suck the blood
from your veins, and eat your flesh and then gnaw your bones? For my
part, I am bold enough, when I even dare to look and gaze at them. If
you do not take care, they will certainly devour you. Your body will
soon be torn and rent apart, for they will show you no mercy. So take
pity on us now, and stay here in our company! It would be wrong for
you to expose yourself intentionally to such mortal peril." And he,
laughing, replies to them: "Gentlemen, receive my thanks and gratitude
for the concern you feel for me: it comes from your love and kind
hearts. I know full well that you would not like to see any mishap come
to me; but I have faith and confidence in God, that He will protect me
to the end. I fear the bridge and stream no more than I fear this dry
land; so I intend to prepare and make the dangerous attempt to cross.
I would rather die than turn back now." The others have nothing more to
say; but each weeps with pity and heaves a sigh. Meanwhile he prepares,
as best he may, to cross the stream, and he does a very marvellous thing
in removing the armour from his feet and hands. He will be in a sorry
state when he reaches the other side. He is going to support himself
with his bare hands and feet upon the sword, which was sharper than a
scythe, for he had not kept on his feet either sole or upper or hose.
But he felt no fear of wounds upon his hands or feet; he preferred to
maim himself rather than to fall from the bridge and be plunged in
the water from which he could never escape. In accordance with this
determination, he passes over with great pain and agony, being wounded
in the hands, knees, and feet. But even this suffering is sweet to him:
for Love, who conducts and leads him on, assuages and relieves the pain.
Creeping on his hands, feet, and knees, he proceeds until he reaches
the other side. Then he recalls and recollects the two lions which he
thought he had seen from the other side; but, on looking about, he does
not see so much as a lizard or anything else to do him harm. He raises
his hand before his face and looks at his ring, and by this test he
proves that neither of the lions is there which he thought he had seen,
and that he had been enchanted and deceived; for there was not a living
creature there. When those who had remained behind upon the bank saw
that he had safely crossed, their joy was natural; but they do not know
of his injuries. He, however, considers himself fortunate not to