Page:Aucassin and Nicolette (Bourdillon).pdf/69

Rh strike to right and to left, and killed many of them. And when the king saw that he was killing them he took him by the bridle, and said,

"Ah, fair sir! Do not kill them so!"

"How?" said Aucassin. "Do you not wish that I should avenge you?"

"Sir," said the king, "you have done it overmuch. It is not our custom to kill one another."

The other side turned to flight; and the king and Aucassin returned to the Castle of Torelore. And the people of the country bade the king drive Aucassin out of his land, and keep Nicolette for his son, since she seemed in sooth a lady of high degree. And when Nicolette heard it the was not well-pleased; and she began to say,

Here they sing.

" of Torelore!" she said, Nicolette the lovely maid, "Fool I seem in your folk's sight! When my sweet friend clips me tight, Rh