their brief halts, he suddenly sees a bear carrying an infant, so
rushes after the animal to rescue the child. Only after a prolonged
pursuit does he achieve his purpose, and, not knowing how else to
dispose of the babe, carries it to a neighboring castle, where the
lady gladly adopts it, because she and her husband have vainly awaited
an heir. Sir Calespine now discovers he is unable to retrace his steps
to his wounded companion, who soon after is found by a gentle savage.
This man is trying to take her to some place of safety when overtaken
by Arthur and Timias, who, seeing Serena in his company, fancy she is
his captive. She, however, hastens to assure them the wild man is more
than kind and relates what has occurred. As Serena and Timias have
both been poisoned by the bites of the Blatant Beast, Arthur takes
them to a hermit, who undertakes to cure them, but finds it a hopeless
task.

The learned hermit's healing arts having all proved vain, he finally
resorts to prayer to cure his guests, who, when healed, decide to set
out together in quest of Sir Calespine and Arthur. The latter has
meantime departed with the wild man, hoping to overtake Sir Turpine,
who escaped from Radigonde. They track the villain to his castle and,
forcing an entrance, fight with him, sparing his life only because the
lady of the castle pleads in his behalf.

Sir Turpine now succeeds in persuading two knights to pursue and
attack Sir Arthur, but this hero proves too strong to be overcome,
and, after disarming both assailants, demands why they have attacked
him. When they reveal Turpine's treachery, Arthur regrets having
spared his opponent, and decides that having overcome him once by
force he will now resort to strategy. He, therefore, lies down,
pretending to be asleep, while one of the knights rides back to report