"Of a faith," said Tyolet, "'tis a marvel--for never since I might wander in the wilderness have I seen such a beast; yet know I bears and lions, and every sort of venison. Nor is there a beast in all the forest that I know not, but I take them all without pain or trouble; thou alone I may not know. Yet thou seemest a brave beast. Tell me, thou Knight-Beast, what dost thou bear on thy head? And what is it that hangeth at thy neck, and is red and shining?" "Of a truth I will tell thee, and lie not. That which I bear on my head is a coif, which men call helmet, with steel all around; and this is a mantle in which I am wrapped, and this at my neck a shield, banded with gold." "And with what hast thou clad thyself, it seemeth me pierced through with little holes?" "'Tis a coat of wrought mail, men call it a hauberk." "And with what art thou shod? Tell me of thy friendship." "Shoes and greaves of iron have I, right well wrought." "And what hast thou girt at thy side? Tell me an thou wilt." "Men call it a sword, 'tis fair to look upon, and the blade is hard and keen." "And that long wood thou holdest? Tell me, and hide it not from me." "Dost wish to know?" "Yea, of a truth." "'Tis a lance, this that I bear with me. Now have I told thee the truth of all thou hast required of me." "Sir," quoth Tyolet, "I thank thee, and I would to God that I had also such vesture as thou hast, so fair and so comely; a coat and a coif and mantle even as thou wearest. Tell me, Knight-Beast, for the love of God and His fair Feast, if there be other beasts such as thou and as fair to look upon?" "Of a truth," spake the knight, "I will shew thee more than a hundred such." For as the tale telleth in a little space there came through the meadow two hundred armed knights, all of the king's court; they had even taken a stronghold at his command, and set it in fire and flames, and now they went their way homeward riding in three ranged squadrons. The Knight-Beast spake to Tyolet and bade him come forward a little step and look beyond the river; and the lad did as he bade him, and saw the knights ride armed on their chargers; and cried aloud, "Now see the beasts who all bear coifs on their heads! Ne'er have I seen such a sight! If it please God and His fair Feast I too will be a Knight-Beast!" Then the knight who stood on the bank of the river spake again and said: "Wilt thou be brave and valiant?" "Yea, of a truth, I swear it to thee."