Old French Romances, Done into EnglishMorris, William
General
Old French Romances, Done into English
Morris, William
French literature -- To 1500 -- Translations into English; Romances; Tales, Medieval
Therewith Sir Raoul drew nigh to her, and embraced her in his arms, which
were strong enow, and drew her all naked out of the bath and bore her
toward her bed; and so soon as he drew her forth of the bath he saw a
black spot which she had on her right groin hard by her natural part; and
he thought therewithal that that were a good token that he had lain by
her. Thus as he bore her off to her bed, his spurs hooked them into the
serge at the bed’s edge toward the foot thereof, and down fell the
knight, he and the lady together, he below and she above; but she rose up
straightway and caught up a billet of wood, and smote Sir Raoul therewith
amidst the face, and made him a wound both deep and wide, so that the
blood fell to earth. So when Sir Raoul felt himself hurt he had no great
desire to play, wherefore he arose and got him gone out of the chamber
straightway: he did so much that he came to his hostel, where he dwelt a
good league thence, and there he had his wound dealt with. But the good
dame entered into her bath again, and called dame Hersent, and told the
adventure of the knight.
Much great array made the father of the fair lady against the coming of
Sir Robin, and he summoned much folk, and sent and bade Sir Raoul to
come; but he sent word that he might not come, for that he was sick. On
the Sunday camel Sir Robin, and was received right fairly; and the father
of the fair lady went to seek Sir Raoul and found him wounded, and said
that now for nought might he abide behind from the feast. So he dight
his face and his hurt the best wise he might, and went to the feast,
which was great and grand day long of drinking and of eating, and of
dancing and carolling.
When night was come Sir Robin went to bed with his wife, who received him
much joyously as a good dame ought to her lord; so abode they in joy and
in feast the more part of the night. On the morrow great was the feast,
and the victual was dight and they ate. But when it was after dinner,
Sir Raoul bore on hand Sir Robin, and said that he had won his land,
whereas he had known his wife carnally, by the token, to wit, that she
had a black spot on her right thigh and a pearlet hard by her jewel.
“Thereof I wot not,” said Sir Robin, “for I have not looked on her so
close.” “Well, then, I tell thee,” said Sir Raoul, “by the oath that
thou hast given me that thou take heed thereof, and do me right.” “So
will I, verily,” said Sir Robin.
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