Aucassin and Nicolette | Page 9

land and through all the country that Nicolette was lost. There are some say that she is fled away; other some that the Count Warren has had her done to death. Rejoice who might, Aucassin was not well pleased. Count Warren his father bade take him out of prison; and summoned the knights of the land, and the damozels, and made a very rich feast, thinking to comfort Aucassin his son. But while the feasting was at its height, there was Aucassin leaned against a balcony, all sorrowful and all downcast. Make merry who might, Aucassin had no taste for it; since he saw nothing there of that he loved. A knight looked upon him, and came to him, and accosted him:
"Aucassin," said he, "of such sickness as yours, I too have been sick. I will give you good counsel, if you will trust me."
"Sir," said Aucassin, "gramercy! Good counsel should I hold dear."
"Mount on a horse," said he, "and go by yon forest side to divert you; there you will see the flowers and green things, and hear the birds sing. Peradventure you shall hear a word for which you shall be the better."
"Sir," said Aucassin, "gramercy! So will I do."
He stole from the hall, and descended the stairs, and came to the stable where his horse was. He bade saddle and bridle him; and setting foot in stirrup, he mounted and rode forth out of the castle, and went on till he came to the forest. He rode till he reached the spring, and came upon the herdboys at the point of None. They had spread a cloak on the grass, and were eating their bread and making very great merriment.
_Here they sing_.
Came the herds from every part in;?There was Esme, there was Martin;?There was Fruelin and Johnny;?Aubrey boon, and Robin bonny.?Then to speech did one address him:?"Mates, young Aucassin, God bless him!?'Struth, it is a fine young fellow!?And the girl with hair so yellow,?With the body slim and slender,?Eyes so blue and bloom so tender!?She that gave us such a penny?As shall buy us sweetmeats many,?Hunting-knife and sheath of leather,?Flute and fife to play together,?Scrannel pipe and cudgel beechen.
I pray God leech him!" {48}
_Here they speak and tell the story_.
When Aucassin heard the shepherd boys, he minded him of Nicolette his most sweet friend whom he loved so well; and he bethought him that she had been there. And he pricked his horse with the spurs, and came to the shepherd boys.
"Fair children, may God help you!"
"May God bless you!" said he who was more ready of speech than the others.
"Fair children," said he, "say again the song that you were saying just now!"
"We will not say it," said he who was more ready of speech than the others. "Sorrow be his who sings it for you, fair sir!"
"Fair children," said Aucassin, "do you not know me?"
"Aye, we know well that you are Aucassin, our young lord; but we are not your men, but the Count's."
"Fair children, you will do so, I pray you!"
"Hear, by gog's heart!" said he. "And why should I sing for you, an it suit me not? When there is no man in this land so rich, 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 covenanted 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 five hundred marks of silver, nor for any wealth. For the beast has such a medicine that if you can catch it you will be cured of your hurt. Aye, and within three days must you have caught it, and if you have not caught it, never more will you see it. Now hunt it an you will, or an you