Jaufry the Knight and the Fair Brunissende

from its bow. So that, as Jaufry left the castle-gates, he hoped he yet s

taken by the lord who left the castle yonder even

hose men

im whose armour

e," quot

start too late, sir kn

nk so deep, but I will reach him. I'll seek him the world through, where la

, came to a broad causeway where fresh prin

le hath passed this way: so I will follow up th

castle being met. At eventide he still continued on, when a loud cry, followed b

adily towards the

s hour do fight? Reply, since

ght was over and the din had ceased. Whilst then he listened, seeing naught, and at the silence wondering, there rose from

thy slayer, or whether thou wert wrong or whether right: thou art

been so sorely used." The wounded man could not e'en stir his lips or move a li

Size -- M

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

never know whose hand ha

with his hurts that blood and life were oozing fast away. Moved deeply at his cries and sad laments, Jaufry drew near, and

he master of Verfeil, who has reduced us to the state you see, to feed his pride. This knight is known so

Jaufry, "was h

d 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 merciless beside, as never in his lifetime ever known to grant his foeman grace: seeing him not, the bridge wa

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

l of thought, "the road he to

than you wish. Haste, then, to fly such presence; for believe, you cannot gain

r up; and, should I catch this lord, we part not, he may rest assured, without a struggle; and without l

he knight; the latter prayed him to pass

t fail," s

fter some brief space he saw high towers and two squires

laimed to them, "

rd, from every

ying yonder sorely hurt; and his two comrades are both slain. Estout de V

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 rod

but learn from some of you where I may meet

nswer, "it may be we can tel

out de Verfeil, and Taulat

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; nat

efore I turn my face, my shield shall be destroyed, my hau

spur, and, at the sight of Jaufry, cried aloud: "Who art t

Jaufry in reply, "who

lt know t

you E

, ind

oughout this weary night, without e'er

d hast thou thus

slain the three knights on the road;

re; thou shalt this instant lose that head of thine, or follow me on foot like yonder knights who patter humbly at my horse's

lt not have it whole; nor e'en the hauberk, without rent or stain. Thou tak'st me for a child, whom thy poor threats can frighten: the shield, the hauberk, and t

n 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

od horse to spare, at once leapt on the sod and raised his shield. 'Twas just in time: Estout, in his fierce rage,

st covet this poor shield; still, if n

. But the good helm of proof was not a whit the worse. With gathering fury Estout came again, and with one stroke pared from Sir J

a second time his burnished helm; and with such force, his sword in twain

end? confounded be the hand that helmet wrough

in his turn struck the son of Dovon on the helm, smashing the visor as the blow came down. Had he not rai

Size -- M

d I, good sooth, must be indeed bewitched; strike as I

o 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 half its blade. Before he could withdraw it, the young knight, casting aside the battered sh

ed not, cried w

ut take of me such ransom as thou wilt

then replied, "an thou do'st t

ngly, my lord; thou canst no

thur, with all these knights, to whom thou must restore what thou hast ta'en from them;

willingly, by Heave

me thine arms; for mine have be

ght boast armour such as mine. Many's the blow may fall upon this helm, yet never pass it through; no lance can dim th

shield and girded the good sword, the captives of Estout came up to do him homage. They were t

t we make when good King Arthur ask

aufry is his name,-Jau

out and all the knights pressed him awhile to tarry, yet he stayed neither to eat nor take the leas

tin hour, the birds sang merrily beneath the verdant shade and conned their latin notes. * Jaufry, natheless, went straight up

e clars

z leva re

que span

els per l

emps qn'es

desobre

on en or