Felon then called about him all his knights, who bore him to the castle. There, when the leech had bound his gaping wounds, they laid him on a couch borne by two quiet steeds; whilst the fair dames, followed by numerous train, led Jaufry back to where they brought him from.
CHAPTER XI. THE COURT OF CARLISLE.
Lord Melyan and his troop were still encamped upon the borders of the magic pond. Judge their surprise, their shouts, their whirl of joy, when, 'mid a numerous train, Sir Jaufry rose!
As for fair Brunissende, so great the emotion which such change produced, it found no vent in words, but in a swoon she fell into his arms. Jaufry related how the fairy's art had to her country led him through the deep and darksome waters; how he had vanquished her great giant foe, and gained the wondrous hawk for the good king. Then, the recital o'er, they gaily took their way, and at the peep of the next following morn they saw fair Carlisle's towers. Leaving their train a little way behind, Jaufry and Melyan, clad in armour bright, pranced on the glacis with eight chosen knights. Such a brarado at King Arthur's court could not unnoticed pass. Quex, the high seneschal, soon crossed the bridge, and meeting Jaufry, cried:
“Good sooth, sir knight, thou shalt repent thy coming.”
“'Tis thou shalt feel repentance more than I,” responded Jaufry, who divined the man, and meeting him full speed, did with such strength and art assail Sir Quex, he hurled him to the ground.
As he essayed to struggle to his feet, he reeled a pace, then fell, while Jaufry cried:
“Why how now, jolly Quex? what say'st, art drunk?”