enture. To-morrow I shall be put to a shameful death, and shall
be burnt inevitably, a victim of your criminal neglect." And he replies:
"May God forbid that you should be harmed because of me! So long as
I live you shall not die! You may expect me tomorrow, prepared to the
extent of my power to present my body in your cause, as it is proper
that I should do. But have no concern to tell the people who I am!
However the battle may turn out, take care that I be not recognised!"
"Surely, sire, no pressure could make me reveal your name. I would
sooner suffer death, since you will have it so. Yet, after all, I beg
you not to return for my sake. I would not have you undertake a battle
which will be so desperate. I thank you for your promised word that you
would gladly undertake it, but consider yourself now released, for it is
better that I should die alone than that I should see them rejoice over
your death as well as mine; they would not spare my life after they had
put you to death. So it is better for you to remain alive than that we
both should meet death." "That is very ungrateful remark, my dear," says
my lord Yvain; "I suppose that either you do not wish to be delivered
from death, or else that you scorn the comfort I bring you with my aid.
I will not discuss the matter more, for you have surely done so much
for me that I cannot fail you in any need. I know that you are in great
distress; but, if it be God's will, in whom I trust, they shall all
three be discomfited. So no more upon that score: I am going off now to
find some shelter in this wood, for there is no dwelling near at hand."
"Sire," she says, "may God give you both good shelter and good night,
and protect you as I desire from everything that might do you harm!"
Then my lord Yvain departs, and the lion as usual after him. They
journeyed until they came to a baron's fortified place, which was
completely surrounded by a massive, strong, and high wall. The castle,
being extraordinarily well protected, feared no assault of catapult or
storming-machine; but outside the walls the ground was so completely
cleared that not a single hut or dwelling remained standing. You will
learn the cause of this a little later, when the time comes. My lord
Yvain made his way directly toward the fortified place, and seven
varlets came out who lowered the bridge and advanced to meet him. But
they were terrified at sight of the lion, which they saw with him, and
asked him kindly to