She came to the postern door, and unfastened it, and went out through the streets of Beaucaire, keeping in the shadow, for the moon shone very bright; and she went on till she came to the tower where her lover was. The tower was shored up here and there, and she crouched down by one of the pillars, and wrapped herself in her mantle; and she thrust her head into a chink in the tower, which was old and ruinous, and heard Aucassin within weeping and making great ado, and lamenting for his sweet friend whom he loved so much. And when she had listened enough to him she began to speak. After telling each their love, Nicolette was obliged to flee. She went to a great forest and talked with the herd-boys. Sec. 19.-- Nicolette, bright-favored maid, To the herds her farewell bade, And her journey straight addressed Right amid the green forest, Down a path of olden day; Till she reached an open way Where seven roads fork, that go out Through the region round about. Then the thought within her grew, She will try her lover true, If he love her as he said: She took many a lily head, With the bushy kermes-oak shoot, And of leafy boughs to boot, And a bower so fair made she,-- Daintier I did never see! By the ruth of heaven she sware, Should Aucassin come by there, And not rest a little space, For her love's sake' in that place, He should ne'er her lover be, Nor his love she. Aucassin escapes, comes to the forest, finds his lover, and they agree to go away together. Sec. 27-- Aucassin, the fair, the blond, Gentle knight and lover fond, Rode from out the thick forest; In his arms his love was pressed, On the saddlebow before; And he kissed her o'er and o'er, Eyes and brows and lips and chin. Then to him did she begin; "Aucassin, fair lover sweet, To what country shall we fleet? "Sweet my love, what should I know? Little care I where we go, In the greenwood or away, So I am with thee alway." Hill and vale they fleeted by, Town and fortress fenced high, Till they came at dawn of day Where the sea before them lay; There they lighted on the sand, Beside the strand. They have many adventures and are again separated. Nicolette is carried to Carthage. She finally escapes and makes her way in disguise to Beaucaire where Aucassin was.