he threats, is in great fear, and
begs him for her sake to forbear from killing him; but he tells her that
he must do so, and can show him no mercy for her sake, in view of
the shameful wrong that he has done him. Then, with sword drawn, he
approaches the knight who cries in sore dismay: "For God's sake and for
my own, show me the mercy I ask of you." And he replies: "As God may
save me, no one ever sinned so against me that I would not show him
mercy once, for God's sake as is right, if he asked it of me in God's
name. And so on thee I will have mercy; for I ought not to refuse thee
when thou hast besought me. But first, thou shalt give me thy word to
constitute thyself my prisoner whenever I may wish to summon thee."
Though it was hard to do so, he promised him. At once the damsel said:
"O knight, since thou hast granted the mercy he asked of thee, if ever
thou hast broken any bonds, for my sake now be merciful and release this
prisoner from his parole. Set him free at my request, upon condition
that when the time comes, I shall do my utmost to repay thee in any way
that thou shalt choose." Then he declares himself satisfied with the
promise she has made, and sets the knight at liberty. Then she is
ashamed and anxious, thinking that he will recognise her, which she did
not wish. But he goes away at once, the knight and the damsel commending
him to God, and taking leave of him. He grants them leave to go, while
he himself pursues his way, until late in the afternoon he met a damsel
coming, who was very fair and charming, well attired and richly dressed.
The damsel greets him prudently and courteously, and he replies:
"Damsel, God grant you health and happiness." Then the damsel said
to him: "Sire, my house is prepared for you, if you will accept my
hospitality, but you shall find shelter there only on condition that you
will lie with me; upon these terms I propose and make the offer." Not a
few there are who would have thanked her five hundred times for such
a gift; but he is much displeased, and made a very different answer:
"Damsel, I thank you for the offer of your house, and esteem it highly,
but, if you please, I should be very sorry to lie with you." "By my
eyes," the damsel says, "then I retract my offer." And he, since it is
unavoidable, lets her have her way, though his heart grieves to give
consent. He feels only reluctance now; but greater distress will be his
when it is time to go to bed. The damsel, too, who