Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/452

 Readings in European History William had to defend his possessions in southern France against the Saracens. Having carried off a Sara- cen princess, he was attacked by the infidels, defeated, and forced to hasten to the court of King Louis of France for assistance. 169. Knights After some days I know not how many the bold hero fothe^ST 8 Came t0 Orleans - In the morning he left his inn and thirteenth fared forth into the city. Now there was in the town a man century. of power who held his head high because he wielded author- ramTorT 01 ^ itv in the king's nam e. He tried to wreak causeless spite Eschenbach's upon the margrave ; but the knight gave him as good as SJT 0/ he sent " X S scot free of to11 ! " he cried " Th ere are condensed.) no merchants' mares nor pack horses at my back. I am a knight, as you see. If you can ferret out no harm I have done to the land here, let that stand to my credit. I did not ride out of the road upon the harvest field ; I kept to the beaten track, which is free to all the world. What I had need of to feed myself and my horse I have paid for." But the magistrate and his men sternly ordered him to halt, and at the burgher's behest forthwith the people of the town came flocking from all sides. The magistrate cried, " This traveler must pay to the full a tax as great as the harm he has done." In sooth it was a shame that they did not let him go free. The magistrate called to his people, "Seize his bridle rein ! " He answered : " My horse carries no load but only me and this shield. I 've had enough of this." Out flashed his sword, and the magistrate grew shorter by a head. Then the margrave hewed out a way through the crowd for man and steed, so hastily that soon the street was wide. The alarm bell began to sound. Arnalt, son of the count of Narbonne, heard in his castle the doleful cries that rang through all the streets. Soon the magistrate's wife came to him and fell down on the ground before him. She made her moan : " The king is put to shame and I am undone. My husband lies in the market place, slain by one who travels without retinue. He fought