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AUCASSIN AND NICOLETTE
73
Is at Carthage the stronghold,
Whom her father dear doth hold
Who of yonder land is lord.
Husband they would her award,
Felon king of heathenesse.
Nicolette cares not for this,
For she loves a lording lad,
Aucassin to name he had.
By God and His name she vows
Never lord will she espouse,
If she have not her true love
She's so fain of."
Here they speak and tell the story.
When Aucassin heard Nicolette speak thus, he was very glad, and he took her on one side, and asked her,
"Fair sweet comrade," said Aucassin, "know you ought of this Nicolette, of whom you have sung?"
"Sir, yes! I know of her as the noblest creature and the gentlest and wisest that ever was born. And she is daughter to the king
