or a treacherous and venomous creature deserves to
be harmed. Now the serpent is poisonous, and fire bursts forth from its
mouth--so full of wickedness is the creature. So my lord Yvain decides
that he will kill the serpent first. Drawing his sword he steps forward,
holding the shield before his face in order not to be harmed by the
flame emerging from the creature's throat, which was larger than a pot.
If the lion attacks him next, he too shall have all the fight he wishes;
but whatever may happen afterwards he makes up his mind to help him now.
For pity urges him and makes request that he should bear succour and aid
to the gentle and noble beast. With his sword, which cuts so clean, he
attacks the wicked serpent, first cleaving him through to the earth and
cutting him in two, then continuing his blows until he reduces him to
tiny bits. But he had to cut off a piece of the lion's tail to get at
the serpent's head, which held the lion by the tail. He cut off only so
much as was necessary and unavoidable. When he had set the lion free, he
supposed that he would have to fight with him, and that the lion would
come at him; but the lion was not minded so. Just hear now what the
lion did! He acted nobly and as one well-bred; for he began to make
it evident that he yielded himself to him, by standing upon his two
hind-feet and bowing his face to the earth, with his fore-feet joined
and stretched out toward him. Then he fell on his knees again, and all
his face was wet with the tears of humility. My lord Yvain knows for a
truth that the lion is thanking him and doing him homage because of the
serpent which he had killed, thereby delivering him from death. He was
greatly pleased by this episode. He cleaned his sword of the serpent's
poison and filth; then he replaced it in its scabbard, and resumed his
way. And the lion walks close by his side, unwilling henceforth to part
from him: he will always in future accompany him, eager to serve and
protect him. [321] He goes ahead until he scents in the wind upon his
way some wild beasts feeding; then hunger and his nature prompt him to
seek his prey and to secure his sustenance. It is his nature so to do.
He started ahead a little on the trail, thus showing his master that he
had come upon and detected the odour and scent of some wild game.
Then he looks at him and halts, wishing to serve his every wish, and
unwilling to proceed against his will. Yvain understands by his attitude
that h