Aucassin and Nicolette

XXVI

Spoken: Story and Dialogue

When Nicolette heard Aucassin, she went to him, because she was not far away. She went into the hut, threw her arms around his neck, kissed him, held him against her.

"My very dear friend, welcome!"

"And you, my very dear friend, it is good to see you!"

The kissed and embraced: what delicious joy!

"Ah, my dear friend, I just seriously hurt my shoulder, but I feel no pain or agony, because you are with me."

Touching his shoulder on all sides, she found he had dislocated it. She massaged it so well with her white hands, handled it so well, so by the grace of God who favors lovers, she put it back in its place. Then she cut flowers, fresh grass, and green leaves, and tied it on him with a piece of her shift. Thus was he completely healed.

"Aucassin," she said, "my very dear friend, think about what you will do: if your father has this forest searched tomorrow and finds me, I will be killed, whatever may happen to you."

"In truth, my dear friend, I would have been full of despair if that were to happen; but they will never take you if I can help it."

He mounted his horse and placed his friend in front of him, kissed her, and held her against his heart. Thus they came upon the plain.