He has done much, and will do yet
more." Every one is overjoyed at hearing this welcome news. The
news travelled fast, and was noised about, until it was known by
all. Their strength and courage rise, so that they slay many of
those still alive, and apparently because of the example of a
single knight they work greater havoc than because of all the
rest combined. And if it had not been so near evening, all would
have gone away defeated; but night came on so dark that they had
to separate.
(Vv. 2451-2614.) When the battle was over, all the captives
pressed about the knight, grasping his rein on either side, and
thus addressing him: "Welcome, fair sire," and each one adds:
"Sire, for the name of God, do not fail to lodge with me!" What
one says they all repeat, for young and old alike insist that he
must lodge with them, saying: "You will be more comfortably
lodged with me than with any one else." Thus each one addresses
him to his face, and in the desire to capture him, each one drags
him from the rest, until they almost come to blows. Then he
tells them that they are very foolish and silly to struggle so.
"Cease this wrangling among yourselves, for it does no good to me
or you. Instead of quarrelling among ourselves, we ought rather
to lend one another aid.
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