\"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。