THE HORSE AS AN EPIC CHARACTER 



casion he saves his master's hfe. Aiol, sleeping one 

 day in the forest, is unaware of the approach of a body 

 of Saracens. His horse, however, standing guard over 

 him, does hear the clashing of shields, helmets, and 

 lances, and instinctively recognizes the strangers as 

 enemies. In the words of the poem, " such grief he feels, 

 he nearly goes mad. Loudly he neighs and fiercely 

 paws the ground till Aiol is awakened." 



At last the time comes for Aiol to return to his father. 

 Greetings have hardly been exchanged between the two 

 men when Elie asks after his weapon and his old steed. 

 You may remember that D'Artagnan had been re- 

 quested by his father never to part with his horse, and 

 nevertheless, as soon as he had arrived at Paris, he had 

 sold it for three crowns. Aiol, more obedient and kinder- 

 hearted, has kept Marchegai, but he cannot refrain 

 from teasing his father. " Sire,'' he says, " never did I 

 hear such a question. The white hauberk and helmet 

 could not last; the shield and lance were lost while 

 jousting; and Marchegai is dead and gone to his end. 

 Long ago the dogs have eaten him in the ditch. He 

 could run no longer, he was so old." When EHe heard 

 this he nearly went mad : picking up a club, he rushed 

 at Aiol, for he wished to kill him; and he said — but I 

 forbear to quote his words. Only the sight of Marchegai 

 fresh and fat after a long rest pacifies him. 



Even more remarkable is the story of Bayard, the 

 " good Gascon horse," as he is called in the French epic, 



129 



