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Rh woman, who had nothing worth ought save one poor mattress, and this they have dragged from under her back, so that the lies on the bare straw; and for her I am troubled a deal more than for myself. For wealth comes and goes, if I have lost now I shall gain another time, and I shall pay for my ox when I can; nor will I ever weep for an ox. And you wept for a dog of the dunghill! Sorrow be his who ever again hold you in account!"

"Certès, you are of good comfort, fair brother! Bless you for it! And what was thine ox worth?"

"Sir, it is twenty sous they ask me for it; I cannot abate a single farthing."

"Here," said Aucassin, "take these twenty which I have in my purse, and pay for thine ox!"

"Sir," said he, "Gramercy! And may God grant you to find that which you seek!"

He took leave of him; and Aucassin rode on. The night was fine and still; and he went on till he came to the place where the seven roads divide, and there before him he saw the bower which Nicolette had made, bedecked within and without and over and in front with flowers, and