_Here one singeth_:
Aucassin the courteous knight
To the chamber went forthright,
To the bed with linen dight
Even where the King was laid.
There he stood by him and said:
"Fool, what mak'st thou here abed?"
Quoth the King: "I am brought to bed
Of a fair son, and anon
When my month is over and gone,
And my healing fairly done,
To the Minster will I fare
And will do my churching there,
As my father did repair.
Then will sally forth to war,
Then will drive my foes afar
From my countrie!"
Then speak they, say they, tell they the Tale:
When Aucassin heard the King speak on this wise, he took all the sheets
that covered him, and threw them all abroad about the chamber. Then saw
he behind him a cudgel, and caught it into his hand, and turned, and took
the King, and beat him till he was well-nigh dead.
"Ha! fair sir," quoth the King, "what would you with me? Art thou beside
thyself, that beatest me in mine own house?"
"By God's heart," quoth Aucassin, "thou ill son of an ill wench, I will
slay thee if thou swear not that never shall any man in all thy land lie
in of child henceforth for ever."
So he did that oath, and when he had done it,
"Sir," said Aucassin, "bring me now where thy wife is with the host."
"Sir, with good will," quoth the King.
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