But the Breton folk still hold firmly that Graelent yet liveth with his friend.  His destrier, when he escaped him from the perilous river, grieved greatly for his master’s loss.  He sought again the mighty forest, yet never was at rest by night or day.  No peace might he find, but ever pawed he with his hoofs upon the ground, and neighed so loudly that the noise went through all the country round about.  Many a man coveted so noble a steed, and sought to put bit and bridle in his mouth, yet never might one set hands upon him, for he would not suffer another master.  So each year in its season the forest was filled with the cry and the trouble of this noble horse which might not find its lord.

This adventure of the good steed and of the stout knight, who went to the land of faery with his love, was noised abroad throughout all Brittany, and the Bretons made a Lay thereof which was sung in the ears of many people, and was called a Lay of the Death of Sir Graelent.

XVI

A STORY OF BEYOND THE SEA

In times gone by there lived a Count of Ponthieu, who loved chivalry and the pleasures of the world beyond measure, and moreover was a stout knight and a gallant gentleman.  In the self-same day there lived a Count of St. Pol, who was lord of much land, and a right worthy man.  One grief he had, that there was no heir of his body; but a sister was his, a prudent woman and a passing good gentlewoman, who was dame of Dommare in Ponthieu.  This lady had a son, Thibault by name, who was heir to this County of St. Pol, but he was a poor man so long as his uncle lived.  He was a prudent knight, valiant and skilled with the spear, noble and fair.  Greatly was he loved and honoured of all honest people, for he was of high race and gentle birth.

The Count of Ponthieu, of whom the tale hath spoken, had to wife a very worthy lady.  He and his dame had but one child, a daughter, very good and gracious, who increased with her days in favour and in virtues; and the maid was of some sixteen years.  The third year after her birth her mother died, whereof she was sorely troubled and right heavy.  The Count, her father, took to himself another wife with no long tarrying, a dame of gentle race and breeding.  Of this lady he got him quickly a son; very near was the boy to his father’s heart.  The lad grew with his years in stature and in valour, and gave promise to increase in all good qualities.

The Count of Ponthieu marked my lord Thibault of Dommare.  He summoned the knight to his castle, and made him of his house for guerdon.  When Sir Thibault was of his fellowship he rejoiced greatly, for the Count prospered in goods and in praise by reason of his servant’s deeds.  As they came from a tournament on a day, the Count and my lord Thibault together, the Count required of his companion and said,

“Thibault, by the aid of God tell me truly which jewel of my crown shines the fairest in your eyes!”