Old French Tales from Brittany
Marie de France: The Story of Guigemar
12th century, Old French: British Library, Bibliothèque Nationale Paris.
Guigemar still did not properly recognise her and his doubts remained.
When Guigemar’s name was mentioned, the lady almost fainted. Guigemar himself hesitated, feeling that he knew her, sensing that it was she whom he sought, but recognition did not come easily to him. He kissed her politely and asked her to sit by his side. Meriaduc looked on uneasily. Feigning light-heartedness, he called out: ‘Lord, why don’t you ask this maiden to try to untie your shirt?’
‘I think that this is a good idea,’ replied Guigemar, and he sent a chamberlain to bring the item of clothing. When he arrived with the garment, the lady hesitated, for although the shirt looked familiar to her she could not find the courage to untie the knot in it. Meriaduc saw this and despite the pain in his heart, her urged her: ‘Lady, you must attempt to untie this knot at once!’ She complied, and it came undone easily to her touch.
Guigemar was amazed, but he still did not properly recognise her and his doubts remained.
broomstick
∩ The Breton lai of Guigemar, abridged and retold.
references
Breton Lays - Wikipedia
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