this harbour, and the ship that lay therein.  Gugemar got him down from his horse upon the shore, and with mighty pain and labour climbed within the ship.  He trusted to find merchantmen and sailors therein, but there was none to guard, and none he saw.  Now within the pavilion was a very rich bed, carved by cunning workmen in the days of King Solomon.  This fair bed was wrought of cypress wood and white ivory, adorned with gold and gems most precious.  Right sweet were the linen cloths upon the bed, and so soft the pillow, that he who lay thereon would sleep, were he sadder than any other in the world.  The counterpane was of purple from the vats of Alexandria, and over all was set a right fair coverlet of cloth of gold.  The pavilion was litten by two great waxen torches, placed in candlesticks of fine gold, decked with jewels worth a lord’s ransom.  So the wounded knight looked on ship and pavilion, bed and candle, and marvelled greatly.  Gugemar sat him down upon the bed for a little, because of the anguish of his wound.  After he had rested a space he got upon his feet, that he might quit the vessel, but he found that for him there was no return.  A gentle wind had filled the sails, and already he was in the open sea.  When Gugemar saw that he was far from land, he was very heavy and sorrowful.  He knew not what to do, by reason of the mightiness of his hurt.  But he must endure the adventure as best he was able; so he prayed to God to take him in His keeping, and in His good pleasure to bring him safe to port, and deliver him from the peril of death.  Then climbing upon the couch, he laid his head upon the pillow, and slept as one dead, until, with vespers, the ship drew to that haven where he might find the healing for his hurt.

Gugemar had come to an ancient city, where the King of that realm held his court and state.  This King was full of years, and was wedded to a dame of high degree.  The lady was of tender age, passing fresh and fair, and sweet of speech to all.  Therefore was the King jealous of his wife beyond all measure.  Such is the wont of age, for much it fears that old and young cannot mate together, and that youth will turn to youth.  This is the death in life of the old.

The castle of this ancient lord had a mighty keep.  Beneath this tower was a right fair orchard, together with a close, shut in by a wall of green marble, very strong and high.  This wall had one only gate, and the door was watched of warders, both night and day.  On the other side of this garden was the sea, so that none might do his errand in the castle therefrom, save in a boat.  To hold his dame in the greater surety, the King had built a bower within the wall; there was no fairer chamber beneath the sun.  The first room was the Queen’s chapel.  Beyond this was the lady’s bedchamber, painted all over with shapes and colours most wonderful to behold.  On one wall might be seen Dame Venus, the goddess of Love, sweetly flushed as when she walked