[Sidenote:  Oberon’s warning.] When Huon and Rezia were about to embark at Ascalon, Oberon appeared.  He claimed his chariot, which had brought them thither, and gave the knight a golden and jeweled casket, which contained the teeth of the caliph and a lock of his beard.  One last test of Huon’s loyalty was required, however; for Oberon, at parting, warned him to make no attempt to claim Rezia as his wife until their union had been blessed at Rome by the Pope.

“’And deep, O Huon! grave it in your brain! 
Till good Sylvester, pious father, sheds
Heaven’s holy consecration on your heads,
As brother and as sister chaste remain! 
Oh, may ye not, with inauspicious haste,
The fruit forbidden prematurely taste! 
Know, if ye rashly venture ere the time,
That Oberon, in vengeance of your crime,
Leaves you, without a friend, on life’s deserted waste!’”

          
                                                      WIELAND, Oberon (Sotheby’s tr.).

The first part of the journey was safely accomplished; but when they stopped at Lepanto, on the way, Huon insisted upon his mentor, Sherasmin, taking passage on another vessel, which sailed direct to France, that he might hasten ahead, lay the golden casket at Charlemagne’s feet, and announce Huon’s coming with his Oriental bride.

[Illustration:  HUON AND AMANDA LEAP OVERBOARD.—­Gabriel Max.]

When Sherasmin had reluctantly departed, and they were again on the high seas, Huon expounded the Christian faith to Rezia, who not only was converted, but was also baptized by a priest on board.  He gave her the Christian name of Amanda, in exchange for her pagan name of Rezia or Esclarmonde.  This same priest also consecrated their marriage; and while Huon intended to await the Pope’s blessing ere he claimed Amanda as his wife, his good resolutions were soon forgotten, and the last injunction of Oberon disregarded.

[Sidenote:  Disobedience and punishment.] This disobedience was immediately punished, for a frightful tempest suddenly arose, threatening to destroy the vessel and all on board.  The sailors, full of superstitious fears, cast lots to discover who should be sacrificed to allay the fury of the storm.  When the choice fell upon Huon, Amanda flung herself with him into the tumultuous waves.  As the lovers vanished overboard the storm was suddenly appeased, and, instead of drowning together, Huon and Amanda, by the magic of the ring she wore, drifted to a volcanic island, where they almost perished from hunger and thirst.

Much search among the rocks was finally rewarded by the discovery of some dates, which were particularly welcome, as the lovers had been bitterly deluded by the sight of some apples of Sodom.  The fruit, however, was soon exhausted, and, after untold exertions, Huon made his way over the mountains to a fertile valley, the retreat of Titania, queen of the fairies, who had quarreled with Oberon, and who was waiting here until recalled to fairyland.