And they told him that she was with the army, and had taken thither all the folk of the land. And when Aucassin heard it, he thought it a very strange thing; and he came to the palace, and alighted, he and his love together. And she held his horse, and he went up to the palace, with his sword girt; and went on till he came to the room where the king lay a- bed. _Here they sing_. Aucassin the room ent'red, He the courteous, the high-bred, And went straight up to the bed, On the which the king was laid. Right in front of him he stayed, And so spake, hear what he said: "Go to, fool! What dost thou there?" Quoth the king: "A son I bear. Soon as is my month fulfilled, And I am quite whole and healed, Then shall I the mass go hear, As my ancestor did ere, And my great war to maintain 'Gainst mine enemies again. I will not leave it!" {62} _Here they speak and tell the story_. When Aucassin heard the king speak thus, he took all the clothes which were on him, and flung them down the room. He saw behind him a stick. He took it, and turned and struck him, and beat him so that he was like to have killed him. "Ah, fair sir!" said the king, "what is it you ask of me? Have you your wits distraught, you who beat me in my own house?" "By the heart of God," said Aucassin, "you whoreson knave, I will kill you unless you give me your word that never more shall any man in your land lie in child-bed!" He gave him his word; and when he had given it, "Sir," said Aucassin, "now take me where your wife is with the army!" "Sir, right willingly!" said the king. He mounted a horse, and Aucassin mounted his; and Nicolette remained in the queen's chambers. And the king and Aucassin rode till they came where the queen was; and they found it a battle of crab-apples roasted, and eggs, and fresh cheeses. And Aucassin began to gaze at them, and he wondered very hard. _Here they sing_. Aucassin has stayed him so, Elbow-propped on saddle-bow, And began a-gazing at This tremendous pitched combat. They had brought with them thereto Store of cheeses enow new, Wild crab-apples roasted through, And of great field-mushrooms too. He who best disturbs the fords Is proclaimed the chief of lords. Aucassin, the gallant knight, 'Gan a-gazing at the sight, And fell a-laughing. _Here they speak and tell the story_. When Aucassin saw this strange thing, he came to the king and accosted him: "Sir," said Aucassin, "are these your enemies?" "Yes, sir," said the king. "And would you that I should avenge you of them?" "Yes," said he, "willingly." And Aucassin put his hand to his sword, and dashed in among them, and began to strike to right and to left, and killed many of them. And when the king saw that he was killing them he took him by the bridle, and said, "Ah, fair sir! Do not kill them so!" "How?" said Aucassin. "Do you not wish that I should avenge you?" "Sir," said the king, "you have done it overmuch. It is not our custom to kill one another."