ast all the horses were killed except
Bayard, and Rinaldo said to his brothers, "Bayard must die, for we have
nothing else to eat." So they went to the stable and brought out Bayard
to kill him. But Alardo said, "Brother, let Bayard live a little
longer; who knows what God may do for us?"

Bayard heard these words, and understood them as if he was a man, and
fell on his knees, as if he would beg for mercy. When Rinaldo saw the
distress of his horse his heart failed him, and he let him live.

Just at this time Aya, Rinaldo's mother, who was the sister of the
Emperor, came to the camp, attended by knights and ladies, to intercede
for her sons. She fell on her knees before the king, and besought him
that he would pardon Rinaldo and his brothers: and all the peers and
knights took her side, and entreated the king to grant her prayer. Then
said the king, "Dear sister, you act the part of a good mother, and I
respect your tender heart, and yield to your entreaties. I will spare
your sons their lives if they submit implicitly to my will."

When Charlot heard this he approached the king and whispered in his
ear. And the king turned to his sister and said, "Charlot must have
Bayard, because I have given the horse to him. Now go, my sister, and
tell Rinaldo what I have said."

When the Lady Aya heard these words she was delighted, thanked God in
her heart, and said, "Worthy king and brother, I will do as you bid
me." So she went into the castle, where her sons received her most
joyfully and affectionately, and she told them the king's offer. Then
Alardo said, "Brother, I would rather have the king's enmity than give
Bayard to Charlot, for I believe he will kill him." Likewise said all
the brothers. When Rinaldo heard them he said, "Dear brothers, if we
may win our forgiveness by giving up the horse, so be it. Let us make
our peace, for we cannot stand against the king's power." Then he went
to his mother, and told her they would give the horse to Charlot, and
more, too, if the king would pardon them, and forgive all that they had
done against his crown and dignity. The lady returned to Charles and
told him the answer of her sons.

When the peace was thus made between the king and the sons of Aymon,
the brothers came forth from the castle, bringing Bayard with them,
and, falling at the king's feet, begged his forgiveness. The king bade
them rise, and received them into favor in the sight of all his noble
knights and counsello