“Give me your hand!” said Aucassin.
“Sir, right willingly.”
He put his hand in his.
“This you pledge me,” said Aucassin, “that never in all your days to be shall it be in your power to do shame to my father or to do hurt to him or his, and you not do it!”
“Sir,” said he, “for God’s sake, mock me not, but set me a ransom! You can ask me nothing, gold or silver, war-horses or palfreys, sables or ermines, hounds or hawks, that I will not give you.”
“How now?” said Aucassin. “Wot you not that you are my prisoner?”
“Aye, sir,” said the Count Bulgarius.
“Ne’er help me Heaven,” said Aucassin,
“save you give me this pledge, if I send not your head a-flying!”
“I’ God’s name,” said he, “I give you what pledge you please!”