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In the name of God I will begin
a fine poem, and I will tell
about love and chivalry
and the noble companionship
shown by two knights,
good warriors of Cornoalha,
who wanted to go around the world
and to seek their adventure.
One of them, God help me,
had the name Blandin de Cornoalha,
and the other was called
Guilhot Ardit de Miramar.
I will tell you at the start
what they did, truly.
They promised to be faithful to each other
and swore by the saints
that they would be loyal
to each other, without treachery.
As soon as they had made this promise,
each one went to get his equipment.
They mounted their good steeds,
each one like a good knight.
They left their lodgings.
Like valiant men, God save me,
they departed and took to the road.
It was a Monday, early in the morning.
They entered the wilderness,
like good and able knights,
seeking their adventures all day long
and talking about their news.
They rode along for a good half a year
without finding any adventure.
But then one day came when
they were going along their road,
and they entered a forest,
like good knights of high rank.
When they had been going for a long time
riding through the woods,
they saw a dog coming,
which came straight up to them.
It moved right in front of them
and went along the path with them.
Then they were astonished
when they found the dog there.
They said, one to the other,
"This is an adventure, without fail!"
Then Blandin said,
"Let's follow it until night,
and see what road it takes
and what adventure it will show."
Then the dog went quickly
through a waterfall,
and there it found a cave
which went led into the ground.
It went inside head first,
and then it couldn't be seen.
When Guilhot Ardit saw this,
he was completely dismayed,
and Blandin had no idea
where the dog had gone.
He said to his companion Guilhot,
"Can you see the dog anywhere?"
Guilhot replied, saying,
"He went into that cave."
Then Blandin said,
"Wait here for me, Guilhot Ardit,
for I certainly want to go
in there to seek adventure.
Wait here for me three days,
but after that don't take any thought for me."
Guilhot replied and said to him,
"As you please, my friend.
Come back whenever you wish,
and you'll find me here!"
So they parted there,
and Blandin entered,
all armed in red armour
and with his other marvellous weapons,
moving ever forward through the darkness,
like a good knight of adventure.
When he had gone for a long time,
he saw a great brightness.
There was a house down there
which had a beautiful gate.
He went up to that gate
and found a porter there
who opened the door for him at once
and said, "Come into this garden,
for here you will find
adventure, if you want it."
Then Blandin entered
and went into that garden.
There inside the garden, he found
much fine amusement, truly.
Beneath a beautiful flowering apple tree;
there in the shade, he fell asleep.
While he was sleeping
and couldn't wake up,
there came along two
marvellously beautiful damsels.
One said to the other, "A handsome knight
is sleeping there under that apple tree.
I pray you, go and wake him,
for if he could win us
from the giant who keeps us here,
we would love him willingly."
Then they came near to
Blandin, and called to him,
"Get up, knight, come forward,
before the giant comes!
He would certainly kill you
if he caught you here!
For he has killed many others
and made them die a miserable death,
because they wanted to win us
and release us by deeds of arms."
As soon as Blandin heard them,
he was struck with love
for them both, for they were beautiful.
He said to them, "Noble damsels,
would you be willing to come with me,
if I am able to win you?"
They replied, "Yes, truly,
and we will do all your bidding!"
While they were talking,
along came the huge giant,
who said, "Who are you, wretch?
How dare you come in here?"
Then he replied to him,
"Surely, my name is Blandin,
and I have come here to win
these damsels, and I want to take them away."
Then the giant was very angry
because Blandin had said this to him.
He raised a huge club,
and said that he would make him yield.
Then Blandin was very angry.
He made a leap to the side
and shook the lance
which he bore with great power
and struck him such a blow to the
middle of the body that it knocked him down.
Then the giant realized that he was wounded,
uttered a great cry, and leapt up.
He rushed toward Blandin
and struck him so hard a blow
that it shattered his shield,
and Blandin fell to the ground.
Then the giant, who was losing blood
and couldn't stop it—
all his body failed him
and he died on the spot.
Both of them had fallen down
for the great battering they had received.
The damsels who were near by
were praying to God on their knees.
They saw the giant die,
and went toward their friend,
Blandin de Cornoalha,
who had done battle for them.
They said to him, "Noble knight,
get up and go through the garden,
for you have killed the giant
and made him die a miserable death.
Remember your love
and noble chivalry!"
When Blandin heard the news
from these noble damsels,
he rose, and took courage
like a good knight of high rank.
He saw the giant stretched out
and went toward him with his broken shield.
He saw that he was still breathing,
so at once he cut off his head.
The damsels felt great joy
when they saw that the giant was dead.
They said to him, "Bold knight,
do as you please with us,
for we will always serve you
and be loyal to you.
I beg you, my lord, rescue us
from here and take us with you."
Blandin quickly replied
"Then let us go, truly.
Outside there is a knight
waiting for me on the path,
and he will be very upset
if he doesn't see his friend coming back."
Blandin took them
by their white hands and went out.
He came toward Guilhot Ardit,
and they found him where he had fallen asleep.
Then Blandin called to him,
"Get up, companion, and get ready to go,
for I've found the adventure
that we were asking for.
Look here, two damsels,
noble and wondrously beautiful!
I won them from a giant
who was full of evil intentions."
Then Guilhot, when he saw them coming,
rose from sleep at once,
and said, "All three of you are welcome,
my companion, so help me God.
I was certainly very fearful
for you when I didn't see you coming.
I was intending to go
inside the cave to look for you.
Rest a while, and let us talk
about where we will go."
Blandin answered, "Let's get ready to leave,
for I don't want to rest.
Take one of them in front of you,
and I'll take the other. Let's be off!"
Guilhot took one damsel
and put her in front on his saddle,
and Blandin did the same
with the other, for she was worthy.
Then through the forest went
the two knights of high rank,
and the two damsels went with them,
riding along in the middle of the road.
Then the day was failing,
and Blandin said,
"What shall we do, Guilhot Ardit?
The day is about to fail
and the night is coming on."
Guilhot replied, "I'll climb
a tree and look around
and try to see some dwelling
where we can take lodgings."
Then he went off
and climbed up in a tree,
and looked up and down
to find some place to stay.
In the distance he saw a castle,
which looked very fine.
He said to his companion Blandin,
"Let's get ready to continue on our way,
For I have seen a castle,
and I've never seen one finer!
Let's get ready to ride quickly,
and leave the wilderness while daylight lasts."
Then they rode quickly
until they left the wilderness behind
and came into a meadow
of fresh grass, which pleased them.
In the middle there was a castle
which was charming and most beautiful.
The damsels, when they saw
the castle, wept
and lamented most bitterly,
both the one and the other, truly.
Blandin, who surely loved
the damsels he was leading,
asked them why they were crying
and why they were mourning like that.
Then the older one answered,
"Why shouldn't we mourn?
That castle used to be ours,
but it was taken from us by force,
and my kinsmen are kept prisoner
with other knights of high rank."
Blandin replied, "Do not cry,
for you will surely get the castle back.
Let us stay here now,
and we'll attack it in the morning."
"By God," they said, "that must not be!
Let's get ready to be on our way.
The one who holds it does not fear
you, my lord, or even a greater man than you!"
Then Blandin asked them,
"Who is it who holds it?"
and they replied, "A very strong giant,
the brother of the one whom you killed."
Blandin replied, "I will not leave
here, surely, until I've seen
if this giant is as strong
as the other brother that I killed.
So let us dismount here,
and we will fight in the morning."
So they dismounted
and amused themselves the middle of the plain.
Guilhot said, "What will we eat?
We have very little food."
Blandin replied, "We will amuse ourselves
joyfully, and we'll talk about love,
and tomorrow we will find some food.
We'll get it freely or by force."
They rested all night long,
until the morning, when they rose.
As soon as they had risen,
they armed themselves at once.
They prepared themselves well
to attack the castle.
Guilhot said, "Willingly
would I fight with that giant,
if, my lord, it would please you
to allow me that honour."
Blandin replied and said to him
at once, "Guilhot Ardit,
if you feel the desire,
you take on the battle."
Then Guilhot quickly
moved toward the castle, truly.
He found the gate open,
and went inside at once.
Once he had entered,
suddenly the gate was closed.
He saw the giant's wife,
full of evil intentions,
who was untying two lions
which were evil and wicked.
The two lions rushed
against Guilhot, and attacked him.
Guilhot, like a valiant man,
defended himself at once.
He struck a blow to one of them
that cut off its head.
He advanced toward the other
and fought it for a long time,
but he couldn't defeat it
no matter what in the world he did.
Finally he pulled himself together
and struck it so great a blow
that it broke one of its legs,
and the lion fell to the ground.
Then the giant who was there
and was watching the battle
saw his lions on the ground,
and began to shout loudly.
Then two giants were coming at him:
I believe they were father and son.
They came toward Guilhot
and began to attack him there.
Guilhot, like a valiant man,
defended himself at once.
He went toward one of them,
and struck him so great a blow
that it broke all his shield
and wounded him grievously.
Then that other giant
who was full of evil intentions
came against Guilhot
and struck him so hard a blow
in the side with a club
that it knocked him to the ground.
Guilhot couldn't get up,
no matter what in the world he did,
because he had received such a battering
that he still wasn't able to rise.
Then the giants captured him
and put him in a strong prison.
One giant said, "You will pay
for the harm you've given me!"
Now Guilhot is a prisoner:
may God help him, for he certainly needs it!
And Blandin, who was waiting
for Guilhot Ardit, who didn't return,
said to the damsels,
"I'm going after Guilhot Ardit,
for I'm afraid that the giant is stronger
and may have killed him.
Watch the horses for me here;
you can do it easily, for they're not bad."
Then the damsels wept
and mourned greatly.
Each one came to kiss him.
Blandin went on his way.
Blandin went very quickly,
brandishing his lance.
He went toward the castle,
and went inside at once.
While he was entering,
a giant was watching him there.
Then he called to his son,
who was named Lionet,
and said to him, "Go over to that man
who is climbing through the castle,
and bar his way
so that you make him turn back."
Then the giant's son went
quickly toward Blandin,
but still, he had hardly started
when Blandin had come in.
And so the two of them met there.
The giant was carrying a club
that weighed more than a hundredweight.
He struck Blandin
such a hard blow that it knocked him down.
Then Blandin, like a valiant man,
got up quickly;
he was very angry.
He went toward him,
brandishing his sword,
and cut off one of his feet, truly.
The giant had lost a foot,
and he fell to the ground.
Than Blandin came up
toward him and was ready to kill him.
The other giant saw his son defeated
and stretched out on the ground.
He rushed toward Blandin,
quite furious, and said to him
"Damn your birth! Now you'll die
for the harm you've given me!"
Then he began a fine battle
with Blandin de Cornoalha.
They struck each other so hard
that they both fell to the ground.
Then they got up quickly,
both the one and the other, truly.
One came against the other;
there you would have seen arms clash!
Now they fought bitterly
with each other, truly.
Guilhot heard the battle
from his prison and said, "Alas,
Blandin, if only I were with you,
so I could help you and you could help me!"
Then he thought
of a way he could go to Blandin.
He rushed like a brute
toward the door of the prison
and pulled it so hard with his arms
that he knocked it to the ground.
Then he went quickly
out of the prison, truly.
He went into a room,
and found plenty of armour there.
Quickly he armed himself,
and went off toward Blandin.
He said to him, "O knight, my friend,
here is Guilhot Ardit!
Take thought for your friendship
and your noble chivalry!"
Then Blandin felt great joy
when he saw Guilhot, and made a leap.
He went toward the giant
and struck him so hard a blow
that it cut all his shield
and made him fall to the ground.
Then the giant truly
got up quickly
and wanted to rush at Blandin.
He found Guilhot in his way,
who struck him a blow with his lance,
right through the middle of his belly.
Then the giant realized that he was wounded,
and he fell to the ground.
He was hardly able to get up
before Blandin came upon him,
and raised against him a dagger
that he carried, of fine steel.
Guilhot came to help him,
and between the two of them they killed him.
Now both the giants are dead,
who were full of evil intentions.
Then they went into the castle,
which was pleasant and beautiful.
Then they called the damsels,
and they came at once.
Needless to say, they felt great joy!
Each one kissed her love.
Then they went about the house,
and looked up and down.
In a prison they found
all their kinsmen,
and they saw their father there
and their brother, Baltassar.
Then they went
to Blandin and said to him,
"My lord, my love, come here
and deliver my friends!"
Then Blandin truly
went to the prison quickly
and rescued all the people there
and delivered them from that pain.
The lord of the castle,
and all their kinsmen with him,
did great honour there
to the two valorous knights.
The two damsels kissed
and embraced all their kinsmen.
They all wept together for the great joy they felt
when they came out of the prison.
Then all together they held
a fine and excellent feast.
When they had finished eating,
at least half a day had passed,
and then Blandin said,
"What shall we do, Guilhot Ardit?
Do you want us to stay here
tonight, until the morning?"
Guilhot replied and said to him,
"Just as you please, my friend."
Then all the kinsmen spoke
and said, "Knights of high rank,
do you want to go away so soon
and not stay any longer?
For love and courtesy,
by God, it must not happen
that you do us such dishonour,
for we would die of sorrow.
Stay a month or two,
as long as you please, my lords.
Take the keys of the castle,
and, if you please, you may be masters of it!"
Blandin replied, "Gentle lords,
please pardon us,
for we cannot remain,
and we must leave.
We are knights of the Orient,
seeking adventure, truly.
We must go search for it
at once in the wilderness;
otherwise we will not be esteemed
or considered good knights.
So rule your own castle,
for by my faith it is most beautiful.
I tell you that you can guard it
in battle against all the world.
And give thanks to God,
for He aided you, not I."
Then the maidens spoke,
in a marvellously charming way.
They heard that they didn't want to remain,
and, sighing, they said,
"Gentle knights of high rank,
whom we love with pure hearts,
why do you wish to leave so soon?
This must not happen, not for anything in the world!
We pray you, gentle lords,
that you remain, for our love,
just for tonight, until the morning,
and then be on your way."
The damsels begged them so much
that they remained that night.
Then, when bright day came,
they got ready to ride.
They went their way toward the Orient,
the two of them together, truly.
They talked, as they went, of the adventure
that had come to them both.
When they were far away from the castle,
they heard the song of a bird
which said to them in its song,
"Gentle lords, go forward,
and you will find a great wilderness.
Go into it quickly,
and when you are near a beautiful pine
that you will find by the road,
one of you should go to the right side,
along a narrow road,
and the other should go on the other side:
and you will find great adventure."
They marvelled
when they heard the bird speaking.
Guilhot said, "Did you hear
what the bird said to you?"
and Blandin replied, "Yes, truly,
and I'm very astonished by it.
But we will certainly go looking
to see if we can find the adventure!
So let's prepare to ride,
and see if we can find it."
They rode very quickly
until they reached the wilderness.
Then they rode quickly
until they had found the pine.
Then good Blandin said,
"Look, Guilhot Ardit, there's the pine!
Now we must take counsel
about what the bird said to us.
Let's have a good talk, if we can,
about how we should proceed now."
They dismounted under the pine,
and held their counsel there.
Blandin said, "What do you think,
and how do you feel, Guilhot Ardit,
about the two roads? You choose
the one you like most,
for we have to go looking
to see if we can find adventure."
Guilhot replied and said to him,
"I am upset about separating
every time we choose to do it.
But since this is what adventure wants,
I will take the wide road.
And I will tell you what we'll do.
If you agree, we'll decide
on a place where we can meet,
so we won't have to search too much."
Blandin replied, "By Saint Thomas,
Guilhot Ardit, that pleases me.
We'll meet by this pine
the day after Saint Martin's day."
Then they embraced
and kissed each other right on the mouth.
Weeping and lamenting, they separated,
each one for the sorrow that they felt.
Blandin took the narrow path,
and Guilhot took the wide road.
Guilhot prepared to ride
quickly, without delay,
and entered the wilderness
like a good and able knight.
The first man he met
was a shepherd who was dining there.
Guilhot asked him,
"Tell me, shepherd, have you something to eat?"
The shepherd replied, "As God has granted it to me,
I do, a quarter of mutton
which one of my brothers sent me,
fine and roasted, if you want some.
You can eat some, if you want,
for by my faith that would make me happy!"
Then Guilhot dismounted
and dined with the shepherd.
While they were dining,
and telling each other their news there,
they saw a messenger coming,
rushing quickly along the road.
He passed in front of them
and didn't say a word to them.
Guilhot stood up
and called to the messenger,
saying, "My friend, come back,
please, and talk with me!"
The messenger called back,
"Gentle lord, let me go,
for I'm in such a hurry
that I can't tell you, not for anything!"
Guilhot replied, "If you're in a hurry,
you'd do better to take it easy.
Tell me your message,
or else I'll make you tell it!"
Then the messenger replied,
"I have come from the Black Knight,
who is strong and able,
and is on guard in the wilderness.
Tomorrow he must fight
with two knights of Cornoalha.
And so, my lord, he has sent me
to his brother Leonet,
to borrow his horse,
since his own, my lord, is not strong enough."
Guilhot said, "Tell me
more, if you please.
Tell me about the Black Knight—
this good warrior, as you tell me—
where can I find him,
for, by my faith, I want to go there."
The messenger replied,
"Noble knight, you
will find him in a wilderness
which is called Claus Cubert.
But I would like to advise you
not to go there for anything!
All those who pass
through the wilderness where he is,
he makes them all languish and
die a miserable death."
"It's nothing to do with you," said Guilhot,
"if he makes me languish or grieve.
Go your way, in the name of God,
for, God willing, this is what I'll do."
Then Guilhot took up his equipment
and bade farewell to the shepherd.
He rode very swiftly
until he found that wilderness,
and entered it courageously,
like a good knight of high rank.
When he had gone along for a long time,
riding through the wilderness,
he found a large garden
where there was fine large pond.
It was covered with a beautiful pavilion
all around on every side.
He marvelled greatly
when he found such a pool there.
While he stood there looking at
this pool and wondering,
he saw coming the knight
the messenger had told him about.
He rode up quickly on a large horse,
covered with fine trappings, truly
and said, "Who are you, knight,
that you dare come into my garden?
Prepare to dismount at once,
and remove all your armour!
By my faith, you'll meet your death
since you have come into my garden!
I'll tear out your liver for sure,
and feed you to my dogs,
my hounds and mastiffs!"
Then Guilhot flared his nostrils,
took the bit in his teeth,
and said, "Who are you, wicked man,
to speak to me so rudely?
I don't care a bit about you,
and I'll destroy your pavilion.
If you want to do anything about it,
get ready for a fight at once.
For I say I will destroy it,
and I will not hold back on your account."
Then he went
and cut away at his pavilion.
Then the Black Knight
who stood guard over the pool
became enraged and furious
when he saw his pavilion destroyed.
He rushed toward him
and struck him such a hard blow
on the flap of his shield
that it cut off two palm's-breadths of it.
Then Guilhot struck him
a blow with his lance, without a lie,
that pierced all his shield,
and wounded him grievously.
They fought like that for half a day,
but neither could defeat the other.
They struck each other so hard
that they fell to the ground,
one here and the other there,
tumbling backwards with their legs entangled.
They both lay weakened
and stunned on the ground,
and couldn't get up
because of the strong strokes they received.
Finally they got up
and returned to the fight.
At the first stroke they gave each other
they broke their swords.
Then they were on an equal footing
and they drew their daggers.
They wounded each other grievously
and both lost a great deal of blood.
Guilhot saw that things were going badly,
for all his blood was flowing out.
Then he took heart,
and stabbed him with his knife
right in the neck,
so that he knocked him to the ground.
Then Guilhot jumped on him,
and ripped off his helmet.
He struck him in the throat,
like a farrier in a forge.
He wounded him in the neck,
but still he wouldn't surrender.
"Surrender," said Guilhot,
"or you're a dead man!"
Then the knight said,
"I am defeated, without a lie!
I pray you, grant me a boon,
since you see that I'm done for!
Give me a little to drink
and by my faith you'll receive grace for it."
Guilhot said, "What shall I give you?
I have no wine or water."
The Black Knight said,
"Give me some water from the pool."
Guilhot replied, "Willingly
will I do that, truly."
Then Guilhot went
and brought him back some water.
But while he was giving him the water,
that knight expired
and died on the spot.
Guilhot was very sad at that,
for he would have preferred him to live,
and he would have granted him mercy.
Then good Guilhot said,
"May God forgive you, for He has the power.
Now I can do no more.
I pray God to grant forgiveness."
Then he took the knight
and threw him in the pool
so that the dogs wouldn't eat him,
or any other animals that came along.
Good Guilhot left there
on his horse at a quick trot.
He went quickly, though he was wounded.
On his journey, he met
a holy hermit, truly,
who received him peacefully.
He took him into his lodgings,
and put him in his own bed.
From what God had given him,
this good man cared for him.
Then he removed his armour
and tended his wounds.
Then the good man said,
"Tell me, noble gentleman,
who has wounded you
and treated you so evilly?"
Guilhot replied and said to him,
"Without a lie, this was done by
a noble, active knight,
all because I passed
through the wilderness where he stood guard.
You can see how he treated me,
but he certainly didn't profit from it!
By my faith, I killed him and put him
in a pond in his garden."
"Thank God!" said the hermit.
"He has been there a good seven years,
guarding the woods and the garden;
he killed many noble knights.
He was a man of great courage
and also from a great family.
And so I warn you, my lord,
that his kinsmen are powerful lords,
and they could do you an outrage
or perhaps do you an injury.
You can be sure that they will find out about it,
and then they'll hunt you down at once.
And so, if you will believe me,
you will not leave my lodgings,
for they will hunt you down
in whatever place they can find you."
Guilhot replied, "If they come looking for me,
they will find me in your house,
for by my faith I will not flee.
I won't leave, no matter how many they are!
I feel such courage
that they won't do me any outrage.
If they do it, we'll fight
and have a battle in the fields.
But, I pray you, would you please
have some food bought for me soon?
Here is silver and gold:
spend it all quickly
so that good Guilhot Ardit
may be healed,
and then they may come boldly,
all those kinsmen, and soon!"
Guilhot Ardit stayed there
until he was cured and healed,
and then one day he took his leave
of the holy hermit with whom he had stayed.
He gave him gold and silver,
and kissed him on the mouth,
for he had served him well
and welcomed him in his lodgings.
The hermit blessed him with the sign of the cross,
and good Guilhot was on his way.
Guilhot went along on his horse,
searching high and low.
He rode all day long,
but didn't find any adventure.
Then, when the next morning came,
he met on his travels
a knight armed in black
who was making a great lamentation
and crying, "Alas! What shall I do?
I will certainly die for sorrow
if I don't find that knight
who killed the good warrior!"
Then Guilhot greeted him
and asked him for news.
He said, "O knight of adventure,
why are you making such a lament?
Are you looking for the knight
who killed the other one at the pool?"
"Yes, truly," he replied.
"I am full of grief about it,
for he killed my brother
and made him suffer a miserable fate.
Therefore I want to find him
and I want to fight with him."
Guilhot replied at once,
"Truly, you have found him,
for I am the one who killed him
in a great battle in the garden."
Then the other knight,
who was the brother of the dead man,
uttered a very great cry:
"Are you the one who killed him?
Get ready to fight at once,
for you cannot escape!
You may be sure that you will die now
for my brother whom you killed!"
Guilhot replied, "I really don't know
if perhaps I will die."
Then they entered
a fine field to fight.
Each one moved toward the other
to strike with their lances.
Guilhot struck him so well
that he pierced him right through.
Then the knight fell
from his horse, completely broken
and unable to say a word,
no matter what Guilhot did.
Guilhot saw that he lay dead,
so he took his lance and went on his way.
He rode quickly
until it was time to eat.
By a fine stream that he found
he dined in a beautiful meadow.
As soon as he had finished,
he mounted his horse,
and saw a large band
of knights in the middle of the road
making a great noise and shouting
"Death! Death to the traitor!"
Guilhot saw so many people
who were charging toward him:
he spurred his good horse
and withdrew off to one side;
Then two knights came
to good Guilhot to demand his surrender.
Guilhot replied angrily,
"I will not do that willingly,
for it is not the way of a good knight
to surrender at the first blow.
But if you want to do me an outrage,
prepare for a battle at once!"
Then the knights said,
"You'll see it soon enough!"
they turned quickly
and went back to their master, truly,
and said to him, "Courteous lord,
he is unwilling to surrender for anything!"
Then the lord commanded
them to go and fight.
Twenty-three of them left there,
who came toward him, threateningly.
And Guilhot, who saw them coming,
spurred his horse and attacked.
He went right through the midst of them,
and knocked two of them to the ground.
He fought like a lion there,
Guilhot Ardit, the good baron,
but he could not prevail against all of them
because of the strong strokes he took.
And so, with his lance in his hand,
he went a short distance off,
and shouted as loud as he could,
"Come against Guilhot one at a time,
and don't be so careful!
It seems that you are afraid!"
Then a knight replied,
a cousin of the first dead man, said
"You know well, truly,
that you have done us great harm,
and so you'll be killed or captured,
if we have any power at all!"
Guilhot saw that they were coming
at him as fast as they could.
He charged once more,
right through the middle, without a lie,
The first man that he met
he killed with a blow from his lance,
but then all the knights
came at him from the back and the front
and said to him, "Surrender, surrender!
If not, you will surely not be spared!"
Guilhot replied, "I have told you
that I will not give up willingly:
if you can take me by force,
you may do with me what you please!"
Then one came up behind him
and seized him around the arms.
Then another came forward and
wounded his horse.
The horse realized it was wounded
and it fell to the ground.
Then Guilhot lost hope
and admitted defeat.
Then they tied him up
and took him to their castle.
They put him in a strong prison
and would grant him no mercy.
Now Guilhot is a captive:
may God help him, for he certainly needs it!
(Meanwhile,) Blandin had left (the pine tree) there
and followed the narrow road.
He went into the woods
like a good knight of high rank.
He went quickly along looking to see
if he could find adventure.
When he had gone for a while
through those woods he had entered
he saw a marvellous damsel,
most marvellously gracious,
who was in a meadow looking after
a white horse, all saddled.
She was singing joyfully,
a song of love, truly.
When Blandin saw the damsel,
he approached her quickly
and greeted her politely.
He asked her for love,
and said, "Damsel of high rank,
how is it that you are in these woods?
And whose is that beautiful horse?
By God, he doesn't guard it very well!
By my faith, it is fine enough
for any young lord to ride."
Then the damsel replied
to Blandin courteously,
and said, "My lord, truly,
I'll tell you this willingly.
I am a maiden from across the sea,
and I am seeking adventure.
I want to eat my dinner,
in this field, with my horse.
If it would please you to eat with me,
by my faith, you would please me greatly.
I have plenty of food
both for myself and for you, truly."
Blandin, when he heard the courteous offer
which the damsel made him,
replied to her courteously,
like a good knight, truly.
"Damsel of high rank," he said,
"I would be insulting you
if I rode on further
without dining with you.
If I didn't accept your invitation
it would surely be a churlish thing to do.
For your love, I will accept,
and I will dine with you."
Then Blandin dismounted
and kept the damsel company.
The damsel set out the meal at once
in the shade of a beautiful willow,
and spread a fine white cloth
before Blandin de Cornoalha.
They began to dine
and to eat their food.
Then Blandin spoke,
and asked the damsel,
saying, "Noble creature,
I pray you to tell me the adventure
which you say you are seeking.
Tell me quickly and freely,
for by my faith I will promise
that I will serve you loyally."
The damsel replied, "I thank you,
my lord, for your offer,
but you cannot help
me seek my adventure.
But let us eat,
and then I will tell you about it."
They ate, freely,
the two of them together, truly,
and when they had eaten,
amusing themselves in the field,
Blandin wanted very much
to sleep, truly.
He said, "Damsel, without a lie,
I have a great desire to sleep a bit.
I pray you, let us rest here
in this meadow, and sleep."
The damsel said, "In the name of God,
yes, for I am also very tired."
Then they went aside
and lay down under a beautiful pine tree.
Good Blandin fell asleep there,
under a pine in a beautiful meadow.
When the damsel saw
that Blandin was fast asleep,
she rose very quietly
and took Blandin's horse.
She mounted it at once,
and rode away quickly,
hastening along the road
with good Blandin's horse
She left him her own in the middle of the meadow,
tied up under a tree.
She returned swiftly,
straight to her house, truly.
When Blandin had slept enough,
he rose most boldly.
He thought he would find the companion
who was with him before,
but he didn't find her, truly,
and so he was greatly surprised.
He looked high and low,
and couldn't see his own horse,
but he saw the damsel's there,
with its saddle on its back.
Then he went to it
and mounted up quickly,
and once he had mounted it
he took it out in the open
to try it out there.
When he saw how well it behaved,
he said, "God help me,
that's one horse lost but another one found!"
Then he galloped off at once,
growing more and more furious,
and swore by his head
that he would celebrate no feast
until he had found his horse
and the woman who took it.
He went into the woods
like a good knight of high rank,
and went quickly along
seeking news of the damsel.
He rode for a good three days,
without finding any adventure.
Then, on the morning of the fourth day,
on the road he met
a squire riding along,
who was weeping profusely
and crying "Wretch! Alas! What shall I do?
I will surely die of sorrow!"
Then Blandin greeted him
and asked him for news.
He asked why he was weeping
and lamenting so much.
Then the squire replied,
"I will tell you, good knight.
You should know, truly,
that my master fought
for an enchanted damsel
who is to be found in this country.
Ten good knights guard her
in a castle which is near by.
Whoever can conquer
those knights in battle,
they say he will have the damsel,
who is most beautiful and gracious.
My master, for love,
and to win prowess and honour,
wanted to fight those knights,
but by my faith he suffered for it!
When he tried to go
inside the castle to fight,
all the knights rose against him
and, my lord, they killed him.
That is why, my lord, I am lamenting
his death, truly."
Blandin de Cornoalha replied,
"Do not weep, God help you,
for a man should allow himself to be comforted
when he sees someone dead.
Rather, do as I tell you.
Please come with me
and show me the castle
and the damsel, if you are able.
Then you will be my servant
and I will be your master.
Truly, I will see to it
that you are satisfied.
If you are willing to do this,
tell me what your name is."
Then the squire replied,
"I will do that most willingly,
and I tell you truly
that I am called Peytavin."
Then they rode quickly
to the castle, truly,
and when they reached the gate
Blandin dismounted from his horse.
He gave orders to Peytavin,
entrusting his horse to him
and saying, "Wait for me
here until morning.
Don't wait for me any longer,
for by then you will have heard some news."
Then Blandin went
to the castle and went inside.
He found the ten knights,
who seemed to be good warriors,
all armed in fine mail,
God help me, like valiant men.
As soon as he tried to enter,
the knights rose up
and said to him, "Get back!
You may not enter here!"
"God help me," answered Blandin,
"my lance and shield won't let me
turn back for anything.
First I'll see how you defend yourselves.
I will surely enter,
and not stop no matter how many you are!"
Then a huge knight
stepped forth first
and advanced toward Blandin.
He struck so hard a blow
to his helmet with his axe
that fire and flames leapt out.
Then Blandin grew angry,
and after the knight had struck him,
he went toward him
and struck him so hard a blow
to the chest with his lance
that it went a palm's-breadth past his spine,
and he fell, stretched out
on the ground, dead on his shield.
Then the other knights
came at him from in front and from behind
and surrounded him completely,
striking him vigorously.
Then Blandin took courage
like a good knight of high rank.
He swung his sword down and struck
a knight, without a lie.
He struck his helmet
so hard that he split his head down to the chin,
and knocked him to the ground,
stretched out dead on his shield.
A very proud and brave knight
came against Blandin
and struck so hard a blow
to his shield with his halberd,
that it cut off two palm's-breadths.
Then Blandin was very angry
when this man hit him,
and he struck him so hard a blow
between the mail and the helmet,
that it cut off his head
and it fell to the ground.
He knocked him to the ground,
stretched out dead on his shield.
Then the lord of this castle
came angrily toward him,
and threatened him, saying
"Now you will surely die,
since you have killed my knights
who were such noble warriors."
Then he tried to strike him
with his lance, without a lie,
but Blandin was on his guard
and parried the blow with his shield.
Then good Blandin
attacked him furiously,
and struck him so hard a blow
that it cut off his legs
and he knocked him to the ground,
stretched out dead on his shield.
Then the other knights
who were coming behind him
saw their lord dead there,
and fell into despair,
and began to weep
and lament greatly.
When Blandin saw that they were weeping
and were so disconsolate,
he went toward them quickly,
and prepared to fight with them.
When the knights saw him coming,
they began to flee,
and they went running
into the castle, truly,
with Blandin, his shield on his arm,
following right behind.
While they were going inside,
they called out together to Blandin,
"Good lord, by our faith,
by God, grant us mercy!
Like good people, we will
follow all your orders."
Blandin replied, "Truly,
I will do that willingly,
if you will promise me by your faith
that you will treat me loyally."
"Truly," they replied,
"we will swear an oath
that we will bear you loyalty
and serve you willingly."
Then they disarmed
and swore by the saints
that they would be loyal to him
and serve him willingly.
Then Blandin took the oath
from all six of them, truly,
and put them all
in a prison that he found.
Then he went quickly
and entered the castle.
He went looking for the damsel,
to see if he could learn anything about her.
While he went looking around
the castle and admiring it,
he found a large garden
and went in at once.
The garden was beautiful,
and filled with leafy trees.
There were many beautiful birds there,
most marvellous and beautiful,
singing sweetly
in their own language, truly.
When Blandin heard them,
at once he wanted to sleep,
for the great pleasure that he felt.
Then he went over
to a tree, and rested there.
While he was there listening
to the birds which were singing
and looking all around,
he saw a handsome young lord
who was lying under an apple tree,
with a sparrow hawk on his hand.
Then Blandin rose
and approached him,
and greeted him courteously,
asking for news,
He said, "My dear young lord,
I pray you, for love, please tell me
if you know of an enchanted damsel
anywhere in this region.
I am seeking her, young man,
and would like to deliver her."
The young lord answered
Blandin courteously
and said to him, "Good knight,
the one you are asking about
is my sister, if you please.
She is inside the palace
and can never come out.
Our father enchanted her
at the time when he lost
all his lands and territories—
that was in a great war.
He left ten knights
to guard her so that no one could enter.
And so I'm very surprised
that you were able to come in
and the knights didn't kill you
and make you die a miserable death."
Blandin de Cornoalha replied,
"I will tell you, God save you!
You must know, truly,
that I fought with them,
and killed four knights
and I hold the six others prisoner.
They would not let me come in
to deliver the damsel."
Then the young lord said,
"Good my lord, are you telling the truth?
Are those knights dead,
who were such evil murderers?"
"Yes," replied Blandin,
"either dead or imprisoned, truly."
Then the young lord fell to his knees
before Blandin's feet
and humbled himself,
weeping and begging,
"Good my lord, do not go away
until you have delivered my sister!"
Blandin answered, "God forbid
that I should do such an improper thing
as to leave this region
before I have freed her!
So prepare to show her to me,
for I want to deliver her."
"Good," said the young lord,
"let us go inside the castle,
and since you want to see her,
my lord, I will show her to you.
But you will have to fight again
if you want to win her.
But I certainly believe
that you are courageous enough,
since you have defeated
the ten evil knights,
and that you will be victorious
and be able to deliver her."
Blandin replied, "Truly, I will deliver her,
or I will die in the struggle!"
Then they went inside,
and the young lord showed Blandin
the damsel in a chamber;
she was charming and beautiful.
She was resplendent with beauty,
so beautiful and charming.
She was stretched out,
all enchanted, on a bed,
and seven damsels were there
most marvellous and beautiful,
serving her night and day
and never leaving her.
When Blandin saw the lady and
how fair and beautiful she was,
he fell so deeply in love with her
that he didn't know what to do.
He said to the young lord,
"Do you know of anything in the castle,
anything at all,
with which she could be delivered?"
The young lord replied,
"Yes, my lord, there is a bird
which is called the white hawk,
and it is in a tower here,
You must win it
if you want to deliver my sister.
And if you want to be victorious,
I will tell you what you have to do.
You will go to the tower, my lord,
and you will find three doors.
At the first door, truly,
you will meet a huge serpent,
and at the second, a dragon,
which is evil and ferocious.
At the third, truly,
there is a great magical Saracen,
and I will tell you what he is like.
His mouth is as big as a hand, or bigger,
and his teeth are as long as boars' tusks,
hard and strong as iron.
He has huge, split nostrils
and very pointed ears.
He is black all over, truly,
and frightening to everyone.
His beard is a yard long,
and he carries a huge club on his shoulder.
You must know
that he can never die
until he has lost a tooth from his jaw.
When he has lost one tooth,
it doesn't matter which one,
he will lose all his power at once.
That is why I tell you to try
to knock a tooth out of his mouth.
Then go into the tower
and you will find the white hawk.
Grab it at once,
for you can do so in safety.
All this you must do
if you want to deliver my sister."
Blandin de Cornoalha replied,
"God help you, my dear young lord,
will you show me those beasts?
For I've flared my nostrils,
young man, because of what you have told me
about that bold Saracen!"
The young lord said, "Most willingly,
my lord, will I do that."
Then they went away
and the young lord showed him
at once to the tower
where the white hawk was.
They parted there
and Blandin went inside.
Like a good knight, Blandin
went through the first door.
When he had gone inside,
he looked off to one side
and saw, on a large flagstone,
the huge serpent, stretching out
as it came out of a ditch.
It was big and fat,
eight or nine yards long
and a good two yards thick.
Then Blandin, most courageously,
went quickly toward the serpent,
and as soon as the serpent saw him
it was ready to attack him.
Its jaws were gaping as it advanced
like some furious thing,
but Blandin was ready,
and struck it such a blow
with his lance in the middle of its jaw
that it went in three palm's breadths or more;
he skewered it firmly,
all turned upside down on the ground.
The serpent wasn't able
to do any damage with its mouth,
but at once it started swelling up
all around Blandin.
Then Blandin valiantly
drew his shining sword
and struck it a blow,
which split open its belly.
The serpent couldn't abide
that game, truly,
but lost its life at once
and lay there destroyed and dead.
Blandin saw that it was dead,
and left it behind the door,
and then he ran straight up to
the second door, truly.
He saw the dragon sound asleep,
just lying in the middle of the floor.
Blandin didn't make a sound,
but just went past and entered.
Good Blandin entered, moving forward
until he found the Saracen.
When he tried to go through,
the Saracen didn't say a word,
but came to attack and assault him
with a huge iron club.
He struck a very hard blow,
but Blandin dodged it
and the club hit the ground
so hard, by St. Cristal,
that all the house shook
at the force of the blow.
Then Blandin vigorously
brandished his sword bravely
and struck him such a blow in the body
that it went a palm's-breadth through his back.
Then the evil Saracen
didn't even seem to be wounded.
Like a madman, he grabbed Blandin's lance
and broke it furiously.
Once more he raised
that heavy club
and rushed furiously
at Blandin the good baron,
and tried to strike him with the club.
But Blandin moved aside
and went to a pillar
which had been knocked to the ground.
Then Blandin, who had no lance,
drew his trusty sword,
and became very angry.
He rushed toward him
and struck him such a hard blow
that it broke his left arm.
Then he hit him again,
and left him deaf and blind.
Then the injured Saracen
fell stunned to the ground.
He had lost a great deal of blood
from the wounds Blandin had given him,
but he could not die,
for he had the power
that he could not ever die
until he had lost a tooth from his jaw.
When Blandin saw that,
he jumped on the Saracen.
Then he remembered the advice
that the young lord had given him.
He drew the knife swiftly,
and remembering what he had heard about the tooth,
he struck him so hard
that he knocked out two molars.
Then the bleeding Saracen
realized that he'd lost a tooth.
All he did was sigh,
and then he died at once.
Blandin took heart
when he saw that he had killed him,
and went inside the tower
and found the white hawk.
He took it gently
on his hand, truly,
and started to go out,
in great joy, needless to say,
because he had found
and captured the hawk.
But when he reached the dragon
which was evil and wicked
he found it standing up, truly,
for it had awakened.
Then Blandin couldn't pass,
no matter what in the world he did,
for the dragon was preventing him
with all its might.
Blandin said, "May God help me,
for my tasks are always increasing.
Now I must fight
if I want to go further!"
He took the hawk
back into the tower
and then rushed furiously
and quickly at the dragon.
With his shining sword,
all glittering and sharp,
he struck it such a blow
that it broke two of its ribs.
Then the dragon, without a lie,
came toward Blandin
and jumped on his neck
and tried to devour him,
but Blandin was ready
and jumped on its back.
I'll tell you what he did:
he drew his knife
and struck it in the neck
so that all its blood flowed out.
Then the dragon, without a lie,
began to die at once.
When Blandin saw it dying,
he took the hawk, and went on his way.
He went into the castle,
and soon found the young lord,
all ready and prepared there,
with the damsels, truly,
who were all waiting there.
They were kneeling and praying to God
to give Blandin the strength and power
to win the white hawk.
Then Blandin said to the young lord,
"Is this the bird
which can deliver your sister?
I couldn't find any other."
Then the young lord said, "Truly,
that's the one, God willing!"
Then they entered the room
and approached the damsel.
When they were beside her,
the young lord spoke eagerly
to Blandin: "Good my lord,
give me the white hawk,
for I have long known
its great power,
and I will quickly cure
my sister, truly."
"You have spoken well," said Blandin,
"here it is, take it!"
Then the young lord
took the white hawk
and I'll tell you what he did.
He took the damsel's hand
and gently put on it
the hawk, truly.
When the damsel felt
the hawk upon her,
at once she came back to life,
and was healed and cured.
She rose to her feet,
and at once began to sigh.
She was most astonished
that she had been delivered.
The young lord said, "Dear sister,
here is a gentle knight
who has come to liberate you
and win you be deeds of arms.
Do not be astonished,
but give him great thanks!"
Now I will tell you
how the damsel acted then.
She went toward Blandin,
and knelt at his feet,
and said to him, "Noble knight,
flower of all good warriors,
I give great thanks
for the service you have done for me.
I pray you, my lord,
for love, as well as I can,
to take this castle
and all power over it.
All my gold and silver
is at your command.
All that I have, if you please,
I pray you to take it all.
And so that I may be able to say
who has come to deliver me,
I, Brianda, ask you
to please tell me your name."
Blandin de Cornoalha replied,
"God help me, Brianda,
at the moment I don't want
your castle, lands, silver
or anything that you possess,
but please, only your love.
You must know, truly,
that I have fallen in love
with you, Brianda, without a lie,
so that I thought I would die for love.
So I do not want your money at all,
but only your love.
And since it pleases you
to know my name,
God protect me, I am called
Blandin de Cornoalha."
Then the damsel replied
most courteously
and said to him, "Charming knight,
my love is surely
yours for ever, without fail,
before anyone else who may want it.
Surely, in all the world there is no lord,
no duke or king or emperor
whom I will love so surely,
and I will show it openly."
Then she rose up
and approached Blandin.
She removed his helmet
and looked at him with a good heart.
She saw that he was fair-skinned and charming,
handsome, courteous and loving,
and began to kiss him
lovingly, needless to say.
Blandin did the same
to Brianda, God help me.
They stayed there a long time,
embracing each other,
and then they left,
in great joy, I need not tell you.
The damsel greeted
her brother, and kissed him,
and then all the damsels,
one by one, all of them.
Now I have told you about the damsel
and what she did.
Then the young lord spoke
to Blandin, the good baron,
and said, "You must be very weary
after all your battles.
If you please, let us go and eat,
for I have had a meal prepared."
"That would please me greatly," said Blandin,
"for by my faith I'm very tired.
But first, I pray you, go
out to the gate and find
Peytavin my squire,
who is guarding my horse.
Would you please invite him in
to dine with us?"
The young lord said, "Most willingly
Will I do that, good knight."
Then the young lord ran at once
to the gate, truly,
and said, "Friend Peytavin,
Lord Blandin has sent me
and he asks you to come inside
at once, without delay."
Then Peytavin came inside
with the young lord, without hesitating.
They stabled the horses
and gave them their oats.
Let us turn to Blandin,
and the young lord and Peytavin.
When they had arrived,
they all went together
into the beautiful garden
where the birds were singing of love.
There were tables spread there,
covered with good food,
and they all sat down
and began to eat,
talking all day long about their news,
Blandin and the damsels.
While they were dining
and telling each other their news
Blandin remembered
the damsel from across the sea,
the one who had taken away
his horse when he was in the meadow,
and said, "Brianda, I will tell you
news about a damsel
who treated me very poorly,
while I was sleeping in a meadow.
You must know, truly,
that she took my horse!
Still, I will not lie,
but will tell you the truth,
she left me another one
that I could ride
and so, to make up for her villainy,
she was rather courteous to me.
But I swore by my head
that I would not celebrate a feast
until I found my horse
and the woman who took it."
Then Brianda truly,
laughed and said,
"Don't be angry, Blandin,
you will find your horse.
You must know, truly,
that the one who took your horse,
I, my lord, sent her
around the world to search
for some noble knight,
a valiant hardy warrior
who could deliver me
and win me by deeds of arms.
That is why she tricked you.
God wanted her to meet you
so that you would go searching for her
and so that you would come and deliver me.
So do not marvel at it any more,
and I pray you, pardon her."
Then Blandin was very happy
and joyful
that Brianda had told him
about the other damsel.
Blandin said, "In truth,
I pardon her willingly.
I tell you, I am very pleased,
since I found you!
I would have searched for her forever,
until I had found her."
When they had said this,
all their dinner was finished.
Then they rose from the table
and they went into the garden,
relaxing most pleasantly,
as I'm sure you can imagine.
Then Blandin spoke,
saying, "Damsel, what can we do
with those wretched knights
that I hold prisoner?
Do you want me to free them,
or, tell me, what should we do?"
Brianda replied at once,
"Set them free quickly,
and let them go away wretchedly
for by my faith they deserve it!"
Then good Blandin
and the young lord and Peytavin
went to the knights
whom they held prisoner
and set them all free.
Blandin order them
to take the four dead knights
outside and bury them.
"In truth," they replied,
"we'll do that willingly."
Then they threw them out of the house
and closed the gate behind them.
Then good Blandin,
and the young lord and Peytavin
returned to the damsels
to play with them in the garden.
They amused themselves
there until mid-day, in the garden.
Then, when day had passed and night came,
Brianda spoke and said,
"My lord Blandin,
I pray you, for love,
let us all go inside the castle,
you and I and the young lord,
for, my lord, I want to show you
all my treasure and possessions."
"That pleases me well," said Blandin,
"let's go in there."
Then all three went in,
and entered a chamber
where Brianda, without a lie,
opened all her coffers.
Then she called Blandin
and there she showed him
all her treasure and her jewels,
which were fine and beautiful.
"Gentle knight," she said,
"I pray you, be so kind
as to take gold and silver,
as much as you want.
By my faith, if you take it,
you will surely make me very happy!"
Blandin de Cornoalha replied
most courteously, God help me,
"Brianda, I have told you
that I do not want your gold and silver
or anything else you possess.
All I want is your love, please,
and I will truly serve you
as long as I live, without a lie!"
Now I have told you about Blandin,
and how he won Brianda,
and next I will tell you
what else he did.
He stayed in the castle
with Brianda and the young lord.
It was a full, entire month
that he didn't leave there.
But when the month had passed,
Blandin took his leave
of Brianda and her brother,
and wanted to depart from the castle.
He had remembered Guilhot,
and their meeting-time was approaching.
Then Brianda began to weep
and to lament greatly,
and said to him, all in tears,
"Noble knight, my love,
now I know, my dear lord,
that you don't really love me.
If you wanted to love me,
you would not want to leave me!"
Blandin replied and said
"Brianda, truly,
I will tell you the truth about
why I must depart.
You must know that in our land
(Guilhot and I agreed)
to search the world for noble battles.
We rode for at least half a year
and found no adventure.
Then one morning
as we went riding along
we quickly entered
a wood in the wilderness,
and there we found an adventure,
most harsh and difficult.
I won't tell you about all that,
but first I want to tell you that
we went forward quickly
riding through the woods.
When we were near a castle
we heard the song of a bird,
which said in its song,
'Gentle lords, go forward,
and you will find a great wilderness.
Go into it quickly,
and when you are near a beautiful pine
that you will find by the road,
one of you should go to the right side,
along a narrow road,
and the other should go on the other side:
and you will find great adventure!'
Then, when we had heard
what that bird said to us,
we rode very quickly
until we found that wilderness.
We went in at once
and proceeded until we found the pine.
There we held counsel about
what that bird had said to us,
and we separated there,
and haven't seen each other since.
We made a covenant
that we would meet, certainly,
there under the pine
the day after St. Martin's Day.
Therefore it is necessary for me to keep
that meeting, without a lie."
Then Brianda replied to Blandin
weeping uncontrollably,
and said to him, "My lord, please
give me at least one thing.
When you have found him,
let me see you both together!"
Blandin replied, "I will surely
return soon, God willing!"
Then he took his leave
of all who were there, truly,
and then he kissed Brianda,
and prepared to ride.
Blandin left there
with Peytavin his squire.
They rode along quickly,
travelling all day long.
They rode for a long time,
not stopping by day or night,
until they were under the pine tree
the day after St. Martin's Day.
They dismounted there
and waited for good Guilhot.
Blandin waited for three days,
but still Guilhot didn't arrive.
When he had waited for him
until the third day had passed,
Blandin began to wonder,
and decided to look for him,
and that he would never return
until he had some news of him.
Good Blandin left there
with Peytavin his squire,
and entered the wilderness
like a good and hardy knight.
When he had ridden through
the wilderness for a long time,
by chance he found
that good man, the shepherd
Guilhot had dined with
the day that he passed that way.
Then Blandin greeted him,
and asked him for news.
He said to him, "God save you, good fellow.
Tell me, may God preserve you from evil,
have you seen a knight,
a good warrior of Cornoalha,
who is called by the name
Guilhot Ardit de Miramar?
I pray you, if you have seen him,
that you tell me, please."
Then the shepherd replied
most courteously to Blandin,
and said, "Truly, my lord,
he passed this way a long time ago,
and he even dined with me
on the day when he passed
Then he went along that road,
and since then, my lord, I haven't seen him."
The Blandin bade him farewell
and rode forward.
He went along the path
with Peytavin his squire.
He searched for good Guilhot
throughout the wilderness with all his might.
When he had gone for a long time
through the wilderness which he had entered,
he came upon the garden
and the beautiful pool
where Guilhot had killed
the strong Black Knight.
He found nothing there,
but rode onward.
He rode for a long time
until he found the hermit
who had healed
his good companion Guilhot Ardit.
Then Blandin greeted him
and asked him for news,
saying, "God save you, good man,
Tell me, may God preserve you from evil,
have you seen a knight,
a good warrior of Cornoalha,
who is called by the name
Guilhot Ardit de Miramar?
I pray you, if you have seen him,
that you tell me without delay."
The hermit replied
to Blandin courteously,
saying, "Truly, my lord,
he passed this way a long time ago,
and, God help me, my lord,
even stayed with me for eight days.
Then he left by that road,
and since then, my lord, I haven't seen him,"
Then Blandin bade him farewell,
and rode on.
Good Blandin left there
with Peytavin his squire,
and went seeking good Guilhot
through the wilderness with all his might.
He rode all that day,
without finding any news.
Then, when the next day came,
he was riding along quickly.
When he had ridden
until past mid-day,
in front of him he saw a castle
that was beautiful and noble.
Down below there was a small clearing
on the edge of a forest.
There were about fifty lodgings
there, both good and bad.
He went into the woods,
and there he dismounted.
And when he had dismounted,
he came up to a man,
and said to him, "God save you, good fellow!
Tell me, may God preserve you from evil,
have you seen a knight,
a good warrior of Cornoalha,
who is called by the name
Guilhot Ardit de Miramar?
I pray you, if you have seen him,
that you tell me without delay.
I am searching for him, my friend,
and I would like very much to find him."
Then the good man replied
to Blandin angrily,
and said, "I have news for you
but it isn't good!
The lord of that castle
and his kinsmen with him
have held that man bound in prison,
for at least two months, truly.
For he, my lord, killed
four strong knights
who were all kinsmen
of that lord, truly.
Therefore, if you trust me, my lord,
don't ask about that man!
If you go asking,
you could meet disaster!"
Then Blandin said to him,
"I pray you, courteous friend,
take me to the castle,
for I would like to speak with him."
"Most willingly," he said,
"will I do that, good knight!"
They left there together
and both went to the castle.
Blandin, God help me,
knocked at the door quickly
and the porter came at once
and said, "Who are you, knight,
and why do you come here so boldly?"
Blandin replied and said to him,
"I am Blandin de Cornoalha.
I pray you, God save you,
to tell the lord of the castle
that I want to speak with him."
Then the porter went inside
and spoke to his master,
and said, "My lord, there is a knight
on horseback outside.
He told me that he would like
you to come and speak to him."
Then the lord came out
to meet Blandin, without a lie.
He greeted him at once
and asked him for news.
He said, "What are you asking,
knight, and what do you want?"
Blandin replied and said,
"I have come here because I have heard
that you have imprisoned
the good warrior Guilhot Ardit.
I want to ask you, please,
to release him to me,
for you have no right to hold him.
And so I pray you, deliver him!"
Then the lord replied
angrily to Blandin,
saying, "Truly I keep
Guilhot Ardit bound and imprisoned,
and no matter how strong you are
you can't have him, not for anything,
unless you fight with me
and defeat me in battle.
I'll make a deal with you:
I will put Guilhot Ardit
at the edge of the battlefield,
most willingly, God help me.
If you can defeat me,
you may take him away boldly."
Then good Blandin
replied to him with great joy
and said to him, "Good knight,
I'll do that most willingly.
I pray you, go arm yourself
and prepare for battle.
By my faith, you'll never say
anything that will please me more!"
The lord went inside
and armed himself quickly.
Then he returned in haste,
bringing Guilhot, without a lie.
They went swiftly into
the middle of the field, truly,
and Blandin did the same,
most valiantly, God help me.
Then they began
at once to fight there.
They rushed at each other
to strike with their lances.
They struck each other so hard
that they both fell to the ground.
Then they jumped up quickly
and struck such hard blows on
each other's shields with their swords,
that they broke the arm-pieces.
Then the lord of the castle
struck him such a hard blow
with his sword on his helmet
that fire and flames leapt out.
Then Blandin valiantly
attacked him quickly.
With his shining sword,
he struck such a hard blow
that it pierced his hauberk
and wounded him grievously.
They fought there so long,
both of them so bitterly,
that they stopped, of necessity,
to recover their strength and their breath.
Once they had caught their breath,
both of them got up
and struck each other so vigorously
with their swords, truly,
that they both fell stunned
and amazed in the middle of the field.
Finally they both got up
and returned at once to the fight.
Then Blandin took heart,
and I will tell you what he did.
He rushed at him quickly
and struck him so bitterly
that he made him fall to the ground,
and wounded him most grievously.
Then the knight,
tried to get up, like a good warrior,
but Blandin was ready
and jumped on him at once.
He quickly pulled off
his helmet from his head, truly.
He said to him, in a loud voice,
"Surrender at once, knight!
If not, you'll certainly die
unless you give up at once!"
Then when he heard
that Blandin was going to kill him,
he surrendered quickly
to Blandin, truly.
Then Blandin had him rise,
and granted him mercy.
God help me, he made him go
into his well-built castle,
and then he took Guilhot Ardit
and then he said to him,
"Guilhot, let's get ready to leave,
quickly, without delay!
We have nothing more to do here!"
Then they took to the road,
and went quickly along,
all three of them, truly.
They went into the wilderness
like noble, active knights.
While they were going along,
riding through the wilderness,
Blandin recounted
to good Guilhot de Miramar
the adventure he found
when he won Lady Brianda.
Then Guilhot Ardit
told and recounted to him
how he was captured by the knights
and how he killed so many good warriors.
Then they rode along
travelling all day long,
and returned to the castle that
belonged to Brianda and the young lord.
When they were near it,
Blandin said to Peytavin,
"Peytavin, get ready to go
straight to the castle at once,
and give a message to Brianda
that I will be with her tonight."
Then Peytavin departed
and went straight to the castle.
He found the young lord
who was relaxing in the castle.
He greeted him at once,
and said to him, "Courteous young lord,
Blandin sends you greetings,
and also Guilhot de Miramar.
Without fail, God help me,
they will soon be with you."
The young lord welcomed him
with great joy, without a lie,
and then he rushed
to Brianda, truly.
He gave her the message
that Blandin would be with her that night.
Then charming Brianda
was happy and joyful
when the young lord and Peytavin
told her the news of Blandin,
and truly she welcomed
Peytavin joyfully.
Then she wanted to go at once
to Blandin without delay.
She had her damsels get ready,
and had saddles put on all the horses,
and then they mounted up quickly
and went to meet him, truly.
As soon as they were out of the castle,
they saw them at once.
Then Brianda, without a lie,
when she saw the knights coming,
spurred her horse at once
and rushed toward him.
Blandin also, God save me,
rushed toward Brianda.
There they greeted each other
with great joy, no need to tell you!
Then they returned, truly,
to the castle, joking and laughing,
and when they were inside
they dismounted at once
and went in all together
to where they were to eat.
The tables were spread
and the food was ready,
and they all sat down
and began to eat.
They ate there, truly,
all together, happily.
When they had eaten enough,
Blandin spoke and said,
"Let everyone prepare to sleep,
and we will rest until it is day.
Tomorrow we will talk
about what we should do."
Then Brianda and her damsels
went to bed at once,
and then Guilhot, Blandin,
the young lord and Peytavin
went into a chamber
and went to bed there.
They slept all night long
until they arose in the morning.
As soon as they had risen,
Blandin and Guilhot went
to the wall of the castle
and there they took counsel.
Then Blandin said,
"What do you advise me, Guilhot Ardit?
Brianda is noble,
charming and modest,
and I love her truly
without any thought of excess.
In my heart, if you please,
I want to take her as my wife.
I would advise you, also,
Guilhot, if you please,
to become engaged to her sister,
and then to take her as your wife.
It's much better for us to get married,
both of us together, since we can."
Then good Guilhot Ardit
replied and said to him,
"If you advise it, Blandin,
it pleases me greatly."
Then Blandin said, "Then let us go
and speak to Brianda about it."
Then they left,
and went to Brianda.
Blandin greeted her,
and took her off to one side,
and said to her, "Brianda, you should know
that I would like it, if you please,
if your sister would take
my companion Guilhot as her husband.
He is a noble knight,
valiant and bold, and a good warrior,
He is also modest, courteous and very loyal,
God help me.
And I pray you, if you please,
that you do the same for me.
I pray you, as humbly
as I can, truly,
that you take me as your husband,
for by my faith, all my delight
will be to serve you forever,
as long as I live, without a lie."
Then Brianda spoke
courteously to Blandin,
and said, "Truly, my lord,
I will do that willingly.
By my faith, there is no one
in all the world, truly,
whom I love as much as you, Blandin,
loyally and honourably.
By my faith, since it pleases you,
I will do it most willingly.
But I pray you, let the young lord
be called to take part in the decision."
The young lord was summoned,
and they spoke to him.
And the young lord, truly,
replied to them courteously,
saying, "My lord, I am most pleased
that you should do this."
They called Yrlanda,
who was Brianda's sister,
and Guilhot was engaged
and married to her publicly.
Blandin did the same
with Brianda, God help me.
And when they were married
and all four of them had sworn,
Blandin said to Brianda
and her sister Lady Yrlanda
that they should invite their kinsmen.
For they wanted, truly,
on the next St. Anthony's Day,
to celebrate their marriage.
After that, he said
to his companion Guilhot Ardit,
"Guilhot, let us announce a tournament
to anyone who wants to joust.
You and I, truly,
will welcome anyone who comes."
No sooner said than done,
and a tournament was announced.
When the day came
that they had chosen for it,
many noble knights came,
and many good squires arrived
to do honour to Lady Brianda
and her sister Lady Yrlanda.
They gave a marvellous feast,
all together, most honourably,
and jousted and tourneyed
for a good fifteen days.
When the tournament was done,
all the foreign knights departed,
and Blandin de Cornoalha
and Guilhot, God help me,
stayed with their wives.
They behaved like good knights:
They didn't want to leave there
and they didn't want to go to war any more.
They behaved like good people,
and God rewarded them well.
Now I have told you
how Blandin and Guilhot Ardit
found good wives
because they acted like good knights.
I pray God to treat you so,
and give you happiness.
Amen.