Of Aucassin nought know we, But fair Nicolete the free Now in Carthage doth she dwell, There her father loves her well, Who is king of that countrie.
Her a husband hath he found, Paynim lord that serves Mahound!
Ne'er with him the maid will go, For she loves a damoiseau, Aucassin, that ye may know, Swears to God that never mo With a lover will she go Save with him she loveth so In long desire."So speak they, say they, tell they the Tale:
When Aucassin heard Nicolete speak in this wise, he was right joyful, and drew her on one side, and spoke, saying:
"Sweet fair friend, know ye nothing of this Nicolete, of whom ye have thus sung?""Yea, Sir, I know her for the noblest creature, and the most gentle, and the best that ever was born on ground. She is daughter to the King of Carthage that took her there where Aucassin was taken, and brought her into the city of Carthage, till he knew that verily she was his own daughter, whereon he made right great mirth. Anon wished he to give her for her lord one of the greatest kings of all Spain, but she would rather let herself be hanged or burned, than take any lord, how great soever.""Ha! fair sweet friend," quoth the Count Aucassin, "if thou wilt go into that land again, and bid her come and speak to me, I will give thee of my substance, more than thou wouldst dare to ask or take.
And know ye, that for the sake of her, I have no will to take a wife, howsoever high her lineage. So wait I for her, and never will I have a wife, but her only. And if I knew where to find her, no need would I have to seek her.""Sir," quoth she, "if ye promise me that, I will go in quest of her for your sake, and for hers, that I love much."So he sware to her, and anon let give her twenty livres, and she departed from him, and he wept for the sweetness of Nicolete. And when she saw him weeping, she said:
"Sir, trouble not thyself so much withal. For in a little while shall I have brought her into this city, and ye shall see her."When Aucassin heard that, he was right glad thereof. And she departed from him, and went into the city to the house of the Captain's wife, for the Captain her father in God was dead. So she dwelt there, and told all her tale; and the Captain's wife knew her, and knew well that she was Nicolete that she herself had nourished.
Then she let wash and bathe her, and there rested she eight full days. Then took she an herb that was named Eyebright and anointed herself therewith, and was as fair as ever she had been all the days of her life. Then she clothed herself in rich robes of silk whereof the lady had great store, and then sat herself in the chamber on a silken coverlet, and called the lady and bade her go and bring Aucassin her love, and she did even so. And when she came to the Palace she found Aucassin weeping, and making lament for Nicolete his love, for that she delayed so long. And the lady spake unto him and said:
"Aucassin, sorrow no more, but come thou on with me, and I will shew thee the thing in the world that thou lovest best; even Nicolete thy dear love, who from far lands hath come to seek of thee." And Aucassin was right glad.
Here singeth one:
When Aucassin heareth now That his lady bright of brow Dwelleth in his own countrie, Never man was glad as he.
To her castle doth he hie With the lady speedily, Passeth to the chamber high, Findeth Nicolete thereby.
Of her true love found again Never maid was half so fain.
Straight she leaped upon her feet:
When his love he saw at last, Arms about her did he cast, Kissed her often, kissed her sweet Kissed her lips and brows and eyes.
Thus all night do they devise, Even till the morning white.
Then Aucassin wedded her, Made her Lady of Biaucaire.
Many years abode they there, Many years in shade or sun, In great gladness and delight Ne'er hath Aucassin regret Nor his lady Nicolete.
Now my story all is done, Said and sung!
