feast, for the comforting of Aucassin his son. Now at the high time of the feast, was Aucassin leaning from a gallery, all woful and discomforted. Whatsoever men might devise of mirth, Aucassin had no joy thereof, nor no desire, for he saw not her that he loved. Then a knight looked on him, and came to him, and said:

   “Aucassin, of that sickness of thine have I been sick, and good counsel will I give thee, if thou wilt hearken to me—”

   “Sir,” said Aucassin, “gramercy, good counsel would I fain hear.”

   “Mount thy horse,” quoth he, “and go take thy pastime in yonder forest, there wilt thou see the good flowers and grass, and hear the sweet birds sing. Perchance thou shalt hear some word, whereby thou shalt be the better.”

   “Sir,” quoth Aucassin, “gramercy, that will I do.”

   He passed out of the hall, and went down the stairs, and came to the stable where his horse was. He let saddle and bridle him, and mounted, and rode forth from the castle, and wandered till he came to the forest, so rode till he came to the fountain and found the shepherds at point of noon. And they had a mantle stretched on the grass, and were eating bread, and making great joy.

    Here one singeth

   :

     There were gathered shepherds all,

     Martin, Esmeric, and Hal,

     Aubrey, Robin, great and small.

     Saith the one, “Good fellows all,

     God keep Aucassin the fair,

     And the maid with yellow hair,

     Bright of brow and eyes of vair.

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