she knew
him at once and said: "Lancelot, I have come from afar in search of you.
Now, thank God, at last I have found you. I am she who asked of you a
boon as you were on your way to the sword-bridge, and you very gladly
granted it at my request; it was the head I bade you cut from the
conquered knight whom I hated so. Because of this boon and this service
you did me, I have gone to this trouble. As a guerdon I shall deliver
you from here." "Damsel, many thanks to you," the prisoner then replied;
"the service I did you will be well repaid if I am set at liberty. If
you can get me out of here, I promise and engage to be henceforth always
yours, so help me the holy Apostle Paul! And as I may see God face to
face, I shall never fail to obey your commands in accordance with your
will. You may ask for anything I have, and receive it without delay."
"Friend, have no fear that you will not be released from here. You shall
be loosed and set free this very day. Not for a thousand pounds would I
renounce the expectation of seeing you free before the datum of another
day. Then I shall take you to a pleasant place, where you may rest and
take your ease. There you shall have everything you desire, whatever
it be. So have no fear. But first I must see if I can find some tool
anywhere hereabouts with which you might enlarge this hole, at least
enough to let you pass." "God grant that you find something," he said,
agreeing to this plan; "I have plenty of rope in here, which the rascals
gave me to pull up my food--hard barley bread and dirty water, which
sicken my stomach and heart." Then the daughter of Bademagu sought and
found a strong, stout, sharp pick, which she handed to him. He pounded,
and hammered and struck and dug, notwithstanding the pain it caused him,
until he could get out comfortably. Now he is greatly relieved and glad,
you may be sure, to be out Of prison and to get away from the place
where he has been so long confined. Now he is at large in the open air.
You may be sure that he would not go back again, were some one to gather
in a pile and give to him all the gold there is scattered in the world.

(Vv. 6657-6728.) Behold Lancelot now released, but so feeble that he
staggered from his weakness and disability. Gently, without hurting him,
she sets him before her on her mule, and then they ride off rapidly. But
the damsel purposely avoids the beaten track, that they may not be
seen, and proceeds by a hidden path; for i