land before." And when the gentleman heard that, he was greatly
amazed, as were his wife and children too, and each one of them was sore
distressed. Then they began to say to him: "Woe that you have come here,
fair sire, for only trouble will come of it! For, like us, you will
be reduced to servitude and exile." "Where do you come from, then?" he
asked. "Sire, we belong in your country. Many men from your country
are held in servitude in this land. Cursed be the custom, together with
those who keep it up! No stranger comes here who is not compelled to
stay here in the land where he is detained. For whoever wishes may come
in, but once in, he has to stay. About your own fate, you may be at
rest, you will doubtless never escape from here." He replies: "Indeed,
I shall do so, if possible." To this the gentleman replies: "How? Do you
think you can escape?" "Yes, indeed, if it be God's will; and I shall do
all within my power." "In that case, doubtless all the rest would be set
free; for, as soon as one succeeds in fairly escaping from this durance,
then all the rest may go forth unchallenged." Then the gentleman
recalled that he had been told and informed that a knight of great
excellence was making his way into the country to seek for the Queen,
who was held by the king's son, Meleagant; and he said to himself: "Upon
my word, I believe it is he, and I'll tell him so." So he said to him:
"Sire, do not conceal from me your business, if I promise to give
you the best advice I know. I too shall profit by any success you may
attain. Reveal to me the truth about your errand, that it may be to your
advantage as well as mine. I am persuaded that you have come in search
of the Queen into this land and among these heathen people, who are
worse than the Saracens." And the knight replies: "For no other purpose
have I come. I know not where my lady is confined, but I am striving
hard to rescue her, and am in dire need of advice. Give me any counsel
you can." And he says: "Sire, you have undertaken a very grievous task.
The road you are travelling will lead you straight to the sword-bridge.
[414] You surely need advice. If you would heed my counsel, you would
proceed to the sword-bridge by a surer way, and I would have you
escorted thither." Then he, whose mind is fixed upon the most direct
way, asks him: "Is the road of which you speak as direct as the other
way?" "No, it is not," he says; "it is longer, but more sure." Then he
says: "I