Gauvain praises a defeated enemy and offers him his hand; the enemy responds with a “Vive le roi!” and an attempt on Gauvain’s life. Cimourdain saves Gauvain’s life from this. Does that make Gauvain wrong, or Cimourdain right? No, but it’s a thing to remember. Gauvain’s mercy is not softness, but a willingness to brave extra danger.

“My teacher,” says Gauvain. “Your father,” says Cimourdain, as he said to the innkeeper earlier, and it is all very lovely and touching and passionate, and I am waiting for the axe to drop.