LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS . . viii INTRODUCTION . . ix Genre . . ix Authorship . . x Artistic Achievement . . xvi Sources and Influences . . xxiv Editorial Policy . . xxx SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY . . xxxiii FIERABRAS AND FLORIPAS Prologue . . 1 The First Geste: Vanity. Tells of the Destruction of Rome . . 5 The Second Geste: Submission. Tells of the Duel between Fierabras and Oliver . . 45 The Third Geste: Desires. Tells of Strain and Striving . . 91 The Fourth Geste: Deserts. Tells of Pain and Thriving . . 161 GLOSSARY . . 223 APPENDIX I: Extracts from the French Original . . 225 APPENDIX II: Fierabras ex Libris . . 245