Oldal 24 [24]
LABOULAYE’S FAIRY BOOK
toward the west, six sons, with dark locks and eagle gaze,
the hope and pride of the family, that might have been
taken for six sculptured knights at the portal of a church.
For ten leagues round, all who wished to quote a happy
father and a powerful lord named the Baron Kerver.
The castle had but twelve windows, and the baron had
thirteen children. The last, the one that had no place,
was a handsome boy of sixteen, by the name of Yvon. As
usual, he was the best beloved. In the morning, at his
departure, and at evening, on his return, the baron always
found Yvon waiting on the threshold to embrace him.
With his hair falling to his waist, his graceful figure, his
wilful air, and his bold bearing, Yvon was beloved by all
the Bretons. At twelve years of age he had bravely at¬
tacked and killed a wolf with an ax, which had won him
the name of Fearless. He deserved the title, for never was
there a bolder heart.
One day, when the baron had stayed at home, and was
amusing himself by breaking a lance with his squire, Yvon
entered the armory in a traveling dress, and, bending one
knee to the ground, "My lord and father,” said he to the
baron, ““I come to ask your blessing. The house of Kerver
is rich in knights, and has no need of a child; it is time for
me to go to seek my fortune. I wish to go to distant
countries to try my strength and to make myself a name."
“You are right, Fearless,” replied the baron, more moved
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