And when Aucassin heard them,
"Ha! God," said he, "sweet Saviour. Be these my deadly enemies that have
taken me, and will soon cut off my head? And once my head is off, no
more shall I speak with Nicolete, my sweet lady, that I love so well.
Natheless have I here a good sword, and sit a good horse unwearied. If
now I keep not my head for her sake, God help her never, if she love me
more!"
The damoiseau was tall and strong, and the horse whereon he sat was right
eager. And he laid hand to sword, and fell a-smiting to right and left,
and smote through helm and _nasal_, and arm and clenched hand, making a
murder about him, like a wild boar when hounds fall on him in the forest,
even till he struck down ten knights, and seven be hurt, and straightway
he hurled out of the press, and rode back again at full speed, sword in
hand. The Count Bougars de Valence heard say they were about hanging
Aucassin, his enemy, so he came into that place, and Aucassin was ware of
him, and gat his sword into his hand, and lashed at his helm with such a
stroke that he drave it down on his head, and he being stunned, fell
grovelling. And Aucassin laid hands on him, and caught him by the
_nasal_ of his helmet, and gave him to his father.
"Father," quoth Aucassin, "lo here is your mortal foe, who hath so warred
on you with all malengin.
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