excellent man is found he ought to be loved and dearly prized. See
now how he proves himself, see how he maintains his place, see how he
stains with blood his lance and bare sword, see how he presses the enemy
and follows them up, how he comes boldly to attack them, then gives
away and turns about; but he spends little time in giving away, and soon
returns to the attack. See him in the fray again, how lightly he esteems
his shield, which he allows to be cut in pieces mercilessly. Just see
how keen he is to avenge the blows which are dealt at him. For, if some
one should use all the forest of Argone [319] to make lances for him,
I guess he would have none left by night. For he breaks all the lances
that they place in his socket, and calls for more. And see how he
wields the sword when he draws it! Roland never wrought such havoc with
Durendal against the Turks at Ronceval or in Spain! [320] If he had in
his company some good companions like himself, the traitor, whose attack
we are suffering, would retreat today discomfited, or would stand his
ground only to find defeat." Then they say that the woman would be
blessed who should be loved by one who is so powerful in arms, and who
above all others may be recognised as a taper among candles, as a moon
among the stars, and as the sun above the moon. He so won the hearts of
all that the prowess which they see in him made them wish that he had
taken their lady to wife, and that he were master of the land.

(Vv. 3255-3340.) Thus men and women alike praised him, and in doing so
they but told the truth. For his attack on his adversaries was such
that they vie with one another in flight. But he presses hard upon their
heels, and all his companions follow him, for by his side they feel
as safe as if they were enclosed in a high and thick stone wall.
The pursuit continues until those who flee become exhausted, and the
pursuers slash at them and disembowel their steeds. The living roll
over upon the dead as they wound and kill each other. They work dreadful
destruction upon each other; and meanwhile the Count flees with my
lord Yvain after him, until he comes up with him at the foot of a steep
ascent, near the entrance of a strong place which belonged to the Count.
There the Count was stopped, with no one near to lend him aid; and
without any excessive parley my lord Yvain received his surrender. For
as soon as he held him in his hands, and they were left just man to
man, there was n