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Sir Degaré
The child grew to have no idea of his true origins.
She saw riding towards her a handsome knight, a young man dressed in scarlet. He looked very noble and courteous: 'Damsel,' he cried, 'welcome! There is no need to be afraid. I am a knight from the Otherworld and it is in my nature to wear arms and carry a shield, so do not be frightened. I have only my sword. I have loved you for many years, and now we are alone you shall be my lover, whether you like it or not!' ...
... ...
The maiden took the child away and carried it through the cold spring night until she came to a hermitage. She set the cradle down at the holy man's door and hurried away.
Arriving back the next day, the maiden found her mistress, the king's daughter, very upset and dejected, so she told her that she had left the baby in a place where it was sure to be looked after properly. She had not exposed it.
The hermit arose early, and his boy as well, and they said Matins together and prayed to God and to the saints. Then they heard a baby crying, so the hermit went to his door, opened it, and found the cradle with the child inside. Reading the letter, he held up both hands and thanked God!
The hermit had a sister who was married to a rich merchant in the city and he sent the infant to her, along with the silver, asking her to look after the little boy until he was ten, if God allowed this, and then to send him back to the hermitage where he would give the child the foundations of a religious career.
