The Red Romance Book, page 159 by Various Authors
<< Return to Title Details & Download160
eron heard it, though he was full many miles away.
'What man is so bold as to seek to do him ill whom I love best in all the world?' said Oberon. 'I wish myself and a hundred good men in his company'; and in an instant Huon and his friends beheld the horses' skins flashing in the bushes. Then Huon's soul smote him, and he bowed his head before Oberon, saying:
'Sir, I have done ill; tell me quickly if death must be my punishment?'
'Where are those that would work you evil?' asked Oberon sternly; but in spite of his wrath Huon took heart of grace, and, confessing his folly, prayed for pardon, which Oberon granted him for very pity, knowing, he said, that Huon would have much to suffer, some things through the wicked ways of others, but more from his own pride and self-will. Then, bidding the young man farewell afresh, the fairy king rode back to the wood.
All befell just as the fairy king had foretold. Giants and mortals alike barred his way; small would have been his chance of ever reaching Babylon had not Oberon himself watched over him, and sent him help when he knew it not. Only one thing he asked of Huon in return--to keep himself from ill-doing and lies, so that he might be worthy to drink from the golden cup.
And thus it came to pass that after many perils Huon knocked at the first of the four gates of the city.
No sound was heard in answer to his knock, so he seized the great bell that hung there, and rang it loudly. At this a porter opened a little lattice, and asked what great lord it might be who demanded admittance in so rude a fashion, to which Huon answered hotly that he was an envoy from the emperor Charles, and that if the porter refused him entrance he would have to answer for it to his own master.
At that the porter said that if the stranger was an infidel like themselves, the gates should be thrown open at once, but that, should he allow any Christian to enter, he would pay for it with his head.
'But I am as much a Saracen as yourself,' said