“Not long his step the winding way pursued,
When on his wistful gaze, to him beseems,
The light of distant fire delightful gleams. 
His cheek flash’d crimson as the flame he view’d. 
Half wild with hope and fear, he rushed to find
In these lone woods some glimpse of human kind,
And, ever and anon, at once the ray
Flash’d on his sight, then sunk at once away,
While rose and fell the path as hill and valley wind.” 

          
                                                                WIELAND, Oberon (Sotheby’s tr.).

[Sidenote:  Sherasmin.] Huon at last reached a cave, and found a gigantic old man all covered with hair, which was his sole garment.  After a few moments’ fruitless attempt at conversation in the language of the country, Huon impetuously spoke a few words in his mother tongue.  Imagine his surprise when the uncouth inhabitant of the woods answered him fluently, and when he discovered, after a few rapid questions, that the man was Sherasmin (Gerasmes), an old servant of his father’s!  This old man had escaped from the hands of his Saracen captors, and had taken refuge in these woods, where he had already dwelt many years.  After relating his adventures, Huon entreated Sherasmin to point out the nearest way to Bagdad, and learned with surprise that there were two roads, one very long and comparatively safe, even for an inexperienced traveler, and the other far shorter, but leading through an enchanted forest, where countless dangers awaited the venturesome traveler.

The young knight of course decided to travel along the most perilous way; and, accompanied by Sherasmin, who offered his services as guide, he set out early upon the morrow to continue his quest.  On the fourth day of their journey they saw a Saracen struggling single-handed against a band of Arabs, whom Huon soon put to flight with a few well directed strokes from his mighty sword.

After resting a few moments, Huon bade Sherasmin lead the way into the neighboring forest, although his guide and mentor again strove to dissuade him from crossing it by explaining that the forest was haunted by a goblin who could change men into beasts.  The hero, who was on his way to insult the proudest ruler on earth, was not to be deterred by a goblin; and as Sherasmin still refused to enter first, Huon plunged boldly into the enchanted forest.  Sherasmin followed him reluctantly, finding cause for alarm in the very silence of the dense shade, and timorously glancing from side to side in the gloomy recesses, where strange forms seemed to glide noiselessly about.

“Meanwhile the wand’ring travelers onward go
Unawares within the circuit of a wood,
Whose mazy windings at each step renew’d,
In many a serpent-fold, twin’d to and fro,
So that our pair to lose themselves were fain.” 

          
                                                WIELAND, Oberon (Sotheby’s tr.).