The poor damsel, while in quest of her lover, had been seen and pursued by an ill-favored forester, and the dwarf feared some harm might have befallen her.

To comfort this faithful henchman, Prince Arthur promised to go with him and rescue the unhappy damsel.
Meantime, undaunted by darkness, Florimell had ridden on until her weary steed paused before a hut deep in the woods.

There she dismounted and humbly begged the old witch who lived there to give her some food.

Moved by the distress of the stranger, the sorceress bade her dry her garments at her fire, and while the lady was sitting there the witch's son, a lazy worthless fellow, suddenly entered.

To see Florimell was to love her, so the uncouth rustic immediately began to court her with fruits and flowers which he sought in the forest.
Fearing lest he should molest her finally, Florimell escaped from the hut on her palfrey, which she found in the witch's stable.
On awakening on the morrow to find their fair visitor gone, the witch and her son were in such despair that they let loose a wild beast, which they owned, bidding him track the missing girl.