Now hear what befell our hero; storm-driven he was that day, And scarce might he win to safety, and his boat in the haven lay 250 Beneath the royal palace; and the folk they beheld him there, And he looked around on the meadow, and he saw many tents stand fair Around the town, save the sea-coast, and two armies he thought to see. Then he bade them to tell the story, and whose that fair Burg should be? Since he knew it not, nor his shipmen--And an answer they straightway gave, 255 'Twas Patelamunt; then the townsfolk a boon from the knight would crave, And their speech it was soft and friendly--In the name of their gods they'ld pray He should help them, so great their peril that in danger of death they lay. When the young Angevin had hearkened to the tale of their bitter pain, He proffered to them his service for such payment as knight may gain, 260 (As it oft shall befit a hero)--They should say for what goodly prize He should dare the hate of their foemen? And they answered him in this wise With one mouth the hale and the wounded--Naught would they from him withhold, But lord should he be of their treasure, of their jewels alike and gold, A fair life should he lead among them!--But such payment he little sought, 265 For many a golden nugget from Araby had he brought. And dark as night were the people who in Zassamank dwelt alway-- And the time it seemed long unto him that he need in their midst must stay-- But he bade them prepare a lodging, and methinks it became them well The best of their land to give him, since awhile he with them would dwell. 270 And the women they looked from the windows, and they gazed on the noble knight, And they looked on his squires, and his harness, how 'twas fashioned for deeds of might. Then they saw how the knight, free-handed, on his shield of ermine bare Full many a pelt of sable; the Queen's Marshal he read it fair, The badge, for a mighty anchor, and little he rued the sight, 275 If his eye spake the truth unto him ere this had he seen the knight, Or one who bare his semblance--At Alexandria it needs must be, When the Baruch besieged the city--and unequalled in strife was he!