eated to their inn, where Milun related the whole
series of his adventures. The young man listened till the end with
respectful attention; and then exclaimed, "In faith, fair sire, I will
unite you to my mother. I will kill her present husband, and you shall
marry her." This being arranged, they parted for the night. On the next
day they arrived at the sea: embarked; landed in Wales after a short and
pleasant passage; and were proceeding to Milun's castle, when they were
met by a messenger bearing a letter to Milun from his lady, in which she
announced the death of her husband, and requested him to hasten his
return. At this joyful news they hurried on to the lady's castle; and
she had the satisfaction of being for ever united to her lover, at the
same time that she embraced a son every way worthy of his accomplished
parents. On this occasion says the author, "_the ancients_ made a lay
which I have here set down _in writing_, and which I always relate with
fresh pleasure."

FOOTNOTES:

[79] This lay has been translated into English metre, under the
title of "the _Nythingale_." Bibl. Cotton. Calig. A. 11.

[80] Perhaps Milwr, a _warrior_.

* * * * *

No. X.--CHAITIVEL.

There lived formerly, at Nantes in Bretagne, a lady of such exquisite
beauty that no one could behold her with impunity. All the young men of
the town were rivals for her smiles; but four, nearly of the same age,
and of equal birth and accomplishments, soon eclipsed all the rest of
the competitors. Each of these four deserved, and obtained, a place in
her affections; but their merits were so equal that she was unable to
make a choice. At tournaments she sent to all some mark of distinction;
a ring, a scarf, a pennant, or other ornament; and all ascribed to her,
as mistress of their actions, the exploits they had the good fortune to
perform. It happened once, that Nantes was appointed for the celebration
of a tournament at the Easter festival. The four knights set out to meet
the foreign ones, and proposed to joust with an equal number: the offer
was accepted, and the contest ended to the advantage of the town. On the
following day the four young lovers still further distinguished
themselves; but the spectacle at length degenerated, as was frequently
the case, into a real combat, in which three out of the four were
accidentally slain, and the fourth dangerously wounded. They were
brought back to the lady, who cause