w, wants her in Heaven
To become the lamp of even.

. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . {57}

Whatsoe'er the fall might be,
Would I were aloft with thee!
Straitly I would kiss thee there.
Though a monarch's son I were,
Yet would you befit me fair,
Sister, sweet friend!"

_Here they speak and tell the story_.

When Nicolette heard Aucassin she came to him, for she was not far off.
She came into the bower, and threw her arms round his neck, and kissed
and caressed him.

"Fair sweet friend, well be you met!"

"And you, fair sweet friend, be you the well met!"

They kissed and caressed each other, and their joy was beautiful.

"Ah, sweet friend!" said Aucassin, "I was but now sore hurt in my
shoulder; and now I feel neither hurt nor pain since I have you!"

She felt about, and found that he had his shoulder out of place. She
plied it so with her white hands, and achieved (as God willed, who loveth
lovers) that it came again into place. And then she took flowers and
fresh grass and green leaves, and bound them on with the lappet of her
smock, and he was quite healed.

"Aucassin," said she, "fair sweet friend, take counsel what you will do!
If your father makes them search this forest to-morrow, and they find
me--whatever may become of you, they will kill me!"

"Certes, fair sweet friend, I should be much grieved at that! But, an I
be able, they shall never have hold of you!"

He mounted on his horse, and took his love in front of him, kissing and
caressing her; and they set out into the open fields.

_Here they sing_.

Aucassin, the boon, the blond,
High-born youth and lover fond,
Rode from out the deep forest;
In his arms his love he pressed,
'Fore him on the saddle-bow;
Kisses her on eyes and brow,
On her mouth and on her chin.
Then to him did she begin:

"Aucassin, fair lover sweet,
To what land are we to fleet?"

"Sweet my sweetheart, what know I?
Nought to me 'tis where we fly,
In greenwood or utter way,
So I am with you alway!"

So they pass by dale and down,
By the burgh and by the town,
At daybreak the sea did reach,
And alighted on the beach
'Longside the strand.

_Here they speak and tell the story_.

Aucassin had alighted, he and his love together, as you have harkened and
heard. He held his horse by the bridle and his love by the hand, and
they began to go along the shore; and they went on till Aucassin descried
some merchants who were in a ship sailing near the shore. H