He was large, and marvellously ugly. His face was blacker than broiled meat, and it was so large that there was a palm-breadth between his two eyes. His cheeks were enormous; and so were his nostrils and his nose, which was flat; his lips were big, and redder than coals; and he had frightful great yellow teeth. He had on sandals of leather, and greaves of leather, which were tied with thongs up to his knees. He was covered with a great double cloak, and was resting on a heavy club. Aucassin was frightened, and said to him, "Good brother, may God help you!" "God bless you!" replied the other. "What are you doing there?" said Aucassin. "What affair is that of yours?" "I only ask with good will." "Well, why are you mourning and weeping so? If I were as rich a man as you are, I am sure nothing in the world would make me weep." "How do you know me, then?" "I know that you are Aucassin, the son of the count; and, if you will tell me why you weep, I will tell you why I am here." "I am very glad to tell you. I came out to hunt this morning. I had a white harrier, the prettiest dog in the whole world; and I have lost him. That is the reason why I am weeping." "What! For a miserable dog will you use the tears in your eyes or the heart in your breast? You are a poor creature to be weeping so--and you the richest man in the country! If your father wanted fifteen or twenty white harriers, he could have them in a minute. Now I am in sorrow for something real." "What is that?" "I am going to tell you, sir. I was hired by a rich farmer here to drive his cart, which was drawn by four oxen. It is three days since I lost the red ox, who was the finest of the four. I went here, and I went there; I left my wagon, and sought everywhere for the beast, but I could not find him. It is three days since I ate anything or drank anything; and here I stray about, for I do not dare go into the town. They would put me in prison; for I have nothing to pay with. All my wealth is what you see upon my body. I have a mother. She, poor woman, was not richer than I. All she had was an old petticoat to cover her poor old body; and they pulled that off her back, and now she is lying in the straw. That troubles me more than my condition. For money comes and goes. If I lose to-day, I will gain to-morrow; and, when I can pay for the ox, I will. I will never shed a tear for such a trifle as that. And here are you crying for a lost dog! You are a poor creature!" "_Certes_, my good fellow, you are a good comforter," said Aucassin. "May God bless you! Tell me, how much was the red ox worth?" "They charge me twenty sols for him, sir; nor can I beat them down a doit." "Here are twenty sols which I have in my purse; take them, and pay for your ox." "Thank you, indeed, sir!" said the man, "and may God send you that you are looking for!" So saying, he took leave; and Aucassin went on upon his way.