Who shall depict, as rose the sun next mom, fair Brunissende's dismay, when, of the first who to the hall came down, she heard of Jaufry's flight? As one deprived of sense, those hundred knights she loudly did accuse of treason to their faith; their negligence she banned; and to the seneschal in wrath exclaimed, that, if he found not Jaufry, he should by fire or cord full surely die, even if torments yet unheard were hers.
Whilst that this scene was passing at Montbrun, Jaufry already was well on his road. And shortly after rising of the sun, he met a neatherd, driving of a car laden with bread and wine and other things. This man invited him, by holy charity, to eat with him; and used such kindly words, that Jaufry yielded to his hearty wish, frankly avowing that for three whole days he had not tasted food. The neatherd therefore took his shield and lance, drew from his car good wheaten bread and wine, two roasted capons, three grilled partridges, and part of a wild-boar; then, spreading on the turf beneath a leafy tree a fair white cloth, a brook just bubbling by, he served the knight, and paid him great respect.
When they had eat their fill, and in their thirst emptied two bowls of wine, Jaufry prepared to go, thanking the neatherd for his welcome meal. This man was vassal to fair Brunissende, the lady of high worth; and as the knight was turning to depart, he drew the charger's rein and gently said:
“Good friend, one thing I fain would ask of you, which I had half-forgot: why do the people of this fair domain so weep and loudly moan?”
“Ah, rascal, wretch, thou traitor, and thou fool!” exclaimed the neatherd, bursting forth with rage, “thy wretched life shall answer for those words.”
With all his strength he then at Jaufry cast the pond'rous axe he bore, which struck his shield and brought out fire and flame. The knight spurred on his horse and got clear off; but mid a storm of stones. The neatherd then, enraged at missing him, shivered his car to bits, and with his axe struck both his oxen dead. *
* Cervantes has wittily parodied this adventure by that of
the braying of the ass, which sets two villages of La Mancha
at strife with each other (Aventura del rebuzno, parte ii.
lib. vi. cap. xxv.).
In ignorance of the cause of all this rage, Jaufry at length relaxed his horse's speed; still as he went exclaiming, that he'd hold as naught all that he yet had done till he had met a creature who could tell the reason of that wailing. Busied with such-like thoughts and the remembrance of fair Brunissende, he rode the live-long day, spite of fatigue and heat. When daylight waned, two youths well-horsed, with falcon on the fist, and hounds and terriers running at their feet, came up to him; and after slight discourse, invited him to share their evening meal,—and that so courteously, he could not make denial. The three young men then gaily went along, talking of love and battle's iron strife; when, as 'twas sunset, rose again that cry, at which the youths like madmen howled and wept.
“Good youths,” quoth Jaufry, with astonishment, “what means this grief? What heard you, sirs, I pray; and why such noise?”
“Why? ask'st thou, foolish, treacherous serf? that word shall cost thy life!”