But no one made reply. In vain the dame, turning to spurred heels, with warmth exclaimed:
“'Fore Heaven, brave knights, shall it be said a woman came to seek in this high court for aid, yet found it not?”
Still no one made reply.
'Twas at this moment Taulat's troop appeared; himself upon a gilded litter laid, covered with sumptuous cloth, and gently by two snowy palfries borne. Five hundred knights he had in fight overthrown, armed cap-à-pie, followed in his train, each mounted on a charger richly decked. Their lord was at their head, who, as they reached the king, knelt humbly down before that monarch's throne, and thus addressed him:
“Sire, may He who for our weal came down on earth, which eke His blood bedewed, now grant you joy, and double your renown!”
“And you, friend, may He save!” the king replied. “But what, I pray, are these, who seem so stout and good? And what the wounded man that litter holds?”
“My lord, that man is Taulat.”
“Taulat de Rugimon?”
“My lord, the same; Jaufry, the son of Dovon, bravely vanquished him, and hither sends him to the queen and you; so that you may, my lord, such vengeance take as in your wisdom you consider fit, for that same outrage, now two months agone, he did to you.”
“Heaven and earth,” King Arthur then exclaimed, “how well hath Jaufry served me! Friend, tell me truth: when last you left him, was he safe and sound?”