" "God grant that you find something," he said, agreeing to
this plan; "I have plenty of rope in here, which the rascals gave
me to pull up my food--hard barley bread and dirty water, which
sicken my stomach and heart." Then the daughter of Bademagu
sought and found a strong, stout, sharp pick, which she handed to
him. He pounded, and hammered and struck and dug,
notwithstanding the pain it caused him, until he could get out
comfortably. Now he is greatly relieved and glad, you may be
sure, to be out Of prison and to get away from the place where he
has been so long confined. Now he is at large in the open air.
You may be sure that he would not go back again, were some one to
gather in a pile and give to him all the gold there is scattered
in the world.
(Vv. 6657-6728.) Behold Lancelot now released, but so feeble
that he staggered from his weakness and disability. Gently,
without hurting him, she sets him before her on her mule, and
then they ride off rapidly. But the damsel purposely avoids the
beaten track, that they may not be seen, and proceeds by a hidden
path; for if she had travelled openly, doubtless some one would
have recognised them and done them harm, and she would not have
wished that to happen. So she avoided the dangerous places and
came to a mansion where she often makes her sojourn because of
its beauty and charm.
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