Through the deep forest swift they pass, Through woods and thickets wild; When down within a lonely dell They found a new-born child; All in a scarlet kercher laid A golden mantle wrapt him round, The sudden sight surprised them all; At length the king himself drew near, The pretty babe look'd up and smiled, "Now, by the rood," King Pepin says, "This child is passing fair: I wot he is of gentle blood; Perhaps some Prince's heir. "Go bear him home unto my court With all the care ye may: Let him be christen'd Valentine, In honour of this day: "And look me out some cunning nurse; Well nurtured let him be; Nor aught be wanting that becomes They look'd him out a cunning nurse; Thus grew the little Valentine, And show'd in all he spake or did E But chief in gallant feates of arms That ere he grew to man's estate, And now the early down began "A boon, a boon, my gracious liege, I beg a boon of thee! The first adventure that befalls, "The first adventure shall be thine," Nor many days, when lo, there came "Help, gracious lord," they weeping said, And knelt, as it was meet: "From Artois forest we be come, With weak and weary feet. "Within those deep and dreary woods Whose fierce and mortal rage doth yield "'Mong ruthless beares he sure was bred, He lurks within their den; With beares he lives, with beares he feeds, And drinks the blood of men. "To more than savage strength he joins A more than human skill; For arms ne cunning may suffice Up then rose Sir Valentine, And claim'd that arduous deed: "Go forth and conquer," said the king, "And great shall be thy meed." Well mounted on a milk-white steed, To Artois forest he repairs His unkempt hair all matted hung Like eagle's talons grew his nails, His limbs were thick and strong; And dreadful was the knotted oak He bare with him along. Soon as Sir Valentine approach'd, As when a tiger fierce and fell So lightly leap'd with furious force A second stroke so stiff and stern But springing up he raised his club, The watchful warrior bent his head, And shunn'd the coming stroke; Upon his taper spear it fell, And all to shivers broke. Then lighting nimbly from his steed, Three times he grasp'd the silver hilt; Now with redoubled rage he roar'd; Then closing, fast with furious gripe But soon the knight, with active spring, And now between their sturdy fists They roll'd and grappled on the ground, And there they struggled long; But brutal force and savage strength Then binding strait his conquer'd foe He ties him to his horse's tail, And leads him o'er the plain. To Court his savage captive soon |