THE HORSE AS AN EPIC CHARACTER 



Renaud de Montauhan. He seems to have been bought 

 from the Duke of Lorraine and given to Renaud on the 

 day the latter was knighted. He is best known for his 

 ability to carry a number of people; and all French 

 children are familiar with pictures representing him 

 with the four sons of Aymon upon his back. Much is 

 also said about his speed. " Quicker than a blackbird, 

 at the shortest leap he cleared thirty feet, and it seemed 

 to those who were watching him that he must be flying. 

 You could not see him move foot nor leg. So resound- 

 ing was the blow of his hoof that it could be heard a 

 league away." There is exaggeration in this descrip- 

 tion, and in the account of a race which he wins there 

 is actual magic. Renaud, though not in favor at court, 

 wishes to enter his horse in a race that is announced. 

 To make this possible, the magician Maugis dyes 

 Bayard whiter than a flower and makes Renaud appear 

 like a fifteen-year-old boy. In addition Bayard's right 

 fore foot is bandaged so that he will limp and appear 

 altogether unpromising. The moment he appears, there 

 are the usual shouts of derision. The race begins. 

 Renaud, leaning over his horse's neck, says : " Bayard, 

 we are going too slow. If the others arrive before us, we 

 shall receive great blame, and you will be reproached 

 as long as you live." Bayard, understanding Renaud, 

 throws up his head. He comprehends his master as 

 easily as a mother does her child. Dilating his nostrils 

 and shaking his head, with outstretched neck he flies 

 over the earth. In three arpents of ground he has 



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