Page:Aucassin and Nicolette (Bourdillon).pdf/54

50 saving Count Warren's self, who finding my oxen or my cows or my sheep in his pastures or in his crops, would dare to chase them from it, for fear of having his eyes put out. And why should I sing for you, an it suit me not?"

"So God help you, fair children, you will do so! And take ten sous which I have here in a purse!"

"Sir, the pence will we take, but I will not sing to you, for I have sworn it. But I will tell it to you, if you will."

"I' God's name!" said Aucassin; "I had liefer telling than nothing."

"Sir, we were here just now, between Prime and Tierce, and were eating our bread at this spring, even as we are doing now. And a maiden came here, the most beautiful thing in the world, so that we deemed it was a fay, and all the wood lightened with her. And she gave us of what was hers, so that we convenanted with her, if you came here, we would tell you that you are to go a-hunting in this forest. There is a beast there which, could you catch it, you would not give one of its limbs for live hundred marks of silver, nor for any wealth. For the beast has such a medicine that if you can catch it