In her hand she held a whip with which
she belaboured the mule; and in truth no horse could have
galloped so fast as was the pace of the mule. The damsel called
out to the Knight of the Cart: "May God bless thy heart, Sir
Knight, with whatever delights thee most!" And he, who heard her
gladly, says: "May God bless you, damsel, and give you joy and
health!" Then she tells him of her desire. "Knight," she says,
"in urgent need I have come from afar to thee to ask a favour,
for which thou wilt deserve the best guerdon I can make to thee;
and I believe that thou wilt yet have need of my assistance."
And he replies: "Tell me what it is you wish; and if I have it,
you shall have it at once, provided it be not something
extravagant." Then she says: "It is the head of the knight whom
thou hast just defeated; in truth, thou hast never dealt with
such a wicked and faithless man. Thou wilt be committing no sin
or wrong, but rather doing a deed of charity, for he is the
basest creature that ever was or ever shall be." And when he who
had been vanquished hears that she wishes him to be killed, he
says to him: "Don't believe her, for she hates me; but by that
God who was at once Father and Son, and who chose for His mother
her who was His daughter and handmaiden, I beg you to have mercy
upon me!" "Ah, knight!" the maid exclaims, "pay no attention to
what this traitor says! May God give thee all the joy and honour
to which thou dost aspire, and may He give thee good success in
thy undertaking.
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