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Cligés · 1914

Lines 1491–1514

by Chrétien de Troyes fl. c. 1160–1190

Translated by W. W. Comfort (Everyman's Library, 1914)


After fording the Thames, the army divided, some taking possession of the valley, and others occupying the high ground. Those in the town take notice of them, and when they see approaching the wonderful array, bent upon reducing and taking the town, they prepare on their side to defend it. But before any assault is made, the King has the traitors drawn by four horses through the valleys and over the hills and unploughed fields. At this Count Angres is much distressed, when he sees those whom he held dear dragged around outside the town. And his people, too, are much dismayed, but in spite of the anxiety which they feel, they have no mind to yield the place. They must needs defend themselves, for the King makes it plain to all that he is angry, and ill-disposed, and they see that if he should lay hands upon them he would make them die a shameful death.

This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.

MLA

Troyes, Chrétien de. Cligés, Lines 1491–1514. Translated by W. W. Comfort. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/work/cliges-comfort/21/.

Chicago

Troyes, Chrétien de. Cligés, Lines 1491–1514. Translated by W. W. Comfort. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/work/cliges-comfort/21/.

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