"With pleasure," said the king. Both went down to the court. The king mounted a horse, Aucassin mounted his own; Nicolette took refuge in the queen's chamber; and both the men went to the army. When they arrived, the battle was in all its fury. The battle was fought with wild apples, eggs, and green cheeses. [_Now they sing it._] Aucassin, of noble blood, By the battling armies stood, And wondered at the sight; For men-at-arms were seen Keeping up the fight: With eggs they threw, with all their might, Apples raw and cheeses green! And the soldier who with these Most disturbed the fountain bright, He was deemed the bravest knight. Aucassin, of noble blood, Watched this battle where he stood, And laughed outright. [_Now they tell it, speak it, and talk it._] Aucassin went to the king, and said to him, "Are these your enemies, sir?" "Yes," replied the king. "Do you wish to have me avenge you?" "Indeed I do!" Then Aucassin drew his sword, plunged into the thick of the fight, and cut and thrust from right to left; so that in almost no time he had killed a great number. "My dear sir," cried the king, seizing Aucassin's horse by the bridle, "do not kill them in this way!" "How else can I avenge you?" said Aucassin. "Sir, you do too much. It is not our custom to kill each other in this fashion: all that we do is to put the enemy to flight." Then they returned to the Castle of Torelore, where the people of the country advised the king to drive Aucassin out of his land, and to keep this pretty girl Nicolette for his wife; for she seemed to them a lady of high degree. When Nicolette heard this, she was sorely grieved, and said,-- [_Now they sing it._] "Sire, king of Torelore, Puissant prince and lord of glory," Said the pretty Nicolette, "You think me like a fool in story: I am not one yet. Aucassin shall I forget, Who loves me as his own? Not all your shows and dances proud, Not all your harps and viols loud, Are worth my dear alone." [_Now they tell it, and speak it, and talk it._] Aucassin and his darling Nicolette took great delight and ease in the Castle of Torelore. While they were there, some Saracens came up by sea, who assaulted the castle, and took it by storm. As soon as they had taken it, they carried off the people prisoners. They put Nicolette into one ship, and Aucassin into another, tied hand and foot. Then they set sail again. As they sailed, a violent storm arose; and the ships were separated from each other. The ship in which Aucassin was was thrown so far at the mercy of the waves that at last she came to the Castle of Beaucaire.