“Go to, fool! What dost thou there?”
Quoth the king: “A son I bear.
Soon as is my month fulfilled,
And I am quite whole and healed,
Then shall I the mass go hear,
As my ancestor did ere,
And my great war to maintain
’Gainst mine enemies again.
I will not leave it!” [62]
Here they speak and tell the story.
When Aucassin heard the king speak thus, he took all the clothes which were on him, and flung them down the room. He saw behind him a stick. He took it, and turned and struck him, and beat him so that he was like to have killed him.
“Ah, fair sir!” said the king, “what is it you ask of me? Have you your wits distraught, you who beat me in my own house?”
“By the heart of God,” said Aucassin, “you whoreson knave, I will kill you unless you give me your word that never more shall any man in your land lie in child-bed!”
He gave him his word; and when he had given it,
“Sir,” said Aucassin, “now take me where your wife is with the army!”
“Sir, right willingly!” said the king.
He mounted a horse, and Aucassin mounted his; and Nicolette remained in the queen’s chambers. And the king and Aucassin rode till they came where the queen was; and they found it a battle of crab-apples roasted, and eggs, and fresh cheeses. And Aucassin began to gaze at them, and he wondered very hard.
Here they sing.