tidings they pressed heavily upon him, by reason of the grievous love he bore the dame.  She, too, loved him with a woman’s whole heart.  Between the two there was nothing but the purest love and tenderness.  Never by word or deed had they spoiled their friendship.  To speak a little closely together; to give some fond and foolish gift; this was the sum of their love.  In her wish and hope the maiden trusted to hold the knight in her land, and to have him as her lord.  Naught she deemed that he was wedded to a wife beyond the sea.

“Alas,” said Eliduc, “I have loitered too long in this country, and have gone astray.  Here I have set my heart on a maiden, Guillardun, the daughter of the King, and she, on me.  If, now, we part, there is no help that one, or both, of us, must die.  Yet go I must.  My lord requires me by letters, and by the oath of fealty that I have sworn.  My own honour demands that I should return to my wife.  I dare not stay; needs must I go.  I cannot wed my lady, for not a priest in Christendom would make us man and wife.  All things turn to blame.  God, what a tearing asunder will our parting be!  Yet there is one who will ever think me in the right, though I be held in scorn of all.  I will be guided by her wishes, and what she counsels that will I do.  The King, her sire, is troubled no longer by any war.  First, I will go to him, praying that I may return to my own land, for a little, because of the need of my rightful lord.  Then I will seek out the maiden, and show her the whole business.  She will tell me her desire, and I shall act according to her wish.”

The knight hesitated no longer as to the path he should follow.  He went straight to the King, and craved leave to depart.  He told him the story of his lord’s distress, and read, and placed in the King’s hands, the letters calling him back to his home.  When the King had read the writing, and knew that Eliduc purposed to depart, he was passing sad and heavy.  He offered the knight the third part of his kingdom, with all the treasure that he pleased to ask, if he would remain at his side.  He offered these things to the knight—­these, and the gratitude of all his days besides.

“Do not tempt me, sire,” replied the knight.  “My lord is in such deadly peril, and his letters have come so great a way to require me, that go I must to aid him in his need.  When I have ended my task, I will return very gladly, if you care for my services, and with me a goodly company of knights to fight in your quarrels.”

The King thanked Eliduc for his words, and granted him graciously the leave that he demanded.  He gave him, moreover, all the goods of his house; gold and silver, hound and horses, silken cloths, both rich and fair, these he might have at his will.  Eliduc took of them discreetly, according to his need.  Then, very softly, he asked one other gift.  If it pleased the King, right willingly would he say farewell to the princess, before he went.  The King replied