Jaufry the Knight and the Fair Brunissende

ch before the jousts and games and banquetings were o'er. Eight days had they been holden in those halls when he arrived there with his company. 'Twas after dinner, as the king was

led before the worthy king; when, kneeling at his

ll things, He, the Lord of every sovereign, who ha

you, and your friends beside! Who ar

s, and submit to your just law. Sir Jaufry hath delivered all these knights, whom I had captured one by one, and who

e king, "by that true faith thou ow'st to g

d should pass his lips, no joy, no pleasure, no repose be his, until 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 swo

ant me my prayer, that Jaufry fry safe and sound may back return! Alread

iving 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; sti

g near, Jaufry in that direction turned his horse, and galloped towards the spot. When he had reached the bottom of the hill, 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.

will e'en keep this arm,

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 surrounded this huge mouth; and to his very girdle flowed his beard; he measur

meddles with that lance! Thou wilt receive thy dues, a

the dwarf, and

ud a cry that all the vale resounded; and at once a knight well armed, mounted

who hath dared t

ned, he Jaufry saw; a

what thou hast done is proof t

ord?" Sir Jauf

horse the knight so bold as dare to touch it, and conquer him by arms, no ransom saves his life,-I hang

Jaufry said,-"can he who sues

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

how to weave such

en be learned," the knight replied. "Say, then, if tho

th Jaufry; "for too h

five years are fled; for

chance the fight, since 'twou

out the knight; "and bear in m

Sir Jaufry; "I'

ered at his foe. In shivers flew the lance; but Jaufry bore the shock unmoved. Not so the knight; for Jaufry, his weapon planting a

Size -- M

de was by his side; but as he

ed, "methinks thy ha

s true. Thou hast too well performed thy work

oth Jaufry; "or at least, it s

me, my lord, I

r yet hast granted it to man? Thou shalt find pity, su

n my steps. I ask for mercy-that should I receive. Wilt thou, a man of lofty virtue, choose that ever the re

per knight, but rather, I believe, an arrant knave. Who doth a villain's act dot

nd placed it round his neck; then, dragging him beneath

t, "the passage now may be considered safe, an

Size -- M

warf, as with intent to kill. But when the latter saw him

ight, 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 m

fry said, "an thou dost that

; and God confound m

nts this lance which he hath won, the fairest weapon eye hath e'er beheld. Recount to him beside thy lord'

d the dwarf, "all t

e reply, "Well

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 content and glad, bearing rich guerdons from their noble lord, when curiosity their steps detained at sight of a strange dwarf, who in h

Albeit my form is strange, yet, please you,

oo! for thou methinks art honest. Speak

ded with a sigh

y day, for fourteen weary years. If a knight touched it, I by my cry aroused my lord, who then, all armed, would rush upon the stranger; being vanquished, he was quickly seized and by the neck incontinently hung. 'Twas thus that three-a

ive me, on thy faith, some news of brave Sir Jauf

lord; I left him when the fray was o'er a

is health

od's help, and wel

ands, "grant of your grace that I behold him safe; for scant my ple