Full twenty years did this war endure, and
might not be ended by man."
"Fair son," said his father, "thy feats of youth shouldst thou do, and
not seek after folly."
"Father," saith Aucassin, "sermon me no sermons, but fulfil my covenant."
"Ha! what covenant, fair son?"
"What, father, hast thou forgotten it? By mine own head, whosoever
forgets, will I not forget it, so much it hath me at heart. Didst thou
not covenant with me when I took up arms, and went into the stour, that
if God brought me back safe and sound, thou wouldst let me see Nicolete,
my sweet lady, even so long that I may have of her two words or three,
and one kiss? So didst thou covenant, and my mind is that thou keep thy
word."
"I!" quoth the father, "God forsake me when I keep this covenant! Nay,
if she were here, I would let burn her in the fire, and thyself shouldst
be sore adread."
"Is this thy last word?" quoth Aucassin.
"So help me God," quoth his father, "yea!"
"Certes," quoth Aucassin, "this is a sorry thing meseems, when a man of
thine age lies!"
"Count of Valence," quoth Aucassin, "I took thee?"
"In sooth, Sir, didst thou," saith the Count.
"Give me thy hand," saith Aucassin.
"Sir, with good will."
So he set his hand in the other's.
"Now givest thou me thy word," saith Aucassin, "that never whiles thou
art living man wilt thou avail to do my father dishonour, or harm him in
body, or in goods, but do it thou wilt?"
"Sir, in God's name," saith he, "mock me not, but put me to my ransom; ye
cannot ask of me gold nor silver, horses nor palfreys, _vair_ nor _gris_,
hawks nor hounds, but I will give you them.
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