Anon came they all into one
place by a fair fountain which was on the fringe of the forest, thereby
spread they a mantle, and thereon set bread. So while they were eating,
Nicolete wakened, with the sound of the singing birds, and the shepherds,
and she went unto them, saying, "Fair boys, our Lord keep you!"
"God bless thee," quoth he that had more words to his tongue than the
rest.
"Fair boys," quoth she, "know ye Aucassin, the son of Count Garin de
Biaucaire?"
"Yea, well we know him."
"So may God help you, fair boys," quoth she, "tell him there is a beast
in this forest, and bid him come chase it, and if he can take it, he
would not give one limb thereof for a hundred marks of gold, nay, nor for
five hundred, nor for any ransom."
Then looked they on her, and saw her so fair that they were all astonied.
"Will I tell him thereof?" quoth he that had more words to his tongue
than the rest; "foul fall him who speaks of the thing or tells him the
tidings. These are but visions ye tell of, for there is no beast so
great in this forest, stag, nor lion, nor boar, that one of his limbs is
worth more than two deniers, or three at the most, and ye speak of such
great ransom. Foul fall him that believes your word, and him that
telleth Aucassin. Ye be a Fairy, and we have none liking for your
company, nay, hold on your road.
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