So lay she hard by the lodge in a deep coppice to know what Aucassin will
do. And the cry and the bruit went abroad through all the country and
all the land, that Nicolete was lost. Some told that she had fled, and
some that the Count Garin had let slay her. Whosoever had joy thereof,
no joy had Aucassin. And the Count Garin, his father, had taken him out
of prison, and had sent for the knights of that land, and the ladies, and
let make a right great feast, for the comforting of Aucassin his son. Now
at the high time of the feast, was Aucassin leaning from a gallery, all
woful and discomforted. Whatsoever men might devise of mirth, Aucassin
had no joy thereof, nor no desire, for he saw not her that he loved. Then
a knight looked on him, and came to him, and said:
"Aucassin, of that sickness of thine have I been sick, and good counsel
will I give thee, if thou wilt hearken to me--"
"Sir," said Aucassin, "gramercy, good counsel would I fain hear."
"Mount thy horse," quoth he, "and go take thy pastime in yonder forest,
there wilt thou see the good flowers and grass, and hear the sweet birds
sing. Perchance thou shalt hear some word, whereby thou shalt be the
better."
"Sir," quoth Aucassin, "gramercy, that will I do."
He passed out of the hall, and went down the stairs, and came to the
stable where his horse was.
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