Aucassin has stayed him so,
Elbow-propped on saddle-bow,
And began a-gazing at
This tremendous pitched combat.
They had brought with them thereto
Store of cheeses enow new,
Wild crab-apples roasted through,
And of great field-mushrooms too.
He who best disturbs the fords
Is proclaimed the chief of lords.
Aucassin, the gallant knight,
’Gan a-gazing at the sight,
And fell a-laughing.
Here they speak and tell the story.
When Aucassin saw this strange thing, he came to the king and accosted him:
“Sir,” said Aucassin, “are these your enemies?”
“Yes, sir,” said the king.
“And would you that I should avenge you of them?”
“Yes,” said he, “willingly.”
And Aucassin put his hand to his sword, and dashed in among them, and began to
strike to right and to left, and killed many of them. And when the king saw that he was killing them he took him by the bridle, and said,