air son," he says, "I grant
you your desire; so tell me now what you wish me to give you." Now the
youth has accomplished his purpose, and is greatly pleased when the boon
is granted him which he so greatly desired. "Sire," says he, "do you
wish to know what it is that you have promised me? I wish to have a
great plenty of gold and silver, and such companions from among your
men as I will select; for I wish to go forth from your empire, and to
present my service to the king who rules over Britain, in order that he
may make me a knight. I promise you never in my life to wear armour on
my face or helmet upon my head until King Arthur shall gird on my sword,
if he will graciously do so. For from no other than from him will I
accept my arms." Without hesitation the emperor replies: "Fair son, for
God's sake, speak not so! This country all belongs to you, as well as
rich Constantinople. You ought not to think me mean, when I am ready
to make you such a gift. I shall be ready soon to have you crowned, and
to-morrow you shall be a knight. All Greece will be in your hands, and
you shall receive from your nobles, as is right, their homage and oaths
of allegiance. Whoever refuses such an offer is not wise."

(Vv. 135-168.) The youth hears the promise how the next morning after
Mass his father is ready to dub him knight; but he says he will seek his
fortune for better or worse in another land. "If you are willing in this
matter to grant the boon I have asked of you, then give me mottled and
grey furs, some good horses and silken stuffs: for before I become
a knight I wish to enrol in King Arthur's service. Nor have I yet
sufficient strength to bear arms. No one could induce me by prayer or
flattery not to go to the foreign land to see his nobles and that king
whose fame is so great for courtesy and prowess. Many men of high degree
lose through sloth the great renown which they might win, were they to
wander about the world. [27] Repose and glory ill agree, as it seems to
me; for a man of wealth adds nothing to his reputation if he spends all
his days at ease. Prowess is irksome to the ignoble man, and cowardice
is a burden to the man of spirit; thus the two are contrary and
opposite. He is the slave of his wealth who spends his days in storing
and increasing it. Fair father, so long as I have the chance, and so
long as my rigour lasts, I wish to devote my effort and energy to the
pursuit of fame."

(Vv. 169-234.) Upon hearing thi