"Nurse，"quothshe，"ofatruthIthoughtthatIfeltnoill;butIshallspeedilythinkthatIamsick。Themerefactofmythinkingofitcausesmemuchillandekealarmsme。Buthowdoesoneknowunlessheputittothetestwhatmaybegoodandwhatill？Myilldiffersfromallotherills;for——andIbewillingtotellyouthetruthofit——muchitjoysme，andmuchitgrievesme，andIdelightinmydiscomfort;andiftherecanbeadiseasewhichgivespleasure，mysorrowismydesire，andmygriefismyhealth。IknownotthenwhereofIshouldcomplain;forIknownoughtwhenceevilmaycometomeifitcomenotfrommydesire。
　　Possiblymydesireisamalady;butItakesomuchpleasureinthatdesirethatitcausesmeapleasantgrief;andIhavesomuchjoyinmysorrowthatmymaladyisapleasantone。Thessala，nurse！tellmenow，isnotthissorrowwhichseemssweettome，andyetwhichtorturesme，adeceitfulone？IknownothowImayrecognisewhetheritbeaninfirmityorno。Nurse！tellmenowthename，andthemanner，andthenature，ofit。ButbewellassuredthatIhavenocaretorecoverinanywise，forIcherishtheanguishofitexceedingly。"Thessala，whowasrightwiseasregardsLoveandallhisways，knowsandunderstandsbyherspeechthatthatwhichdistractsherproceedsfromLove——becauseshecallsandnamesitsweet——itiscertainthatsheloves;forallotherillsarebittersavethatalonewhichcomesfromloving;butLovetransmutesitsownbitternessintopleasure，andsweetnessoftenturnstoitsopposite。ButThessala，whowellknewthematter，repliestoher："Fearnought，Iwilltellyouwellboththenatureandthenameofyourdisease。Youhavetoldme，methinks，thatthepainwhichyoufeelseemstoyoutobejoyandhealth：ofsuchanatureislove-sickness;forthereisinitjoyandsweetness。ThereforeIprovetoyouthatyoulove;forI
　　findpleasureinnosicknesssaveonlyinlove-sickness。Allotherillsasarulearealwaysgrievousandhorrible;butLoveispleasantandtranquil。Youlove;Iamfullycertainofit。I
　　regarditnotasbaseinyou;butIwillholditbasenessifthroughchildishnessorfollyyouconcealyourheartfromme。"
　　"Nurse，trulyyouaretalkingtonopurpose;forfirstImeantobecertainandsurethatneverbyanychancewillyouspeakthereoftoanylivingcreature。""Lady，certainlythewindswillspeakofitsoonerthanIunlessyougivemepermission;andofthisIwillmakeyousure——thatIwillhelpyouwithregardtothismatter，sothatyoumayknowofasurety，thatbymeyouwillhaveyourjoy。""Nurse，inthatcaseyouwouldhavecuredme;buttheemperorisgivingmeinmarriagewhereatIamgrievouslyafflictedandsadbecausehewhopleasesmeisnephewofhimwhomIamtowed。Andifthismanhavehisjoyofme，thenhaveIlostmine;andthereisnomorejoytobelookedfor。
　　RatherwouldIbetornlimbfromlimbthanthattheloveofIseultandofTristramshouldberenewedinthecaseofustwain;
　　forofthemaresuchmadactionstoldthatIamashamedtorecountthem。IcouldnotreconcilemyselftothelifethatIseultled。Loveinherbecameexceedingbase;forherbodybelongedtotwomastersandherheartentirelytoone。Thusshespentherwholelife;forsheneverrefusedthetwo。Reasonwastherenoneinthislove;butmineiseverconstant;andatnocostwillapartitioneverbemadeofmybodyorofmyheart。
　　Neverofatruthshallmybodybedebased;nevershalltherebetwopartnersofit。Lethimwhoownsthehearthavethebodyalso;heexcludesallothersfromit。ButthisIcannotknow——howhetowhommyheartyieldsitselfcanhavemybodysincemyfatherisgivingmetoanother;andIdarenotgainsayhim。AndwhenheshallbelordofmybodyifhedoaughtwithitthatIdonotwish，itisnotmeetthatitwelcomeanother。Moreover，thismancannotwedwifewithoutbreakingfaith;butifhewrongnothisnephew，Cligeswillhavetheempireafterhisdeath。Butifyoucancontrivebyyourarts，thatthismantowhomIamgivenandpledgedmightneverhavepartorlotinme，youwouldhavedonemegoodserviceaccordingtomywill。Nurse，pritheestrivethatthismanbreaknothisfaith;forhegavehispledgetothefatherofCliges，promisingjustasAlexanderhadmadehimswear，thatneverwouldhetakeweddedwife。Hispledgeisabouttobebroken，forstraightwayheintendstowedme。ButIcherishCligessodearlythatIwouldratherbeburiedthanthatheshouldlosethroughmeafarthingoftheinheritancewhichoughttobehis。Mayneverchildbebornofmebywhomhemaybedisinherited！Nurse，nowbestiryourselfinthematterthatImaybeyoursforever。"Thenhernursetellsherandassuresherthatshewillweavesuchspellsandpotionsandenchantmentsthatshewouldbeill-advisedtohaveconcernorfearforthisemperor;sosoonasheshallhavedrunkofthepotionthatshewillgivehimtodrink，andtheywillbothlietogether;buthowevercloseshewillbetohim，shecanbeassecureasiftherewereawallbetweenthetwoofthem。"Butletnotthisandthisonlyvexyouifhehashispleasureofyouindreams;for，whenheshallbesoundasleep，hewillhavejoyofyouindreaming;andwillquitesurelythinkthathehashisjoyofyouwaking，norwillheimaginethatitisadream，orvision，orfalsehood。Hewilldelightinyousothathewillthinkheisawakewhileheissleeping。"
　　Themaidenlovesandapprovesandesteemsthisboonandthisservice。Hernurse，whopromisesherthis，andvowstokeepfaithwithher，putsheringoodhope;forbythismeansshewillthinktocometoherjoyhoweverlongshehavetowait。ForneverwillCligesbesoill-disposedtoher——ifheknowsthatsheloveshim;
　　andforhissakelivessoastoguardhermaidenheadinordertoshieldforhimhisinheritance——asnottohavesomepityonherifheprovehimselfofanoblestock，andifheissuchasheoughttobe。Themaidenbelieveshernurse，andtrustsandconfidesinhergreatly。Theonevowsandswearstotheotherthatthisplanwillbekeptsosecretthatneverwillitbeknowninthefuture。Thustheparleyisended;andwhenitcametothemorningtheemperorofGermanysendsforhisdaughter。Shecomesathiscommand——butwhyshouldIspinoutmystory？Thetwoemperorstogetherhavesoarrangedmattersthatthemarriagetakesplaceandjoybeginsinthepalace。ButIwillnotdelaytospeakofeachthingseverally。IwillturnmytaleofThessala，whodoesnotceasetomakeandmixpotions。
　　Thessalacrushesherpotion;sheputsthereinspicesinplentyforsweeteningandblending。Welldoesshepoundandmixit，andstrainsittillthewholeisclear，andthereisnoughtacidnorbitterthere;forthespiceswhichareinitmakeitsweetandofpleasantodour。Whenthepotionwasprepared，thenhadthedayrunitscourse，andthetableswereplacedforsupper，andthetableclothslaid;butshedelaysthesupper。ItisThessala’stasktospyoutbywhatdevice，bywhatmessenger，shewillsendherpotion。Theywereallseatedatthebanquet;theyhadhadmorethansixcoursesandCligeswasservinghisuncle。Thessala，whoseeshimserve，reflectsthatheiswastinghisService;forheisservingtohisowndisinheritance，andthisisagreatsorrowandanxietytoher。Thenlikethecourteousdamethatsheis，shebethinksherselfthatshewillmakehimtowhomitwillbejoyandprofitservethepotion。ThessalasendsforCliges，andhewentstraightwaytoher，andhasinquired，andaskedofherwhyshehadsentforhim。"Friend，"quothshe，"atthisbanquetIwishtopaytheemperortheflatteringmeedofapotionthathewillgreatlyesteem。Iwillnotthathedrinkto-night，eitheratsupperoratbedtime，ofanyotherdrink。Ithinkthatitwillgivehimmuchpleasure;forneverdidhetasteofaughtsogoodnordidanybeverageevercostsomuch;andtakegoodcare——Iwarnyouofthis——thatnootherdrinkofitbecausethereistoolittleofitforthat。And，moreover，Igiveyouthisadvice，thatheneverknowwhenceitcame;butlethimthinkitcamebyaccident，thatyoufounditamongthepresents，andthatbecauseyoutestedit，andperceivedbythescentofitsbouquetthefragranceofgoodspices，andbecauseyousawthatitsparkled，youpouredthewineintohiscup。Ifbychanceheinquireofit，thatwilldoubtlessbetheendofthematter。ButhavenoevilsuspicionanentaughtthatIhavesaid;forthebeverageispureandwholesome，andfullofgoodspices，anditmaybe，asIthink，thatatsomefuturetimeitwillmakeyoublithe。"Whenhehearsthatgoodwillcomeofithetakesthepotionandgoesaway;forheknowsnotthatthereisaughtwrong。
　　Inacupofcrystalhehassetitbeforetheemperor。Theemperorhastakenthecup，forhehasgreattrustinhisnephew。Hedrinksamightydraughtofthepotion;andnowhefeelsthevirtueofit;foritpenetratesfromtheheadtotheheart，andfromtheheartitreturnstohishead，anditpermeateshimagainandagain。Itsaturateshiswholebodywithouthurtinghim。Andbythetimethetableswereremoved，theemperorhaddrunksomuchofthebeveragewhichhadpleasedhim，thatneverwillhegetfreeofit。Eachnightwhileasleephewillbeintoxicated;
　　andyetitwillexcitehimsomuchthatthoughasleep，hewilldreamthatheisawake。
　　Nowistheemperormocked。Manybishopsandabbotstherewereatthebenedictionandconsecrationofthebed。Whenitwasbedtimetheemperor，asitbehovedhim，laywithhiswifethatnight。"Asitbehovedhim"——thereinhaveIlied，forheneverembracedortouchedherthoughtheylaytogetherinonebed。Atfirstthemaidentrembles;forgreatlydoesshefearandfeelalarmlestthepotiontakenoeffect。Butithassobewitchedhimthatneverwillhehavehiswillofherorofanothersavewhenasleep。Butthenhewillhavesuchecstasyasonecanhaveindreaming;andyethewillholdthedreamfortrue。InonewordIhavetoldyouall：neverhadheotherdelightofherthanindreams。Thusmustheneedsfareevermoreifhecanleadhisbrideaway;butbeforehecanholdherinsafetyagreatdisaster，Iween，maybefallhim。Forwhenhewillreturnhome，theduke，towhomshewasfirstgiven，willbenolaggard。Thedukehasgatheredagreatforce，andhasoccupiedallthemarches，andhisspiesareatthecourt，andinformhimeachdayofallhewantstoknow，andtellhimallthemeasureshemusttake，andhowlongtheywilltarry，andwhentheywillreturn，throughwhatplaces，andbywhatpasses。Theemperordidnotlongtarryafterthewedding。
　　BlithelyhedepartsfromCologne;andtheemperorofGermanyescortshimwithaverygreatcompanybecausehegreatlyfearsanddreadsthemightoftheDukeofSaxony。
　　ThetwoemperorsproceedandstopnottilltheyreachRatisbon;
　　andononeeveningtheywerelodgedbytheDanubeinthemeadow。
　　TheGreekswereintheirtentsinthemeadowsbesidetheBlackForest。TheSaxonswhowereobservingthemwereencampedoppositethem。Theduke’snephewwasleftallaloneonahilltokeepalook-out，andseewhether，peradventure，hemightgainanyadvantageoverthoseyonderorwreakanymischiefuponthem。
　　>FromhispostofvantagehesawCligesridingwiththreeotherstriplingswhoweretakingtheirpleasure，carryinglancesandshieldsinordertotiltandtodisportthemselves。Nowistheduke’snephewbentonattackingandinjuringthemifeverhecan。
　　Withfivecomradeshesetsout;andthesixhavepostedthemselvessecretlybesidethewoodinavalley，sothattheGreeksneversawthemtilltheyissuedfromthevalley，andtilltheduke’snephewrushesuponCligesandstrikeshim，sothathewoundshimalittleintheregionofthespine。Cligesstoopsandbowshishead，sothatthelanceglancesoffhim;nevertheless，itwoundshimalittle。
　　WhenCligesperceivesthatheiswoundedhehasrusheduponthestripling，andstrikeshimstraightwaywithsuchviolencethathethrustshislancerightthroughhisheartandfellshimdead。
　　ThentheSaxons，whofearhimmightily，alltaketoflightandscatterthroughtheheartoftheforestwhileCliges，whoknowsnotoftheambush，commitsarecklessandfoolishact;forheseparateshimselffromhiscomrades，andpursuesinthatdirectioninwhichtheduke’sforcewas。AndnowallthehostwerepreparingtomakeanattackontheGreeks。Cliges，allalone，withoutaid，pursuesthem;andtheyouthsalldismayedbecauseoftheirlordwhomtheyhavelost，comerunningintotheduke’spresence;and，weeping，recounttohimtheevilhapofhisnephew。Thedukethinksitnolightmatter;byGodandallhissaints，heswearsthatneverinallhislifewillhehavejoyorgoodluckaslongasheshallknowthattheslayerofhisnephewisalive。HesaysthathewhowillbringhimCliges’headshallverilybedeemedhisfriend，andwillgivehimgreatcomfort。
　　ThenaknighthasboastedthattheheadofCligeswillbeofferedtothedukebyhim;letthedukebutrelyonhim。
　　CligespursuestheyouthstillheswoopeddownontheSaxons，andisseenbytheknightwhohasengagedtocarryoffhishead。
　　Straightway，thatknightdepartsandstaysnolonger。ButCligeshasretreatedinordertoeludehisenemies;andhereturnedatfullgallopthitherwherehehadlefthiscomrades。Buthehasfoundnoneofthemthere;fortheyhadreturnedtothetentstorelatetheiradventure。AndtheemperorsummonedGreeksandGermansaliketohorse。Throughallthehostthebaronsspeedilyarmthemselvesandmount。ButtheSaxonknight，allarmed，hisvisorlaced，hascontinuedtopursueCligesatagallop。Cliges，whoneverwishedtohaveaughtincommonwitharecreantorcoward，seeshimcomealone。Firstofalltheknighthasassailedhimwithwords：hestoutlycallshimbasebornfellow，forhecouldnotconcealthemindhehadofhim。"Fellow，"quothhe，"herewiltthouleavetheforfeitformylord，whomthouhastslain。IfIbearnotoffthyheadwithme，thenesteemmenotworthabadByzantinecoin。Iwilltomakethedukeapresentofit，forIwillnotacceptanyotherforfeitinitsstead。SomuchwillIrendertohimforhisnephew;andhewillhavehadagoodexchangeforhim。"CligeshearsthattheSaxonisabusinghimasamadmanandlow-bredfellow。"Man，"quothhe，"nowdefendyourself;forIdefyyoutotakemyhead，andyoushallnothaveitwithoutmyleave。"Forthwiththeoneseekstheother。TheSaxonhasmissedhisstroke;andCligesthrustssohardthathemademanandsteedfallallinaheap。Thesteedfallsbackwardsonhisriderwithsuchviolencethatitcompletelybreaksoneofhislegs。Cligesdismountsonthegreengrassanddisarmshim。
　　Whenhehaddisarmedhim，thenhedonsthearmshimself，andhascutoffhisheadwiththevictim’sownsword。Whenhehadcutoffhishead，hehasfixeditontothepointofhislance;andsaysthathewillpresentittotheduketowhomhisenemyhadvowedtopresentCliges’ownheadifhecouldmeethiminthefight。NosoonerhadCligesplacedthehelmetonhishead，takentheshield，（nothisown，buttheshieldofhimwhohadfoughtwithhim），andnosoonerhadhemountedonthefoeman’shorse，leavinghisownrider-lessinordertodismaytheGreeks，thanhesawmorethanahundredbannersandbattalions，greatandfullyequipped，ofGreeksandGermansmingled。NowwillbeginaveryfierceandcruelmeleebetweentheSaxonsandtheGreeks。AssoonasCligesseesthemcome，hegoesstraighttowardstheSaxons;andtheGreeksexertthemselvestopursuehim;foronaccountofhisarmstheydonotknowhim;andhisuncle，whoseestheheadthatheisbringing，ismarvellouslydiscomfortedthereat。Nowonderisitifhefearsforhisnephew。Thewholehostmustersinhiswake;
　　andCligesletsthempursuehiminordertobeginthemeleetilltheSaxonsperceivehimcoming;butthearmswithwhichheiscladandfurnishedmisleadthemall。Hehasmockedatthemandscornedthem;forthedukeandalltheothersasheadvancedwithhoistedlance，say："Ourknightiscoming！OnthepointofthelancethatheholdsheisbringingtheheadofCliges;andtheGreeksfollowafterhim。Nowtohorsetosuccourhim！"Thentheyallgivethereintotheirhorses;andCligesspurstowardstheSaxons，coveringhimselfbehindhisshieldanddoublinghimselfup，hislanceupright，theheadonitspoint。Notonewhitlesscouragethanalionhadhe，thoughhewasnostrongerthananother。Onbothsidestheybelievethatheisdead——Saxons，andGreeksandGermans——andtheonesideareblithethereat;andtheotherside，grieved;butsoonwillthetruthbeknown。FornowhasCligesnolongerheldhispeace：shouting，hegallopstowardsaSaxon，andstrikeshimwithhisashenlancewiththeheadonit，fullinthebreast，sothathehaslosthisstirrups;andhecallsout，"Barons，strike！IamCligeswhomyouseek。Onnow，boldfreebornknights！Lettherebenocoward，foroursisthefirstshock。Letnocraventasteofsuchadaintydish。"
　　Theemperorgreatlyrejoicedwhenheheardhisnephew，Cliges，whothusaddressesandexhortsthem;rightgladandcomfortedishethereof。Andthedukeisutterlydumfounded;，fornowheknowswellthatheisbetrayedunlesshisforceisthegreater;hebidshismenclosetheirranksandkeeptogether。AndtheGreeks，inclosearray，havenotgonefarfromthem，fornowtheyarespurringandpricking。Onbothsidestheycouchtheirlancesandmeetandreceiveeachotherasitbehovedthemtodoinsuchafight。Atthefirstencounter，theypierceshieldsandshatterlances，cutgirths，breakstirrups;thesteedsstandbereftofthosewhofalluponthefield。Butnomatterwhattheothersdo，Cligesandthedukemeet;theyholdtheirlancescouched;andeachstrikestheotheronhisshieldwithsogreatvalourthatthelances，whichwerestrongandwellwrought，breakintosplinters。Cligeswasaskilfulhorseman：heremaineduprightinhissaddle，neverstumblingnorwavering。Thedukehaslosthissaddle，andinspiteofhimselfhasvoidedthesaddle-bows。
　　Cligesthinkstotakehimandleadhimawaycaptive，andmightilytoilsandstrains;butthestrengthheneededwasnothis。FortheSaxonswereallaround，andtheyrescuetheirdukebyforce。
　　Nevertheless，Cligesleavesthefieldwithoutinjury;withaprize;forheleadsawaytheduke’ssteedwhichwaswhiterthanwoolandwhich，fortheuseofamanofvalour，wasworthallthepossessionsofOctavianofRome：thesteedwasanArabone。GreatjoymanifestGreeksandGermanswhentheyseeCligesmountedonit;fortheyhadseentheworthandtheperfectionoftheArab;
　　buttheydidnotsuspectanambushnorwilltheyeverperceiveittilltheyreceivegreatlosstherefrom。
　　Aspyhascometothedukewithnewsatwhichhehaswaxedfulljoyous。"Duke，"quoththespy，"nomanhasbeenleftinallthetentsoftheGreekswhocandefendhimself。Nowcanthymentakethedaughteroftheemperor，ifthouwilttrustmywords，whilethouseesttheGreeksdesperatelybentonthefightandonthebattle。GivemeahundredofthyknightsandIwillgivethemthylady-love。Byanoldandlonelypath，IwillleadthemsoprudentlythattheyshallnotbeseenormetbySaxonorGermantilltheywillbeabletotakethemaideninhertent，andleadherawaysounhinderedthatneverwillshebedeniedthem。"Thedukeisblitheatthisthing。Hehassentahundredandmorewiseknightswiththespy;andthespyhasledtheminsuchwisethattheytakethemaidenasaprize，norhavetheyspentgreatforcethereon，foreasilyweretheyabletoleadheraway。Whentheyhadtakenhersomedistancefromthetents，theysentherawayattendedbytwelveofthem，nordidtherestaccompanythetwelvefar。Twelveofthemleadawaythemaiden;theothershavetoldthedukethenewsoftheirsuccess。Noughtelsewastherethatthedukehaddesired，andstraightwayhemakesatrucewiththeGreekstillthemorrow。Theyhavegivenandacceptedatruce。Theduke’smenhavereturned;andtheGreekswithoutanydelayreturn，eachonetohistent。ButCligesremainedaloneonahillsothatnoonenoticedhimtillhesawthetwelvecoming，andthedamselwhomtheyweretakingawayatfullspeedandatagallop。
　　Cliges，wholongstogainrenown，forthwithdashesintheirdirection，forhethinkstohimself，andhishearttellshimthatitisnotfornothingtheyarefleeing。Theverymomentthathesawthem，hedashesafterthem;andtheyseehim;buttheythinkandbelieveafoolishthing。"Thedukeisfollowingus，"eachonesays，"letuswaitforhimalittle;forhehasleftthehostunattendedandiscomingafterusveryswiftly。"Thereisnotasingleonewhodoesnotbelievethis。Theyalldesiretogotomeethim;buteachdesirestogoalone。Cligesmustneedsdescendintoagreatvalleybetweentwomountains。Neverwouldhehaverecognisedtheirinsigniaiftheyhadnotcometomeethim，oriftheyhadnotawaitedhim。Sixofthemadvancedtomeethim;butsoonwilltheyhavehadanillmeetingwithhim。Theothersstaywiththemaidenandleadheron，gently，atawalkingpace。Andthesixgoatfullspeed，spurringincessantlythroughthevalley。Hewhohadtheswiftesthorseoutstrippedalltherest，cryingaloud："DukeofSaxony！Godpreservethee！Duke！Wehaveregainedthylady。NowshalltheGreeksnevercarryheroff;forshewillnowbegivenandhandedovertothee。"WhenCligeshasheardthesewordsthattheothercriesout，nosmilehadheinhisheart;ratherisitamarvelthatfrenzydoesnotseizehim。
　　Neverwasanywildbeast：leopardess，ortigress，orlioness，whoseesheryoungtaken，soembittered，andfurious，andlusting，forthefightaswasCligeswhocaresnottoliveifhefailhislady。Ratherwouldhediethannothaveher。Verygreatwrathhasheforthiscalamityandexceedinggreatcouragedoesitgivehim。HespursandprickstheArab;andgoestodealtheblazonedshieldoftheSaxonsuchablowthat——Ilienot——hemadehimfeelthelanceathisheart。ThishasgivenCligesconfidence。Morethanafullacre’smeasurehashespurredandprickedtheArabbeforethesecondhasdrawnnear，fortheycame，onebyone。Theonehasnofearfortheother;forhefightswitheachsinglyandmeetsthemonebyone，norhastheoneaidoftheother。Hemakesanattackonthesecond，whothoughttotellthesupposeddukenewsofCliges’discomfiture，andtorejoicethereatasthefirsthaddone。ButCligesreckslittleofwordsoroflisteningtohisdiscourse。Heproceedstothrusthislanceinhisbodysothatwhenhedrawsitoutagainthebloodgushesout;andhebereaveshisfoeoflifeandspeech。Afterthetwo，hejoinsissuewithathirdwhothinkstofindhimoverjoyedandtogladdenhimwithnewsofhisowndiscomfiture。Hecamespurringagainsthim;butbeforehehasthechancetosayaword，Cligeshasthrusthislanceafathomdeepintohisbody。Tothefourthhegivessuchablowontheneck，thatheleaveshiminaswoononthefield。
　　Afterthefourth，hegallopsagainstthefifth，andthenafterthefifth，againstthesixth。Ofthese，nonestoodhisgroundagainsthim;ratherdoesCligesleavethemallsilentanddumb。
　　Stilllesshashefearedandmoreboldlysoughttherestofthem。
　　Afterthishashenoconcernaboutthesesix。
　　Whenhewasfreefromcareasregardsthese，hegoestomakeapresentofshameandofmisfortunetotherestwhoareescortingthemaiden。Hehasovertakenthem，andattacksthemlikeawolf，whofamishedandfastingrushesonhisprey。Nowseemsittohimthathewasborninagoodhour，sincehecandisplayhischivalryandcouragebeforeherwhoisallhislife。Nowishedeadifhefreehernot;andshe，ontheotherhand，islikewisedead;forsheisgreatlydiscomfortedforhim，butdoesnotknowthatheissonearher。Cliges，withfeutredlance，hasmadeachargewhichpleasedher;andhestrikesoneSaxonandthenanothersothatwithonesinglechargehehasmadethembothbitethedust，andsplintershisashenlance。Thefoemenfallinsuchanguishthattheyhavenopowertoriseagaintohurtormolesthim，fortheyweresorewoundedintheirbodies。Theotherfour，ingreatwrath，goalltogethertostrikeCliges;butheneitherstumblesnortremblesnorhavetheyunhorsedhim。SwiftlyhesnatchesfromthescabbardhisswordofsharpenedSteel;andthatshewhoawaitshislovemayberightgratefultohim，heencounterswithlightningswiftnessaSaxon，andstrikeshimwithhissharpsword，sothathehasseveredfromhistrunk，hisheadandhalfhisneck：notendererpityhadheforhim。Fenice，whowatchesandbeholds，knowsnotthatitisCliges。Fainwouldshethatitwerehe;butbecausethereisdangershesaystoherselfthatshewouldnotwishit。Fortworeasonsisshehisgoodfriend;forshefearshisdeathanddesireshishonour。AndCligesreceivesatthesword’spointthethreewhoofferhimfiercecombat;theypierceandcleavehisshield，buttheycannotgethimintotheirpowerorcleavethelinksofhisshirtofmail。AndnoughtthatCligescanreachstandsfirmbeforehisblow;forhecleavesandbreaksasunderall;hewheelsroundmorequicklythanthetopwhichisurgedonanddrivenbythewhip。
　　Prowessandloveentwinehimandmakehimboldandkeeninfight。
　　HehasdealtsogrievouslywiththeSaxonsthathehaskilledorconqueredthemall，woundedsome，andkilledothers;butheletoneofthemescapebecausetheywereamatch，onefortheother，andsothat，byhim，thedukemightknowhislossandmourn。Butbeforethismanlefthim，heprevaileduponCligestotellhimhisname;andwentforhisparttotellittotheduke，whohadgreatwraththereat。Nowthedukehearsofhismisfortune，andhadgreatgriefandgreatcarethereat。AndCligesleadsawayFenice，whothrillsandtortureshimwiththepangsoflove;butifnowhedoesnothearherconfession，longtimewilllovebeadversetohim;andalsotoherifshe，onherside，issilentandsaynotherwill;fornowinthehearing，oneoftheother，cantheyrevealtheirinmosthearts。Butsomuchdotheyfearrefusalthattheydarenotbetraytheirhearts。Hefearsthatshemightrejecthim;she，onherpart，wouldhavebetrayedherselfifshehadnotfearedrejection。And，nevertheless，theonebetrayshisthoughtstotheotherwiththeeyesiftheycouldonlyhaveknownit。Theyspeakbyglanceswiththeireyes;buttheyaresocravenwiththeirtonguesthatinnowisedaretheyspeakofthelovewhichmastersthem。Ifshedarenotbeginit，itisnomarvel;foramaidenoughttobeasimpleandshycreature。Butwhydoeshewait;andwhydoeshedelay，whoisthoroughlyboldinherbehalf，andhasshowndreadofnonebuther？God！Whencecomesthisfeartohimthathefearsasinglemaiden，weakandtimid，simpleandshy？Atthis，methinks，Iseedogsfleeingbeforethehare，andthefishhuntingthebeaver，thelambthewolf，thedovetheeagle。Sowoulditbeifthevilleinweretofleebeforehishoebywhichhegainshislivelihood，andwithwhichhetoils。Sowoulditbeifthefalconweretofleefromtheduck，andthegerfalconfromtheheron，andthegreatpikefromtheminnow，andifthestagweretochasethelion;sodothingsgotopsy-turvy。Butadesirecomesuponmetogivesomereasonwhyithappenstotruelovers，thatwitandcouragefailthemtoexpresswhattheyhaveintheirthoughtswhentheyhaveleisureandopportunityandtime。
　　YouwhoarebeinginstructedinLove，whofaithfullyupholdthecustomsandritesofhiscourt，andwhoneverbrokehislawwhatevermighthavebefallenyouforyourobedience，tellmeifonecanseeanythingwhichaffordsLove’sdelightbutthatloversshiverandgrowpalethereat。NevershalltherebeamanopposedtomethatIdonotconvinceofthis;forhewhodoesnotgrowpaleandshiverthereat，whodoesnotlosewitandmemorylikeathief，pursuesandseeksthatwhichisnotfittinglyhis。A
　　servantwhodoesnotfearhislord，oughtnottostayinhisretinueorservehim。Hewhodoesnotesteemhislord，doesnotfearhim;andhewhodoesnotesteemhim，doesnotholdhimdear;
　　butratherseekstocheathimandtopilfersomewhatofhisproperty。Forfearoughtaservanttotremblewhenhislordcallshimorsendsforhim。AndhewhocommendshimselftoLovemakesLovehismasterandhislord;anditismeetthathehavehiminReverence;andgreatlyfearandhonourhimifhewishestostandwellwithhiscourt。Lovewithoutfearandwithoutdreadisfirewithoutflameandwithoutheat;daylightwithoutsun;honeycombwithouthoney;summerwithoutflowers;winterwithoutfrost;skywithoutmoon;abookwithoutletters。ThusdoIwishtorefutesuchanopponent;forwherefearislackingthereisnoloveworthmentioning。Itbehoveshimwhowishestolovetofearalso;
　　forifhedoesnothecannotlove;butlethimfearheronlywhomheloves;andinherbehooflethimbethoroughlybold。
　　Therefore，Cligescommitsnofaultorwrongifhefearshislady-love。Butforthisfearhewouldnothavefailedforthwithtohavespokentoherofloveandsoughtherlove，howeverthematterhadhappedifshehadnotbeenhisuncle’swife。Forthiscausehiswoundranklesinhim;anditpainsandgrieveshimthemorebecausehedarenotsaywhatheyearnstosay。
　　Thustheyreturntowardstheircompany;andiftheytalkofanything，therewasintheirtalknothingaboutwhichtheycared。
　　Eachsatonawhitehorse;andtheyrodequicklytowardsthearmywheretherewasgreatlamentation。Throughoutthehosttheyarebesidethemselveswithgrief;buttheyhituponanuntruesayingwhentheysaythatCligesisdead——thereatisthemourningverygreatandloud。AndtheyfearforFenice;theydeemnotthattheywilleverhaveheragain;andbothforherandforhimthewholehostisinverygreatsorrow。Butthesetwowillnotdelaymuchlonger;andthewholestateofmatterswilltakeadifferentappearance;foralreadytheyhavereturnedtothehostandhaveturnedthesorrowintojoy。Joyreturnsandsorrowflies。Theyallcometomeetthemsothatthewholehostassembles。Thetwoemperorstogether，whentheyheardthenewsaboutCligesandaboutthemaiden，gotomeetthemwithverygreatjoy;buteachonelongstohearhowCligeshadfoundandrescuedthelady。
　　Cligestellsthemthetale;andthosewhohearitmarvelgreatlyThereat;andmuchdotheypraisehisprowessandvalour。Butontheothersidetheduke，whoswearsandprotests，isfurious;anddeclaresthatifCligesdaresthereshallbeasinglecombatbetweenthetwoofthem;andthathewillordermattersinsuchwise，thatifCligeswinsthecombat，theemperorshallgoawayinsafety，andtakethemaidenunhindered;butthatifhekillsorconquersCliges，whohasdonehimmanyaninjury，letthereforthisbeneithertrucenorpeacetillaftereachhasdonehisutmost。Thisthedukeessays;andthroughaninterpreterofhis，whoknewGreekandGerman，givesthetwoemperorstoknowthatthushewishestohavethebattle。
　　Themessengerdelivershismessageinoneandtheotherlanguagesowellthatallunderstood。Thewholehostresoundsandisinanuproaraboutit;andmensay，thatnevermayitpleaseGod，thatCligesfightthebattle;andboththeemperorsareinaverygreatalarmthereat;butCligesfallsattheirfeetandpraysthemletitnotgrievethem;butthat，ifeverhehasdoneaughtthathaspleasedthem，hemayhavethisbattleasaguerdonandasareward。Andifitisdeniedhimneverwillheforasingledaybeablessingandanhonourtohisuncle。Theemperor，whoheldhisnephewasdearasdutybadehim，withhishandraiseshimupfromhiskneesandsays："Fairnephew，greatlydoesitgrievemethatIknowyoutobesoweddedtofighting;forafterjoyIexpectsorrowtherefrom。Youhavemademeglad;Icannotdenyit;butmuchitgrievesmetograntthisboonandsendyoutothebattle;forthatIseeyouyettooyoung。AndIknowyoutobeofsuchproudcouragethatinnowisedareIdenyanythingthatitpleaseyoutoask;forknowwellthatitwouldbedonebuttopleaseyou;butifmyprayeravailedaught，neverwouldyoutakeonyouthisburden。""Sire，youarepleadinginvain，"
　　quothCliges，"formayGodconfoundmeifIwouldacceptthewholeworldonconditionthatIdidnotfightthisbattle。IknownotwhyIshouldseekfromyoualongrespiteoralongdelay。"
　　Theemperorweepswithpity，andCliges，onhisside，weepswithjoywhenhegrantshimthebattle。Therehadheweptmanyajoyfultear，norhadhesecureddelay，norlimitoftime，beforeitwasthehourofPrime;byhisownmessengerwasthebattleannouncedtotheduke，justashehaddemandedit。
　　Theduke，whothinksandbelievesandimaginesthatCligeswillnotbeabletodefendhimselfagainsthim，butthathewillsoonhaveslainorconqueredhim，quicklyhashimselfarmed。Cliges，whoislongingforthebattle，thinksthatheneedhavenocareastohowtodefendhimselfagainsttheduke。Heaskstheemperorforarms，andprayshimtodubhimknight;and，ofhisgrace，theemperorgiveshimarmsandCligestakesthem;forhisheartisenamouredofthebattleandmuchdoeshedesireandlongforit。
　　Hehastensfullswiftlytoarmhimself;whenhewasarmedfromheadtofoot，theemperor，whowasfullofanxiety，goestogirdtheswordonhisside。CligesmountsonthewhiteArab，fullyarmed;fromhisneckhehangsbythestrapsashieldmadeofelephant’sbone，suchthatitwillneitherbreaknorsplitnorhaditblazonordevice;thearmourwasallwhite，andthesteedandtheharnesswereallwhiterthananysnow。
　　Cligesandthedukearearmed，andtheonehasannouncedtotheotherthattheywillmeethalf-way，andthat，onbothsides，theirmenshallallbewithoutswordsandwithoutlances，boundbyoathsandtheirwordofhonourthatnever，aslongasthecombatshalllast，willtherebeanysoboldastodaretomoveforanyreason，anymorethanhewoulddaretopluckouthisowneye。Boundbythiscovenanttheyhavemet，andthedelayhasseemedverylongtoeachchampion;foreachthinkstohavethegloryandthejoyofvictory。Butbeforetherewasablowstruck，themaiden，whoismuchconcernedforCliges，hasherselfescortedthither;butonthisisshequiteresolved：thatifhedies，shewilldie。Neverwillanyhopeofconsolationavailtodeterherfromdyingwithhim;forwithouthimlifehasnocharmforher。
　　Whenallhadcomeintothefield，highandlow，youngandhoary，andtheguardsbadbeensetthere，thenhavebothchampionstakentheirlances;andtheymeetinnohalf-heartedway，sothateachbreakshislance，andbothareunhorsedandfailtokeeptheirsaddles。Butquicklyhavetheyrisentotheirfeet，fortheywerenotatallwounded，andagaintheyencounterwithoutdelay。Theyplayamerrytunewiththeirswordsontheresoundinghelms，sothattheirretinueareamazed;anditseemstothosewhowatchthemthatthehelmetsareonfireandablaze。Andwhentheswordsrebound，glowingsparksjetforthasfromred-hotironwhichthesmithhammersontheanvilwhenhedrawsitfromthefurnace。
　　VerylavishareboththewarriorsindealingblowsingreatStore;andeachhasagoodwilltopaybackquicklywhatheborrows;neithertheonenortheotherceasesfrompayingbackcapitalandinterestimmediately，allwithoutcountandwithoutstint。Butthedukecomesoningreatanger，andrightwrothandfuriousishebecausehehasnotquelledandslainCligesatthefirstencounter。Hedealshimagreatblow，marvellousandstrong，suchthatathisfeetCligeshasfallenononeknee。
　　AttheblowwherebyCligesfellwastheemperormuchamazed;hewasnowhitlessbewilderedthanifhehadbeenbehindtheshieldhimself。ThenFenice，somuchwassheamazed，cannolongerrestrainherself，whatevermightcomeofit，fromcrying："God！
　　Aid！"asloudasevershecould。Butshehadcalledoutbutonewordwhen，forthwith，hervoicefailed，andshefellswooning，andwitharmsoutstretchedsothatherfacewasalittlewounded。
　　Twonoblebaronsraisedher，andhaveheldheronherfeettillshehasreturnedtohersenses。Butneverdidanywhosawher，whateverappearanceshepresented，knowwhysheswooned。Neverdidanymanblameherforit;rathertheyhaveallpraisedher;
　　forthereisnotasingleonewhodoesnotbelievethatshewouldhavedonethesameforhissakeifhehadbeeninCliges’place;
　　butinallthisthereisnotruth。Cliges，whenFenicecried，heardandmarkedherrightwell。Thesoundrestoredtohimstrengthandcourage，andbespringsswiftlytohisfeet，andadvancedfuriouslytomeettheduke，andthrustsathim，andpresseshimsothatthedukewasamazedthereat;forhefindshimmoregreedyforcombat，morestrongandagilethanhehadfoundhimbefore，itseemstohim，whentheyfirstencountered。Andbecausehefearshisonsethesaystohim："Knight，somayGodsaveme，Iseetheerightcourageousandvaliant。Butifithadnotbeenformynephew，whomIshallneverforget，willinglywouldIhavemadepeacewiththee，andwouldhavereleasedtheefromthequarrel;forneverwouldIhavemeddledanymoreinthematter。""Duke，"saysCliges，"whatmaybeyourpleasure？Isitnotmeetthathewhocannotmakegoodhisclaimyieldit，oneoftwoevils;whenonehastochoose，oneoughttochoosethelesser。Whenyournephewpickedaquarrelwithme，heactedunwisely。Iwillserveyouinthesameway——beassuredofit——ifIevercan，ifIdonotreceivesubmissionfromyou。"Theduke，towhomitseemsthatCligeswasgrowinginstrengtheverymoment，thinksthatitismuchbetterforhimtostopshorthalf-waybeforeheisaltogetherweariedout。Nevertheless，hedoesnotconfesstohimthetruthquiteopenly，buthesays：
　　"Knight，Iseetheedebonairandagileandofgreatcourage。Butexceedingyoungartthou：forthisreasonIreflect，andIknowofasurety，thatifIconquerandkillthee，nevershouldIwinpraiseoresteemthereby，norshouldIeverseeanymanofvalourinwhosehearingIshoulddaretoconfessthatIhadfoughtwiththee，forIshoulddohonourtotheeandshametomyself。Butifthoseknowstwhathonourmeans，agreathonourwillitbetotheeforeverthatthouhaststoodthygroundagainstme，evenfortwoencountersonly。Nowawishanddesirehascometome，toreleasetheefromthequarrelandnottofightwiththeeanylonger。"
　　"Duke，"quothCliges，"youtalkidly。Youshallsayitaloudinthehearingofall，andnevershallitbetoldorrelatedthatyouhavedonemeakindness，orthatyouhavehadmercyonme。Inthehearingofoneandallofthesewhoarehere，youwillhavetodeclareitifyouwishtomakepeacewithme。"Thedukedeclaresitinthehearingofall。Thushavetheymadepeaceandagreement;butwhatevertheissueofthematter，Cligeshadthehonourandtherenownofit;andtheGreekshadverygreatjoythereof。ButtheSaxonscouldnotmakelightofthematter;forwellhadtheyallseentheirlordexhaustedandworsted;noristhereanyquestionbutthat，ifhehadbeenabletodobetterforhimself，thispeacewouldneverhavebeenmade;ratherwouldhehaverentthesouloutofCliges’bodyifhehadbeenabletodoit。
　　ThedukereturnstoSaxony，grievedanddowncastandAshamed;forofhismen——therearenottwowhodonotholdhimaconqueredman，acraven，andacoward。TheSaxons，withalltheirshame，havereturnedtoSaxony。AndtheGreeksdelaynolonger;theyreturntowardsConstantinoplewithgreatjoyandwithgreatgladness;forwellbyhisprowesshasCligesassuredtothemtheway。NowtheemperorofGermanynofurtherfollowsorattendsthem。AftertakingleaveoftheGreekfolkandofhisdaughterandofCligesandoftheemperor，hehasremainedinGermany;andtheemperoroftheGreeksgoesawayrightgladandrightjoyful。
　　Cliges，thevaliant，thewell-bred，thinksofhisfather’scommand。Ifhisuncletheemperorwillgranthimleave，hewillgotorequestandprayhimtolethimgotoBritaintospeaktohisuncletheking;forhecravestoknowandseehim。Hesetsoutforthepresenceoftheemperor，andbegshimifitpleasehimtolethimgotoBritaintoseehisuncleandhisfriends。
　　Verygentlyhashemadethisrequest;buthisunclerefusesittohimwhenhehasheardandlistenedtothewholeofhisrequestandhisstory。"Fairnephew，"quothhe，"itpleasesmenotthatyoushouldwishtoleaveme。NeverwillIgiveyouthisleaveorthispermissionwithoutgreatgrief;forrightpleasantandconvenientisitthatyoushouldbemypartnerandco-rulerwithmeofallmyempire。"
　　NowthereisnothingwhichpleasesCliges，sincehisuncledenieshimwhatheasksandrequests;andhesays："FairSire，itbecomesmenot，noramIbraveorwiseenoughtobegiventhispartnershipwithyouorwithanothersoastoruleanempire;
　　veryyoungamIandknowbutlittle。Forthisreasonisgoldappliedtothetouchstonebecauseonewishestoknowifitisrealgold。SowishI——thatistheendandsumofit——toassayandprovemyselfwhereIthinktofindthetouchstone。InBritainifIamvaliantIshallbeabletoputmyselftothetouchwiththeWhetstone;andwiththetrueandgenuineassaybywhichIshalltestmyprowess。InBritainarethosevaliantmenofwhomhonourandprowessboast。Andhewhowishestogainhonour，oughttojoinhimselftotheircompany;fortherethehonourresidesandiswonwhichappertainstothemanofvalour。Therefore，Iaskyouthisleave;andknowofasuretythatifyoudonotsendmethitheranddonotgrantmetheboon，thenIshallgowithoutyourleave。""Fairnephew，ratherdoIgiveityoufreelywhenI
　　seeyouthusminded;forIwouldnothavethehearttodetainyoubyforceorbyprayer。NowmayGodgiveyouheartandwilltoreturnsoonsinceneitherprayernorprohibitionnorforcecouldprevailinthematter。Iwouldhaveyoutakewithyouatalentofgoldandofsilver，andhorsestodelightyouwillIgiveyou，allatyourchoice。"NosoonerhadhesaidhiswordthanCligeshasbowedtohim。Allwhatsoevertheemperorhasdevisedandpromisedwasatoncesetbeforehim。Cligestookasmuchwealthandasmanycomradesaspleasedandbehovedhim;butforhisownprivateusehetakesawayfourdifferentsteeds：onewhite，onesorrel，onedun，oneblack。ButIwasabouttopassoveronethingthatmustnotbeomitted。CligesgoestotakeleaveofFenice，hislady-love，andtoaskherleavetodepart;forhewouldfaincommendhertoGod。Hecomesbeforeherandkneelsdown，weeping，sothathemoistenswithhistearsallhistunicandhisermine，andhebendshiseyestotheground;forhedaresnotlookstraightinfrontofhim，justasifhehascommittedsomewrongandcrimetowardsher，andnowshowsbyhismienthathehasshameforit。AndFenice，whobeholdshimtimidlyandshyly，knowsnotwhatmatterbringshim;andshehassaidtohiminsomedistress："Friend，fairsir，rise;sitbymyside;weepnomoreandtellmeyourpleasure。""Lady！WhatshallIsay？Whatconceal？Iseekyourpermissiontodepart。""Depart？Why？"
　　"Lady！ImustgoawaytoBritain。""Tellme，then，onwhatquest，beforeIgiveyoupermission。""Lady，myfather，whenhediedanddepartedthislife，prayedmeonnoaccounttofailtogotoBritainassoonasIshouldbeaknight。FornothingintheworldwouldIneglecthiscommand。ItwillbehovemenottoplaythelaggardasIgothither。ItisaverylongjourneyfromheretoGreece;andifIweretogothitherthejourneyfromConstantinopletoBritainwouldbeverylongforme。ButitismeetthatItakeleaveofyouasbeingtheladywhoseIamwholly。"Manyhiddenandsecretsighsandsobshadhemadeonsettingout;butnoonehadeyessowideopenorsuchgoodhearingastobeabletoperceiveforacertaintyfromhearingorsight，thattherewaslovebetweenthetwain。Cliges，grievousthoughitbetohim，departsassoonasitisallowedhim。Hegoesawaylostinthought;lostinthoughtremainstheemperorandmanyanother;butFeniceisthemostpensiveofall：shediscoversneitherbottomnorboundtothethoughtwithwhichsheisfilled，sogreatlydoesitoverflowandmultiplyinher。FullofthoughtshehascometoGreece：therewassheheldingreathonourasladyandempress;butherheartandspiritarewithCligeswhereverheturns，noreverseeksshethatherheartmayreturntoherunlesshebringitbacktoher，hewhoisdyingofthemaladywithwhichhehasslainher。Andifherecovers，shewillrecover;neverwillhepaydearforitunlessshetoopaydear。Hermaladyappearsinhercomplexion;formuchhasshechangedandpalehasshegrown。Thefresh，clear，purehuethatNaturehadbestowedhaswhollydesertedherface。Oftensheweeps，oftensighs：littlereckssheofherempireandofthewealthshehas。ShehasalwaysinhermemorythehourthatCligesdeparted，thefarewellthathetookofher，howhechangedcountenance，howheblanched，histearsandhismien，forhecametoweepbeforeher，humble，lowly，andonhisknees，asifhemustneedsworshipher。Allthisispleasantandsweetforhertorecallandtoretrace。Thentoprovideherselfwithalusciousmorsel，shetakesonhertongueinlieuofspiceasweetword;
　　andforallGreeceshewouldnotwishthathewhosaidthatwordshould，inthesenseinwhichshetookit，haveintendeddeceit;
　　forshelivesonnootherdaintynordoesaughtelsepleaseher。
　　Thiswordalonesustainsandfeedsherandsoothesforherallhersuffering。Sheseeksnottofeedherselforquenchherthirstwithanyothermeatordrink;forwhenitcametotheparting，Cligessaidthathewas"whollyhers"。Thiswordissosweetandgoodtoher，thatfromthetongueitgoestoherheart;andshestoresitinherheartaswellasinhermouth，thatshemaybethesurerofit。Shedaresnothidethistreasurebehindanyotherlock;andshewouldneverbeabletostoreitelsewheresowellasinherheart。Innowisewillsheevertakeitthencesomuchshefearsthievesandrobbers;butitiswithoutreasonthatthisfearcomestoher;andwithoutreasonthatshefearsbirdsofprey，forthispossessionisimmovable;ratherisitlikeabuildingwhichcannotbedestroyedbyfloodorbyfire，andwhichwillnevermovefromitsplace。Butthissheknowsnot，andhenceshegivesherselfagonyandpaintoseekoutandlearnsomethingonwhichshecanlayhold;forindiversfashionsdoessheexplainit。Sheholdsdebatewithinherself;andmakessuchrepliesasthese："WithwhatintentiondidCligessaytome’Iamwhollyyours’iflovedidnotcausehimtosayit？WithwhatpowerofminecanIswayhim，thatheshouldesteemmesohighlyastomakemehislady？IshenotfairerthanI，ofmuchnoblerbirththanI？Iseenoughtbuthislovethatcanbestowonmethisgift。Frommyowncase，forIcannotevadethescrutiny，I
　　willprove，thatifhehadnotlovedmehewouldneverhavecalledhimselfwhollymine;forjustasIcouldnotbewhollyhis，norcouldinhonoursaysoiflovehadnotdrawnmetohim，soCliges，onhisside，couldnotinanywisehavesaidthathewaswhollymineiflovehashimnotinhisbonds。Forifhelovesmenot，hefearsmenot。Love，whichgivesmewhollytohim，perhaps，giveshimwhollytome;butthisthoughtquitedismaysme，thatthephraseisoneincommonuseandImayeasilybedeceived;formanyamanthereiswhoinflatterysays，eventostrangers：’Iamquiteatyourservice，I，andwhatsoeverI
　　have。’Andsuchmenaremoremockingthanjays。SoIknownotwhattothink;foritmightwellbethatthushespaketoflatterme。ButIsawhimchangecolourandweeprightpiteously。Tomymindhistears，hisshamefacedandcast-downcountenance，didnotcomefromdeceit;nodeceitortrickerywasthere。TheeyesfromwhichIsawthetearsfalldidnotlietome。SignsenowcouldI
　　seethereofloveifIknowaughtofthematter。Yea！IgrantthatevilwasthehourinwhichIthoughtit。EvilwasthehourthatIlearntit，andstoreditinmyheart;foraverygreatmisfortunehashappedtomefromit。Amisfortune？Truly，bymyfaith！Iamdead，sinceIseenothimwhohasflatteredandcajoledmesomuchthathehasrobbedmeofmyheart。Throughhisdeceitandsmoothwords，myheartisquittingitslodgingandwillnotstaywithme，somuchithatesmydwellingandmymanor。
　　Faith！then，hewhohasmyheartinhiskeepinghasdealtillwithme。Hewhorobsmeandtakesawaywhatismine，lovesmenot;Iknowitwell。Iknowit？Whythendidheweep？Why？Itwasnotfornothing，forhehadreasonenow。Ioughttoapplynoughtofittomyselfbecauseaman’ssorrowisverygreatatpartingfromthosewhomhelovesandknows。Imarvelnotthathehadgriefandsorrow，andthatheweptwhenhelefthisacquaintances。ButhewhogavehimthiscounseltogoandstayinBritaincouldhavefoundnobettermeansofwoundingmetotheheart。Onewholoseshisheartiswoundedtotheheart。Hewhodeservessorrowoughttohaveit;butIneverdeservedit。Alas！
　　UnhappythatIam！Why，then，hasCligesslainmewithoutanyfaultofmine？ButinvaindoIreproachhim;forIhavenogroundsforthisreproach。Cligeswouldnever，never，haveforsakenme——Iknowthiswell——ifhishearthadbeeninlikecasewithmine。InlikecaseIthinkitisnot。Andifmyhearthasjoineditselftohisheart，neverwillitleaveit，neverwillhisgowhitherwithoutmine;forminefollowshiminsecretsocloseisthecomradeshipthattheyhaveformed。Buttotellthetruththetwoheartsareverydifferentandcontrary。Howaretheydifferentandcontrary？Hisislord，andmineisslave;andtheslave，evenagainsthisownwill，mustdowhatisforhislord’sgoodandleaveoutofsightallelse。Butwhatmattersittome？Hecaresnoughtformyheartorformyservice。Thisdivisiongrievesmemuch;forthustheoneheartislordofthetwo。Whycannotmine，allalone，availasmuchashiswithhim？
　　Thusthetwowouldhavebeenofequalstrength。Myheartisaprisoner;foritcannotmoveunlesshismoves。Andifhiswandersortarries，mineeverpreparestofollowandgoafterhim。God！
　　WhyarenotourbodiessonearthatIcouldinsomewayhavefetchedmyheartback？Havefetcheditback？Poorfool！IfIweretotakeitfromwhereitislodgedsocomfortably，Imightkillitbysodoing。Letitstaythere。NeverdoIseektoremoveit;
　　ratherdoIwillthatitstaywithitslorduntilpityforitcometohim;forrathertherethanherewillhebeboundtohavemercyonhisservantbecausethetwoheartsareinastrangeland。Ifmyheartknowshowtoserveupflatteryasoneisboundtoserveitupatcourt，itwillberichbeforeitreturns。Hewhowishestobeongoodtermswithhislordandtositbesidehimonhisright，asisnowtheuseandcustom，mustfeigntopluckthefeatherfromhislord’shead，evenwhenthereisnofeatherthere。Buthereweseeaneviltrait：whenheflattershimtohisface，andyethislordhasinhishearteitherbasenessorvillainy，neverwillhebesocourteousastotellhimthetruth;ratherhemakeshimthinkandbelievethatnoonecouldbeamatchforhiminprowessorinknowledge;andthelordthinksthatthecourtieristellingthetruth。Hewhobelievesanotheranentsomequalitywhichhedoesnotpossessknowshimselfill;forevenifheisfaithlessandstubborn，baseandascowardlyasahare，niggardlyandfoolishandmalformed，worthlessindeedsandinwords，yetmanyamanwhomocksathimbehindhisback，extolsandpraiseshimtohisface;thusthenthecourtierpraiseshiminhishearingwhenhespeaksofhimtoanother;andyethepretendsthatthelorddoesnothearwhattheyarespeakingabouttogether，whereasifhereallythoughtthatthelorddidnothear，hewouldneversayaughtwhereathismasterwouldrejoice。Andifhislordwishestolie，heisquitereadywithhisassent;andwhateverhislordsays，heassertstobetrue;neverwillhewhoassociateswithcourtsandlordsbetongue-tied;histonguemustservethemwithfalsehood。Myheartmustneedsdolikewiseifitwishestohavegraceofitslord;
　　letitbeaflattererandcajoler。ButCligesissuchabraveknight，sohandsome，sonoble，andsoloyal，thatneverwillmyheartbelyingorfalse，howevermuchitmaypraisehim;forinhimisnothingthatcanbemended。Therefore，Iwillthatmyheartservehim;forthepeasantsaysinhisproverb：’Hewhocommendshimselftoagoodmanisbaseifhedoesnotbecomebetterinhisservice’。"ThusLoveworksonFenice。Butthistormentisdelighttoher，forshecannotbeweariedbyit。
　　AndCligeshascrossedtheseaandhascometoWallingford。Therehehasdemeanedhimselfinlordlyfashioninafinelodgingatagreatcost，buthethinkseverofFenice;neverdoesheforgetherforanhour。Intheplacewherehesojournsandtarries，hisretinue，ashehadcommanded，haveinquiredandquestionedpersistentlytilltheyheardtoldandrelatedthatthebaronsofKingArthurandtheking，himself，inperson，hadsetonfootatournamentintheplainsbeforeOxfordwhichisnearWallingford。
　　Insuchwisewasthejoustarrangedthatitwastolastfourdays。ButCligeswillbeabletotaketimetoarmhisbodyifhelacksanythingmeanwhile;forthereweremorethanfifteenwholedaystothetournament。HespeedilysendsthreeofhissquirestoLondon，andbidsthembuythreedifferentsetsofarmour：oneblack，anotherred，thethirdgreen;andastheyreturnhebidsthateachsetofarmsbecoveredwithnewcanvas，sothatifanyonemeetsthemonthewayhemaynotknowwhatwillbethehueofthearmswhichtheywillbring。Thesquiresnowsetout，90toLondon，andfindreadyallsuchequipmentastheyseek。Soonhadtheyfinished，soondidtheyreturn;theyhavecomebackassoonastheycould。TheyshowtoCligesthearmsthattheyhadbrought;andhepraisesthemmuch。WiththesethattheemperorgavehimontheDanubewhenhedubbedhimknight，hehasthemstoredawayandhidden。Ifanyonenowweretoaskmewhyhehadthemstoredaway，Iwouldnotanswerhim;forinduetimeitwillbetoldandrelatedtoyou，whenallthehighbaronsofthelandwhowillcometheretogainfamewillbemountedontheirsteeds。
　　Onthedaythatwasdevisedandappointed，thebaronsofrenownassemble。KingArthur，togetherwiththelordswhomhehadchosenfromoutthegoodknights，laybeforeOxford。TowardsWallingfordwentthegreaterpartofhischivalry。ThinknotthatItellyouinordertospinoutmytale：suchandsuchkingswerethere，suchandsuchcounts，andsuchandsuchothers。Whenthebaronsweretomeet，aknightofgreatprowessofKingArthur’speersrodeoutallalonebetweenthetworankstobeginthetourney，aswasthecustomatthattime。Butnonedaresrideforwardtocomeandjoustagainsthim。Thereisnonewhodoesnotstaywhereheis;andyettherearesomewhoask："Whydotheseknightswait？
　　Whydoesnonerideforthfromtheranks？Surelysomeonewillstraightwaybegin。"Andontheothersidetheysay："Seeyenotwhatachampionouradversarieshavesentusfromtheirside？Lethimwhohasnotyetknownitknowthat，ofthefourbravestknown，thisisapillarequaltotherest。""Whoishe，then？"
　　"Seeyehimnot？ItisSagremorstheLawless。""Isithe？"
　　"Truly，withoutdoubt。"Cliges，whohearsandhearkenstothis，satonMorel，andhadarmourblackerthanaripemulberry：hiswholearmourwasblack。HeseparateshimselffromtheothersintherankandspursMorelwhocomesoutoftherow;notoneistherewhoseeshimbutsaystohisneighbour："Thismanrideswellwithfeutredlance;herehaveweaveryskilfulknight;hebearshisarmsintherightfashion;welldoestheshieldathisneckbecomehim。Butonecannotbutholdhimmadasregardsthejousthehasundertakenofhisownaccordagainstoneofthebravestknowninallthisland。Butwhoishe？Ofwhatlandisheanative？Whoknowshim？""NotI！""NorI！""Butnosnowhasfallenonhim！Ratherishisarmourblackerthanmonk’sorpriest’scape。"Thustheyengageingossip;andthetwochampionslettheirhorsesgo;fornolongerdotheydelaybecauserighteagerandaflamearetheyfortheencounterandtheshock。CligesstrikessothathepressesSagremors’shieldtohisarm，andhisarmtohisbody。Sagremorsfallsatfulllength;Cligesactsirreproachably，andmakeshimdeclarehimselfprisoner：Sagremorsgiveshisparole。Nowthefightbegins，andtheychargeinrivalry。Cligeshasrushedtothecombat，andgoesseekingjoustandencounter。Heencountersnoknightwhomhedoesnottakeorlaylow。Onbothsideshewinsthehighestdistinction;forwhereheridestojoust，hebringsthewholetourneytoastandstill。
　　Yethewhogallopsuptojoustwithhimisnotwithoutgreatprowess;buthewinsmorerenownforstandinghisgroundagainstCligesthanfortakingprisoneranotherknight;andifCligesleadshimawaycaptive，yetheenjoysgreatdistinctionformerelydaringtowithstandhiminthejoust。Cligeshasthepraiseanddistinctionofthewholetournament。Andevensecretlyhehasreturnedtohislodgingsothatnoneofthemmightaccosthimaboutonethingoranother。Andincaseanyoneshouldhavesearchmadeforthelodgingmarkedbytheblackarms，helocksthemupinaroomsothattheymayneitherbefoundnorseen;andhehasthegreenarmsopenlydisplayedatthedoor，frontingtheroadsothatthepassersbyshallseethem。Andifanyasksforhimandseekshim，hewillnotknowwherehislodgingwillbe，sincehewillseenosignoftheblackshieldthatheseeks。ThusCligesisinthetownandhideshimselfbysuchadevice。Andthosewhowerehisprisonerswentfromendtoendofthetownaskingfortheblackknight;butnonecouldtellthemwherehewas。AndevenKingArthursendsupanddowntoseekhim;butallsay："Wedidnotseehimafterweleftthetourneyandknownotwhatbecameofhim。"Morethantwentyyouthswhomthekinghassentseekhim;butCligeshassoutterlyblottedouthistracksthattheyfindnosignofhim。KingArthurcrosseshimselfwhenitwasrecountedandtoldhim，thatneithergreatnorsmallisfoundwhocanpointouthisdwellinganymorethanifhewereatQesarea，oratToledo，orinCandia。"Faith！"quothhe，"Iknownotwhattosayinthematter，butImarvelgreatlythereat。Itwasperhapsaghostthathasmovedamongus。Manyaknighthasheoverthrowntoday;andhebearsawaytheparoleofthenoblestmenwhowillnotthisyearseehomeorlandorcountry;andeachofwhomwillhavebrokenhisoath。"Thusthekingspakehispleasurethoughhemightverywellhavekeptsilenceinthematter。
　　Muchhaveallthebaronsspokenthatnightoftheblackknight，fortheyspokeofnoughtelse。Onthemorrowtheyreturnedtoarms，allwithoutsummonsandwithoutentreaty。LancelotoftheLakehasdashedforthtomakethefirstjoust;fornocowardishe;withuprightlanceheawaitsthejoust。Lo！Cliges，greenerthanmeadowgrass，gallopingonadun，long-manedsteed。WhereCligespricksonthetawnysteed，thereisnone，whetherdeckedwithyouth’sluxuriantlocksorbald，whodoesnotbeholdhimwithwonder;andtheysayonbothsides："Thismanisinallrespectsmuchnoblerandmoreskilfulthanheofyesterdaywiththeblackarms，justasthepineisfairerthanthebeech，andthelaurelthantheelder。Butnotyethavewelearnedwhoheofyesterdaywas;butwewilllearnthisverydaywhothisoneis。
　　Ifanyoneknowit，lethimtellus。"Eachsaid："Iknowhimnot，neverdidIseehimbeforetomythinking。ButheisfairerthantheknightofyesterdayandfairerthanLancelotoftheLake。IfhewerearrayedinasackandLancelotinsilverandgold，yetthismanwouldstillbefairer。"ThusallsidewithCliges;andthetwopricktheirsteedsasfastastheycanspurandencounteroneanother。Cligesproceedstodealsuchablowonthegoldenshieldwiththepaintedlion，thathehurlsitsbearerfromthesaddleandfellonhiminordertoreceivehissubmission。
　　Lancelotcouldnotdefendhimselfandhasgivenhisparole。Thenthenoiseandthedinandthecrashoflanceshasbegun。ThosewhowereonCliges’sidehavealltheirtrustinhim;forhewhomhestrikesafterduechallengegivenwillneverbesostrongbutthathemustneedsfallfromhishorsetotheground。Cliges，thisday，wroughtsobravely，andthrewdownandcapturedsomany，thathehaspleasedthoseonhissidetwiceasmuch，andhashadtwiceasmuchpraisefromthemashehadthedaybefore。
　　Wheneveninghascomehehasrepairedtohislodgingasquicklyashecould;andspeedilybidstheredshieldandtheotherarmourbebroughtforth。Heordersthatthearmswhichheborethatdaybestowedaway;thelandlordhascarefullydoneit。LonghavetheknightswhomhehadcapturedsoughthimthatnightAgain;butnonewsdotheyhearofhim。Thegreaterpartofthosewhospeakofhimattheinnslaudandpraisehim。
　　Nextdaytheknightsreturntoarms，alertandstrong。FromthearraybeforeOxfordridesoutaknightofgreatrenown;PercivaltheWelshman，washecalled。AssoonasCligessawhimrideforthandheardthetruthastohisname——forheheardhimcalledPercival——hegreatlylongstoencounterhim。Forthwithhasheriddenforthfromtherankonasorrel，Spanishsteed;andhisarmourwasred。Thenthey，oneandall，regardhimwithgreatwonder，morethantheyeverdidbeforeandsaythatneverbeforedidtheyseesocomelyaknight。Andthetwoprickforwardatonce;fortherewasnodelay。Andtheoneandtheotherspursonsothattheygiveandtakemightyblowsontheirshields。Thelances，whichwereshortandthick，bendandcurve。Inthesightofallwhowerelookingon，CligeshasstruckPercival，sothathesmiteshimdownfromhishorse，andmakeshimgiveparolewithoutmuchfighting，andwithoutgreatado。WhenPercivalhadsubmitted，thentheyhavebegunthetourney;andtheyallencountertogether。Cligesencountersnoknightbuthefellshimtotheground。Onthisdayonecouldnotseehimasinglehourabsentfromthefight。EachforhimselfstrikesablowatCligesasthoughatatower：notmerelytwoorthreestrike，forthenthatwasnottheuseorcustom。Cligeshasmadeananvilofhisshield;forallplaythesmithandhammeruponitandcleaveandquarterit;butnonestrikesuponitbutCligespayshimback，andthrowshimfromhisstirrupsandsaddle;andnoone，exceptamanwhowishedtolie，couldhavesaidonhisdeparturethattheknightwiththeredshieldhadnotwonthatwholeday。Andthebestandmostcourteouswouldfainhavehisacquaintances，butthatcannotbesosoon;forhehasgoneaway，secretly，whenhesawthatthesunhadset;andhehashadhisredshieldandallhisotherarmourtakenaway;andhehasthewhitearmsbroughtinwhichhehadbeennewlyknighted;andthearmsandthesteedwereplacedinfrontofthedoor。Butnowtheybegintoperceive（forthegreaterpartwhospeakofitsayso，andperceiveittobeso），thattheyhaveallbeendiscomfited，andputtoflightbyasingleman，whoeachdaychangeshisoutwardshow，bothhorseandarmour，andseemsanotherthanhimself;theyhavenowforthefirsttimeperceivedit。AndmylordGawainhassaidthatneverbeforedidheseesuchajouster;andbecausehewouldfainhavehisacquaintanceandknowhisname，hesaysthathewillbefirsttomorrowattheencounteroftheknights。Buthemakesnoboast;
　　ratherhesaysthathethinksandbelievesthatCligeswillhavethebestofitandwillwintherenownwhentheystrikewithlances;butwiththesword，perhaps，Cligeswillnotbehismaster;fornevercouldGawainfindhismaster。Nowwillheprovehimselftomorrowonthestrangeknight，whoeverydaydonsdifferentarmourandchangeshorseandharness。Soonhewillbeabirdofmanymoltingsifthusdailyhemakesapracticeoftakingoffhisoldfeathersandputtingonnewones。AndthusGawaintoodoffedhisarmour，andputonother，andthemorrowheseesCligesreturn，whiterthanlily-flower，hisshieldheldbythestrapsbehindit，onhistrusty，white，Arabsteed，ashehaddevisedthenightbefore。Gawain，thevaliant，therenowned，hasnotgonetosleeponthefield;butpricks，andspurs，andadvances，andputsforthallhisutmosteffortstojoustwellifhefindsanywithwhomtojoust。SoonbothwillbeonthefieldforCligeshadnowishtodelay;forhehadheardthemurmurofthosewhosay："ItisGawainwhoisnoweakling，afootoronhorseback。Itishewithwhomnonedarestomeasurehimself。"
　　Cliges，whohearsthewords，chargesintothemiddleofthefieldtowardshim;bothadvanceandencounterwithaspringmoreswiftthanthatofastagwhohearsthebayingofdogsbarkingafterhim。Thelancesstrikeontheshields;andsomightyisthecrashoftheblows，thattotheirveryendstheyshatterintosplinters，andsplit，andgotopieces;andthesaddle-bowsbehind，break;moreover，thesaddle-girthandbreastharnessburst。Theybothalikefalltothegroundandhavedrawntheirnakedswords。Thefolkhavepressedroundtobeholdthebattle。
　　KingArthurcameinfrontofalltoseparateandreconcilethem;
　　buttheyhadbrokenandhewninpiecesthewhitehauberks，andhadcleftthroughandcutuptheshields，andhadfracturedthehelmetsbeforetherewasanytalkofpeace。
　　Thekinghadgazedatthemaslongatimeasitpleasedhim;andsodidmanyoftheotherswhosaidthattheyesteemedthewhiteknightnowhitlessinarmsthanmylordGawain;anduptillnowtheycouldnotsaywhichwasthebetter，whichtheworse，norwhichwouldovercometheotheriftheywereallowedtofighttillthebattlewasfoughtout。Butitdoesnotpleaseorsuitthekingthattheydomorethantheyhavedone。Headvancestopartthemandsaystothem："Withdraw！Ifanotherblowbestruck，itwillbetoyourharm。Butmakepeace。Befriends。FairnephewGawain，Ientreatyou;foritdoesnotbecomeavaliantmantocontinueabattleorfightwherehehasnoquarrelorhatred。Butifthisknightwouldcometomycourttopasshistimewithus，itwouldbenogrievanceorhurttohim。Prayhimtodoso，nephew。""Willingly，Sire。"Cligesseeksnottoexcusehimselffromthis;willinglyheconsentstogothitherwhenthetourneyshallend;fornowhehascarriedouttotheuttermosthisfather’scommand。Andthekingsaysthathecaresnotforatournamentwhichlastslong;wellmaytheystraightwayleaveit。
　　Theknightshavedispersed，forthekingwishesandcommandsit。
　　Cligessendsforallhisarmour，foritbehoveshimtofollowtheking。Withallspeedhemayhave，hecomestothecourt;buthewasattiredwellbeforehandandgarbedaftertheFrenchfashion。
　　Assoonashecametocourteachhastenstomeethim，forneitheronenortheotherremainsbehind;rathertheymanifestthegreatestpossiblejoyandfestivity。Andallthosewhomhehadtakeninthejoustingacclaimhimlord;butitishiswishtodisclaimittoallofthem;andhesays，thatiftheythinkandbelievethatitwashewhotookthem，theyareallabsolvedoftheirpledge。Thereisnotasingleonewhodidnotsay："Itwasyou，wellweknowit。Weprizehighlyyouracquaintance，andmuchoughtwetoloveyou，andesteemyou，andacclaimyou，lord，fornoneofusisamatchforyou。Justasthesunputsoutthelittlestars，sothattheirlightisnotvisibleinthecloudswheretheraysofthesunshineforth，soourdeedspaleandwanebeforeyours;andyetourdeedswerewonttobegreatlyrenownedthroughouttheworld。"Cligesknowsnotwhatreplytomaketothem;foritseemstohimthatoneandallofthempraisehimmorethantheyought。Thoughitisverypleasanttohimyetheisashamedofit。Thebloodrisesintohisface，sothattheyseehimallashamed。Theyescorthimthroughthehall，andhaveledhimbeforetheking;buttheyallceasetoaddresstohimthelanguageofpraiseandflattery。Nowwasitthesethourforeating，andthosewhosebusinessitwas，hastenedtosetthetables。Theyhavesetthetablesinthepalace：somehavetakennapkins，andothersholdbasinsandgivewatertothosewhocome。
　　Allhavewashed;allareseated。ThekinghastakenCligesbythehandandsethimbeforehim;forfainwillheknowthisverydaywhoheis，ifatallhemay。Noneedistheretospeakofthefood，forthedisheswereasplentifulasthoughonecouldhavepurchasedanoxforafarthing。
　　Whenallhadhadtheirmeatanddrink，thenhasthekingnolongerkeptsilence。"Friend，"quothhe，"Iwouldknowifitisfrompridethatyouforboreanddisdainedtocometomycourtassoonasyouenteredthisland，andwhyyouthuswithdrawyourselffromfolkandchangeyourarms。Nowimparttomeyourname，andsayofwhatraceyouareborn。"Cligesreplies："Nevershallitbeconcealed。"Hehastoldandrelatedtothekingwhatsoeverhedemandsfromhim;andwhenthekinghaslearnedhisnamethenheembraceshim;thenherejoicesoverhim;thereisnonewhodoesnotgreethiminclueform。AndmyLordGawainknewhim，who，aboveall，embracesandgreetshim。Allgreethimandfallonhisneck;andallthosewhospeakofhimsaythatheisrightfairandvaliant。Thekingloveshimandhonourshimmorethananyofallhisnephews。