VALEN-
TINE AND
ORSON

suffer no other person to attempt to control him.
If Valentine went for a moment out of his sight,
he would utter cries of distress, and overturn every
one that stood in his way, while he ran about the
palace in search of him; and he slept at night in
Valentine’s chamber on the floor, for he could not
be prevailed to lie on a bed.
Very soon after the capture of Orson, a herald
appeared at the court of King Pepin, from the
Duke of Aquitaine, summoning all true knights to
avenge the cause of the Lady Clerimont, daughter
to the noble duke, who was held in cruel captivity
by Atramont, the black knight: the herald pro-
claimed that whoever should conquer him would
receive the hand of the lady in marriage, together
with a princely dowry. This knight was so famous
for his cruelty and his victories, that the young
lords of the court all drew back, and were unwill-
ing to enter the lists; for it was known that he
was defended by enchantment, and it was his
practice to hang upon a high tree all the knights
whom he had defeated. Valentine, however,
offered himself without hesitation; and though he
did not intend to ask the lady in marriage, he
nevertheless determined to attempt her rescue
from the hands of the giant.
Valentine, followed by Orson as his squire, soon
reached the castle of the black knight, and imme-
diately demanded the freedom of the captive lady.
This was refused, and the two knights at once
began the combat. The fight was long and equal.
At length Atramont demanded a parley: ‘Knight,’
said he to Valentine, ‘thou art brave and noble ;
behold, yonder hang twenty knights whom I have
overcome and put to death: such will be thy fate ;
I give thee warning.’
‘Base traitor,’ replied Valentine, ‘I fear thee not;
come on—I defy thee.’
‘First, rejoined the black knight, ‘fetch me
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