But chief in gallant feats of arms
He did himself advance,
And ere he grew to man's estate
He had no peer in France.
And now the early down began
To shade his youthful chin;
When Valentine was dubb'd a knight,
That he might glory win.
A boon, a boon, my gracious liege,
I beg a boon of thee!
The first adventure that befalls
May be reserv'd for me.
The first adventure shall be thine,
The king did smiling say.
Nor many days, when lo! there came
Three palmers clad in gray.
Help, gracious lord, they weeping said;
And knelt, as it was meet:
From Artois forest we be come,
With weak and weary feet.
Within those deep and dreary woods
There wends a savage boy;
Whose fierce and mortal rage doth yield
Thy subjects dire annoy.
'Mong ruthless bears he sure was bred;
He lurks within their den:
With bears he lives, with bears he feeds,
And drinks the blood of men.
To more than savage strength he joins
A more than human skill:
For arms, no cunning may suffice
His cruel rage to still:
Up then rose sir Valentine,
And claim'd that arduous deed.
Go forth and conquer, said the king,
And great shall be thy meed.
Well mounted on a milk-white steed,
His armour white as snow;
As well beseem'd a virgin knight,
Who ne'er had fought a foe: