have no use for it; tell me about this road I am following!" "I
am ready to do so," he replies; "but I am sure you will not fare well if
you take any other than the road I recommend. To-morrow you will reach
a place where you will have trouble: it is called 'the stony passage'.
Shall I tell you how bad a place it is to pass? Only one horse can go
through at a time; even two men could not pass abreast, and the passage
is well guarded and defended. You will meet with resistance as soon as
you arrive. You will sustain many a blow of sword and lance, and will
have to return full measure before you succeed in passing through." And
when he had completed the account, one of the gentleman's sons, who was
a knight, stepped forward, saying: "Sire, if you do not object, I will
go with this gentleman." Then one of the lads jumps up, and says: "I too
will go." And the father gladly gives them both consent. Now the knight
will not have to go alone, and he expresses his gratitude, being much
pleased with the company.

(Vv. 2199-2266.) Then the conversation ceases, and they take the knight
to bed, where he was glad to fall asleep. As soon as daylight was
visible he got up, and those who were to accompany him got up too. The
two knights donned their armour and took their leave, while the young
fellow started on ahead. Together they pursued their way until they came
at the hour of prime to "the stony passage." In the middle of it they
found a wooden tower, where there was always a man on guard. Before they
drew near, he who was on the tower saw them and cried twice aloud: "Woe
to this man who comes!" And then behold! A knight issued from the tower,
mounted and armed with fresh armour, and escorted on either side by
servants carrying sharp axes. Then, when the other draws near the
passage, he who defends it begins to heap him with abuse about the cart,
saying: "Vassal, thou art bold and foolish, indeed, to have entered this
country. No man ought ever to come here who had ridden upon a cart,
and may God withhold from him His blessing!" Then they spur toward each
other at the top of their horses' speed. And he who was to guard the
passage-way at once breaks his lance and lets the two pieces fall; the
other strikes him in the neck, reaching him beneath the shield, and
throws him over prostrate upon the stones. Then the servants come
forward with the axes, but they intentionally fail to strike him, having
no desire to harm or damage him; so h