, and thus ad- 
 dressed him : 
 
 "Sire, may He who for our weal came down on 
 earth, which eke His blood bedewed, now grant you 
 joy, and double your renown !" 
 
 " And you, friend, may He save !" the king replied. 
 " But what, I pray, are these, who seem so stout and 
 good ? And what the wounded man that litter holds ?" 
 
 " My lord, that man is Taulat." 
 
 "Taulat de Rugimon?" 
 
 " My lord, the same ; Jaufty, the son of Dovon, 
 bravely vanquished him, and hither sends him to the 
 queen and you ; so that you may, my lord, such ven- 
 geance take as in your wisdom you consider fit, for 
 that same outrage, now two months agone, he did to 
 
 you." 
 
 " Heaven and earth," King Arthur then exclaimed, 
 " how well hath Jaufry served me ! Priend, tell me 
 truth : when last you left him, was he safe and sound ?" 
 
128 JAUPRT THE KNIGHT 
 
 " Great lord, he was, as doth comport such honoured 
 and brave knight, who hath nor grief nor fear. Naught 
 else but good can harbour with his name ; and it were 
 sweet to laud, if that his acts did not upraise him 
 more than words can ever reach. When you shall 
 know from what most cruel fate his valour hath 
 snatched me, you will iadeed be full of wonderment. 
 But this recital must before the queen and all her 
 dames be made." 
 
 The king at once commanded unto Quex to go 
 and seek the queen ; the seneschal obeyed, when meet- 
 ing her, — 
 
 " Lady," said he, " if it so meet your wish, the king, 
 your lord and mine, bids you to come and list a mes- 
 sage brought by valiant knight who heads a great 
 escort." 
 
 The queen at once proceeded to the hall with aU 
 her dames and damsels ; and when she placed herseK 
 beside her spouse, Melyan, the worthy knight, ad- 
 dressed them thus : 
 
 "Lady, from brave Sir Jaufry, Devon's son, I 
 bring high reparation to yourself and all your train. 
 I bring you Taulat, hight of Rugimon, that you may 
 vengeance take for the affront that he hath done to 
 
AND THE PAIK BBUNISSENDE. 129 
 
 you, and for the cruelty he's heaped on me. Learn, 
 without motive he my father slew, and me he wounded 
 with such grievous hurt, that ne'er shall I he healed. 
 I was his captive ia his castle kept; and when my 
 wound had closed, he to a stake did have me bound, 
 and scourged by cruel hands until the wound again 
 was open laid. Each month did I this martyrdom en- 
 dure ; which caused such dire despair throughout my 
 lands, that, thrice by day and thrice again by night, 
 they gave aloose to tears and doleful cries." 
 
 " By Heaven," exclaimed the worthy king at this, 
 "what felon act!" 
 
 "By all the saints of heaven," said the queen, 
 " this was the reign of haughty pride run wild !" 
 
 " Yea," from the litter did Taulat respond, " I had, 
 good sooth, most wicked, foolish pride ; but I have lost 
 it aU. A leech appeared, who in a space most brief 
 did work a cure. I sought in vain a knight who could 
 make head against me, and I've found my match. 
 Never did better j ouster wield a lance: modest as 
 brave, and generous as good, spite of my insults, — 
 which did merit death,— Sir Jaufry gave me grace, 
 and granted pardon. You, noble sire, who are the 
 best of kings, deign but to imitate his clemency, 
 
 I 
 
130 JAUPRT THE KNIGHT. 
 
 and pardon give for that most foolish crime I here did 
 madly do." 
 
 The worthy king, alway to good inclined, his pardon 
 freely granted to the knight ; nay more, he used such 
 reasons with the queen, that Guenever, as generous, 
 noble dame, her pardon likewise gave. Melyan alone 
 remained inflexible. Rejecting aU entreaty, he re- 
 solved, as was his right, since his was corporal shame, 
 that Taulat should be judged by legal court. 
 
 At once they called a hundred legists in, who, when 
 they'd heard the cause, the following sentence did 
 at once proclaim : 
 
 " Taulat to Melyan shaU be given up ; who, month 
 by month, shaU bind him to like stake, and by Hke 
 hands on him inflict like punishment. The court doth 
 grant this power unto Melyan for seven years; with 
 liberty albeit in him to set his prisoner free whene'er 
 he feel inclined to grant bim grace." 
 

 
 Nu wonder, then, if Jaufry were surprised to see her come, thus lovely, full of grace, and smiling as the 
 
 queen of the sweet south. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 BRUNISSENDE AND L'ONDINE. 
 
 At the same hour the legists sentence passed, Sir Jau- 
 fry, riding quickly with the maid, before the towers of 
 Augier arrived. Warned of his coming by the vassals' 
 cries, who gave him joyful welcome and warm thanks 
 for having set their lord and suzerain free, Augier 
 mounted quickly on his horse, and with his sons came 
 out to meet the knight. Beside Sir Jaufry he per- 
 ceived the maid, guiding with sweeter grace than I can 
 tell her gentle palfrey ; but he knew her not, for she 
 was veiled. Descending from his horse as he ap- 
 proached the knight, who eke alighted as he saw him 
 come, he seized his hand, and with a trembling voice, — 
 "My lord," he said, "within my castle come, as 
 you did promise me. We will most gladly there a 
 welcome give, albeit my heart is melting with its woe. 
 
132 JAUPRT THE KNIGHT 
 
 Since last we two did meet, a monster liatli my daugh- 
 ter carried off, and with her all my joys." 
 
 " You did not guard her with sufficient care," Sir 
 Jaufry mildly said, " since she is gone. What now re- 
 mains to do ? It was to be. None can avert his fate ; 
 so be consoled, and dry at once your tears. Some days 
 agone I won a maid in fight, gentle and lovely as a 
 maid can be ; and if you will, to you I'U give her up, 
 that she may take the place of her that's lost." 
 
 "Alas, my lord," good Augier replied, "where is 
 the damsel or the dame that can compete with her in 
 grace, in gentle manners, gaiety, and love ? 'fier like 
 is still unborn ; and for my rest of days this world to 
 me can naught, alas, afford of happiness or ease." 
 
 " And I do stiU the contrary af&rm ; and more 
 than that, declare that you this damsel shall her 
 equal find in beauty and in love." 
 
 In speaking thus Sir Jaufry raised her veU; and 
 Augier looking, his sweet daughter knew. When he 
 had pressed her often in his arms, a thousand grate- 
 ful thanks bestowed on Jaufry, and listed to the tale 
 of his exploits with Taulat and the giant, he to the 
 castle led the way, the serfs and vassals following ia 
 troops. 
 
AXD THE FAIR BIi,TTXISSE>'DE. 133 
 
 Great was the honour they there showed the 
 knight: the brothers poxired the water for his use, 
 the damsel served him with her own fau" hands a 
 roasted peacock nobly bedecked, and Augier fain had 
 kept him there a month ; but Jaufry, frankly owning 
 that his heart allured him to llontbrun, set out the 
 morrow morn. Escorted by his host and his two sons 
 he took his way, musing on Brunissende ; when, at the 
 hour of noon, he met her seneschal, just then returned 
 from fair Carlisle, where he had Taulat seen and Mel- 
 yan and the five hundred knights from bondage fr'eed. 
 He still was seeking by his dame's command brave 
 Dovon's son; but half-despaired success. Scarcely, 
 however, did he learn the truth, that ^lelyan's saviour 
 and the weary knight who in the orchard slumbered 
 were the same, when, urging his horse, ne'er did he 
 stop until Montbrun was reached, where travel-soiled 
 he came to Brunissende. 
 
 " Where is the knight ?" asked she before the man 
 could e'en unclose his lips. " Cometh he on ? shall I 
 soon see him here ?" 
 
 "He foUows me, fair lady," he replied; "but such 
 his deeds, whereof the saving of our lord fi'om pain 
 and torment is but one, that I do think 'twere well 
 
134 JAUrUT THE KNIGHT 
 
 you met the knight, and with a hundred damsels 
 formed escort." 
 
 The thought pleased Brunissende. She orders 
 gave to deck the roads with green, to hang rich stuffs 
 and silk, damask and cloth-of-gold, upon the castle- 
 walls ; while she herseK, mounting her palfrey white, 
 with all her court and knights and damsels fair, went 
 out to meet Sir Jaufry. Arrayed most richly in a 
 silken robe with trimmings of pure gold, she had upon 
 her blondin tresses placed a gorgeous wreath, where 
 peacock's feathers shone ; while in her hand she bore 
 the choicest flowers from her garden culled. No won- 
 der, then, if Jaufry were surprised to see her come 
 thus lovely, full of grace, and smiling as the queen of 
 the sweet south. With courteous words they met, and 
 side by side to Montbrun's lordly halls together they 
 returned. 
 
 I leave you to surmise the games and joy which at 
 the castle on that day were seen. Jaufry and Bru- 
 nissende the fair alone nor ate nor oped their lips. 
 The lady glanced at Jaufry with a sigh, and each sweet 
 glance shot through his softened eyes and fell into his 
 heart; while Jaufry, on his side, at every moment 
 blushed, and through the very marrow of Ms bones by 
 

 
AND THE PAIE, BSUNISSENDE, 135 
 
 dart invisible did feel that he was pierced. Musing of 
 love, the Hve-long night they watched tiU rosy morning 
 came. In her chamber the fair lady, and Janfry on 
 his gorgeous couch, thought but of the gentle speeches 
 they would make the morrow morn ; and, when once 
 the sun had risen, they were up and quickly clad ; and 
 when mass at length was over, side by side they sat 
 them down in the great hall of the castle, where they 
 oped their swelling hearts. 
 
 'Twas Brunissende who first the silence broke ; for, 
 dazzled by her beauty, Jaufry lost in gazing on her 
 face the pretty speeches he had framed o'ernight. 
 
 " My lord," she said, in voice of sweetest tone, 
 " your coming brings us joy and happiness ; no service 
 could be higher than the one you've rendered us ; and 
 bless we good King Arthur in his knight, bless we the 
 land which claims so brave a man, and — bless we too 
 the lady for whose sake such noble acts are done." 
 
 "Alas," sighed Jaufry, at this latter phrase, "no 
 lady cares for me." 
 
 "You speak in jest," said then fair Brunissende; 
 "your sense and valour raise you up too high for 
 noble lady not to care for you." 
 
 "J care perhaps for her ; not she for me." 
 
136 JAUI"B,T THE KNIGHT 
 
 " Knows she at least of this your love for her ?" 
 
 " I cannot say, fair lady, if she guess ; but I ne'er 
 told my love." 
 
 " No blame can then at least alight on her : if you 
 ne'er seek vrhere lies the remedy of that same evil 
 whereof you complaia, who is in the wrong ?" 
 
 "'Tis I, sweet lady, I. Her greatness curbs me, 
 fiUs me with strange fears ; I cannot ask her love^ for 
 ne'er an emperor who trod this earth but by that 
 love were honoured; — such is the height, above aU 
 other dames, to which she's raised by sovereign grace 
 and wealth." 
 
 " What you now say is folly, gallant knight ; 
 emperors and Mngs ne'er won in true love's lists a 
 greater prize than brave and courteous man : such love 
 holds not to riches ; noble heart and gentle grace have 
 in his court more power than lands and titles. How 
 many folks there are of high descent whose worth is 
 valued highly at a groat ! How many others rolhng in 
 bright gold whose value would not buy a coat of mail ! 
 Hide, then, no longer ia your single heart the thought 
 with which it's filled ; your valour and yoTir deeds give 
 you a claim to match upon this earth with the most 
 fair, most high." 
 
They sat them down in the great hall of the castle. 
 
AND THE PAIR BRUNISSENDE. 137 
 
 Sir Jaufry heaved a sigh, and thus, much moved, 
 replied : 
 
 " Lady, forgive, I pray you, the avowal which you, 
 forsooth, are destined now to hear, — avowal that no 
 torture e'er had drawn, but which is due to those 
 sweet words of yours. You, then, are she for whom 
 my heart doth melt; she whom I love and fear and 
 I implore ; she who doth hold the keys of all my joys, 
 my pains, and who can make of me, even at her will, 
 fooKsh or wise, a coward or a brave." 
 
 At length had Brunissende the fair attained the 
 sum of her desire ; yet she her joy concealed, and in 
 a tone of playfulness exclaimed : 
 
 " Sir Jaufry, you are pleased to banter me ; ne'er 
 can I think I have the power you say." 
 
 " A thousand times more power, you may believe, 
 than I can ever tell." 
 
 " That we shall prove right soon," she made reply. 
 " The age is spoiled by wicked usages : true courtesy 
 is lost, and he who warmly vows that he doth love 
 too oft but utters lies. If you full truly wish to have 
 my love, I must be wed as well as wooed, my lord." 
 
 Sir Jaufry cared not, you may well believe, such 
 offer to refuse. He had just vowed by Peter and St. 
 
138 JATTPRT THE KNIGHT 
 
 Paul naught upon earth such joy could give to him, 
 when a knight entered, beating on his shield, to an- 
 nounce the coming of the Lord of Brunissende. 
 
 " To horse, good knight^, to horse !" the lady cried ; 
 when lords and damsels, mounting in hot haste, went 
 out to meet their suzerain. 
 
 As thus the cavalcade rode gaUy oflf, headed by 
 Jaufry and fair Brunissende, they saw approach two 
 ladies dressed in black, with eyes all red and swim- 
 ming with fresh tears. Jaufry saluted them, and 
 then inquired for tidings of Lord Melyan ; but one of 
 them in under-tone replied, and with a sigh, that 
 of Lord Melyan nothing did she know; she thought 
 but of her woes.* 
 
 " Tell us," said Jaufry, " why you shed these 
 tears." 
 
 " Since you do wish to know, my lord, I'll speak 
 the truth. A knight, misshapen, and ill-bred to boot, 
 wishes to force on me his odious love ; and I in grief 
 have left King Arthur's court, where I have neither 
 found advice nor aid." 
 
 * This is the original of Cervantes' Princess Micomicona : 
 " Es matar i, un gigantazo que lo pide es la alta princesa Micomi- 
 cona, reyna del gran reyno Micomicon" (Z>. Quijote, parte i. lib, iv. 
 cap. xxix.). 
 
AND THE PAIR BBTJNISSENDE. 139 
 
 " You do astonish me," Sir Jaufry cried ; " where 
 was Sir Gawain then ? Ivan the courteous, Ooedis that 
 brave knight, Tristrem and Calogrant, Lancelot du 
 Lac, Eric and Caravis, and bitter Quex, — pray, where 
 were they ?" 
 
 " I know it not, by Heaven, good my lord ; nor 
 have I any trust but in Sir Jaufry, that most famous 
 knight, whom now I seek, that he may turn my fate, 
 and my good right maintain." 
 
 " I will maintain it, certes," then Jaufry said ; "for 
 I am he, the Jaufry whom you seek ; but I must first 
 conclude a matter here which before all thiags claims 
 my every thought." 
 
 The mourning lady wept and urged her suit, spite 
 of the angry looks of Brunissende. Sir Jaufry would 
 not yield, but to Montbrun with Melyan straight re- 
 turned. The lady there, giving all cause to think that 
 to her suzerain she bowed her will, was for long time 
 entreated she her hand should give to Dovon's son ; 
 then they set out for Carlisle's gallant court, and in 
 their train were twice twelve hundred maids, and full 
 three thousand knights in brilliant arms. 
 
 The three fi.rst days of travel naught occurred; 
 but on the fourth, having pitched their tents in a 
 
140 JAUrBT THE KNI&HT 
 
 green mead, balmy with flowers, and shut in with 
 trees, Jaufry and Melyan suddenly did hear a voice 
 which help implored in piercing tone. The son of 
 Dovon called for horse and arms, and would alone go 
 seek this cause of wail. He thus arrived upon the 
 borders of a pond of some extent and limpid water, 
 where a damsel stood tearing her hair and robe, and, 
 in her grief, her face. 
 
 " My lord," she cried, as Jaufry hastened up, 
 " have pity, for St. Mary's sake, upon a dame who 
 in this pond is drowning ; she was the best, the 
 wisest of her sex." 
 
 Jaufry advanced; and there, in truth, he saw, 
 within the waters battling with death, a dame, whT) 
 now appeared, now slid beneath the wave. He soon 
 alighted, and his efforts used to save her with the 
 butt-end of his lance ; but whilst his arm was thus 
 outstretched, and he stood by the brink, the damsel 
 pushed him with such hearty will, at -once he toppled 
 in, which she perceiving, leapt in after him. 
 
 Drawn downward by the great weight of his arms, 
 Sir Jaufry disappeared with those two dames. The 
 neighing and the rage of his good horse, which 
 pawed the ground and madly bit the earth about 
 
He his efforts used to save her with the butt end of his lanoe. 
 
AND THE PAIR BRUNISSENDE. 141 
 
 the pond, aiinotinced this dire miscliance to Melyan. 
 He hastened there; and finding Jaufry drowned, he 
 swooned away. 'Twas then the rest, 'mong whom 
 the news had flown, galloped full speed towards that 
 fatal pond. Torce was required to drag Lord Melyan 
 off; for, when restored, he tried to drown himself; 
 and, for fair Brunissende, she by her seneschal was 
 barely saved, since, Jaufry lost, she would not him 
 survive. 
 
 Joining her cries to dames' and damsels' moans 
 and to the lamentations of her lords, — 
 
 " Jaufry, Jaufry !" sobbed she wildly out, " frank, 
 generous knight, all-powerful at arms, who then hath 
 ta'en thy life ? Some traitor-blow hath struck thee 
 by surprise ; for living man could ne'er have fairly won. 
 
 Jaufry ! lone on earth, what good am I ? Worth- 
 less is life, which keeps me far from thee. I pray for 
 death, which comes not at my caU. Where shall 
 
 1 seek this truant senseless death, which will not re- 
 unite me to my love? There 'neath yon water doth 
 his body lie, which calls me, waits in vain." 
 
 Then suddenly upspringing, lost, and mad with 
 grief, she to the treach'rous water wildly flew ; and 
 'twas by dint of strength they dragg'd her back. Then 
 
142 JATJPRY THE KNIGHT. 
 
 she her tresses tore, her lovely face, till in a swoon 
 her woe and sense were numbed. 
 
 Good Augier had her carried to her tent, where 
 on her couch the damsels laid her down; then he 
 returned, and with the other knights aroimd the fatal 
 wave did weep and groan. Such were their tears, 
 their mourning, and their cries, that the archbishop 
 learnt the fatal news, and to console that doleful train 
 proceeded to the mead. 
 
 With wisdom there he preached, and in his sermon 
 said: 
 
 " My friends, the Scripture teacheth us that God 
 is master of aU things, and when He pleaseth can 
 again resume those gifts He hath bestowed. If, then, 
 Sir Jaufry hath been ta'en by Him, He, as His work, 
 might freely caU him back ; and it were sin to find 
 such judgment iU, and felony towards our Sovereign 
 Lord. They among you who held this brave knight 
 dear, should now to heaven pray he may be saved; 
 and should at once give o'er these cries of woe, as 
 vain rebuke towards your Heavenly King." 
 

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 Sir Jaufry found himself with those two dames in a delicious land. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 THE GIANT. 
 
 While the archbishop preached beside the pond, Sir 
 Jattfry foimd himself with those two dames in a de- 
 licious land. Valley and plain, water and shady grove, 
 city and castle, — all was charming there. Before he 
 well recovered his surprise, the lovelier of his two 
 companions said : 
 
 "I now, sir knight, do hold you in my power; 
 perchance this time you'll not refuse to do the service 
 which with tears I begged of you some three short 
 days agone." 
 
 "Lady," Sir Jaufry wondering replied, "methinks 
 I ne'er set eyes on you before." 
 
 " I am that weeping dame who did entreat you to 
 defend her rights 'gainst Felon d'Albaru, a wicked 
 
144 JAITFRT THE KNIGHT 
 
 wretcli, whom God confound ! This monster, who doth 
 not deserve the name of knight, since he doth naught 
 but plan most villain acts and set vile snares, bears on 
 his shoulders more the head of horse or bull than 
 that of living man. His eyes are large as eggs ; his 
 features horrible; his lips are thick and black; his 
 fangs project from out his mouth, which is itself huge 
 as a leopard's jaw ; and against nature are his fright- 
 ful shape, distended body, and misshapen legs. 
 
 " 'Tis not to fright you, good my lord, I draw this 
 portrait of my foe,^ — your heart ne'er harboured fear : 
 but true it is, he doth all men alarm ; so that his as- 
 pect, at a distance seen, doth scare away aU such as 
 would defend my cause. As yet in fight invincible, 
 he hath despoiled my lands and all the country round ; 
 I but my castle now have left to me, and that to- 
 morrow must be given up, if God and you oppose not 
 such decree. But I would rather sufPer torture, death, 
 than fall into his power." 
 
 " Is aU this true ?" asked Jaufry. 
 
 "Yea, lord, by the faith!" 
 
 "Since yours' the right, I'll battle with this foe; 
 but you have wrong'd me, and fair Brunissende hath 
 certes her thoughts on death." 
 
AND THE TAIB BEUNISSENDE. 145 
 
 " She," said tlie lady, ''fear not, will not die; and 
 you will me have saved." 
 
 As thus discoursing^ they the castle reached; a 
 building strong, surrounded by good walls, with fosses, 
 cut from out the solid rock, filled with a living stream. 
 Jaufry was there most grandly entertained by that 
 fair lady's vassals; and morn come, when he had 
 dressed and armour buckled on, bathed well his face 
 and bands, and prayed to Heaven to give him grace 
 that day and strength to uphold the right of the 
 oppressed, he with humility attended mass, and gave 
 seven marks of silver. 
 
 When mass was done, he to the terrace mounted 
 with the dame and with her damsels, and watched for 
 Felon's coming. Short space elapsed during their 
 stopping there, he sufi'ering in his heart for Brunis- 
 sende's just grief, ere a bright band of knights ap- 
 peared upon the plain. 
 
 "Lady," he then inquired, "is this our foe?" 
 
 "'Tis he, my lord, with all his train. He rides 
 ahead of them." 
 
 " Let him then come, and we will hear his cause." 
 
 Pelon came gently on, bearing upon his fist a hawk 
 most rare as it was beautiful. It had a slender neck. 
 
146 JATJFBT THE KNIGHT 
 
 a large beak sharper than a razor's edge, long wings, a 
 tail a palm at least in length, a sinewy leg, and strong 
 and shapely foot. 
 
 Just as he came beneath the castle-walls, Eelon 
 perceived some hundred cranes all grouped about the 
 grass of a small verdant close ; at once he loosed the 
 hawk, which flying off, began to wheel about the grassy 
 spot, then rose up in the air to such vast height, scarce 
 could the eye detect his presence there. Some time 
 elapsed, then straightway down he shot, and pounced 
 upon the cranes with cry so dread, that, fluttering and 
 hiding in the grass, they let themselves by Pelon's 
 men be caught without attemptiag to escape away. 
 
 "When they had thus some dozens of them ta'en, 
 Telon recalled the bird, which on his fist again re- 
 turned to perch. 
 
 " By Heaven !" quoth Jaufry, muttering half- 
 aloud, "that man possesseth a right precious bird; 
 never was finer seen or one more stanch; and could 
 I win it, and return above, 'twould be a worthy pre- 
 sent for the king." 
 
 " You shall return full soon, my gentle lord," the 
 lady smiling said, "and shall bear with you, I have 
 little doubt, both Felon's bird and arms." 
 
AND THE FAIR BRUNISSENDE. 147 
 
 During this time the giant had drawn near; and 
 when he stood before the castle-bridge, with all his 
 strength he cried : 
 
 " Come down, all you who there above do stand ; 
 and with you bring along that idle jade, whom I wiU 
 make the servant of my squires." 
 
 "My lord," said Jaufry calmly in reply, "if you 
 left here the jade whereof you speak, pray you to point 
 her out, and none will strive such person to detain." 
 
 "You know full well the meaning of my words. 
 Give up the dame and castle, as agreed." 
 
 "All covenant is sacred." 
 
 " So give up the dame," 
 
 "But if you please, my lord," Sir Jaufry said, 
 " where is'the right by which you claim such prize ?" 
 
 " The right of my good pleasure, signer knave ; 
 who soon shall dangle on a hempen rope." 
 
 " 'Tis an ill answer, savouriug great pride. But aU 
 injustice doth not win its end. You would abuse your 
 strength against a woman having no defence. Go 
 arm yourself ; for Heaven hath sent her one who will 
 maintain her right." 
 
 "An the saints help me," Felon then replied, 
 " you shall pay dearly for those words of yours." 
 
148 JATTPRT THE KNIGHT 
 
 Giving his squire the hawk without delay, he 
 donned his hauberk and his armour rich, buckled his 
 helm, and seized his lance and shield; when out he 
 cried : 
 
 " Let that pert knave descend who wants to fight : 
 we soon shall see upon this very spot how he doth 
 wield his arms." 
 
 Sir Jaufry went to put his armour on, and as he 
 did so, made to Grod his prayer ; crossed he the draw- 
 bridge without noise or vaunt, whUe the fair lady and 
 her vassals knelt and made this orison : 
 
 " Thou, Lord, who didst Thy hands upon the cross 
 permit Thy foes to naU, and let an infidel pierce 
 through Thy side, now grant to Jaufry strength to 
 conquer Felon !" • 
 
 The champions met within the verdant close where 
 the hawk chased the cranes. And when the giant did 
 Sir Jaufry see, fiercely he cried : 
 
 " Hast thou thy senses, fool, to dare meet such as 
 I ? — I, who could vanquish full a score like thee ?" 
 
 " High vaunts like these," Sir Jaufry calmly said, 
 "I hold as little worth; for idle words are but as 
 empty wind. Now list : if thou wilt render back unto 
 the dame who owns yon castle even the smallest thing 
 
AND THE FAIR BETTNISSBNDE. 149 
 
 thou hast unjustly filched from her away, thou mayst 
 depart without a scratch or wound." 
 
 "Pine bargain, on my faith," the giant said; 
 " thou dost pretend to grant me thy good grace : and 
 I affirm I will not quit this spot tm with this hand 
 I've torn thee limb from limb." 
 
 " Now I no more can list ; pride blinds thy sense. 
 Henceforth, then, beware of me !" 
 
 And Jaufry at these words wheeled round his horse 
 to give him a broad field, when at full gallop he did rush 
 at Pelon. Seeing him come, the latter grasped his shield, 
 and flew to strike him with such dire shock, both horse 
 and knight were thrown. But in the encounter Jau- 
 fry' s steady lance had broken his shield and pierced the 
 arm right through. Like lightning Devon's son was 
 on his feet, his good sword firmly grasped. Mad with 
 his wound, Felon came running up, and loudly cried : 
 
 " 'Fore Heaven, villain, thy last hour is come, and 
 without mercy shall thy carcass swing !" 
 
 It was his thought to pin him to the earth ; but 
 Jaufry dealt his horse so true a blow, it clean shaved 
 off his head. So both were now afoot, and front to 
 front with the same arms : now we shall shortly learn 
 which is the better knight. 
 
150 JATJFIIT THE KNIGHT 
 
 Pelon, all pale, with foam upon his lips, struck with 
 his sword upon Sir Jaufry's helm a hlow so strong, 
 it pared the visor off; the latter dealt him in his turn 
 a stroke which made his shield-arm droop. But such 
 the force with which he gaiaed this point his sword 
 escaped his hand. This Pelon seeing, he his foot placed 
 on't, so that the knight might not resume the hlade ; 
 then he again, assailed him with such strength, fire flew 
 from out his helm. 
 
 " Yield thee, sir knight !" the giant fiercely cried, 
 " since thou art now disarmed." 
 
 Sir Jaufry answered not, but raised his shield to 
 ward a blow that seemed intended to conclude the 
 fight ; for Felon's sword fell on it with such force, it 
 shiyered it in bits, and full two feet the blade struck 
 in the earth. 
 
 Quick as the lightning's flash the youthful knight 
 darted to raise his own, which when he held, he turned 
 again on Pelon. He, humbled in his pride, exclaimed 
 aloud : 
 
 " Mercy, sir knight ; 0, mercy ! pray restrain thine 
 hand, and hold me at a ransom !" 
 
 "Since you speak thus," Sir Jaufry made reply, 
 dragging the giant's sword from out the ground, " ren- 
 
AND THE PAIR BRUNISSENDE. 151 
 
 der yourself to her you have so oppressed. As for 
 myself, no ransom do I wish saving yon hawk which 
 chased ere while the cranes." 
 
 Pelon then called about him all his knights, who 
 bore him to the castle. There, when the leech had 
 bound his gaping wounds, they laid him on a couch 
 borne by two quiet steeds ; whilst the fair dames, fol- 
 lowed by numerous train, led Jaufry back to where 
 they brought him from. 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 THE COURT OF CARLISLE. 
 
 Lord Meltan and his troop were still encamped upon 
 tlie borders of the magic pond. Judge their surprise, 
 their shouts, their whirl of joy, when, 'mid a numerous 
 traia, Sir Jaufry rose ! 
 
 As for fair Brunissende, so great the emotion which 
 such change produced, it found no vent in words, but 
 in a swoon she fell into his arms. Jaufry related how 
 the fairy's art had to her country led him through the 
 deep and darksome waters; how he had vanquished 
 her great giant foe, and gained the wondrous hawk 
 for the good king. Then, the recital o'er, they gaily 
 took their way, and at the peep of the next following 
 morn they saw fair Carlisle's towers. Leaving their 
 train a little way behind, Jaufry and Melyan, clad in 
 armour bright, pranced on the glacis with eight chosen 
 
154 JAUPRT THE KNIGHT 
 
 knights. Such a bravado at King Arthur's court could 
 not unnoticed pass. Quex, the high seneschal, soon 
 crossed the bridge, and meeting Jaufry, cried : 
 
 "Good sooth, sir knight, thou shalt repent thy 
 coming." 
 
 " 'Tis thou shalt feel repentance more than I," re- 
 sponded Jaufry, who divined the man, and meeting 
 him full speed, did with such strength and art assail 
 Sir Quex, he hurled him to the ground. 
 
 As he essayed to struggle to his feet, he reeled a 
 pace, then fell, while Jaufry cried : 
 
 "Why how now, jolly Quex? what say'st, art 
 drunk ?" 
 
 Gawain had now appeared upon the field, spurring 
 his horse to join in the affray. Sir Jaufry went to 
 meet the worthy lord, and as he yielded up Sir Quex's 
 horse : 
 
 " To you alone, good knight," he said, " I yield." 
 
 Gawain then knew the voice of Dovon's son, and 
 pressed him in his arms ; which, when his squire had 
 learnt, he flew to take the tidings to the king. Good 
 Arthur overjoyed then- left his halls, and with a gal- 
 lant host of knights and lords came forth to honour 
 Taulat's vanquisher. Pair Brunissende he courteously 
 
Then was the convent-church most richly decked^ to which the king in pomp conducted him 
 
 with the fair Brunissende. 
 
AND THE PAIE BRUNISSENDE. 155 
 
 did greet with all her traia; then, smiling, said to 
 Jaufry : 
 
 " Hath, then, our seneschal on you his horse thus 
 gen'rously bestowed ?" 
 
 "My lord," the son of Dovon made reply, "per- 
 chance you may remember, on the day I begged you 
 arms to follow Taulat's track. Sir Quex exclaimed, I'd 
 fight him better drunk. 'Twas then my wish to teach 
 him, good my lord, how I can strike when fasting." 
 
 "He is well struck, methinks," the king replied ; 
 " and may the lesson stead him !" 
 
 Saying the words, he led Sir Jaufry in to good 
 Queen Guenever, who, as she tended him her rosy 
 cheek, thanked him with warmth for having 'venged 
 her cause on Taulat. King Arthur on his side did give 
 him thanks for aU the precious gifts he there had sent, 
 — the fair white ashen lance, the yeoman's dwarf and 
 e'en the leper's too, Estout de Yerfeil and the captive 
 knights, Melyan, and Taulat's numerous prisoners, 
 with Pelon d'Albaru ; then was the convent-church 
 most richly decked, to which the king in pomp con- 
 ducted him with the fair BrunisSende. 
 
 More than a score of thousand gallant knights the 
 fair betrothed accompanied. The good archbishop, who 
 
156 JAUPRT THE KNIGHT 
 
 had chanted mass, before the altar joined the happy 
 pair; then to the palace back again they came, and 
 the great feast began. At trumpet sound, Lucas the 
 royal steward, with twenty thousand pages clad in 
 rests of scarlet silk, bearing fine snowy cloths, vases 
 of silver and rich cups of gold, flocked to the haU to 
 furnish forth the boards. Already harps had tinkled, 
 minstrels tried to charm their hearers with the gay 
 romance, when straight into the haU a squire rushed, 
 crying aloud : 
 
 " To arms ! good lords, to arms ; defend your 
 Uves !" 
 
 " What hast thou seen, good Mend ?" King Arthur 
 said. 
 
 " sire, I've seen a bird, a wond'rous bird, which 
 never man of mother born described. He hath a beak 
 at least ten pahns in length, and a huge head large as 
 a fisher's boat; his eyes like carbuncles or diamonds 
 shine; and then his feet, good sooth, without a lie 
 they are as big — as big as yonder door. I know not 
 how I did escape his maw ; but ne'er methiuks was I 
 so near my death." 
 
 " Bring me my arms," exclaimed the gallant king, 
 "that I may learn whether this squire hath lied." 
 
All the train which called Sir Melj'au lord escorted back in triumph to Montbnm that happy pair. 
 
AND THE TAIE, BRUNISSENDE. 157 
 
 Gawain, Sir Jaufry, and Lord Melyan, fain would 
 follow Mm to help ; but lie forbade, and thus alone did 
 quit the castle. Scarce had he crossed the bridge, 
 when he beheld this marvellous great bird. He 
 quietly drew nigh, his shield on arm, his sword within 
 his hand. But, spreading its grand wings, the bird 
 escaped a blow full promptly aimed ; and by both arms 
 embracing tight the king, rose with its prey fuU 
 swiftly in the air. Ladies and knights despairiagly 
 rushed out, and o'er the country spread with rending 
 cries. The bird still rose ; and when in bulk it seemed 
 no bigger than a crane, it then the king let go. The 
 crowd, all breathless, hastened to the spot, where they 
 expected that their king would faU crushed from that 
 dizzy height. Not so ! ere that he reached the ground 
 the bird had deftly seized on him again, and to the 
 summit of a lofty tower borne him in ease away. Re- 
 posing there a space, with rapid wing it flew towards 
 the wood, wheeled with a graceful flight, then to the 
 palace brought the king again ; itself returning to a 
 human shape, that of the fair enchanter, whom Ar- 
 thur pardoned, as he'd done at Pentecost, the fright 
 his trick had caused. And thus did close the joyous 
 nuptial feast of brave Sir Jaufry and fair Brunis- 
 
158 JAUFRT THE KNIGHT. 
 
 sende. The morrow-morn they left the merry court ; 
 and all the train, which called Sir Melyan lord, es- 
 corted back in triumph to Montbrun that happy pair, 
 meeting upon their way the lady of the pond (she 
 was in fact the fairy of Gibel), who there had come to 
 bless their life and lore. 
 
 THE END. 
 
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