Caviaus et barbe, et li viaire His hair, his beard, and his face Li fist appareiller moult bel; He made him carefully arrange; Ch’est droit à chevalier nouvel. It is the duty of a new knight. Puis le fist en un baing entrer. Then he made him enter a bath. Lors li commenche à demander Then the sultan began to ask Le soudan, que che senifie. What all this signified. “Sire,” answers Hugues, “like the babe that leaves the font cleansed from original sin,-- “Sire, tout ensement devez “Sire, it is thus that you must Issir, sanz nule vilounie Emerge without any stain De ce baing, car chevalerie From this bath; for knighthood Si doit baingnier en honesté, Must be clothed with honesty, En courtoisie et en bonté With courtesy, and with goodness, Et fere amer à toutes gens.” And make itself beloved by all.” “By the great God,” says Saladin, “this is a wonderful beginning!” “Now,” answers Hugues, “leave the bath and recline on this great bed. It is an emblem of the one you will obtain in paradise, the bed of rest that God grants to his followers, the brave knights.” Shortly after, whilst dressing him from head to foot, he says: “The snow-white linen shirt with which I am clothing you, and which touches your skin, is to teach you that you must keep your flesh from every stain if you wish to reach heaven. This crimson robe indicates-- “Que votre sanc devez épandre “That you must pour out your blood Pour Dieu servir et hounorer; To serve and honour God; Et pour défendre Sainte Eglise; And to defend the holy Church; Car tout chou doit chevalier faire, For all this must a knight do S’il veust à Dieu de noient plaire; If he wishes entirely to please God; Ch’est entendu par le vermeil. Such is the meaning of the crimson. “These trunk-hose of brown silk by their sombre hue are meant to remind you of-- (TEXT.) (TRANSLATION.) “La mort, et la terre où gisrez, “Death, and the earth where you will rest, Dont venistes, et où irez. Whence you came and whither you will return; A chou doivent garder votre œil; This is what you must keep before your eyes; Si n’enkerret pas en orguel, Thus you will not fall into pride, Car orgueus ne doit pas régner For pride should never govern En chevalier, ni demorer. A knight nor reign within him. A simpleche doit toujours tendre. Humility should always be his aim.