Erec and Enide

2Erec et Enide Li vilains dit an son respit [la] que tel chose a l'an an despit * qui molt valt mialz que l'an ne cuide; por ce fet bien qui son estuide 5 atorne a sens quel que il l'ait, car qui son estuide antrelait, tost i puet tel chose teisir qui molt vandroit puis a pleisir. Por ce dist Crestïens de Troies 10 que reisons est que totevoies doit chascuns panser et antandre a bien dire et a bien aprandre, et tret d'un conte d'avanture une molt bele conjointure, 15 par qu'an puet prover et savoir que cil ne fet mie savoir qui s'escïence n'abandone tant con Dex la grasce l'an done. D'Erec, le fil Lac, est li contes, 20 que devant rois et devant contes depecier et corronpre suelent cil qui de conter vivre vuelent. Des or comancerai l'estoire qui toz jorz mes iert an mimoire 25 tant con durra crestïantez: de ce s'est Crestïens vantez. Au jor de Pasque, au tans novel, a Quaradigan, son chastel, ot li rois Artus cort tenue. 30 Einz si riche ne fu veüe, que molt i ot boens chevaliers, hardiz et conbatanz et fiers, et riches dames et puceles, filles de rois, gentes et beles; 35 mes einçois que la corz fausist, 3The peasant says in his proverb that one may hold in contempt something that is worth much more than one believes; therefore he does well who makes good use of his learning 5 according to whatever understanding he has, for he who neglects his learning may easily keep silent something that would later give much pleasure. Therefore Chrétien de Troyes says 10 that it is reasonable that each person think and strive in every way to speak well and to teach well, and from a tale of adventure he draws a beautifully ordered composition, 15 whereby one may prove and know that he does not act intelligently who does not give free rein to his knowledge, as long as God gives him the grace to do so. This is the tale of Erec, son of Lac, 20 which, before kings and before counts, those who try to live by storytelling customarily mangle and corrupt. Now I shall begin the story which evermore will be in memory 25 for as long as Christendom lasts— of this does Chrétien boast. On Easter day, in springtime, at Cardigan, his castle, King Arthur held court. 30 So rich a one was never seen, for there were many good knights, brave and combative and fierce, and rich ladies and maidens, daughters of kings, noble and beautiful; 35 but before the court concluded 4li rois a ses chevaliers dist qu'il voloit le blanc cerf charier por la costume ressaucier. Mon seignor Gauvain ne plot mie 40 quant il ot la parole oïe: "Sire," fet il, "de ceste chace n'avroiz vos ja ne gré ne grace. Nos savomes bien tuit piece a quel costume li blans cers a: 45 qui le blanc cerf ocirre puet [lb] par reison beisier li estuet des puceles de vostre cort la plus bele, a que que il tort. Maus an puet avenir molt granz, 50 qu'ancor a il ceanz cinc cenz dameiseles de hauz paraiges, filles de rois, gentes et sages, n'i a nule qui n'ait ami chevalier vaillant et hardi, 55 don chascuns desresnier voldroit, ou fust a tort ou fust a droit, que cele qui li atalante est la plus bele et la plus gente." Li rois respont: "Ce sai ge bien, 60 mes por ce n'an lerai ge rien, car parole que rois a dite * ne doit puis estre contredite. Demain matin a grant deduit irons chacier le blanc cerf tuit 65 an la forest avantureuse: ceste chace iert molt mervelleuse." Ensi est la chace atornee a l'andemain, a l'anjornee. L'andemain, lués que il ajorne, 70 li rois se lieve et si s'atorne, et por aler an la forest d'une corte cote se vest. Les chevaliers fet esvellier, les chaceors aparellier. 75 Lor ars et lor saietes ont; an la forest chacier s'an vont. Aprés aus monte la reïne, ansanble o li une meschine; pucele estoit, fille de roi, 80 et sist sor un boen palefroi. Aprés les siust a esperon uns chevaliers, Erec a non. 5the king said to his knights that he wanted to hunt the white stag in order to revive the tradition. My lord Gawain was not a bit pleased 40 when he heard this: "Sire," said he, "from this hunt you will never have either gratitude nor thanks. * We have all known for a long time what tradition is attached to the white stag: 45 he who can kill the white stag by right must kiss the most beautiful of the maidens of your court, whatever may happen. Great evil can come from this, 50 for there are easily five hundred damsels of high lineage here, daughters of kings, noble and prudent, and there is not a one who is not the favorite of some valiant and bold knight, 55 each of whom would want to contend, either rightly or wrongly, that the one who pleases him is the most beautiful and the most noble." The king replied: "This I know well, 60 but I will not give up my plan for all that, for the word of a king must not be opposed. Tomorrow morning with great pleasure we will all go to hunt the white stag 65 in the forest of adventures: this hunt will be truly wondrous." Thus was the hunt arranged for the morrow, at daybreak. The next day, as soon as it was light, 70 the king arose and made ready; to go into the forest he put on a short tunic. He had the knights awakened, the hunting-steeds readied. 75 They had their bows and their arrows, and set off to hunt in the forest. The queen mounted up after them, accompanied by an attendant; she was a maiden, daughter of a king, 80 and sat upon a good palfrey. A knight came spurring after them: his name was Erec. 6De la Table Reonde estoit; an la cort molt grant los avoit: 85 de tant com il i ot esté, n'i ot chevalier si loé, et fu tant biax qu'an nule terre n'estovoit plus bel de lui querre. Molt estoit biax et preuz et genz, [lc] 90 et n'avoit pas vint et cinc anz; onques nus horn de son aage ne fu de si grant vaselage. Que diroie de ses bontez? Sor un destrier estoit montez, 95 afublez d'un mantel hermin; galopant vient tot le chemin, s'ot cote d'un dïapre noble qui fu fez an Costantinoble. * Chauces de paile avoit chauciees, 100 molt bien fetes et bien tailliees, et fu es estriés afichiez, uns esperons a or chauciez; n'ot avoec lui arme aportee fors que tant seulemant s'espee. * 105 La reïne vint ateignant au tor d'une rue poignant: "Dame," fet il, "a vos seroie, s'il vos pleisoit, an ceste voie. Je ne ving ça por autre afere 110 fors por vos conpaignie fere." Et la reïne l'an mercie: "Biax amis, vostre conpaignie aim je molt, ce saichiez de voir: je ne puis pas meillor avoir." 115 Lors chevalchent a grant esploit; an la forest vienent tot droit. Cil qui devant erent alé avoient ja le cerf levé: li un cornent, li autre huïent; 120 li chien aprés le cerf s'esbruient, corent, angressent et abaient; li archier espessemant traient. Devant ax toz chace li rois sor un chaceor espanois. 125 La reïne Ganievre estoit el bois, qui les chiens escotoit; lez li Erec et sa pucele, qui molt estoit cortoise et bele. Mes tant d'ax esloignié estoient 130 cil qui le cerf levé avoient 7He was of the Round Table and had great honor at court: 85 as long as he had been there, there had not been a knight so highly praised, and he was so handsome that there was no need to seek a handsomer man anywhere. He was very handsome and valiant and noble, 90 and he was not yet twenty-five years old; never was any man of his age so accomplished in knighthood. What should I say of his virtues? He was mounted on a charger 95 and came galloping along the road; he was dressed in a fur-lined cloak and a tunic of noble, patterned silk, that had been made in Constantinople. He had put on silken stockings, 100 very finely made and tailored; he was well set in his stirrups, and was wearing golden spurs; he had brought no weapon with him except for his sword. 105 Spurring his horse, he caught up with the queen at a bend in the road. "My lady," said he, "I would go with you, should it please you, on this road. I have come here for no other reason 110 than to keep you company." And the queen thanked him for that: "Fair friend, I greatly like your company; know this truly: I can have none better." 115 Then they rode speedily on and came straight to the forest. Those who had gone on ahead had already raised the stag: some blew on horns, others shouted; 120 the dogs went noisily after the stag, running, rushing and barking; the archers were shooting thick and fast. Out in front of all of them the king was hunting, mounted on a Spanish hunter. 125 Queen Guinevere was in the woods, listening to the dogs; beside her were Erec and her maiden, who was very courtly and beautiful. But those who had raised the stag 130 were so far off 8que d'ax ne pueent oïr rien, ne cor, ne chaceor, ne chien, Por orellier et escouter [id] s'il orroient home parler 135 ne cri de chien de nule part, tuit troi furent an un essart delez le chemin aresté. Mes molt i orent po esté qant il virent un chevalier 140 venir armé sor un destrier, l'escu au col, la lance el poing La reïne le vit de loing: delez lui chevalchoit a destre une pucele de bel estre; 145 devant ax, sor un grant roncin, venoit uns nains tot le chemin, et ot en sa main aportee une corgiee an son noee. La reïne Guenievre voit 150 le chevalier bel et adroit, et de sa pucele et de lui vialt savoir qui il sont andui. Sa pucele comande aler isnelemant a lui parler: 155 "Dameisele," fet la reïne "ce chevalier qui la chemine alez dire qu'il vaigne a moi et amaint sa pucele o soi." La pucele vet l'anbleüre 160 vers le chevalier a droiture. Li nains a l'ancontre li vient, qui sa corgiee an sa main tient. "Dameisele, estez!" fet li nains, qui de felenie fu plains. 165 "Qu'alez vos ceste part querant? Ça n'avez vos que fere avant!" "Nains," fet ele, "lesse m'aler: a ce chevalier voel parler, car la reïne m'i anvoie." 170 Li nains s'estut en mi la voie, qui molt fu fel et de put' ere: "Ça n'avez vos," fet il, "que fere. Alez arrieres! N'est pas droiz qu'a si boen chevalier parloiz." 175 La pucele s'est avant trete; passer volt oltre a force fete, que lo nam ot an grant despit [le] por ce qu'ele le vit petit. 9that they could hear nothing of them— neither horn nor horse nor hound. In order to listen attentively to see if they could hear a human voice 135 or the cry of a hound from any side, all three had stopped in a clearing beside the road. They had not been there long when they saw approaching 140 an armored knight on a charger, his shield at his neck, his lance in his hand. The queen saw him from afar: beside him at his right was riding a fine-looking maiden; 145 before them, on a big draft horse, a dwarf was riding along, and he carried in his hand a whip with lashes knotted at one end. Queen Guinevere saw the knight, 150 handsome and elegant, and she wanted to know who they were, he and his maiden. She told her maiden to go quickly to speak to him: 155 "Damsel," said the queen, "go tell that knight riding there to come to me and to bring his maiden with him." The maiden rode apace, * 160 straight toward the knight. The dwarf came to meet her, holding his whip in his hand. "Damsel, halt!" said the dwarf, who was full of evil. 165 "What are you looking for here? You have no business in this direction!" "Dwarf," said she, "let me pass: I wish to speak to that knight, for the queen sends me there." 170 The dwarf, who was very evil and baseborn, stood blocking her way: "You have no business here," said he. "Go back! It's not right for you to talk to such a fine knight." 175 The maiden moved forward; she wanted to force her way past, for she felt great contempt for the dwarf because she saw how little he was. 10Et li nains hauce la corgiee, 180 quant vers lui la vit aprochiee. Ferir la volt par mi le vis, mes cele a son braz devant mis; cil recuevre, si l'a feme a descovert sor la main nue. 185 Si la fiert sor la main anverse que tote an devint la mains perse. La pucele, quant mialz ne puet, voelle ou non, retorner l'estuet. Retornee s'an est plorant: 190 des ialz li descendent corant les lermes contreval la face. La reïne ne set que face; quant sa pucele voit bleciee, molt est dolante et correciee: 195 "Hé! Erec, biax amis," fet ele, "molt me poise de ma pucele que si a bleciee cil nains. Molt est li chevaliers vilains, quant il sofri que tex fauture 200 feri si bele criature. Biax amis Erec, alez i au chevalier, et dites li qu'il veigne a moi, et nel lest mie: conuistre vuel lui et s'amie." 205 Erec cele part esperone, des esperons au cheval done, vers le chevalier vient tot droit. Li nains cuiverz venir le voit; a l'ancontre li est alez: 210 "Vasax," fet il, "arriers estez! Ça ne sai ge qu'a fere aiez, Je vos lo qu'arriers vos traiez." "Fui!" fet Erec, "nains enuieus! Trop es fel et contralieus. 215 Lesse m'aler!"—"Vos n'i iroiz!" "Je si ferai!"—"Vos nel feroiz!" Erec bote le nain an sus. Li nains fu fel tant con nus plus: de la corgiee grant colee 220 li a par mi le col donee. Le col et la face ot vergiee [1f] Erec del cop de la corgiee: de chief an chief perent les roies que li ont feites les corroies. 225 Il sot bien que del nain ferir 11But the dwarf raised his whip 180 when he saw her approaching him. He tried to strike her in the face, but she protected herself with her arm; then he took aim again, and struck her openly on her bare hand. 185 He struck her on the back of her hand so that her hand became all blue. The maiden, since she could do no more, was obliged to turn back, whether she wanted to or not. She came back weeping: 190 tears were running from her eyes down her face. The queen knew not what to do; when she saw her maiden wounded she was very sad and angry: 195 "Oh! Erec, fair Mend," said she, "I am very upset about my maiden, whom this dwarf has wounded in such a way. The knight is very unchivalrous, since he has allowed such a freak 200 to strike such a beautiful creature. Fair Mend Erec, go over to the knight and tell him to come to me without fail: I want to meet both him and his lady." 205 Erec spurred in that direction, put his spurs to his horse, and came straight to the knight. The despicable dwarf saw him coming and went to meet him: 210 "Knight," said he, "stay back! I don't know what business you have here. I advise you to withdraw." "Be gone," said Erec, "bothersome dwarf! You're very nasty and hateful. 215 Let me pass!"—"You won't pass!" "Yes, I will!"—"No, you won't!" Erec gave the dwarf a shove. The dwarf was as evil as could be: with the whip he struck Erec 220 a great blow on the neck. Erec's neck and face were striped by the blow: the welts raised by the strands of the whip appeared from one end to the other. 225 Erec knew full well that he could not 12ne porroit il mie joïr, car le chevalier vit armé, molt felon et desmesuré, et crient qu'asez tost l'ocirroit 230 se devant lui son nain feroit. Folic n'est pas vaselages; * de ce fist molt Erec que sages: rala s'an, que plus n'i ot fet. "Dame," fet il, "or est plus let: 235 si m'a li nains cuiverz blecié que tot le vis m'a depecié. Ne l'osai ferir ne tochier, mes nus nel me doit reprochier, que ge toz desarmez estoie: 240 le chevalier armé dotoie, qui vilains est et outrageus. Et il nel tenist pas a geus: tost m'oceïst par son orguel. Itant bien prometre vos vuel 245 que, se ge puis, je vangerai ma honte, ou je la crestrai! Mes trop me sont mes armes Ioing: nes avrai pas a cest besoing, qu'a Quaradigan les lessai 250 hui matin, quant je m'an tornai. Se je la querre les aloie, ja mes retrover ne porroie le chevalier par avanture, car il s'an vet grant aleüre. 255 Sivre le me covient adés, ou soit de loing ou soit de pres, tant que ge puisse armes trover ou a loier ou a prester. Se ge truis qui armes me prest, 260 maintenant me trovera prest li chevaliers de la bataille. Et bien sachiez sanz nule faille que tant nos conbatrons andui qu'il me conquerra ou ge lui. 265 Et, se ge puis, jusqu'al tierz jor [3a] me serai ge mis el retor: lore me reverroiz a l'ostel, lié ou dolant, ne sai lequel. Dame, je ne puis plus tardier: 270 sivre m'estuet le chevalier, Je m'an vois; a Deu vos comant." Et la reïne autresimant 13have the satisfaction of striking the dwarf, for he saw the armored knight, ruthless and arrogant, and he feared that the knight would very quickly kill him 230 if he struck his dwarf in his presence. Folly is not prowess; in this Erec acted very wisely: he withdrew, without doing anything more. "My lady," said he, "now things are even worse: 235 that despicable dwarf has injured me so that my face is torn to bits. I dared not touch or strike him, but no one must blame me for that, since I was completely unarmed: * 240 I was afraid of the armed knight; he is uncourtly and unprincipled. And he would have considered it no joke: he would at once have killed me, in his pride. But I want to promise you 245 that, if I can, I will avenge my shame, or else I'll augment it! But my own armor is too far away: I won't have it for this task, for I left it at Cardigan 250 this morning, when I set out. If I went back there to get it, I could probably never find the knight again, for he is riding off at a brisk pace. 255 I must follow him right now, either closely or at a distance, until I can find some armor to rent or to borrow. If I can find someone to lend me armor, 260 then the knight will immediately find me ready to do battle. And be assured, without any doubt, that we will fight together until he defeats me or I defeat him. 265 And, if I can, by the third day * I shall begin my return: then you shall see me at the castle, joyful or sad, I know not which. My lady, I can delay no more: 270 I must follow the knight. I am leaving; I commend you to God." And the queen likewise 14a Deu, qui de mal le desfande, plus de cinc cenz foiz le comande. 275 Erec se part de la reïne; del chevalier sivre ne fine. Et la reïne el bois remaint, ou li rois ot le cerf ataint: a la prise del cerf einçois 280 vint que nus des autres li rois. Le blanc cerf ont desfet et pris. Au repeirier se sont tuit mis, le cerf an portent, si s'an vont; a Caradigan venu sont. 285 Aprés soper, quant li baron furent tuit lié par la meison, li rois, si con costume estoit, por ce que le cerf pris avoit, dist qu'il iroit le beisier prandre 290 por la costume del cerf randre. Par la cort an font grant murmure: li uns a l'autre afie et jure que ce n'iert ja fet sanz desresne d'espee ou de lance de fresne. 295 Chascuns vialt par chevalerie desresnier que la soe amie est la plus bele de la sale; molt est ceste parole male. Quant mes sire Gauvains le sot, 300 sachiez que mie ne li plot. a parole en a mis le roi: "Sire," fet il, "an grant esfroi sont ceanz vostre chevalier. Tuit parolent de ce beisier: 305 bien dïent tuit que n'iert ja fet que noise et bataille n'i et." Et li rois li respont par san: "Riax niés Gauvain, conselliez m'an, sauve m'annor et ma droiture, [3b] 310 que je n'ai de la noise cure." Au consoil grant partie cort des mellors barons de la cort: li rois Ydiers i est alez, que premiers i fu apelez; 315 aprés li rois Cadiolanz, qui molt fu saiges et vaillanz; Kex et Girflez i sont venu et Amauguins li rois i fu, et des autres barons asez 320 i ot avoec ax amassez. 15commended him to God, more than five hundred times, that he might defend him from evil. 275 Erec left the queen and followed the knight. And the queen remained in the woods, where the king had caught up with the stag: at the taking of the stag 280 the king arrived before any of the others. They killed and took the white stag. All started back, carrying the stag as they went; they arrived at Cardigan. 285 After the evening meal, when the nobles * were joyful throughout the house, the king, according to the tradition, since he had taken the stag, said that he would bestow the kiss 290 in order to observe the tradition of the stag. Throughout the court there was much muttering: they promised and swore to one another that this would never be done without contention by means of sword or lance of ash-wood. 295 Each one wanted, by deeds of arms, to contend that his lady was the most beautiful in the hall; these words did not bode well. * When my lord Gawain heard this, 300 you may be sure that he was not at all pleased. He spoke to the king about it: "Sire," said he, "your knights here are greatly disturbed. They are all speaking of this kiss: 305 they all say that it will never be done without there being arguments and fighting." And the king replied wisely: "Fair nephew Gawain, advise me in this, so that my honor and justice may be preserved, 310 for I do not care for discord." Many of the best barons of the court hurried to the council: King Yder went there, who had been called there first; 315 then came King Cadiolan, who was most wise and valiant; Kay and Girflet came there, and King Amauguin, and many of the other barons 320 were gathered there with them. 16Tant est la parole esmeüe que la reïne i est venue. L'avanture lor a contee qu'an la forest avoit trovee: 325 del chevalier que armé vit et del nain felon et petit qui de s'escorgiee ot ferae sa pucele sor la main nue, et ot feru tot ansimant 330 Erec el vis molt leidemant, qui a seü le chevalier por sa honte croistre ou vangier, et que il repeirier devoit jusqu'a tierz jor, se il pooit. 335 "Sire," fet la reïne au roi, "antandez un petit a moi! Se cist baron loent mon dit, metez cest beisier an respit jusqu'a tierz jor, qu'Erec revaingne." 340 N'i a nul qu'a li ne se taigne, et li rois meïsmes l'otroie. Erec va suiant tote voie le chevalier qui armez fu et le nain qui l'avoit feru, 345 tant qu'il vindrent a un chastel molt bien seant et fort et bel; par mi la porte antrent tot droit. El chastel molt grant joie avoit de chevaliers et de puceles, 350 car molt en i avoit de beles. Li un peissoient par les rues espreviers et faucons de mues, et li autre aportoient hors [3c] terciax, ostors müez et sors; 355 li autre joent d'autre part ou a la mine ou a hasart, cil as eschas et cil as tables. Li garçon devant ces estables torchent les chevax et estrillent; 360 les dames es chanbres s'atillent. De si loing com il venir voient le chevalier qu'il conuissoient, son nain et sa pucele o soi, ancontre lui vont troi et troi: 365 tuit le conjoent et salüent, mes contre Erec ne se remuent, 17The debate went on so long that the queen arrived on the scene. She recounted to them the adventure that she had had in the forest: 325 about the armed knight she had seen and the evil little dwarf who had struck her maiden on her bare hand with his whip, and had in just the same way struck 330 Erec most horribly on the face; and how he had then followed the knight in order to avenge his shame or augment it, and that he was to return, if he could, by the third day. 335 "My lord," said the queen to the king, "just listen to me! If these barons approve what I say, postpone this kiss until the third day, so that Erec may return." 340 There was not a one who disagreed with her, and the king himself granted it. Erec kept on following the armored knight and the dwarf who had struck him, 345 until they came to a fortified town, * well situated and strong and fine; they went right in through the gate. In the town there was great joy among the knights and damsels, 350 for there were many beautiful ones. Some, in the streets, were feeding sparrow-hawks and moulted falcons, * and others were bringing out tercels and red and moulted goshawks; 355 others, here and there, were playing different dice games,* or chess, or backgammon. In front of the stables, boys were currying horses and wiping them down; 360 ladies, in their chambers, were adorning themselves. As soon as they saw, from afar, the knight, whom they knew, coming with his dwarf and his maiden, they went to meet him, three by three: 365 all welcomed and greeted him, but they made no move to welcome Erec, 18qu'il ne le conuissoient pas. Erec va suiant tot le pas par le chastel le chevalier, 370 tant que il le vit herbergier: formant an fu joianz et liez quant il vit qu'il fut herbergiez. Un petit est avant passez et vit gesir sor uns degrez 375 un vavasor auques de jorz, mes molt estoit povre sa corz. Biax horn estoit, chenuz et blans, deboneres, gentix et frans; iluec s'estoit toz seus assis: 380 bien resanbloit qu'il fust pansis. Erec pansa que il estoit preudom; tost le herbergeroit. Par mi la porte antre an la cort. Li vavasors contre lui cort; 385 einz qu'Erec li eüst dit mot, li vavasors salüé l'ot: "Biax sire," fet il, "bien vaingniez! Se o moi herbergier daingniez, vez l'ostel aparellié ci." 390 Erec respont: "Vostre merci! Je ne sui ça venuz por el: mestier ai enuit mes d'ostel." Erec de son cheval descent. Li sires meïsmes le prent; 395 par la resne aprés lui le tret. De son oste grant joie fet. Li vavasors sa fame apele [3d] et sa fille qui molt fu bele, qui an un ovreor ovroient, 400 mes ne sai quele oevre i feisoient. La dame s'an est hors issue et sa fille, qui fu vestue d'une chemise par panz lee, delïee, blanche et ridee. 405 Un blanc cheinse ot vestu desus; n'avoit robe ne mains ne plus. Et tant estoit li chainses viez que as costez estoit perciez. Povre estoit la robe dehors, 410 mes desoz estoit biax li cors. Molt estoit la pucele gente, car tote i ot mise s'antante Nature, qui fete l'avoit. Ele meïsmes s'an estoit 19because they did not know him. Erec kept on closely following the knight, through the town, 370 until he saw him lodged: he was very pleased and joyful when he saw that he was lodged. He went on a bit farther and saw, sitting on some steps, 375 an elderly vavasor, * whose court was very poor. He was a handsome man, white-haired, well-born, and noble; he was seated there all alone: 380 he seemed to be deep in thought. Erec thought he was a gentleman; * he would give him lodging without delay. * Through the gate Erec entered the courtyard. The vavasor ran to meet him; 385 before Erec had said a word, the vavasor had greeted him: "Good sir," said he, "welcome! If you deign to lodge with me, here are your lodgings, already prepared." 390 Erec replied: "I thank you! I had no other purpose in coming here: I need lodgings for this very night." Erec dismounted from his horse. The gentleman himself took it 395 and led it after him by the reins. He rejoiced greatly because of his guest. The vavasor called his wife and his daughter, who was very beautiful; they were working in a workshop, 400 but I know not what work they were doing there. The lady came out as did her daughter, who was dressed in a flowing chemise, * of fine cloth, white and pleated. 405 Over it she wore a white dress; * she had no other clothes. And the dress was so old that it was worn through at the elbows. The clothing was poor on the outside, 410 but the body beneath was lovely. The maiden was very beautiful, for Nature, who had made her, had turned all her attention to the task. Nature herself had marveled 20 415 plus de cinc cenz foiz mervelliee comant une sole foiee tant bele chose fere sot, * car puis tant pener ne se pot qu'ele poïst son essanplaire 420 an nule guise contrefaire. De ceste tesmoingne Nature c'onques si bele criature ne fu veüe an tot le monde. Por voir vos di qu'Isolz la blonde 425 n'ot les crins tant sors ne luisanz, que a cesti ne fust neanz. Plus ot que n'est la flors de lis cler et blanc le front et le vis; sor la blanchor, par grant mervoille, 430 d'une fresche color vermoille, que Nature li ot donee, estoit sa face anluminee. Si oel si grant clarté randoient que deus estoiles ressanbloient; 435 onques Dex ne sot fere mialz le nes, la boche ne les ialz. Que diroie de sa biauté? Ce fu cele por verité qui fu fete por esgarder, 440 qu'an se poïst an li mirer ausi com an un mireor. [3ej Issue fu de l'ovreor. Quant ele le chevalier voit, que onques mes veü n'avoit, 445 un petit arriere s'estut por ce qu'ele ne le quenut; vergoigne en ot et si rogi. Erec d'autre part s'esbahi quant an li si grant biauté vit. 450 Et li vavasors li a dit: "Bele douce fille, prenez ce cheval et si le menez an cele estable avoec les miens. Gardez qu'il ne li faille riens: 455 ostez li la sele et le frein, si li donez aveinne et fein; conreez le et estrilliez si qu'il soit bien aparelliez." La pucele prant le cheval, 460 si li deslace le peitral, 21 415 more than five hundred times how she had been able to make such a beautiful thing just once, for since then, strive as she might, she had never been able to duplicate 420 in any way her original model. Nature bears witness to this one: never was such a beautiful creature seen in the whole world. In truth I tell you that Iseult the blonde * 425 had not such shining golden hair, for compared to this one, she was nothing. Her face and forehead were fairer and brighter than is the lily-flower; contrasting marvelously with the whiteness, 430 her face was illuminated by a fresh, glowing color which Nature had given her. Her eyes glowed with such brightness that they resembled two stars; 435 never had God made finer nose, mouth, nor eyes. What should I say of her beauty? She was truly one who was made to be looked at, 440 for one might gaze at her just as into a mirror. She had come out of the workshop. When she saw the knight, whom she had never seen before, 445 she stayed back a bit because she did not know him; she was embarrassed and she blushed. Erec, on the other hand, was astonished when he saw such great beauty in her. 450 And the vavasor said to her: "Fair sweet daughter, take this horse and lead it into the stable with mine. Be sure it has everything it needs: 455 take off the saddle and the bridle and give it oats and hay; rub it down and curry it so that it is well taken care of." The maiden took the horse, 460 undid the breastplate, 22le frain et la sele li oste. Or a li chevax molt boen oste; molt bien et bel s'an antremet. Au cheval un chevoistre met, 465 bien l'estrille et torche et conroie, a la mangëoire le loie et si li met foin et aveinne devant, assez novele et seinne. * Puis revint a son pere arriere 470 et il li dist: "Ma fille chiere, prenez par la main ce seignor si li portez molt grant enor. Par la main l'an menez leissus." * La pucele ne tarda plus, 475 qu'ele n'estoit mie vilainne: par la main contre mont l'an mainne. La dame an ert devant alee, qui la meison ot atornee; coutes porpointes et tapiz 480 ot estanduz par sor les liz, ou il se sont asis tuit troi: Erec la pucele ot lez soi et li sires de l'autre part. Li feus molt clers devant ax art. 485 Li vavasors sergent n'avoit [3f] for un tot seul qui le servoit, ne chanberiere ne meschine; cil atornoit an la cuisine por le soper char et oisiax. 490 De Fatorner fu molt isniax; bien sot aparellier et tost char cuire et an eve et an rost. Quant ot le mangier atorné, tel con l'an li ot comandé, 495 l'eve lor done an deus bacins; tables et napes, pains et vins * fu tost aparellié et mis, et cil sont au mangier asis. Trestot quanque mestiers lor fu 500 ont a lor volanté eü. Quant a lor eise orent sopé et des tables furent levé, Erec mist son oste a reison, qui sires ert de la meison: 505 "Dites moi, biax ostes," fet il, "de tant povre robe et si vil 23and took off the saddle and bridle. Now the horse was in good hands; she took excellent care of it. She put a halter on it, 465 curried it well, rubbed it down and cared for it, tied it to the manger and put hay and oats before it, very fresh and wholesome. Then she came back to her father 470 and he said to her: "My dear daughter, take this lord by the hand and show him very great honor. Lead him upstairs, by the hand." The maiden delayed no longer, 475 for she was in no way ill-bred: by the hand she led him upstairs. The lady had gone before and had prepared the house; she had spread out embroidered quilts and rugs 480 on top of the beds, where all three of them sat down: Erec had the maiden next to him and the lord on the other side. The fire burned very brightly before them. 485 The vavasor had no servant besides the one who served him— no chambermaid or serving-girl; in the kitchen, the servant was preparing meat and fowl for the evening meal. 490 He was very prompt in his preparations; he knew well how to prepare and quickly cook meat, both boiled and roasted. When he had prepared the meal as he had been ordered, 495 he gave them water in two basins; tables and tablecloths, bread and wine were quickly prepared and set forth, and they sat down to eat. They had as much as they wanted 500 of everything they needed. When they had dined at their ease and had arisen from the tables, Erec questioned his host, the lord of the house: 505 "Tell me, good host," said he, "why is your daughter, 24por qu'est vostre fille atornee, qui tant est bele et bien senee?" "Biax amis," fet li vavasors, 510 "Povretez fet mal as plusors et autresi fet ele moi. Molt me poise quant ge la voi atornee si povremant, ne n'ai pooir que je l'amant: 515 tant ai esté toz jorz an guerre, tote en ai perdue ma terre, et angagiee, et vandue. Et ne por quant bien fust vestue, se ge sofrisse qu'el preïst 520 ce que l'an doner li vossist. Nes li sires de cest chastel l'eüst vestue bien et bel et se li feïst toz ses buens, qu'ele est sa niece et il est cuens; 525 ne n'a an trestot cest païs nul baron, tant soit de haut pris, qui ne l'eüst a fame prise volantiers tot a ma devise. Mes j'atant ancor meillor point, 530 que Dex greignor enor li doint, que avanture li amaint ou roi ou conte qui l'an maint. A dons soz ciel ne roi ne conte qui eüst an ma fille honte, 535 qui tant par est bele a mervoille qu'an ne puet trover sa paroille? Molt est bele, mes mialz asez vaut ses savoirs que sa biautez: onques Dex ne fist rien tant saige 540 ne qui tant soit de franc coraige. Quant ge ai delez moi ma fille, tot le mont ne pris une bille: c'est mes deduiz, c'est mes deporz, c'est mes solaz et mes conforz, 545 c'est mes avoirs et mes tresors; je n'ain tant rien come son cors." Quant Erec ot tot escoté quanque ses ostes ot conté, puis li demande qu'il li die 550 dom estoit tex chevalerie qu'an ce chastel estoit venue, qu'il n'i avoit si povre rue ne fust plainne de chevaliers et de dames et d'escuiers, 25who is so lovely and full of good sense, dressed in such a poor and ugly dress?" "Good friend," said the vavasor, 510 "Poverty ill-treats many men, and likewise she does me. It grieves me when I see my daughter so poorly dressed, yet I am powerless to change the situation: 515 I have spent so much time at war I have lost all my land thereby, and mortgaged it and sold it. And yet she would be well clothed if I allowed her to accept 520 what someone would like to give her. The lord of this town himself would have clothed her handsomely and would have granted her every wish, for she is his niece and he is a count; 525 nor is there a lord in all this land, however grand his reputation, who would not have taken her for his wife, and gladly, according to my conditions. But I am still waiting for a better opportunity, 530 for God to grant her greater honor and for chance to bring to her a king or a count who will take her away with him. Is there in all the world a king or count who would be ashamed of my daughter, 535 who is so wonderfully beautiful that her equal cannot be found? She is indeed beautiful, but her good sense is worth even more than her beauty: God never made such a wise creature 540 nor one so noble in spirit When I have my daughter near me, the whole world is not worth a marble: she is my delight, she is my diversion, she is my solace and my comfort, 545 she is my wealth and my treasure; I love nothing else as much as I love her." When Erec had listened to all his host had told him, he asked him to tell him 550 why there was such a gathering of knights as had come to this town, for there was no street so poor, and no inn so poor or small, that it was not full of knights 26 555 n'ostel tant povre ne petit, Et li vavasors li a dit: "Biax amis, ce sont li baron de cest païs ci an viron: trestuit li juene et li chenu 560 a une feste sont venu qui an ce chastel iert demain; por ce sont li ostel si plain. Molt i avra demain grant bruit, quant il seront assanblé tuit, 565 que devant trestote la gent iert sor une perche d'argent uns espreviers molt biax assis, ou de cinc mues ou de sis, le meillor qu'an porra savoir. 570 Qui l'esprevier voldra avoir, avoir li covandra amie bele et saige sanz vilenie; s'il i a chevalier si os [7b] qui vuelle le pris et le los 575 de la plus bele desresnier, s'amie fera l'esprevier devant toz a la perche prandre, s'autres ne li ose desfandre. Iceste costume maintienent 580 et por ce chascun an i vienent." Aprés li dit Erec et prie: "Biax ostes, ne vos enuit mie, mes dites moi, se vos savez, qui est uns chevaliers armez 585 d'unes armes d'azur et d'or, qui par ci devant passa or, lez lui une pucele cointe qui molt pres de lui s'estoit jointe, et devant ax un nain boçu?" 590 Lors a li ostes respondu: "C'est cil qui avra I'esprevier sanz contredit de chevalier: ja n'i avra ne cop ne plaie; ne cuit que nus avant s'an traie. 595 Par deus anz l'a il ja eü, c'onques chalongiez ne li fu, mes se il ancor ouan l'a, a toz jorz desresnié l'avra: ja mes n'iert anz que il ne l'et 600 quite, sanz bataille et sanz plet." Erec respont en es le pas: "Cest chevalier, je ne l'aim pas. 27 555 and ladies and squires. And the vavasor replied: "Good friend, those are the lords of this land hereabouts: everyone, young and old, 560 has come for a festival that will occur in this town tomorrow; that is why the inns are so full. Tomorrow there will be great excitement when they are all assembled, 565 for in front of all the people, seated on a silver perch, there will be a very fine sparrow-hawk, five or six years old, the best that can be found. 570 Whoever wants to have the sparrow-hawk will have to have a lady who is beautiful and wise and free from baseness; if there is any knight so bold as to want to claim the reputation 575 and the honor of the most beautiful, he will have his lady, in front of everyone, take the sparrow-hawk from its perch, if no one else dares oppose him. They uphold this tradition 580 and that is why they come here each year." Then Erec asked him: "Good host, may it not trouble you, but tell me, if you know, who is the knight bearing 585 arms of azure and gold, who passed by here a while ago, an attractive maiden beside him, who stayed very close to him, and a hunchbacked dwarf in front of them?" 590 Then the host replied: "He is the one who will have the sparrow-hawk without being challenged by any other knight: never will there be blow or wound, for I believe no one else will come forward. 595 He has already had it two years in a row without ever being challenged, but if he gets it again this year he will have claimed it forever: he will retain it each year, 600 without combat and without argument." Erec immediately replied: "I have no love for this knight. 28Saichiez, se je armes avoie, l'esprevier li contrediroie. 605 Biax ostes, por vostre franchise, por guerredon et por servise, vos pri que vos me conselliez tant que je soie aparelliez d'unes armes, viez ou noveles, 610 ne me chaut quiex, leides ou beles." Et il li respont come frans: "Ja mar an seroiz an espans: armes boenes et beles ai, que volantiers vos presterai. 615 Leanz est li haubers tresliz, qui antre cinc cenz fu esliz, et les chauces beles et chieres, [7c] boenes et fresches et legieres; li hiaumes i rest boens et biax 620 et li escuz fres et noviax. Le cheval, l'espee et la lance, tot vos presterai sanz dotance, que ja riens n'an sera a dire." "La vostre merci, biax dolz sire, 625 mes je ne quier meillor espee de celi que j'ai aportee, ne cheval autre que le mien: de celui m'aiderai ge bien. Se vos le sorplus me prestez, 630 vis m'est que c'est molt granz bontez; mes ancor vos voel querre un don, don ge randrai le guerredon, se Dex done que je m'an aille atot l'enor de la bataille." 635 Et cil li respont franchemant: "Demandez tot seüremant vostre pleisir, comant qu'il aut: riens que je aie ne vos faut!" Lors dist Erec que l'esprevier 640 vialt par sa fille desresnier, car por voir n'i avra pucele qui la centiesme part soit bele, et se il avoec lui l'an mainne, reison avra droite et certainne 645 de desresnier et de mostrer qu'ele an doit l'esprevier porter. Puis dist: "Sire, vos ne savez quel oste herbergié avez, de quel afeire et de quel gent. 29Be assured that, if I had armor, I would challenge him for the sparrow-hawk. 605 Good host, because of your generosity, as a favor and a service, I ask you to advise me so that I may be equipped with armor, old or new, 610 I care not which, ugly or beautiful." And he replied generously: "You need never be concerned on that account: I have good and beautiful armor which I will gladly lend you. 615 Inside there is the hauberk of woven mail, * chosen from among five hundred, and beautiful and expensive greaves, good and new and light; the helmet is likewise good and beautiful 620 and the shield brand new. The horse, the sword, and the lance, I shall lend you all, without hesitation, so that you need ask for nothing more." "Pray excuse me, good kind sir, 625 but I wish for no better sword than the one I brought with me, nor any horse besides my own: I shall make good use of that one. If you lend me the rest, 630 I shall deem it a very great favor; but I wish to ask one other gift of you, * which I shall repay, if God grants that I may emerge with the honor of the battle." 635 And the vavasor generously replied: "Ask confidently for what you wish, whatever it may be: nothing I have will be denied you!" Then Erec said that he wanted 640 to contend for the sparrow-hawk by means of his daughter, for in truth no other maiden would be there who was the hundredth part as beautiful, and if he took her there with him, he would be perfectly justified 645 in contending and in claiming that she should carry off the sparrow-hawk. Then he said: "Sir, you do not know to what guest you have given lodging, of what station and from what people. 30 650 Filz sui d'un riche roi puissant: mes peres li rois Lac a non; Erec m'apelent li Breton. De la cort le roi Artus sui; bien ai esté trois anz a lui. 655 Je ne sai s'an ceste contree vint onques nule renomee ne de mon pere ne de moi, mes je vos promet et otroi, se vos armes m'aparelliez 660 et vostre fille me bailliez demain a l'esprevier conquerre, [7d] que je l'an manrai an ma terre, se Dex la victoire m'an done; la li ferai porter corone, 665 s'iert reïne de dis citez." "Ha! biax sire, est ce veritez? Erec, li filz Lac, estes vos?" "Ce sui mon," fet il, "a estros." Li ostes molt s'an esjoï 670 et dist: "Bien avomes oï de vos parler an cest païs. Or vos aim assez plus et pris, car molt estes preuz et hardiz; ja de moi n'iroiz escondiz: 675 tot a vostre comandemant ma belle fille vos comant." Lors Fa prise par mi le poing: "Tenez," fet il, "je la vos doing." Erec lieemant la regut: 680 or a quanque il li estut. Grant joie font tuit par leanz: li peres an ert molt joianz et la mere plore de joie. Et la pucele ert tote coie, 685 mes molt estoit joianz et liee qu'ele li estoit otroiee, por ce que preuz ert et cortois, et bien savoit qu'il seroit rois et ele meïsme enoree, 690 riche reïne coronee. Molt orent cele nuit veillié. Li lit furent apareillié de blans dras et de costes moles. A tant faillirent les paroles; 695 lieemant se vont couchier tuit. Erec dormi po cele nuit. L'andemain, lués que l'aube crieve, isnelemant et tost se lieve, et ses ostes ansanble o lui. 31 650 I am the son of a rich and powerful king: my father is named King Lac; the Bretons call me Erec. I am of the court of King Arthur; I have been with him for three years, 655 I do not know whether any fame, * either of my father or of me, ever came to this land, but I promise and grant you, if you equip me with armor 660 and entrust your daughter to me to win the sparrow-hawk tomorrow, that I shall take her to my land, if God gives me the victory; there I shall have her wear a crown 665 and she will be queen of ten cities." "Ah, good sir, is this the truth? Are you Erec, the son of Lac?" "That I am," said he, "without a doubt." The host rejoiced greatly at this 670 and said: "We have indeed heard tell of you in this land. Now I love and esteem you even more, for you are very valiant and bold; I shall never refuse your request: 675 just as you desire I entrust my beautiful daughter to you." Then he took her by the hand: "Here," said he, "I give her to you." Erec joyfully received her: 680 now he had everything he needed. Within the house all showed great joy: the father was very joyful and the mother wept for joy. And the maiden was very still, 685 but she was very joyful and happy that she was granted to him, because he was valiant and courtly, and she knew well he would be king and that she herself would be honored, 690 rich, and crowned a queen. They had stayed up late that night. The beds were prepared with white sheets and soft mattresses. * Then the conversation ended 695 and joyfully all went to bed. Erec slept little that night. The next day, as soon as dawn broke, he got up quickly, and his host along with him. 32 700 Au mostier vont orer andui et firent del Saint Esperite messe chanter a un hermite; l'oferande n'oblïent mie. Quant il orent la messe oïe, 705 andui anclinent a l'autel, [7e] si s'an repeirent a Fostel. Erec tarda molt la bataille. Les armes quiert et Fan li bailie: la pucele meïsmes l'arme; 710 n'i ot fet charaie ne charme. Lace li les chauces de fer * et queust a corroie de cer; hauberc li vest de boene maille et se li lace la vantaille; 715 le hiaume brun li met el chief: molt l'arme bien de chief an chief, Au costé l'espee li ceint. Puis comande qu'an li amaint son cheval, et l'an li amainne; 720 sus est sailliz de terre plainne. La pucele aporte l'escu et la lance qui roide fu: 1'escu li bailie, et il le prant; par la guige a son col le pant. 725 La lance li ra el poing mise; cil Fa devers l'arestuel prise. Puis dist au vavasor gentil: "Biax sire, s'il vos plest," fet il, "feites vostre fille atomer, 730 qu'a Fesprevier la voel mener si con vos m'avez covenant." Li vavasors fist maintenant anseler un palefroi bai; onques ne le mist an delai. 735 Del hernois a parler ne fet, car la granz povretez ne let, don li vavasors estoit plains. La sele fu mise et li frains. Deslïee et desafublee 740 est la pucele sus montee, qui de rien ne s'an fist proier. Erec ne volt plus delaier: or s'an va, delez lui an coste an mainne la fille son oste; 745 aprés les si vent amedui li sires et la dame o lui. Erec chevalche lance droite, 33 700 They went together to pray at the church and had a hermit sing a mass of the Holy Spirit; they did not forget the offering. When they had heard the mass, 705 they both bowed down before the altar, and then went back to the house. Erec was impatient for the battle. He asked for the armor and it was brought to him: the maiden herself armed him; 710 she used neither spell nor charm in doing so. * She laced on the iron greaves and attached them solidly with deer-hide thongs; she dressed him in the hauberk of good chain mail and laced on the ventail; * 715 she put the burnished helmet on his head: she armed him well from head to foot. She girded his sword at his side. Then he ordered someone to bring him his horse, and it was brought to him; 720 he jumped directly on it from the ground. The maiden brought him the shield and the sturdy lance: she gave him the shield, and he took it; he slung it round his neck by the guige. * 725 In turn she put the lance into his hand; he grasped it near the base. * Then he said to the noble vavasor: "Good sir, if it please you," said he, "have your daughter get ready, 730 for I wish to take her to the sparrow-hawk, as you have agreed that I should." The vavasor straightaway had a bay palfrey saddled; * he lost no time in doing so. 735 The harness does not deserve mention because of the great poverty of the vavasor. The saddle was put on and the bridle. Her hair loose and wearing no cloak, 740 the maiden mounted; she needed no bidding. Erec wished to delay no longer: he rode off, taking at his side the daughter of his host; 745 behind them followed both the vavasor and the lady. Erec rode with lance upright, 34delez lui la pucele adroite. Tuit l'esgardent par miles rues, [7f] 750 et les granz genz et les menues. Trestoz li pueples s'an mervoille; li uns dit a l'autre et consoille: "Qui est, qui est oil chevaliers? Molt doit estre hardiz et fiers, 755 quant la bele pucele an mainne. Cist anploiera bien sa painne! Cist doit bien desresnier par droit que ceste la plus bele soit!" Li uns dit a l'autre: "Por voir, 760 ceste doit l'esprevier avoir!" Li un la pucele looient, et mainz en i ot qui disoient: "Dex! qui puet cil chevaliers estre qui la bele pucele adestre?" 765 "Ne sai, ne sai," ce dit chascuns, "mes molt li siet li hiaumes bruns et cil haubers et cil escuz et cil branz d'acier esmoluz. Molt est adroiz sor ce cheval; 770 bien resanble vaillant vassal: molt est bien fez et bien tailliez de braz, de janbes et de piez." Tuit a aus esgarder antandent, et il ne tardent ne atandent 775 tant que devant l'esprevier furent. Duec de l'une part s'esturent ou le chevalier atandoient. Estes vos que venir le voient, lez lui son nain et sa pucele. 780 Ja avoit oï la novele c'uns chevaliers venuz estoit qui l'esprevier avoir voloit, mes ne cuidoit qu'el siegle eüst chevalier qui si hardiz fust 785 qui contre lui s'osast conbatre: bien le cuidoit vaintre et abatre. Totes les genz le conuissoient; tuit le salüent et convoient. Aprés lui ot grant bruit de gent: 790 li chevalier et li sergent et les dames corent aprés, et les puceles a eslés. Li chevaliers va devant toz, [4ai lez lui sa pucele et son goz. 795 Molt chevalche orguilleusemant 35the comely maiden beside him. In the streets everyone looked at him, 750 the great folk and the small. All the people marveled; they said to one another: "Who is this, who is this knight? He must be very brave and proud 755 to lead the beautiful maiden. He will make good use of his efforts! He must very rightfully contend that she is the most beautiful!" One said to the other: "Truly, 760 she must have the sparrow-hawk!" Some praised the maiden, and there were many there who said; "God! Who can this knight be who accompanies the beautiful maiden?" 765 "I don't know, I don't know," said each, "but the burnished helmet suits him well, as do that hauberk and that shield, and that blade of sharpened steel. He rides that horse extremely well; 770 he certainly looks like a valiant knight: he's very well built and well proportioned in his arms, his legs, and his feet." Everyone was intent on looking at them, but they neither tarried nor hesitated 775 until they were in front of the sparrow-hawk. There they stood to one side where they waited for the knight. Then they saw him coming, his dwarf and his maiden beside him. 780 He had already heard the news that a knight had come who wanted to have the sparrow-hawk, but he did not believe there was in all the world a knight who was so bold 785 as to dare to fight against him: he thought he would easily subdue and vanquish him. All the people knew him; everyone greeted and escorted him. Following him there was a great noise of people: 790 the knights and the men-at-arms and the ladies ran behind him, and the maidens, as fast as they could go. The knight went on ahead of them all, his maiden and his dwarf beside him. 795 He rode most haughtily and fast 36vers l'esprevier isnelemant, mes an tor avoit si grant presse de la vilainne gent angresse que l'an n'i pooit aprochier 800 del trait a un arbalestier. Li cuens est venuz an la place; as vilains vient, si les menace: une verge tient an sa main; arriers se traient li vilain. 805 Li chevaliers s'est avant trez; a sa pucele dist an pez: "Ma dameisele, cist oisiax, qui tant bien est müez et biax, doit vostre estre par droite rante, 810 que molt par estes bele et gente, et si iert il tote ma vie. Alez avant, ma dolce amie, l'esprevier a la perche prandre." La pucele i vost la main tandre, 815 mes Erec li cort chalongier, qui rien ne prise son dongier: "Dameisele," fet il, "fuiez! A autre oisel vos deduiez, car vos n'avez droit an cestui. 820 Cui qu'an doie venir enui, ja cist espreviers vostres n'iert, que miaudre de vos le requiert, plus bele asez et plus cortoise." A l'autre chevalier an poise, 825 mes Erec ne le prise guere. Sa pucele fet avant trere: "Bele," fet il, "avant venez! L'oisel a la perche prenez, car bien est droiz que vos l'aiez. 830 Dameisele, avant vos traiez! Del desresnier tres bien me vant, se nus s'an ose trere avant, que a vos ne s'an prant nes une, ne que au soloil fet la lune, 835 ne de biauté, ne de valor, ne de franchise, ne d'enor." Li autres nel pot plus sofrir, [4b] quant il si l'oï porofrir de la bataille a tel vertu: 840 "Cui?" fet il, "vassax, qui es tu, qui l'esprevier m'as contredit?" Erec hardïemant li dit: "Uns chevaliers sui d'autre terre. Cest esprevier sui venuz querre, 845 et bien est droiz, cui qu'il soit let, 37toward the sparrow-hawk, but around it there was such a press of the eager common-folk that one could get no closer to it 800 than the length of a crossbow shot. The count came into the field; he came toward the commoners and threatened them: he held a switch in his hand; the commoners drew back. 805 The knight advanced; he said tranquilly to his maiden: My damsel, this bird, which is so well moulted and so beautiful, is to be rightfully yours, 810 for you are very beautiful and noble, and thus it shall be all my life. Go ahead, my sweet friend, take the sparrow-hawk from the perch." The maiden started to reach for it, 815 but Erec ran to challenge her, caring nothing for the other's haughtiness: "Damsel," said he, "begone! Take some other bird for your pleasure, for you have no right to this one. 820 Whoever may be displeased by it, this sparrow-hawk will never be yours, for a better one than you claims it, much more beautiful and more courtly." This displeased the other knight, 825 but Erec esteemed him little. He had his damsel come forward: "Fair one," said he, "come forward! Take the bird from the perch, for it is right that you should have it! 830 Damsel, come forward! I make bold to uphold the contest, if anyone dares come forth against me, for not one can compare with you, no more than the moon compares with the sun, 835 neither in beauty, nor in worth, nor in nobility, nor in honor." The other could stand it no more, when he heard Erec so boldly propose batde: 840 "What?" said he, "vassal, who are you, who have challenged me for the sparrow-hawk?" Erec boldly answered him: "I am a knight from another land. I have come to seek this sparrow-hawk, 845 and it is right, whoever may find it unpleasant, 38que ceste dameisele Pet." "Fui!" fet li autres, "ce n'iert ja; folie t'a amené ça! Se tu viax avoir l'esprevier, 850 molt le t'estuet conparer chier." "Conparer, vassax? Et de quoi?" "Conbatre t'an covient a moi, se tu ne le me clainmes quite." "Or avez vos folie dite," 855 fet Erec; "au mien esci'ant ce sont menaces de neant, que tot par mesure vos dot." "Done te desfi ge tot de bot, car ne puet estre sanz bataille." 860 Erec respont: "Or Dex i vaille, c'onques riens nule tant ne vos!" Des or mes an orroiz les cos. La place fu delivre et granz; de totes parz furent les genz. 865 Cil plus d'un arpant s'antr'esloingnent; por assanbler les chevax poignent; as fers des lances se requierent. Par si grant vertu s'antre fierent que li escu piercent et croissent, 870 les lances esclicent et froissent, depiecent li arçon derriers: * guerpir lor estuet les estriés. Contre terre amedui se ruient; li cheval par le chanp s'an fuient. 875 Cil resont tost an piez sailli. Des lances n'orent pas failli; les espees des fuerres traient, felenessemant s'antre essaient des tranchanz; granz cos s'antre donent: 880 li hiaume cassent et resonent. Fiers est li chaples des espees: [4c] molt s'antre donent granz colees, que de rien nule ne se faignent; tot deronpent quanqu'il ataignent, 885 tranchent escuz, faussent haubers. Del sane vermoil rogist li fers. Li chaples dure longuemant; tant se fierent menüemant que molt se lassent et recroient. 890 Andeus les puceles ploroient; chascuns voit la soe plorer, les mains tandre a Deu et orer qu'il doint l'enor de la bataille 39that this maiden should have it." "Begone!" said the other, "that will never be; it was madness that brought you here! If you want to have the sparrow-hawk, 850 you'll have to pay dearly for it." "Pay for it, vassal? And with what?" "You'll have to do battle with me if you don't relinquish it to me." "Now you've said something unwise," 855 said Erec; "in my opinion these are empty threats, for I fear you very little." "Then I defy you immediately, for this cannot be without a battle." 860 Erec replied: "Then may God grant it, for I never desired anything so much!" Now you will hear the blows. The field was clear and open; there were people on all sides. 865 The two knights drew well apart from one another; * they spurred their steeds to begin the battle; they sought each other with the heads of their lances. They struck each other with such power that the shields were pierced and broke, 870 the lances shattered and splintered, and the cantles broke into pieces behind them: * they could no longer stay in their stirrups. Both of them were thrown to the ground; the horses ran off across the field. 875 At once they jumped back to their feet. They had not missed with their lances; they drew their swords from their scabbards, savagely went at each other with the cutting edges, and gave each other great blows: 880 their helmets resounded and broke. The combat with the swords was intense: they gave each other great blows, for they in no way held themselves back; they split apart whatever they hit, 885 slicing shields and deforming hauberks. The iron reddened with their blood. The combat lasted a long time; they struck each other so intensely that they grew very tired and discouraged. 890 Both the maidens were weeping; each of the knights saw his damsel weep, raise her hands to God and pray that he might grant the victory 40celui qui por li se travaille. 895 "Vassax," ce dit li chevaliers, "car nos traions un po arriers, s'estons un petit an repos, car trop feromes foibles cos; miaudres cos nos covient ferir, 900 car trop est pres de l'anserir. Molt est grant honte et grant leidure quant ceste bataille tant dure. Voi la cele gente pucele * qui por toi plore et Deu apele! 905 Molt prie dolcemant por toi et la moie autresi por moi, si nos devons as branz d'acier por noz amies resforcier." Erec respont: "Bien avez dit." 910 Lors se reposent un petit. Erec regarde vers s'amie, qui molt dolcemant por lui prie. Tot maintenant qu'il l'ot veüe, se li est sa force creüe; 915 por s'amor et por sa biauté a reprise molt grant fierté. Remanbre li de la reïne, qu'il avoit dit an la gaudine que il sa honte vangeroit 920 ou il ancore la crestroit. "Hé! mauvés," fet il, "qu'atant gié? Ancores n'ai ge pas vangié le let que cil vasax sofri, quant ses nains el bois me feri!" 925 Ses mautalanz li renovele; le chevalier par ire apele: "Vassax," fet il, "tot de novel a la bataille vos rapel: trop avons fet grant reposee; [4d] 930 recomançons nostre meslee." Cil li respont: "Ce ne m'est grief!" Lors s'antre vienent de rechief. Andui sorent de l'escremie: a cele premiere anvaïe, 935 s'Erec bien coverz ne se fust, li chevaliers blecié l'eüst; 41to the one who was striving for her. 895 "Vassal," said the knight, "let us draw back a bit, and rest a while, for our blows have become too weak; we should strike better blows, 900 for it is very near evening. It is a very shameful and humiliating thing that this battle is taking so long. See there that gracious maiden who weeps for you and calls upon God! 905 She is praying very sofdy for you and mine is doing likewise for me, and we must renew our efforts, on behalf of our ladies, with our steel blades." Erec replied: "You have spoken well." 910 Then they rested for a bit. Erec looked toward his lady, who was very softly praying for him. As soon as he saw her, his strength was renewed; 915 because of her love and her beauty he regained his great courage. He remembered the queen, to whom he had said in the woods that he would avenge his shame 920 or else augment it further. "Well, what am I waiting for, like a coward?" said he. "I haven't yet avenged the outrage that this vassal allowed, when his dwarf struck me in the woods!" 925 His wrath renewed itself within him; he called out angrily to the knight: "Vassal," he cried, "I call upon you to begin our battle anew: we have rested too long; 930 let us resume our combat." The other replied: "I agree." Then they went at each other anew. Both of them knew about fighting: at that first attack, 935 if Erec had not covered himself, the knight would have wounded him; 42si l'a li chevaliers feru a descovert, desor l'escu, c'une piece del hiaume tranche. 940 Res a res de la coisfe blanche l'espee contre val descent, l'escu jusqu'a la bocle fant, et del hauberc lez le coste li a plus d'un espan oste. 945 Bien dut estre Erec afolez: jusqu'a la char li est colez sor la hanche li aciers froiz. Dex le gari a cele foiz: se li fers ne tornast dehors, 950 tranchié l'eüst par mi le cors. Mes Erec de rien ne s'esmaie; se cil li preste, bien li paie. Molt hardïemant le requiert; par selonc l'espaule le fiert. 955 Tele anpointe li a donee que li escuz n'i a duree, ne li haubers rien ne li vaut que jusqu'a l'os l'espee n'aut: tot contre val jusqu'au braier 960 a fet le sane vermoil raier. Molt sont fier andui li vasal: si se conbatent par igal que ne puet pas un pié de terre li uns desor l'autre conquerre. 965 Molt ont lor haubers desmailliez et les escuz si detailliez qu'il n'ont tant d'antier, sanz mantir, dont il se puissent recovrir: tuit se fierent a descovert. 970 Chascuns del sane grant masse i pert; molt afeblissent anbedui. Cil fiert Erec, et Erec lui: tel cop a delivre li done [4e] sor le hiaume que tot l'estone. 975 Fiert et refiert tot a bandon: trois cos li done de randon, li hiaumes escartele toz et la coisfe tranche desoz. Jusqu'au test l'espee n'areste: * 980 un os li tranche de la teste, mes nel tocha an la cervele. Cil anbrunche toz et chancele; que qu'il chancele Erec le bote, et cil chiet sor le destre cote. 985 Erec par le hiaume le sache, a force del chief li arache 43the knight struck him such a blow above the shield, where he was unprotected, that he sliced off a piece of his helmet. 940 Just even with the white coif * the sword came down, split the shield down to the boss, * and from the hauberk, along the side, took off more than a hand's breadth. 945 Erec should have been badly injured: the cold steel, on his hip, sank right to his flesh. God protected him that time: if the blade had not turned outward, 950 it would have sliced right through his body. But Erec was not at all dismayed; he truly repaid whatever the other lent him. Very boldly he returned the attack; he struck him along the shoulder. 955 Erec gave him such an attack that his shield could not resist, and his hauberk was worthless as the sword went right to the bone: it made the crimson blood stream downward 960 all the way to his belt. Both knights were very bold: they were so evenly matched that not one foot of ground could one gain over the other. 965 Their hauberks were badly broken and their shields were so hacked up that they had nothing left whole—it is no lie— with which to cover themselves: they were striking one another openly. 970 Each of them was losing a lot of blood; both were growing very weak. The other struck Erec, and Erec struck him: he gave him such a blow, unimpeded, on his helmet, that he quite stunned him. 975 He struck him freely, again and again: he gave him three blows in quick succession, broke the helmet completely apart and sliced the coif beneath. The sword went all the way to his skull: 980 it sliced through one of the bones in his head, but did not touch his brain. He slumped down and staggered; while he was staggering Erec shoved him, and he fell onto his right side. 985 Erec pulled him by the helmet, forcibly tore it from his head 44et la vantaille li deslace; le chief li desarme et la face. Quant li remanbre de l'outrage 990 que ses nains li fist el boschage, la teste li eüst colpee se il n'eüst merci criee: "Ha! vasax," fet il, "conquis m'as. Merci! Ne m'ocirre tu pas! 995 Des que tu m'as oltré et pris, ja n'an avroies los ne pris se tu des or mes m'ocioies: trop grant vilenie feroies. Tien m'espee; je la te rant." 1000 Mes Erec mie ne la prant, einz dit: "Bien va, je ne t'oci." "Ha! gentix chevaliers, merci! Por quel forfet ne por quel tort me doiz tu done haïr de mort? 1005 Einz mes ne te vi, que je sache, * n'onques ne fui an ton domage ne ne te fis honte ne let." Erec respont: "Si avez fet." "Hé! sire, car le dites donques! 1010 Ne vos vi mes, que je saiche, onques, et se ge rien mesfet vos ai, an vostre merci an serai." Lors dist Erec: "Vasax, je sui cil qui an la forest hier fui 1015 avoec la reïne Ganievre, ou tu sofris ton nain anrievre ferir la pucele ma dame. [4f] Granz viltance est de ferir fame! Et moi aprés referi il; 1020 molt me tenis lors anpor vil: trop grant orguel asez feïs, * quant tu tel oltrage veïs, si le sofris et si te plot d'une tel fauture et d'un bot, 1025 qui feri la pucele et moi. Por ce forfet haïr te doi, car trop feïs grant mesprison. Fïancier t'an estuet prison, et sanz nul respit or androit 1030 iras a ma dame tot droit, 45and untied his ventail; he removed the annor from his face and head. When he remembered the outrage 990 that his dwarf had committed in the wood, Erec would have cut off his head had the other not cried out for mercy: "Ah! Vassal," said he, "you have vanquished me. Mercy! Do not kill me! 995 Since you have defeated me and taken me prisoner, you would gain no glory nor esteem if you went on to kill me: you would commit a very unknightly act. Take my sword; I surrender it to you." 1000 But Erec did not take it, and said: "All right, I won't kill you." "Ah, noble knight, mercy! For what injury or what wrong must you bear me this deadly hatred? 1005 I have never seen you before, to my knowledge, nor was I ever responsible for wronging you, nor did I cause you shame or outrage." Erec replied: "Yes, you did." "Ah, sir, then do tell me! 1010 I have never seen you before, to my knowledge, and if I have wronged you, I shall place myself at your mercy." Then said Erec: "Vassal, I am he who was in the forest yesterday 1015 with Queen Guinevere, when you allowed your ignoble dwarf to strike my lady's maiden. It is a vile thing to strike a woman! And he struck me in turn afterwards; 1020 you held me in very low esteem: your action was far too haughty, when you saw such an outrage, and yet allowed it and were not displeased on the part of such a freak and a dwarf, 1025 who struck the maiden and me. For this injury I must hate you, for you committed too great an offense. You must constitute yourself my prisoner, and without delay, immediately, 1030 you will go directly to my lady, 46car sanz faille la troveras a Caradigan, se la vas. Bien i vandras ancor enuit: n'i a pas set liues, ce cuit. 1035 Toi et ta pucele et ton nain li deliverras an sa main por fere son comandemant, et se li di que ge li mant que detrain a joie vanrai 1040 et une pucele amanrai, tant bele et tant saige et tant preu que sa paroille n'est nul leu: bien li porras dire por voir. Et ton non revoel ge savoir." 1045 Lors li dist cil, ou voelle ou non: "Sire, Ydiers, li filz Nut, ai non. Hui matin ne cuidoie mie c'uns seus hom par chevalerie me poi'st vaintre; or ai trové 1050 meillor de moi et esprové: molt estes chevaliers vaillanz. Tenez: ma foi je vos fïanz que or androit, sanz plus atandre, m'irai a la reïne randre. 1055 Mes dites moi, nel me celez, par quel non estes apelez? Qui dirai ge qui m'i anvoie? Aparelliez sui de la voie." Et cil respont: "Jel te dirai; 1060 ja mon non ne te celerai. Erec ai non; va, se li di [5a] que je t'ai anvoié a li." "Et je m'an vois, jel vos otroi; mon nain et ma pucele o moi 1065 metrai an sa merci del tot: ja mar an seroiz an redot. Et si li dirai la novele de vos et de vostre pucele." Lors en a Erec la foi prise. 1070 Tuit sont venu a la devise, li cuens et les genz an viron, les puceles et li baron. De maz et de liez en i ot: a l'un pesa, a l'autre plot. 1075 Por la pucele au cheinse blanc, * qui le cuer ot gentil et franc, qui estoit fille au vavasor, 47for you will find her without fail at Cardigan, if you go there. You will easily reach there before nightfall: it is less than seven leagues, I believe. 1035 Into her hands you will deliver yourself and your maiden and your dwarf, to do her biding, and tell her that I send this message: that I shall joyfully arrive tomorrow, 1040 and shall bring along a maiden, so beautiful and so wise and so prudent that her equal is nowhere to be found: you can tell her so in truth. And now I want to know your name." 1045 Then the other was forced to reveal it: "Sir, my name is Yder, son of Nut. This morning I did not believe that a single man could best me by his knighthood; now I have found 1050 and encountered a better man than I: you are a very valiant knight. Here: I solemnly promise you that straightaway, without further delay, I shall go deliver myself to the queen. 1055 But tell me, do not conceal it, by what name are you called? Whom shall I say sends me there? I am all ready to set on my way." And he replied: "I shall tell you; 1060 I shall never conceal my name from you. My name is Erec; go, and tell her that I have sent you to her." "I am on my way, I agree to your terms; my dwarf and my maiden and myself 1065 I shall place completely at her mercy: you need have no fear on that account. And I shall tell her the news of you and your maiden." Then Erec took his solemn pledge. 1070 Everyone came to witness their settlement, the count and the people around him, the maidens and the nobles. Some were grieved, but others were joyful: it pleased some; it displeased others. 1075 For the maiden in the white dress with the noble and generous heart, the daughter of the vavasor, 48s'esjoïssent tuit li plusor, et por Yder dolant estoient 1080 et por s'amie qui l'amoient. Yders n'i volt plus arester: sa foi li covint aquiter. Maintenant sor son cheval monte. Por coi vos feroie lone conte? 1085 Son nain et sa pucele an mainne. Le bois trespassent et la plainne; tote la droite voie tindrent tant que a Caradigan vindrent. Es loiges de la sale hors 1090 estoit mes sire Gauvains lors et Kex li senechax ansanble; des barons i ot, ce me sanble, avoec ax grant masse venuz. Cez qui vienent ont bien veüz. 1095 Li senechax premiers les vit; a mon seignor Gauvain a dit: "Sire," fet il, "mes cuers devine que cil vasax qui la chemine, e'est cil que la reïne dist 1100 qui hier si grant enui li fist. Ce m'est avis que il sont troi: le nain et la pucele voi." "Voirs est," fet mes sire Gauvains, "e'est une pucele et uns nains 1105 qui avoec le chevalier vienent; [5b] vers nos la droite voie tienent. Toz armez est li chevaliers, mes ses escuz n'est pas antiers; se la reïne le veoit, 1110 je cuit qu'ele le conuistroit. Hé! senechax, car l'apelez!" Cil i est maintenant alez; trovee l'a en une chanbre. "Dame," fet il, "s'il vos remanbre 1115 del nain qui hier vos correça et vostre pucele bleça?" "Oil, molt m'an sovient il bien, seneschax; savez an vos rien? Por coi l'avez ramanteü?" 1120 "Dame, por ce que j'ai veü venir un chevalier errant, armé sor un destrier ferrant, et, se mi oel ne m'ont manti, une pucele a avoec li, 49many were joyful; and those who loved Yder and his lady 1080 were saddened on their account. Yder wished to stay no longer: he had to honor his pledge. At once he got onto his horse. Why should I tell you a long tale? 1085 I-Ie took his dwarf and his maiden with him. They traversed the wood and the plain; they kept to the most direct route until they came to Cardigan. My lord Gawain and Kay the seneschal * 1090 were together then in the galleries outside the hall; a great number of barons, I believe, had come there with them. They saw clearly those who were arriving. 1095 The seneschal saw them first; he spoke to my lord Gawain: "My lord," said he, "it is my guess that that knight riding there is the one of whom the queen spoke, 1100 who caused her so much distress yesterday. I believe there are three of them: I see the dwarf and the maiden." "It's true," said my lord Gawain, "there's a maiden and a dwarf 1105 coming with the knight; they're heading direcdy toward us. The knight is fully armed, but his shield is far from whole; if the queen saw him, 1110 I believe she would recognize him. I say, seneschal, go call her!" Kay immediately went to do so; he found her in a chamber. "My lady," said he, "do you remember 1115 the dwarf who angered you yesterday and wounded your maiden?" "Yes, I remember him very well, seneschal; do you know anything of this? Why have you reminded me of it?" 1120 "My lady, because I have seen a traveling knight in armor, * coming on an iron-gray charger, and, if my eyes have not deceived me, he has a maiden with him, 50 1125 et si ra'est vis qu'avoec ax vient li nains qui l'escorgiee tient, dom Erec reçut la colee." Lots s'est la reïne levee et dist: "Alons i, seneschax, 1130 veoir se ce est li vasax. Se c'est il, bien pöez savoir que je vos an dirai le voir maintenant que je le verrai." Et Kex dist: "Je vos i manrai; 1135 or venez as loiges a mont, la ou nostre conpaignon sorit; d'ilueques venir le veïsmes, et mes sire Gauvains meïsmes vos i atant. Dame, alons i, 1140 que trop avons demoré ci." Lors s'est la reïne esmeüe; as fenestres s'an est venue. Lez mon seignor Gauvain s'estut; le chevalier molt bien conut: 1145 "Haï!" fet ele, "ce est il! Molt a esté an grant peril; conbatuz s'est. Ce ne sai gié, se Erec a son duel vangié ou se cist a Erec vaincu, [5c] 1150 mes molt a cos an son escu; ses haubers est coverz de sane: del roge i a plus que del blanc." "Voirs est," fet mes sire Gauvains; "dame, je sui trestoz certains 1155 que de rien nule ne mantez: ses haubers est ansanglantez; molt est hurtez et debatuz. Bien pert que il s'est conbatuz; savoir poons, sanz nule faille, 1160 que forz a esté la bataille. Ja li orrons tel chose dire don nos avrons ou joie ou ire: ou Erec l'anvoie a vos ci an prison, an vostre merci, 1165 ou cil se vient par hardemant * vanter antre nos folemant qu'il a Erec vaincu ou mort. Ne cuit qu'autre novele aport." Fet la reïne: "Je le cuit." 1170 "Bien puet estre," ce dïent tuit. A tant Yders antre an la porte, qui la novele lor aporte: 51 1125 and I believe the dwarf is coming with them, holding the whip with which Erec was struck on the neck." Then the queen rose and said: "Seneschal, let us go 1130 and see whether it is that vassal. If it is he, you may be sure that I will tell you the truth of the matter as soon as I see him." And Kay said: "I shall take you there; 1135 now come up to the galleries, where our companions are; from there we saw him coming, and my lord Gawain himself awaits you there. My lady, let us go there, 1140 for we have tarried too long here." Then the queen went forth; she came to the windows. She stood by my lord Gawain; she clearly recognized the knight: 1145 "Aha!" said she, "it is he! He has been in very great danger; he has seen combat. I do not know whether Erec has avenged his injury, or whether this knight has beaten Erec, 1150 but he has many blows on his shield; his hauberk is covered with blood: there is more red on it than white." "That is true," said my lord Gawain; "my lady, I am quite certain 1155 that you are absolutely right: his hauberk is bloodied; it has been much struck and bruised. It is clear that he has been in combat; we may be sure, without any doubt, 1160 that the battle was fierce. We shall soon hear him say something that will cause us either joy or anger: either Erec is sending him to you here as your prisoner, to be at your mercy, 1165 or else he is coming out of audacity, to brag among us madly that he has vanquished Erec or killed him. I believe he brings no other news." The queen said: "I believe so." 1170 "That may well be," said one and all. Then Yder came through the door, bearing the news to them: 52des loges sont tuit avalé; a l'ancontre li sont alé. 1175 Ydiers vint au perron a val; la descend! de son cheval. Et Gauvains la pucele prist et jus de son cheval la mist. Li nains de l'autre part descent. 1180 Chevaliers i ot plus de cent; quant descendu furent tuit troi, si les mainnent devant le roi. La ou Ydiers vit la reïne, jusque devant ses piez ne fine; 1185 salüee l'a tot premiers, puis le roi et ses chevaliers, * et dist: "Dame, an vostre prison * m'anvoie ci uns gentix hom, uns chevaliers vaillanz et preuz, 1190 cil cui fist hier santir les neuz mes nains de la corgiee el vis: vaincu m'a d'armes et conquis. Dame, le nain vos amaing ci * [5d] et ma pucele a merci 1195 por fere quanque il vos plest." La reïne plus ne se test; d'Eree li demande novele: "Or me dites, sire," fet ele, "savez vos quant Erec vanra?" 1200 "Dame, demain, et s'amanra une pucele ansanble o lui; onques si bele ne conui." Quant il ot conté son message, la reïne fu preuz et sage; 1205 cortoisemant li dit: "Amis, des qu'an ma prison estes mis, molt iert vostre prisons legiere; n'ai nul talant que mal vos quiere. Mes or me di, se Dex t'aïst, 1210 comant as non." Et il li dist: "Dame, Ydiers ai non, li filz Nut." La verité l'an reconut. Lors s'est la reïne levee, devant le roi s' an est alee 1215 et dist: "Sire, avez antandu? Or avez vos bien atandu 53they all came down from the galleries and went to meet him. 1175 Yder came to the mounting block below; there he dismounted. And Gawain took the maiden and helped her down from her horse. The dwarf dismounted on the other side. 1180 More than a hundred knights were there; when all three had dismounted, they took them before the king. As soon as Yder saw the queen, he went immediately to her feet; 1185 he greeted her first of all, then the king and his knights, and said: "My lady, I am sent here to be your prisoner by a noble man, a brave and worthy knight, 1190 he whom my dwarf yesterday struck on the face with his whip: he has vanquished and beaten me at arms. My lady, I bring you the dwarf and my maiden, to be at your mercy 1195 and to do whatever you wish." The queen kept silent no longer; she asked him for news of Erec: "Now tell me, sir," said she, "do you know when Erec will return?" 1200 "My lady, tomorrow, and he will bring a maiden with him; I have never known such a beautiful one." When he had transmitted his message, the queen was prudent and wise; 1205 she courteously said to him: "Friend, since you have surrendered yourself as my prisoner, your sentence will be very light; I have no wish that evil should befall you. But now tell me, as God may help you, 1210 your name." And he said to her: "My lady, my name is Yder, son of Nut." It was recognized that he spoke the truth. Then the queen rose, went before the king, 1215 and said: "My lord, have you heard? Now it is well that you have waited 54Erec le vaillant chevalier. Molt vos donai boen consoil hier, quant jel vos loai a atandre: 1220 por ce fet il boen consoil prandre." Li rois a dit: "N'est mie fable; ceste parole est veritable. Qui croit consoil n'est mie fos; * buer creümes hier vostre los. 1225 Mes se de rien nule m'amez, ce chevalier quite clamez par tel covant de la prison que il remaigne an ma meison, de ma mesniee et de ma cort, 1230 et s'il nel fet, a mal li tort." Li rois ot sa parole dite, * et la reïne tantost quite lo chevalier arëaumant, mes ce fu par tel covenant 1235 qu'a la cort del tot remassist. Cil gaires preier ne s'an fist: la remenance a otroiee; [5e] puis fu de cort et de mesniee. Iqui n'avoit gueres esté, 1240 lors furent garfon apresté qui le corrurent desarmer. Or redevons d'Erec parler, qui ancore an la place estoit ou la bataille fete avoit. 1245 Onques, ce cuit, tel joie n'ot la ou Tristanz le fier Morhot an l'isle Saint Sanson vainqui, con l'an feisoit d'Erec iqui. Molt feisoient de lui grant los 1250 petit et grant et gresle et gros; tuit prisent sa chevalerie. N'i a chevalier qui ne die: "Dex, quel vasal! Soz ciel n'a tel." Aprés, s'an va a son ostel. 1255 Grant los an font et grant parole, et li cuens meïsmes l'acole, qui sor toz grant joie an feisoit, et dit: "Sire, s'il vos pleisoit, 55for Erec, the valiant knight. I gave you very good counsel yesterday when I advised you to wait for him: 1220 that is why it is well to accept counsel." The king replied: "This is no fable; these words are full of truth. He who believes in counsel is no fool; we did well yesterday to take your advice. 1225 But if you bear any love for me, proclaim this knight free from obligation as your prisoner, on condition that he remain in my house as a member of my household and my court, 1230 and if he does not do so, may it be to his detriment." As soon as the king had spoken, the queen straightaway freed the knight in the proper manner, but this was on the condition 1235 that he would remain completely at the court. He hardly needed to be begged to do so: he accepted the condition; thenceforth he was of the court and of the household. He had scarcely been there at all 1240 when valets were ready and ram to remove his armor. Now we must speak of Erec again, who was still on the field where he had fought the battle. 1245 Never, I believe, was there such joy where Tristan defeated the savage Morholt on the isle of Saint Sanson, as was made over Erec there. He was greatly praised and honored 1250 by small and great, by thin and fat; everyone esteemed his knightly prowess. Not a knight was there who did not say: "God, what a vassal! He has no equal under the heavens." Afterwards he went back to his lodgings. 1255 They greatly praised and spoke of him, and the count himself embraced him, greatly rejoicing above all others, and said: "Sir, should it please you, 56bien devrïez et par reison 1260 vostre ostel prandre an ma meison, quant vos estes filz Lac le roi; se vos prenïez mon conroi, vos me ferïez grant enor, car je vos tieng por mon seignor. 1265 Biax sire, la vostre merci, de remenoir o moi vos pri." Erec respont: "Ne vos enuit, ne lesserai mon oste enuit, qui molt m'a grant enor mostree 1270 quant il sa fille m'a donee. Et qu'an dites vos, sire, dons? Don n'est biax et riches cist dons?" "Oïl, biax sire," fet li cuens; "cist dons si est et biax et buens. 1275 La pucele est molt bele et sage, et si est molt de haut parage: sachiez que sa mere est ma suer. Certes molt en ai lié le cuer quant vos ma niece avoir deigniez. 1280 Ancor vos pri que vos veigniez o moi herbergier enuit mes." Erec respont: "Lessiez m'an pes; nel feroie an nule meniere." Cil voit n'i a mestier proiere 1285 et dist: "Sire, a vostre pleisir! Or nos an poons bien teisir, mes gié et mi chevalier tuit serons avoec vos ceste nuit par solaz et par conpaignie." 1290 Quant Erec l'ot, si l'an mercie. Lors an vint Erec chiés son oste, et li cuens avoec lui an coste; dames et chevaliers i ot. Li chevaliers molt s'an esjot, 1295 Tot maintenant que Erec vint, sergent corrurent plus de vint por lui desarmer a esploit. Qui an cele meison estoit molt pooit grant joie veoir. 1300 Erec s'ala premiers seoir, puis s'asistrent tuit par les rans, sor liz, sor seles et sor bans. Lez Erec s'est li cuens assis, et la bele pucele an mis, 1305 qui tel joie a de son seignor * c'onques pucele n'ot greignor. 57you ought rightfully 1260 to take your lodging in my house, since you are the son of King Lac; should you accept my hospitality, you would do me great honor, for I would treat you as my lord. 1265 Good sir, by your leave, I beg you to stay with me." Erec replied: "May it not trouble you, but I shall not abandon my host tonight, who showed me such great honor 1270 when he gave me his daughter. And what then do you say of this, sir? Is this gift not fine and rich?" * "Yes, good sir," said the count; "this gift is indeed beautiful and good. 1275 The maiden is veiy beautiful and wise, and she is of very high lineage: know that her mother is my sister. Truly my heart is very glad because you have deigned to take my niece. 1280 Again I beg you to come with me to lodge this night." Erec replied: "Leave me in peace; I would not do so in any way." The count saw that it was useless to insist, 1285 and said: "Sir, as you wish! Now we may drop the matter, but I and all my knights will be with you this night for amusement and for company." 1290 When Erec heard this, he thanked him. Then Erec came back to his host's, with the count beside him; ladies and knights were there. The knight greatly rejoiced at this. * 1295 As soon as Erec arrived, more than twenty men-at-arms came running quickly to remove his armor. Whoever was in that house could see very great joy. 1300 Erec went to sit down first; then they all sat down around him, on beds, on stools, and on benches. The count sat near Erec, with the beautiful maiden between them, 1305 who was so joyful because of her lord that never was any maiden more so. 58Erec le vavasor apele, parole li dist boene et bele, * et si li comanga a dire: 1310 "Biax amis, biax ostes, biax sire, vos m'avez grant enor portee, mes bien vos iert guerredonee: demain an manrai avoec moi vostre fille a la cort le roi. 1315 La la voldrai a fame prandre, et, s'il vos plest un po atandre, par tans vos anvoierai querre: mener vos ferai an ma terre, qui mon pere est et moie aprés; 1320 loing de ci est, non mie pres. Iluec vos donrai deus chastiax, molt boens, molt riches et molt biax: sires seroiz de Roadan, qui fu fez des le tans Adan, 1325 et d'un autre chastel selonc [2a] qui ne valt mie moins un jonc: la gent Fapelent Montrevel; mes peres n'a meillor chastel, Einz que troi jor soient passez 1330 vos avrai anvoié assez or et argent et veir et gris et dras de soie de chier pris por vos vestir et vostre fame, qui est ma chiere dolce dame. 1335 Demain droit a l'aube del jor, an tel robe et an tel ator, an manrai vostre fille a cort: je voel que ma dame l'atort de la soe robe demainne, 1340 qui est de soie tainte an grainne." Une pucele estoit leanz, molt preuz, molt saige, molt vaillanz; lez la pucele au chainse blanc estoit assise sor un banc, 1345 et sa cosine estoit germainne et niece le conte demainne. Quant la parole a antandue,* 59Erec called to the vavasor, saying good and fine words to him, and he began to speak thus: 1310 "Good friend, good host, good sir, you have greatly honored me, and you shall be well rewarded for it: tomorrow I shall take your daughter with me to the court of the king. 1315 There I wish to take her for my wife, and, if you will wait a bit, I shall send for you presently: I will have you escorted to my land, which is my father's and later will be mine; 1320 it is far from here, not at all near. There I will give you two castles, very fine, rich, and beautiful: you will be lord of Roadan, which was built in the time of Adam, 1325 and of another castle nearby which is worth not a bit less: people call it Montrevel; my father has no better castle. Before three days have passed 1330 I will have sent you much gold and silver and vair and miniver * and expensive silken cloth to clothe you and your wife, who is my dear sweet lady. 1335 Tomorrow right at daybreak I shall take your daughter to court, dressed and adorned as she is now: I want my lady the queen to clothe her in one of her very own dresses, 1340 one of scarlet-dyed silk." There was a maiden in that place, very prudent, sensible, and worthy; she was seated on a bench near the maiden in the white dress, 1345 and she was her first cousin and the count's own niece. When she heard this declaration, 60que si tres povremant vestue en voloit mener sa cosine 1350 Erec a la eort la reïne, a parole en a mis le conte: "Sire," fet ele, "molt grant honte sera a vos, plus qu'a autrui, se cist sires an mainne o lui 1355 vostre niece si povremant atornee de vestemant." Et li cuens respont: "Je vos pri, ma dolce niece, donez li, de voz robes que vos avez, 1360 la mellor que vos i savez." Erec a la parole oïe et dist: "Sire, n'an parlez mie. Une chose sachiez vos bien: ne voldroie por nule rien 1365 qu'ele eüst d'autre robe point tant que la reïne li doint." Quant la dameisele l'oï, lors li respont et dist: "Haï! Biax sire, quant vos an tel guise, 1370 el blanc chainse et an la chemise, ma cosine an volez mener, un autre don li voel doner. Quant vos ne volez antresait [2b] que nule de mes robes ait, 1375 je ai trois palefiroiz molt buens— onques meillors n'ot rois ne cuens: un sor, un vair et un baucent. Sanz mantir, la ou en a cent, n'en a mie un meillor del vair: 1380 li oisel qui volent par l'air ne vont plus tost del palefroi. Einz nus hom ne vit son desroi: uns anfes chevalchier le puet. Tex est com a pucele estuet, 1385 qu'il n'est onbrages ne restis, ne mort, ne fiert, ne n'est ragis. Qui meillor quiert ne set qu'il vialt; qui le chevalche ne s'an dialt, einz va plus aeise et söef 1390 que s'il estoit an une nef." Lors dist Erec: "Ma dolce amie, ice don ne refus je mie, s'ele le prant; einçois me plest: ne voel mie qu'ele le lest." 61that Erec wanted to take her cousin to the queen's court 1350 dressed so very poorly, she spoke about it to the count: "Sir," said she, "it will be a great shame for you, more than for anyone else, if this lord takes your niece 1355 along with him so poorly furnished with clothing." And the count replied: "I beg you, my sweet niece, give her, from among your own dresses, 1360 the one you consider the best." Erec heard this request, and said: "Sir, do not speak of that. Let me tell you one thing: I would not for any reason wish 1365 her to have any other dress, until the queen gives her one." When the damsel heard this, she answered him and said: "Well then! Good sir, since you wish to take my cousin 1370 with you in such a way, in the white dress and the chemise, I want to give her another gift. Since you absolutely do not want her to have any dress of mine, 1375 I have three very fine palfreys— * no king nor count ever had a better one: one is sorrel, one dapple-gray, and one has white stockings. In all truth, among a hundred, there is none better than the gray: 1380 the birds that fly through the air go no more quickly than that palfrey. No one ever saw it bolt or rear: a child can ride it. It is just right for a maiden, 1385 for it is neither skittish nor balky, nor does it bite, nor strike, nor get violent. Whoever seeks a better one knows not what he wants; whoever rides it does not suffer, but rather goes more easily and gently 1390 than if he were on a ship." Then Erec said: "My sweet friend, I do not refuse this gift at all if she accepts it; rather, it pleases me: I do not wish her to decline it." 62 1395 Tot maintenant la dameisele un suen privé sergent apele, si li dist: "Biax amis, alez, mon palefroi veir anselez, si l'amenez isnelemant." 1400 Et cil fet son comandemant: le cheval ansele et anfrainne, del bel aparellier se painne, puis monte el palefroi crenu. Ez vos le palefroi venu. 1405 Quant Erec le palefroi vit, ne le loa mie petit, car molt le vit et bel et gent; puis comanda a un sergent qu'an l'estable lez son destrier 1410 alastle palefroi lïer. A tant se departirent tuit; grant joie orent fet cele nuit. Li cuens a son ostel s'an vet; Erec chiés le vavasor let 1415 et dit qu'il le convoiera au matin, quant il s'an ira. Cele nuit ont tote dormie. [2c] Au main quant l'aube est esclarcie, Erec s'atorne de l'aler: 1420 ses chevax comande anseler et s'amie la bele esvoille; cele s'atorne et aparoille. Li vavasors lieve et sa fame; n'i remaint chevalier ne dame 1425 qui ne s'atort por convoier la pucele et le chevalier. Tuit sont monté, et li cuens monte. Erec chevalche lez le conte et delez lui sa bele amie, * 1430 qui l'esprevier n'oblia mie: a son esprevier se deporte; nule autre richesce n'an porte. Grant joie ont fet au convoier. Avoec Erec volt anvoier 1435 au dessevrer une partie li frans cuens de sa conpaignie, por ce qu'annor li feïssient * se avoec lui s'an alessient, mes il dist que nul n'an manroit, 1440 ne conpaignie ne queroit fors que s'amie solemant. Puis lor dist: "A Deu vos comant!" 63 1395 At once the damsel summoned one of her own servants and said to him: "Good friend, go, saddle my dapple-gray palfrey, and bring it quickly." 1400 And he carried out her order: he saddled and bridled the horse, strove to equip it well, then mounted the shaggy-maned palfrey. There was the palfrey brought before them. 1405 When Erec saw the palfrey, he was not sparing in his praise, for he saw it was handsome and well-bred; then he ordered a servant to go and tie up the palfrey 1410 in the stable beside his charger. Then they all separated; they had greatly rejoiced that night. The count went to his lodgings; he left Erec at the vavasor's 1415 and said that he would accompany him in the morning when he went on his way. They slept all that night. In the morning, when dawn broke, Erec prepared for his departure: 1420 he ordered his horses saddled and he awakened his beautiful lady; she dressed and prepared herself. The vavasor and his wife arose; there was not a knight nor lady 1425 who did not prepare to accompany the maiden and the knight. All were on horseback, and the count mounted up. Erec rode next to the count, and his beautiful lady beside him. 1430 She in no way forgot the sparrow-hawk: she amused herself with her sparrow-hawk; she took with her no other riches. There was great joy as they went along together. At parting the generous count 1435 wanted to send with Erec a part of his retinue, so that they might honor him by going with him, but he said that he would take no one with him, 1440 and that he sought no company other than his lady. Then he said to them: "I commend you to God!" 64Convoiez les orent grant piece. Li cuens beise Erec et sa niece 1445 si les comande a Deu le pi. Li peres et la mere ausi les beisent sovant et menu; de plorer ne se sont tenu: au departir plore la mere, 1450 plore la pucele et li pere. Tex est amors, tex est nature, tex est pitiez de norreture: plorer les feisoit la pitiez et la dolçors et l'amistiez 1455 qu'il avoient de lor anfant; mes bien savoient ne por quant que lor fille an tel leu aloit don granz enors lor avandroit. D'amor et de pitié ploroient, 1460 que de lor fille departoient; ne ploroient por altre chose. [2d] Bien savoient qu'a la parclose an seroient il enoré. Au departir ont molt ploré; 1465 plorant a Deu s'antre comandent. Or s'an vont, que plus n'i atandent. Erec de son oste depart, car mervoilles li estoit tart que a la cort le roi venist. 1470 De s'avanture s'esjoïst: molt estoit liez de s'avanture, qu'amie a bele a desmesure, saige et cortoise et de bon aire. De l'esgarder ne puet preu faire; 1475 quant plus l'esgarde et plus li plest. Ne puet müer qu'il ne la best; volantiers pres de li se tret. An li esgarder se refet: molt remire son chief le blont, 1480 ses ialz rianz et son cler front, le nes et la face et la boche, don granz dolçors au cuer li toche. Tot remire jusqu'a la hanche: le manton et la gorge blanche, 1485 flans et costez et braz et mains. 65They had accompanied them a long way. The count kissed Erec and his niece 1445 and commended them to God the merciful. The father and the mother too kissed them over and over again; they did not hold back their tears: at parting the mother wept, 1450 and the maiden wept, as did the father. Such is love, such is nature, such is the tenderness for one's offspring: they wept because of the tenderness and the sweetness and the friendship 1455 that they had for their child; and yet they knew full well that their daughter was going to such a place where there would be great honor for them. They were weeping out of love and tenderness, 1460 for they were parting from their daughter; they wept for no other reason. They knew full well that in the end they would be honored as a result. At parting they wept greatly; 1465 weeping they commended one another to God. Then they left, tarrying there no more. Erec left his host, for he was extremely impatient to return to the court of the king. 1470 He rejoiced at his adventure: he was delighted with his adventure, for he had an extremely beautiful lady, wise and courtly and well-bred. He could not get enough of seeing her; 1475 the more he looked at her, the more she pleased him. He could not keep from kissing her; eagerly he drew near to her. Looking at her restored and delighted him: he kept looking at her blond hair, 1480 her laughing eyes and her unclouded brow, her nose and her face and her mouth, and from this great sweetness touched his heart. He admired everything, down to her hips: her chin and her white throat, 1485 her flanks and sides, her arms and hands. 66Mes ne remire mie mains la dameisele le vasal de boen oel et de cuer leal * qu'il feisoit li par contançon. 1490 N' an preïssent pas rëançon li uns de l'autre regarder. Molt estoient igal et per de corteisie et de biauté et de grant debonereté. 1495 Si estoient d'une meniere, d'unes mors et d'une matiere, que nus qui le voir volsist dire n'an poïst le meillor eslire ne le plus bel ne le plus sage. 1500 Molt estoient d'igal corage et molt avenoient ansanble. Li uns a l'autre son cuer anble; onques deus si beles ymages n'asanbla lois ne mariages. 1505 Tant ont ansanble chevalchié [2e] qu'a droit midi ont aprochié le chastel de Caradigan, ou andeus les atandoit l'an. Por esgarder s'il les verroient, 1510 as fenestras monté estoient li meillor baron de la cort. La reïne Ganievre i cort, et s'i vint meïsmes li rois, Kex et Percevax li Galois, 1515 et mes sire Gauvains aprés, et Corz, li filz au roi Arés; Lucans i fu, li botelliers; molt i ot de boens chevaliers. Erec ont choisi qui venoit 1520 et s'amie qu'il amenoit; bien l'ont trestuit reconeü de si loing com il l'ont veü. La reïne grant joie an mainne; de joie est tote la corz plainne 1525 ancontre son avenemant, car tuit l'ainment comunemant. Lués que il vint devant la sale, li rois ancontre lui s'avale, et la reïne d'autre part; 1530 tuit li dïent que Dex le gart. Lui et sa pucele conjoent; sa grant biauté prisent et loent. 67But the damsel, for her part, looked at the knight no less than he looked at her, with favorable eye and loyal heart, in eager emulation. 1490 They would not have accepted a ransom to leave off looking at one another. They were very well and evenly matched in courtliness and in beauty and in great nobility. 1495 They were so similar, of one character and of one substance, that no one who wanted to speak truly could have chosen the better one nor the more beautiful nor the wiser. 1500 They were very equal in spirit and very well suited to one another. Each of them stole the other's heart; never were two such beautiful figures brought together by law or by marriage. 1505 They rode together until, right at noon, they approached the castle of Cardigan, where they were both expected. In order to catch sight of them, 1510 the best barons of the court had gone up to the windows. Queen Guinevere ran there, and the king himself came, Kay and Perceval the Welshman, 1515 and then my lord Gawain, and Cor, the son of King Arés; Lucan, the wine-steward, was there; and there were many good knights. They observed Erec as he approached 1520 and his lady, whom he was bringing along; they all clearly recognized him, from as far away as they could see him. The queen was overjoyed at this; the whole court was full of joy 1525 in preparation for his arrival, for he was well loved by all. As soon as he came before the hall, the king came down to meet him, as did the queen on the other side; 1530 all invoked God's protection on him. They welcomed him and his maiden; they praised and made much of her great beauty. 68Et li rois meïsmes l'a prise et jus del palefroi l'a mise. 1535 Molt fu li rois bien afeitiez; a cele ore estoit bien heitiez. La pucele a molt enoree: par la main l'a a mont menee an la mestre sale perrine. 1540 Aprés, Erec et la reïne sont andui monté main a main, et il li dist: "Je vos amain, dame, ma pucele et m'amie de povres gamemanz garnie; 1545 si com ele me fu donee, ensi la vos ai amenee. D'un povre vavasor est fille. Povretez mainz homes aville: * ses peres est frans et cortois, [2f] 1550 mesd'avoir a molt petit pois, et molt gentix dame est sa mere, qu'ele a un riche conte a frere. * Ne por biauté ne por linage ne doi je pas le mariage 1555 de la pucele refuser. * Povretez li a fet user ce blanc chainse tant que as cotes an sont andeus les manches rotes. Et ne por quant, se moi pleüst, 1560 boenes robes asez eüst, c'une pucele, sa cosine, li volt doner robe d'ermine, de dras de soie, veire ou grise; mes ne volsisse an nule guise 1565 que d'autre robe fust vestue tant que vos l'eüssiez veüe. Ma douce dame, or an pansez, car mestier a, bien le veez, d'une bele robe avenant." 1570 Et la reïne maintenant li respont: "Molt avez bien fait: droiz est que de mes robes ait, et je li donrai boene et bele, tot or androit, fresche et novele." 1575 La reïne araumant l'an mainne an la soe chanbre demainne et dist qu'an li aport isnel le fres blïaut et le mantel 69And the king himself took her and set her down from her palfrey. 1535 The king was very well-bred; on that occasion he was very joyful. He greatly honored the maiden: by the hand he led her up into the great stone hall. 1540 Then Erec and the queen went up together hand in hand, and he said to her: "My lady, I bring you my maiden and my lady clad in poor garments; 1545 just as she was given to me, so have I brought her to you. She is the daughter of a poor vavasor. Poverty abases many men: her father is noble and courtly, 1550 but he has little weight of wealth, and her mother is a very noble lady, for she has a rich count as her brother. Neither beauty nor lineage would be cause for me to disdain 1555 marriage with this maiden. Poverty has made her wear this white dress so much that both sleeves are worn through at the elbows. And yet, if I had been willing, 1560 she would have had plenty of fine clothes, for a maiden, her cousin, wanted to give her an ermine dress, with silken fabric, vair or miniver; but I was totally opposed 1565 to her being dressed in any other clothes until you had seen her. My sweet lady, now think of this, for she has need, as you can see, of a fine and fitting dress." 1570 And the queen answered him at once: "You have acted very properly: it is right that she should have one of mine, and I shall give her one, good and beautiful, a brand-new one, immediately." 1575 The queen promptly led her to her private chamber and ordered brought to her swifdy the new court dress and the cloak * 70de la vert porpre croisilliee 1580 qui por son cors estoit tailliee, Cil cui ele l'ot comandé li a le mantel aporté et le blïaut, qui jusqu'as manches estoit forrez d'ermines blanches. 1585 As poinz et a la cheveçaille avoit sanz nule devinaille plus de deus cenz mars d'or batu, * et pierres de molt grant vertu, yndes et verz, persses et bises, 1590 avoit par tot sor l'or assises. Molt estoit riches li blïauz, mes por voir ne valoit noauz li mantiax de rien que je sache. [6a] Ancor n'i avoit mise estache, 1595 car toz estoit fres et noviax et li blïauz et li mantiax. Molt fu li mantiax boens et fins: au col avoit deus sebelins, es tassiax ot d'or plus d'une once; * 1600 d'une part ot une jagonce, et un rubi de l'autre part, plus cler qu'escharbocle qui art. La pane fu de blanc hermine: onques plus bele ne plus fine 1605 ne fu veüe ne trovee; la porpre fu molt bien ovree a croisetes totes diverses, yndes et vermoilles et perses, blanches et verz, bloes et giaunes. * 1610 Unes estaches de cinc aunes de fil de soie a or ovrees a la reïne demandees; les estaches li sont bailliees, beles et bien aparelliees. 1615 Ele les fet tot maintenant el mantel metre isnelemant et s'an fist tel home antremetre 71of rich green cloth with the crossed pattern 1580 which had been tailored for her personally He whom she had ordered brought her the cloak and the dress, which was lined with white ermine, even in the sleeves. 1585 At the wrists and at the neck there were, without any mystery, more than two hundred marks of beaten gold, and stones of great power, violet and green, deep blue and grey-brown, 1590 were everywhere set upon the gold. The dress was very rich, but in truth the cloak was, to my knowledge, worth not a bit less. No ribbons had yet been placed upon it, * 1595 for both the dress and the cloak were still brand-new. The cloak was very good and fine: at the collar there were two sables, and an ounce of gold in the fasteners; * 1600 on one side there was a jacinth, * and a ruby on the other side, clearer than a burning garnet. * The lining was of white ermine: one more beautiful nor finer 1605 was never seen nor found; the rich cloth was very finely worked with different crisscross designs, violet and red and indigo, white and green, blue and yellow. 1610 The queen requested some ribbons, made from five ells * of silken thread wound round with gold; the ribbons were brought to her, beautiful and well prepared. 1615 Without delay she had them speedily attached to the cloak, and she had it done by a man 72qui boens mestres estoit del metre. Quant el mantel n'ot que refere, 1620 la franche dame de bon ere la pucele au blanc cheinse acole et si li dist franche parole: "Ma dameisele, a ce blïaut, qui plus de cent mars d'argent vaut, 1625 vos comant cest chainse changier: de tant vos voel or losangier. Et ce mantel afublez sus; une autre foiz vos donrai plus." Cele ne le refuse mie: 1630 la robe prant, si l'an mercie. An une chanbre recelee l'an ont deus puceles menee; lors a son chainse desvestu, que nel prise mes un festu. * 1635 Puis vest son blïaut, si s'estraint, d'un orfrois molt riche se ceint, et son chainse por amor Dé * [6b] comande que il soit doné; et le mantel aprés afuble. 1640 Or n'ot mie la chiere enuble, car la robe tant li avint que plus bele asez an devint. Les deus puceles d'un fil d'or li ont galoné son crin sor, 1645 mes plus luisanz estoit li crins que li filz d'or qui molt est fins. Un cercle d'or ovré a flors de maintes diverses colors les puceles el chief li metent. 1650 Mialz qu'eles pueent s'antremetent de li an tel guise atorner * qu'an n'i truisse rien qu'amander. Deus feimaillez d'or neelez, an un topace anseelez, 1655 li mist au col une pucele. Or fu tant avenanz et bele * que ne cuit pas qu'an nule terre, tant seüst l'an cerchier ne querre, fust sa paroille recovree, 1660 tant l'ot Nature bien ovree. 73who was a past master at his craft. * When there was no more to be done on the cloak, 1620 the generous and noble lady embraced the maiden with the white dress and spoke generously to her: "My damsel, I order you to replace this house dress with this court dress, 1625 which is worth more than a hundred marks of silver: I wish now thus to honor you. And put on this cloak over it; another time I shall give you more." The maiden did not refuse it: 1630 she took the clothes and thanked her for them. Two maidens led her away to a secluded room; then she removed her old dress, for she no longer cared a straw for it. 1635 Then she put on her court dress and tightened it, girded herself with a rich band of orphrey, * and ordered that her old dress be given away, for the love of God; then she put on the cloak. 1640 Now she looked not the least bit sad, for this attire suited her so well that she became even more beautiful. The two maidens braided her golden hair with a thread of gold, 1645 but her hair shone more brightly than the golden thread, fine as it was. A golden chaplet, wrought with flowers * of many different colors, was placed on her head by the maidens. 1650 As best they could, they undertook to adorn her in such a way that one might find nothing to improve. Two clasps of nielloed gold, * set upon a topaz, 1655 were placed at her neck by one maiden. Now she was so pleasing and beautiful that I believe her equal could not be found in any land, however much one might seek, 1660 so well had Nature fashioned her. 74Puis est hors de la chanbre issue; a la reïne an est venue. La reïne molt la conjot: por ce l'ama et molt li plot 1665 qu'ele estoit bele et bien aprise. L'une a l'autre par la main prise, si sont devant le roi venues, et quant li rois les ot veües, ancontre se lieve an estant. 1670 De chevaliers i avoit tant, qant eles an la sale entrerent, qui ancontre eles se leverent, que je n'an sai nomer le disme, le treziesme ne le quinzisme, 1675 mes d'auques des meillors barons vos sai bien a dire les nons, de ces de la Table Reonde, qui furent li meillor del monde. Devant toz les boens chevaliers 1680 doit estre Gauvains li premiers, li seconz Erec, li filz Lac, [6c] et li tierz Lancelot del Lac, Gonemanz de Goort li quarz, et li quinz fu li Biax Coarz. 1685 Li sistes fu li Lez Hardiz, li sesmes Melianz des Liz, li huitiesmes Mauduiz li Sages, li noemes Dodins li Sauvages; Gaudeluz soit dismes contez, 1690 car an lui ot maintes bontez. Les autres vos dirai sanz nonbre, por ce que li nonbrers m'anconbre: Yvains li preuz se seoit outre; * d'autre part Yvains li avoutre, 1695 et Tristanz qui onques ne rist delez Blioberis s'asist. Aprés fu Caradué Briébraz, uns chevaliers de grant solaz, et Caverons de Roberdic, 1700 et li filz au roi Quenedic, et li vaslez de Quintareus, et Ydiers del Mont Delereus, Galerïez et Quex d' Estraus, Amauguins et Galez li Chaus, 1705 Gilflez, li filz Do, et Taulas, qui onques d'armes ne fu las, et uns vassax de grant vertu: 75Then she came out of the room and came to the queen. The queen welcomed her warmly: she loved her and took pleasure in her 1665 because she was beautiful and well-bred. They took one another by the hand and came before the king, and when the king saw them, he rose to meet them. 1670 So many knights were there who rose to meet them when they entered the hall that I could not name the tenth part, nor the thirteenth nor the fifteenth, 1675 but I can tell you the names of some of the best barons among those of the Round Table, who were the best in the world. Before all the good knights 1680 Gawain must be the first; the second Erec, son of Lac; and the third Lancelot of the Lake; Gonemant of Goort the fourth; and the fifth was the Fair Coward. * 1685 The sixth was the Ugly Hero; the seventh Meliant of Liz; the eighth Mauduit the Wise; the ninth Dodin the Wildman; let Gaudelu be counted tenth, 1690 for in him were many good qualities. The others I shall tell you without numbers, because the numbering encumbers. Ywain the Valiant was seated farther on; on another side Ywain the Bastard, 1695 and Tristan, who never laughed, was seated by Blioberis. Afterwards came Caradué Short-Arm, a knight of great amusement, and Caveron of Roberdic, 1700 and the son of King Quenedic, and the youth of Quintareus,* and Yder of the Sorrowful Mountain, Galerïet and Kay of Estral, Amauguin and Galet the Bald, 1705 Girflet, son of Do, and Taulas, who was never tired of bearing arms, and a vassal of great courage, 76Loholz, li filz le roi Artu; et Sagremors li Desreez— 1710 cil ne doit pas estre oblïez, ne Bedoiers li conestables, qui molt sot d'eschas et de tables, ne Bravaïns, ne Loz li rois, ne Galegantins li Galois. 1715 Qant la bele pucele estrange vit toz les chevaliers an range qui l'esgardoient a estal, son chief ancline contre val: vergoigne an ot, ne fu mervoille; 1720 la face l'an devint vermoille— mes la honte si li avint que plus bele asez an devint. Quant li rois la vit vergoignier, ne se vost de li esloignier; 1725 par la main l'a dolcemant prise [6d] et delez lui a destre assise. De la senestre part s'asist la reïne, qui au roi dist: "Sire, si con je cuit et croi, 1730 bien doit venir a cort de roi qui par ses armes puet conquerre si bele dame en autre terre. Bien feisoit Erec a atandre: or pöez vos le beisier prandre 1735 de la plus bele de la cort. Je ne cuit qu'a mal nus l'atort: ja nus ne dlra, qui ne mante, que ceste ne soit la plus gente des puceles qui ceanz sont 1740 et de celes de tot le mont." Li rois respont: "N'est pas mançonge; ceste, se l'an nel me chalonge, donrai ge del blanc cerf l'enor." Puis dist as chevaliers: "Seignor, 1745 que dites vos? Que vos an sanble? Ceste est de cors, de vis ansanble, et de quanqu'estuet a pucele, et la plus gente et la plus bele qui soit jusque la, ce me sanble, * 1750 ou li ciax et la terre asanble. Je di que droiz est antresait 77Loholt, the son of King Arthur, and Sagremor the Unruly— 1710 he must not be forgotten, nor Bedoier the constable,* who knew much of chess and backgammon, nor Bravaïn, nor King Lot, nor Galegantin the Welshman. 1715 When the beautiful stranger saw all the knights gathered round looking fixedly at her, she bowed her head: she was embarrassed, and it was no wonder; 1720 her face became red— but modesty suited her so well that she became even more beautiful. When the king saw that she was embarrassed, he did not wish to draw away from her; 1725 he took her gently by the hand and seated her beside him, at his right. At his left the queen took her seat and said to the king: "My lord, as I think and believe, 1730 anyone should be welcome at court who can win, by deeds of arms, such a beautiful lady in another land. We did well to wait for Erec; now you can bestow the kiss 1735 upon the most beautiful damsel in the court. I think no one will take it ill; no one will ever say, without lying, that this is not the most beautiful of the maidens present here 1740 and of those in all the world." The king replied: "This is no lie; to this one, if no one challenges me, shall I give the honor of the white stag." Then he said to the knights: "My lords, 1745 what say you? How does it seem to you? This damsel, in both body and face, and in all that befits a maiden, is the most gracious and the most beautiful that may be found, it seems to me, 1750 this side of where heaven and earth meet. I say that it is absolutely right 78que ceste l'enor del cerf ait. Et vos, seignor, qu'an volez dire? Savez i vos rien contredire? 1755 Se nus i vialt metre desfanse, s'an die or androit ce qu'il panse. Je sui rois, si ne doi mantir, ne vilenie consantir, ne fauseté ne desmesure; 1760 reison doi garder et droiture, qu'il apartient a leal roi que il doit maintenir la loi, verité et foi et justise. Je ne voldroie an nule guise 1765 fere deslëauté ne tort, ne plus au foible que au fort; n'est droiz que nus de moi se plaingne, et je ne voel pas que remaigne la costume ne li usages [6e] 1770 que siaut maintenir mes lignages. De ce vos devroit il peser, se ge vos voloie alever autre costume et autres lois que ne tint mes peres li rois. 1775 L'usage Pandragon, mon pere, qui rois estoit et emperere, voel je garder et maintenir, que que il m'an doie avenir. Or me dites toz voz talanz; 1780 de voir dire ne soit nus lanz se ceste n'est de ma meison la plus bele, et doit par reison * le beisier del blanc cerf avoir: la verité an voel savoir." 1785 Tuit s'escrïent a une voiz: "Par Deu, sire, ne par sa croiz, vos pöez bien jugier par droit que ceste la plus bele soit: an ceste a asez plus biauté 1790 qu'il n'a el soloil de clarté. Beisier la pöez quitemant; tuit l'otroions comunemant." Qant li rois antant qu'a toz plest, or ne leira qu'il ne la best: 79that she should have the honor of the stag. And you, my lords, what do you wish to say? Have you any objection to this? 1755 If anyone wishes to oppose this, let him now say what he thinks. I am the king, and I must not lie nor consent to any villainy or falsity or excess; 1760 I must preserve reason and rightness, for it behooves a loyal king to maintain law, truth, faith, and justice. I should not wish in any way 1765 to commit disloyalty or wrong, no more to the weak than to the strong; it is not right that any should complain of me, and I do not want the tradition or the custom, which my line is wont to uphold, 1770 to fall into desuetude. It should rightly grieve you if I sought to impose upon you another tradition and other laws than those held by my father the king. 1775 I want to preserve and uphold the tradition of my father Pendragon, who was king and emperor, whatever may befall me. Now give me your opinions; 1780 let no one be slow to say in truth whether this maiden is not the fairest of my court, and should by right have the kiss of the white stag: 1 want to know the truth of this." 1785 All cried out with a single voice: "In God's name, Sire, and by his cross, you can indeed judge by right that she is the most beautiful: in her there is far more beauty 1790 than there is brightness in the sun. You may freely kiss her; we all concede it with one voice." When the king heard that it pleased all, he would not postpone kissing her: 80 1795 vers li se torne si l'acole. * La pucele ne fu pas fole: bien volt que li rois la beisast; vilainne fust s'il l'an pesast. Beisiee l'a come cortois 1800 veant toz ses barons li rois et si li dist: "Ma dolce amie, m'amor vos doing sanz vilenie; sanz malvestié et sanz folage vos amerai de boen corage." 1805 Li rois par itele avanture randi l'usage et la droiture qu'a sa cort avoit li blans cers. Ici fenist li premiers vers. Quant li beisiers del cerf fu pris 1810 a la costume del païs, Erec, come cortois et frans, fu de son povre oste an espans: de ce que promis li avoit, covant mantir ne li voloit. 1815 Molt li tint bien son covenant, qu'il li anvea maintenant cinc somiers sejornez et gras [6fl chargiez de robes et de dras. de boqueranz et d'escarlates, 1820 de mars d'or et d'argent an plates, de veir, de gris, de sebelins et de porpres et d'osterins. Quant chargié furent li somier de quanqu'a prodome a mestier, 1825 dis chevaliers et dis sergenz de sa mesniee et de ses genz avoec les somiers anvea, et si lor dist molt et pria que son oste li saluassent 1830 et si grant enor li portassent, et lui et sa fame ansimant, con le suen cors demainnemant; et quant presantez lor avroient les somiers que il lor menoient, 81 1795 he turned toward her and embraced her. The maiden was not foolish: she wished the king to kiss her; she would have been uncourtly had it been unpleasant to her. In the sight of all his barons, 1800 the king kissed her like a courtly man, and said to her: "My sweet friend, I give you my love without villainy; without wickedness and without folly I shall gladly love you." 1805 Through such an adventure did the king reestablish the tradition and the right which the white stag had at his court. Here ends the first movement. * When the kiss of the stag had been bestowed 1810 according to the tradition of the land, Erec, like a courtly and generous man, was concerned for his poor host: he did not want to fail to keep his word concerning what he had promised him. 1815 He kept his promise very well, for he sent him straightaway five packhorses, rested and well-fleshed, loaded with clothing and with cloth, with buckram and with scarlet, * 1820 with gold marks and silver bullion, vair and miniver and sable and precious Oriental fabrics. * When the horses were loaded with everything a gentleman needs, 1825 Erec sent ten knights and ten servants from his household and his retinue to accompany the horses, and repeatedly begged them to bear greetings to his host 1830 and show him the same great honor, and likewise to his wife, as they would to himself; and when they had presented them with the horses they were leading— 82 1835 l'or et l'argent et les besanz et toz les riches gamemanz qui estoient dedanz les males, an son rëaume d'Estre Gales amenassent a grant enor 1840 et la dame, et le seignor. * Deus chastiax lor avoit promis, les plus biax et les mialz asis et ces qui mains dotoient guerre qui fussent an tote sa terre: 1845 Montrevel l'un apeloit l'an; l'autres avoit non Roadan. Quant an son roiaume vandroient, ces deus chastiax lor liverroient, et les rantes et les justises, 1850 si com il lor avoit promises. Cil ont bien la chose atornee * si com Erec l'ot comandee. L'or et l'argent et les somiers et les robes et les deniers, 1855 dom il i ot a grant planté, tot ont son oste presanté li messagier en es le jor, qui n'avoient soing de sejor. El rëaume Erec les menerent 1860 et molt grant enor lor porterent. El païs vindrent an trois jorz; des chastiax lor livrent les torz, que li rois Lac nel contredist. [8a] Grant joie et grant enor lor fist; 1865 por Erec son fil les ama. Les chastiax quites lor clama et si lor fist asseürer, chevaliers et boijois jurer qu'il les tanroient ausi chiers 1870 come lor seignors droituriers. Quant ce fu fet et atorné, li messagier sont retorné a lor seignor Erec arriere. Il les reçut a bele chiere; 1875 del vavasor et de sa fame, et de son pere, et del regne, * lor a demandees noveles; il l'an dïem boenes et beles. 83 1835 the gold, the silver, and the bezants * and all the rich clothes that were in the trunks— then to his kingdom in Estre-Gales they should escort, with great honor, 1840 both the lady and the lord. He had promised them two castles, the most beautiful and the best situated in all his land and the ones that least feared war: 1845 one was called Montrevel; the other was named Roadan. When they came to his kingdom, Erec's men would cede these two castles to them, and the revenues and jurisdictions, 1850 just as he had promised them. They arranged the matter just as Erec had ordered. The gold and the silver and the horses and the clothes and the deniers, * 1855 of which there was a great abundance, the messengers at once presented to his host, for they did not care to delay. They led them to Erec's kingdom 1860 and showed them great honor. They arrived there in three days; they delivered to them the keeps of the castles, for King Lac did not oppose it. He joyously welcomed and greatly honored them; 1865 he loved them because of his son Erec. He ceded the castles to them and had both knights and burghers engage by oath and swear that they would hold them as dear 1870 as their rightful lords. When this had all been arranged, the messengers returned to their lord Erec. He received them warmly; 1875 he asked them for news of the vavasor and his wife, and of his father and of the kingdom; they told him good and pleasing news. 84Ne tarda gueres ci aprés 1880 que li termes vint, qui fu pres, que ses noces feire devoit. Li atandres molt li grevoit; ne volt plus sofrir ne atandre. Au roi an vet le congié prandre 1885 que an sa cort, ne li grevast, ses noces feire li lessast. Li rois le don li otrea, et par son rëaume anvea et rois et dus et contes querre, 1890 ces qui de lui tenoient terre, que nul si hardi n'i eüst qu'a la Pantecoste ne fust. N'i a nul qui remenoir ost, qui a la cort ne vaigne tost, 1895 des que li rois les ot mandez. Si vos dirai, or m'antandez, qui furent li conte et li roi. Molt i vint a riche conroi li cuens Branles de Colescestxe, 1900 qui cent chevax mena an destre; aprés i vint Menagormon, qui sires estoit d'Eglimon, et cil de la Haute Montaigne i vint a molt riche conpaigne. 1905 De Traverain i vint li cuens atot cent conpaignons des suens; aprés vint li cuens Godegrains, [8b] qui n'an amena mie mains. Avoec cez que m'öez nomer 1910 vint Moloas, uns riches ber, et li sires de l'Isle Noire: nus n'i oï onques tonoire, ne n'i chiet foudre ne tanpeste, ne boz ne serpanz n'i areste, 1915 ne n'i fet trop chaut ne n'iverne. Et Greslemuef d'Estre Posterne i amena conpaignons vint, et Guingamars ses frere i vint: de l'isle d'Avalons fu sire. 1920 De cestui avons oï dire qu'il fu amis Morgant la fee, et ce fu veritez provee. Daviz i vint de Tintajuel, qui onques n'ot ire ne duel. 1925 Asez i ot contes et dus, 85It was not long after this 1880 that the date came which had been set for Erec to be married. The waiting greatly tormented him; he did not want to suffer or wait any more. He went to ask the king's leave 1885 for his marriage to be performed at his court, if it did not displease him. The king granted him the boon, and throughout his kingdom sent for kings and dukes and counts, 1890 those who held land from him, that none should be so bold as not to be there at Pentecost. Not one dared stay behind and not come quickly to court, 1895 as soon as the fang had summoned him. Now listen to me, and I shall tell you who were the counts and the kings. Count Branles of Gloucester came with a very rich entourage, 1900 leading a hundred horses; then came Menagormon, who was lord of Eglimon, and he of the High Mountain came with a very rich company. 1905 The count of Traverain came with a hundred of his companions; then came count Godegrain, who brought along no fewer. With those you have heard me name 1910 came Moloas, a powerful baron, and the lord of the Black Isle: no one ever heard thunder there; neither lightning nor tempest strikes, nor dwells any toad or serpent, 1915 and the weather is not too hot nor is there any winter. And Greslemuef of Estre-Posterne brought with him twenty companions, and his brother Guingamar came: he was lord of the isle of Avalon. 1920 Of him we have heard tell that he was the friend of Morgan le Fay, and it was the proven truth. David of Tintagel came, who never felt anger nor sorrow. 1925 There were many counts and dukes, 86mes ancore i ot des rois plus. Garraz, uns rois de Corques fiers, i vint a cinc cenz chevaliers vestuz de paisle et de cendax, 1930 mantiax et chauces et blïax. Sor un cheval de Capadoce vint Aguiflez, li rois d'Escoce, et amena ansanble o soi andeus ses filz, Cadret et Quoi, 1935 deus chevaliers molt redotez. Avoec ces que vos ai nomez vint li rois Bans de Ganieret, et tuit furent juesne vaslet cil qui ansanble o lui estoient: 1940 ne barbe ne grenon n'avoient. Molt amena gent anvoisiee; deus cenz en ot an sa mesniee, n'i ot nul d'ax, quiex que il fust, qui faucon ou terçuel n'eüst, 1945 esmerillon ou esprevier, ou riche ostor sor ou muier. Quirions, li rois vialz d'Orcel, n'i amena nul jovancel, einz avoit conpaignons deus cenz, 1950 don li mains nez avoit cent anz. Les chiés orent chenuz et blans, que vescu avoient lone tans, et les barbes jusqu'as ceinturs; * ces tint molt chiers li rois Artus. 1955 Li sires des nains vint aprés, Bilis, li rois d'Antipodés. Cil don ge vos di si fu nains, et fu Blïant freres germains. De toz nains fu Bylis li mendres, 1960 et Blïanz ses freres li grendres, ou demi pié ou plainne paume, que nus chevaliers del rëaume. Par richesce et par seignorie amena an sa conpaignie 1965 Bylis deus rois qui nain estoient, qui de lui lor terre tenoient, Gribalo et Glodoalan; 87but there were even more kings. Garras, a fierce king of Cork, came with five hundred knights clad in costly silks, * 1930 cloaks and stockings and fitted tunics. * On a horse from Cappadocia came Aguiflez, the king of Scotland, and he brought along with him both his sons, Cadret and Quoi, 1935 two greatly dreaded knights. With those that I have named for you came King Ban of Ganieret, and all who were with him were young valets: 1940 they had neither beards nor mustaches. He brought many joyful people; he had two hundred in his household, and every one of them, whatever he might be, had a falcon or a tercel, * 1945 a merlin or a sparrow-hawk, or a goshawk, red or moulted. Quirions, the old king of Orcel, brought no young men along, but rather had two hundred companions, 1950 the youngest of whom was a hundred years old. Their heads were hoary and white, for they had lived a long time, and they had beards down to their waists; King Arthur held them very dear. 1955 The lord of the dwarves came next, Bilis, king of the Antipodes. * He of whom I speak was indeed a dwarf, and full brother of Blïant. Bilis was the smallest of all the dwarves, 1960 and Blïant his brother the largest, by half a foot or a full handbreadth, of all the knights in the kingdom. * To display his power and his authority Bilis brought in his company 1965 two kings who were dwarves, who held their land from him, Gribalo and Glodoalan; 88mervoilles les esgarda l'an. Quant a la cort furent venu, 1970 formant i furent chier tenu; an la cort furent come roi enoré et servi tuit troi, car molt estoient gentil home. Li rois Artus, a la parsome, 1975 quant asanblé vit son barnage, molt an fu liez an son corage. Aprés, por la joie angraignier, comanda cent vaslez baignier, que toz les vialt chevaliers faire. 1980 N'i a nul qui n'ait robe vaire de riche paisle d'Alixandre, chascuns tel com il la volt prandre a son voloir, a sa devise. Tuit orent armes d'une guise 1985 et chevax corranz et delivres: li pires valoit bien cent livres. Qant Erec sa fame reçut, par son droit non nomer l'estut, qu'altremant n'est fame esposee, 1990 se par son droit non n'est nomee. Ancor ne savoit l'an son non, mes ore primes le set l'on: Enyde ot non an baptestire. L'arcevesques de Quantorbire, 1995 qui a la cort venuz estoit, [8d] les beneï, si com il doit. Quant la corz fu tote asanblee, n'ot menestrel an la contree qui rien seüst de nul deduit 2000 qui a la cort ne fussent tuit. An la sale molt grant joie ot; chascuns servi de ce qu'il sot: cil saut, cil tunbe, cil anchante, li uns conte, li autres chante, 2005 li uns sifle, li autres note, * cil sert de harpe, cil de rote; cil flaüte, cil chalemele, cil gigue, li autres vïele; 89people looked at them with wonder. When they had arrived at court, 1970 they were very cordially welcomed; at court all three were honored and served like kings, for they were very noble men. At length King Arthur, 1975 when he saw his baronage assembled, was very happy in his heart. Then, to increase the joy, he ordered a hundred youths to bathe, for he wanted to make them all knights. 1980 Each one received a shimmering gown * of rich silk from Alexandria, each just as he wished to have, according to his desire and taste. They all had matching armor 1985 and swift and trim horses: the worst was well worth a hundred pounds. When Erec received his wife, she had to be named by her proper name, for otherwise a woman is not married, 1990 if she is not called by her proper name. People did not yet know her name, but now they learned it for the first time: Enide was the name given her at baptism. * The archbishop of Canterbury, 1995 who had come to court, blessed them, as was fitting and proper. When the court was all assembled, there was no minstrel in the land who knew anything of any entertainment 2000 who was not at the court. In the hall there was great joy; each contributed what he could: one jumped, another tumbled, another performed magic, one told stories, another sang, 2005 one whistled, another played, this one the harp, that one the rote, * this one the flute, that one the reed pipe, the fiddle or the hurdy-gurdy; 90puceles querolent et dancent: 2010 trestuit de joie fere tancent. Riens n'est qui joie puisse fere ne cuer d'ome a leesce trere, qui as noces ne fust le jor. Sonent tinbre, sonent tabor, 2015 muses, estives et freteles, et buisines et chalemeles. Que diroie de l'autre chose? N'i ot guichet ne porte close: les issues et les antrees 2020 furent le jor abandonees; n'an fu tornez povres ne riches. Li rois Artus ne fu pas chiches: bien comanda as penetiers et as queuz et aus botelliers 2025 qu'il livrassent a grant planté, a chascun a sa volanté, et pain et vin et veneison. Nus ne demanda livreison de rien nule, que que ce fust, 2030 qu'a sa volanté ne l'eüst. Molt fu granz la joie el palés, mes tot le sorplus vos an les, s'orroiz la joie et le delit qui fu an la chanbre et el lit 2035 la nuit, quant asanbler se durent. Evesque et arcevesque i furent. A cele premiere asanblee, la ne fu pas Enyde anblee, * ne Brangiens an leu de li mise. 2040 La reïne s'est antremise de l'atorner et del couchier, [8e] car l'un et l'autre avoit molt chier. Cers chaciez qui de soif alainne ne desirre tant la fontainne, 2045 n'espreviers ne vient a reclain si volantiers, quant il a fain, que plus volantiers n'i venissent, eingois que il s'antre tenissent. Cele nuit ont bien restoré * 2050 ce que il ont tant demoré. Quant vuidiee lor fu la chanbre, 91maidens performed rounds and other dances: 2010 all outdid one another in showing their joy. Nothing that can contribute to joy or draw the heart of man to happiness was absent from the wedding that day. Tambourines and drums resounded, 2015 musettes, flutes and panpipes, and trumpets and reed pipes. What should I say of the rest? No wicket nor door was closed: * the entrances and exits 2020 were completely free that day; neither poor man nor rich was turned away. King Arthur was not stingy: he ordered the bakers and the cooks and the wine-stewards 2025 to serve in great quantity, to each person as he wished, bread and wine and game. No one requested anything, whatever it might be, 2030 without having as much as he wished. Great was the joy in the palace, but I shall spare you the rest of it, and you will hear the joy and the pleasure that were in the bedroom and in the bed 2035 that night, when they were to unite. Bishops and archbishops were present. At that first union Enide was not stolen away, nor was Brangien put in her place. 2040 The queen took charge of the preparations and the bedding, for she held both of them very dear. The hunted stag who pants from thirst does not so yearn for the fountain, 2045 nor does the hungry sparrow-hawk return so willingly, when called, but yet more willingly they came there, before they held one another. That night they fully made up for 2050 what they had so long deferred. When they were left alone in the room, 92lor droit randent a chascun manbre. Li oel d'esgarder se refont, cil qui d'amor la voie font 2055 et le message au cuer anvoient, que molt lor plest quanque il voient. Aprés le message des ialz vient la dolçors, qui molt valt mialz, des beisiers qui amor atraient: 2060 andui cele dolçor essaient, et lor cuers dedanz en aboivrent, si qu'a grant poinne se dessoivrent. De beisier fu li premiers jeus. De l'amor qui est antr'ax deus 2065 fu la pucele plus hardie: de rien ne s'est acoardie; tot sofri, que qu'il li grevast. Ençois qu'ele se relevast, ot perdu le non de pucele; 2070 au matin fu dame novele. Ce jor furent jugleor lié, car tuit furent a gré paié. Tot fu randu quanqu'il acrurent, et molt bel don doné lor furent: 2075 robes de veir et d'erminetes, de conins et de violetes, d'escarlate grise ou de soie; qui vost cheval, qui volt monoie, chascuns ot don a son voloir 2080 si boen com il le dut avoir. Ensi les noces et la corz durerent plus de quinze jorz a tel joie et a tel hautesce; par seignorie et par leesce 2085 et por Erec plus enorer, [Sfl fist li rois Artus demorer toz les barons une quinzainne. Quant vint a la tierce semainne, tuit ansanble comunemant 2090 anpristrent un tornoiemant. Mes sire Gauvains s'avança, qui d'une part le fïança 93they paid homage to each member. The eyes, which channel love and send the message to the heart, 2055 renewed themselves with looking, for whatever they saw greatly pleased them. After the message of the eyes came the sweetness, worth far more, of the kisses that bring on love: 2060 they both sampled that sweetness and refreshed their hearts within, so that with great difficulty they drew apart. Kissing was their first game. The love between the two of them 2065 made the maiden more bold: she was not afraid of anything; she endured all, whatever the cost. Before she arose again, she had lost the name of maiden; 2070 in the morning she was a new lady. That day the minstrels were happy, for all were paid according to their liking. All that was owed them was repaid, and they were given beautiful gifts: 2075 clothes of vair and of ermine, of rabbit and rich purple cloth, fur-trimmed scarlet or silk; whoever wanted a horse or money, each had a gift according to his wishes, 2080 as good as he should have. Thus the wedding celebration and the court lasted more than two weeks with such joy and such magnificence; for nobility and for joy 2085 and the more to honor Erec, King Arthur had all his barons stay for two weeks. When it came to the third week, all together, in common accord, 2090 agreed to undertake a tournament. * My lord Gawain came forward and pledged himself for one side 94antre Evroïc et Tenebroc. Et Melis et Meliadoc 2095 l'ont fïancié d'altre partie. A tant est la corz departie. Un mois aprés la Pantecoste li tornoiz assanble et ajoste desoz Tenebroc an la plaigne. 2100 La ot tante verrnoille ansaigne et tante bloe et tante blanche, * et tante guinple et tante manche, qui par amors furent donees; tant i ot lances aportees 2105 d'azur et de sinople taintes, d'or et d'argent en i ot maintes, maintes en i ot d'autre afeire, mainte bandee, et mainte veire. Huec vit an le jor lacier 2110 maint hiaume, de fer et d'acier, tant vert, tant giaune, tant vermoil, reluire contre le soloil; tant blazon et tant hauberc blanc, tante espee a senestre flanc, 2115 tanz boens escuz fres et noviax, d'azur et de sinople biax, et tant d'argent a bocles d'or; tant boen cheval baucent et sor, fauves et blans et noirs et bais: 2120 tuit s'antre vienent a eslais. D'armes est toz coverz li chans. D'anbes parz fremist toz li rans; an l'estor lieve li escrois; des lances est molt granz li frois. 2125 Lances brisent et escu troent, li hauberc faussent et descloent, seles vuident, chevalier tument, li cheval süent et escument. La traient les espees tuit [9a] 2130 sor cez qui chieent a grant bruit; li un corent por les foiz prendre et li autre por l'estor randre. 95between York and Edinburgh. And Melis and Meliadoc 2095 pledged themselves for the other side. Then the court disbanded. A month after Pentecost the tournament gathered and was engaged in the plain below Edinburgh. 2100 There were many bright-red banners, and many blue and many white, and many wimples and many sleeves given as tokens of love; many lances were brought there, 2105 painted azure and red, many gold and silver, many of other colors, many striped, and many variegated. There that day was seen the lacing on 2110 of many a helmet, of iron or of steel, some green, some yellow, some bright red, gleaming in the sunlight; many coats of arms and many white hauberks, many swords at the left-hand side, 2115 many good shields, fresh and new, of azure and fine red, and silver ones with golden bosses; many fine horses, white-stockinged and sorrel, fawn-colored and white and black and bay: 2120 all came together at a gallop. The field was all covered with armor. On both sides the lines stirred noisily; in the melee the tumult grew; great was the shattering of lances. 2125 Lances were broken and shields were pierced, hauberks deformed and torn apart, saddles were emptied, knights fell, horses sweated and foamed. There all drew their swords 2130 above those who fell with great noise; some ran to take the oaths and others to resume the melee. 96Erec sist sor un cheval blanc; toz seus s'an vint au chief del ranc 2135 por joster, se il trueve a cui. De l'autre part, eneontre lui, point li Orguelleus de la Lande, et sist sor un cheval d'lrlande qui le porte de grant ravine. 2140 Sor 1 'escu, devant la poitrine, le fiert Erec de tel vertu que del destrier l'a abatu; le chaple let et vet avant. Et Randuraz li vient devant, 2145 filz la Vielle de Tergalo, et fu coverz d'un cendal bio; chevaliers ert de grant proesce. Li uns contre l'autre s'adresce, si s'antre donent molt granz cos 2150 sor les escuz qu'il ont as cos. Erec, tant con hante li dure, le trebuche a la tere dure. An son retor a eneontré le roi de la Roge Cité, 2155 qui molt estoit vaillanz et preuz. Les resnes tindrent par les neuz et les escuz par les enarmes; endui orent molt beles armes et molt boens chevax et isniax. 2160 Sor les escuz fres et noviax par si grant vertu s'antre fierent qu'andeus les lances peçoierent. Onques tex cos ne fu veüz: * ansanble hurtent des escuz, 2165 et des armes et des chevax. Cengles ne resnes ne peitrax ne porent le roi retenir: a la terre l'estut venir, ainsi vola jus del destrier; 2170 n'i guerpi sele ne estrier, et nes les resnes de son frain an porte avoec lui en sa main. 97Erec sat upon a white horse; all alone he came to the head of the ranks 2135 to joust, if he could find an adversary. On the other side, coming to meet him, spurred the Arrogant Knight of the Heath, seated on an Irish horse that bore him violently forward. 2140 On his shield, in front of his chest, Erec struck him with such force that he knocked him down from his charger; he left the melee and went forward. And Randuraz came toward him, 2145 son of the Old Woman of Tergalo; he was covered in blue silk and was a knight of great prowess. Each headed for the other, and they exchanged great blows 2150 on the shields they bore at their necks. Erec, with all the force of his lance, knocked him onto the hard ground. As he was returning he met the King of the Red City, 2155 who was very valiant and bold. They held their reins by the knots and their shields by the straps; they both had very fine armor and very good, swift horses. 2160 They struck one another with such strength on their fresh new shields that both their lances flew to pieces. Never had such a blow been seen: they struck against each other with their shields, 2165 with their armor and with their horses. Neither cinch nor reins nor breastplate * could keep the king from falling: he was forced to the ground, and so he flew down from his charger, 2170 he left neither saddle nor stirrup behind, and even the reins of his bridle he carried off with him in his hand. 98Tuit cil qui cele joste virent a mervoilles s'an esbaïrent, 2175 et dïent que crop chier li coste 19b] qui a si boen chevalier joste. Erec ne voloit pas entandre a cheval n'a chevalier prandre, roes a joster et a bien feire 2180 por ce que sa proesce apeire. Devant lui fet les rans fremir; * sa proesce fet resbaudir cez devers cui il se tenoit. Chevax et chevaliers prenoit 2185 por cez de la plus desconfire. De mors seignor Gauvain voel dire, qui molt le feisoit bien et bel. An l'estor abati Guincel et prist Gaudin de la Montaingne. 2190 Chevaliers prant, chevax gaaingne: bien le fist mes sire Gauvains. Girflez, li filz Do, et Yvains et Sagremors li Desreez ces de la ont tex conreez 2195 que tresqu'es portes les anbatent; asez an prenent et abatent. Devant la porte del chastel ont recomancié le cenbel cil dedanz contre cez defors. 2200 La fu abatuz Sagremors, uns chevaliers de molt grant pris; toz estoit retenuz et pris, quant Erec cort a la rescosse. Sor un des lor sa lance estrosse; 2205 si bien le fiert soz la memele que vuidier li covint la sele. Puis tret l'espee, si lor passe, les hiaumes lor anbarre et quasse: cil s'an fuient, si li font rote, 2210 car toz li plus hardiz le dote. Tant lor dona et cos et bous * que Sagremor lor a rescos; el chastel les re met batant. Les vespres sonerent a tant 2215 Si bien le fist Erec le jor que li miaudres fu de l'estor, mes molt le fist mialz l'andemain: tant prist chevaliers de sa main et tant i fist seles vuidier [9c] 99All those who saw this combat were wonderfully astounded, 2175 and said that it cost too dearly to fight against such a fine knight. Erec was not intent upon winning horses or taking prisoners, but on jousting and on doing well, * 2180 to make his prowess evident. He made the ranks tremble before him; his prowess excited and encouraged those on whose side he fought. He won horses and captured knights, 2185 the more to rout those on the other side. I wish to speak of my lord Gawain, who fought well and admirably. In the melee he struck down Guincel and captured Gaudin of the Mountain. 2190 He captured knights, he won horses: my lord Gawain performed very well. Girflet, son of Do, and Ywain, and Sagremor the Unruly took such good care of their adversaries 2195 that they drove them right up to the gates; they captured and struck down many. In front of the castle gate those within renewed the combat against those on the outside. 2200 There Sagremor, a very worthy knight, was struck down; he was captured and made prisoner, when Erec ran to his rescue. On one of his adversaries he broke his lance; 2205 he struck him so hard in the chest that the man was forced from his saddle. Then he drew his sword, attacked them, and dented and broke their helmets; they fled, making a path for him, 2210 for even the bravest feared him. He gave them so many hits and blows that he rescued Sagremor from them; he quickly drove them back into the castle. At that point vespers sounded. * 2215 Erec fought so well that day that he was the best of the melee, but he fought still better the next day: he captured so many knights and emptied so many saddles 100 2220 que nus ne le porroit cuidier, se cil non qui veü l'avoient; d'anbedeus parz trestuit disoient qu'il avoit le tornoi veincu par sa lance et par son escu. 2225 Or fu Erec de tel renon qu'an ne parloit se de lui non; nus horn n'avoit si boene grace, qu'il sanbloit Ausalon de face, et de la lengue Salemon, 2230 et de fierté sanbla lyon, * et de doner et de despandre refu il parauz Alixandre. Au repeirier de ce tornoi, ala Erec parler au roi: 2235 le congié li ala requerre, qu'aler s'an voloit en sa terre, mes molt le mercia ençois con frans et sages et cortois, de l'enor que feite li ot, 2240 que molt merveilleus gré li sot. Aprés li a le congié quis * qu'aler voloit en son païs et sa fame an voloit mener. Ce ne li pot li rois veher, 2245 mes, son vuel, n'en alast il mie. Congié li done et si li prie qu'au plus tost qu'il porra retort, car n'avoit baron en sa cort plus vaillant, plus hardi, plus preu, 2250 fors Gauvain, son tres chier neveu: a celui ne se prenoit nus. Aprés celui prisoit il plus Erec et plus le tenoit chier que nes un autre chevalier. 2255 Erec ne volt plus sejorner; sa fame comande atorner, des qu'il ot le congié del roi, et si reçut a son conroi seissante chevaliers de pris 2260 a chevax, a veir et a gris. Des que son oirre ot apresté, n'a gueires puis a cort esté. La reïne congié demande; [9d] les chevaliers a Deu comande. 2265 La reïne congié li done. A tele ore con prime sone 101 2220 that no one could believe it, except for those who had seen it; * on both sides everyone said that he had won the tournament with his lance and with his shield. 2225 Now such was Erec's renown that people talked of no one else; no man had such exceptional qualities, for he had the face of Absalom, and resembled Solomon in his speech, 2230 and for ferocity was like a lion, and in giving and spending he was like Alexander. Upon his return from this tournament, Erec went to speak to the king: 2235 he went to ask permission to leave, for he wanted to return to his own land, but beforehand he thanked him much, as one who is noble, wise, and courtly, for the honor he had done him, 2240 for he was extremely grateful to him. Then he asked him for his leave, for he wanted to return home and take his wife with him. The king could not refuse him this, 2245 but by his wish he would have stayed. He gave Erec his leave, and begged him to return as soon as he could, for he had no baron in his court more valiant, more bold, more gallant, 2250 apart from Gawain, his very dear nephew: no one could compare with him. After him the king most esteemed Erec, and held him dearer than any other knight. 2255 Erec wished to stay no longer; he ordered his wife to make ready, as soon as he had the king's leave, and he received in his entourage sixty worthy knights, 2260 with horses, and furs of vair and miniver. As soon as he had prepared his baggage, he scarcely stayed any longer at court. He asked the queen's permission to leave; he commended the knights to God. 2265 The queen gave him her leave. At the hour when prime was sounding * 102departi del palés real. Veant toz monte an son cheval, et sa fame est aprés montee, 2270 qu'il amena de sa contxee; puis monta sa mesniee tote: bien furent set vint an la rote, entre sergenz et chevaliers. Tant trespassent puiz et rochiers 2275 et forez et plains et montaingnes, * catre jornees totes plainnes, a Carnant vindrent a un jor, ou li rois Lac ert a sejor en un chastel de grant delit. 2280 Onques nus mialz seant ne vit: de forez et de praeries, de vingnes, de gaaigneries, de rivieres et de vergiers, de dames et de chevaliers, 2285 de vaslez molt preuz et heitiez, de gentix clers bien afeitiez qui bien despandoient lor rantes, de puceles beles et gentes * et de borjois bien posteïs 2290 estoit li chastiax bien asis. Ainz qu'Erec el chastel venist, deus messagiers avant tramist qui l'alerent au roi conter, Li rois fist maintenant monter, 2295 qu'il ot oïes les noveles, clers et chevaliers et puceles, et comande les corz soner et les rues ancortiner de tapiz et de dras de soie 2300 por son fil reçoivre a grant joie; puis est il meïsmes montez. Quatre vinz clers i ot contez, gentix homes et enorables, a mantiax gris orlez de sables; 2305 chevaliers i ot bien cinc cenz sor chevax bais, sors et baucenz; dames et borjois tant i ot [9e] que nus savoir conter nes pot. Tant galoperent et corrurent 2310 qu'il s'antre virent et conurent, li rois son fil et ses filz lui. A pié descendent anbedui, si s'antre beisent et salüent; 103he left the royal palace. In the sight of all he mounted his horse, and his wife, whom he had brought from her land, 2270 mounted after him; then his entire household mounted: there were easily seven score in the company, men-at-arms and knights all together. They passed so many hills and rocks 2275 and forests and plains and mountains during four full days that one day they came to Carnant, where King Lac was staying in a very pleasant castle. 2280 No one ever saw one better placed: with forests and with meadows, with vineyards and plowed fields, with rivers and with orchards, with ladies and with knights, 2285 with gallant and healthy young men, with noble and accomplished clerks who spent their revenues well, with beautiful and noble maidens and with powerful burghers 2290 was the castle well provided. Before Erec came to the castle, he sent two messengers ahead, who went to tell the king. As soon as he had heard the news, 2295 the king had clerks and knights and maidens mount upon their horses, and he ordered the horns to be blown and the streets to be adorned with tapestries and silken sheets, 2300 in order to receive his son with great joy; then he himself mounted up. There one could count fourscore clerks, noble and honorable men, with fur-lined mantles trimmed with sable; 2305 there were easily five hundred knights, on bay, sorrel, and white-stockinged horses; there were so many ladies and burghers that no one could count them. They galloped and ran 2310 until they saw and recognized one another, the king and his son. Both dismounted, and kissed and greeted each other; 104de grant piece ne se remüent 2315 d'iluec ou il s'antr'encontrerent. Li un les autres salüerent. Li rois grant joie d'Erec fet. A la foiee l'antrelet, si se retorne vers Enide. 2320 D'anbedeus parz est an Melide: * anbedeus les acole et beise; ne set li quiex d'ax plus li pleise. El chastel vienent maintenant, Ancontre son avenemant 2325 sonent trestuit li saint a glais; de jons, de mantastre et de glais sont totes jonchiees les rues, et par desore portendues de cortines et de tapiz 2330 de dïapres et de samiz. La ot molt grant joie menee; tote la gent est aünee por veoir lor novel seignor: einz nus ne vit joie greignor 2335 que feisoient juesne et chenu. Premiers sont au mostier venu; la furent par devocion receü a procession. Devant l'autel del crocefis 2340 s'est Erec a orisons mis. * Devant l'autel de Nostre Dame [9f] menerent dui baron sa fame. * Quant ele i ot s'orison fete, [10a] un petit s'est arriere trete; 2345 de sa destre main s'est seigniee come fame bien anseigniee. A tant fors del mostier s'an vont; droit a l'ostel revenu sont: la comença la joie granz. 2350 Le jor ot Erec mainz presanz de chevaliers et de boijois: de l'un un palefroi norrois, et de l'autre une cope d'or; cil li presante un ostor sor, 2355 cil un brachet, cil un levrier, et li autres un esprevier, li autres un destrier d'Espaigne, 105for a long time they did not stir 2315 from the spot where they met. Greetings were exchanged on all sides. The king made much of Erec. At length he left him, and turned toward Enide. 2320 On both sides he was enraptured: he embraced and kissed both of them; he did not know which of them pleased him more. They soon came to the castle. In honor of his arrival 2325 all the bells rang out joyously; all the streets were strewn with rushes, wild mint and grasses, and were hung above with hangings and with tapestries 2330 of leafy-patterned silk and samite. * There much joy was shown; all the people were assembled to see their young lord; * no one ever saw greater joy 2335 than was displayed by young and old. First they went to the church; there they were greeted by a pious procession. Before the altar of the crucifix 2340 Erec knelt in prayer. Two barons led his wife before the altar of Our Lady. When she had completed her prayers, she drew back a bit; 2345 with her right hand she crossed herself like a well-bred woman. Then they left the church; they came straight back to the castle: there the great joy began. 2350 Erec received many presents that day from knights and from burghers: from one a Norwegian palfrey, and from another a golden cup; one gave him a red goshawk, 2355 one a pointer, one a greyhound, and another a sparrow-hawk, another a Spanish charger, 106cil un escu, cil une ansaigne, cil une espee et cil un hiaume. 2360 Onques nus rois an son rëaume ne fu plus lieemant veüz n'a greignor joie receüz. Tuit de lui servir se penerent; molt plus grant joie demenerent 2365 d'Enyde que de lui ne firent, por la grant biauté qu'an li virent et plus ancor por sa franchise. An une chanbre fu assise desor une coute de paile 2370 qui venue estoit de Tessaile; antor li avoit mainte dame. * Mes ausi con la clere jame reluist desor le bis chaillot et la rose sor le pavot, 2375 ausi ert Enyde plus bele que nule dame ne pucele qui fust trovee an tot le monde, qui le cerchast a la reonde. Tant fu gentix et enorable, 2380 de saiges diz et acointable, de bon ere et de boen atret, onques nus ne sot tant d'aguet qu'an li poïst veoir folie ne malvestié ne vilenie. 2385 Tant ot d'afaitemant apris que de totes bontez ot pris que nule dame doie avoir, [10b] et de largesce et de savoir. Tuit l'amerent por sa franchise: 2390 qui li pooit feire. servise plus s'an tenoit chiers et prisoit; ne nus de li ne mesdisoit, car nus n'an pooit rien mesdire. El rëaume ne an l'empire 2395 n'ot dame de si boenes mors. Mes tant l'ama Erec d'amors que d'armes mes ne li chaloit, ne a tornoiemant n'aloit. N'avoit mes soing de tornoier: 2400 a sa fame volt dosnoier, si an fist s'amie et sa drue. En li a mise s'antendue, 107this one a shield, that one a banner, this one a sword and that a helmet. 2360 Never was any king more gladly welcomed in his kingdom nor received with greater joy. All strove to serve him; they made still more 2365 of Enide than they did of him, for the great beauty they saw in her, and even more because of her fine character. In a chamber she was seated upon a rich silken cushion 2370 which had come from Thessaly; there were many ladies round her. But just as the clear gem shines above the gray-brown pebble and the rose above the poppy, 2375 so was Enide more beautiful than any other lady or maiden that might be found in all the world, were one to search it all around. She was so noble and honorable, 2380 wise and gracious in her speech, well-bred and of pleasant company, that no one was ever able to observe that there was in her any folly, nor meanness nor baseness. 2385 She had so well learned the social graces that she excelled in all the qualities that any lady must have, and in generosity and in good sense. All loved her for her character: 2390 whoever could be of service to her esteemed himself the more for it; no one spoke ill of her, for no one could find cause to do so. In the kingdom or in the empire 2395 there was not another lady of such quality. But Erec was so in love with her that he cared no more for arms, nor did he go to tournaments. He no longer cared for tourneying: 2400 he wanted to enjoy his wife's company, and he made her his lady and his mistress. He turned all his attention to her, 108en acoler et an beisier; ne se queroit d'el aeisier. 2405 Si conpaignon duel en avoient; sovant entr'ax se demantoient de ce que trop l'amoit assez. Sovant estoit midis passez einz que de lez li se levast. 2410 Lui estoit bel, cui qu'il pesast. Molt petit de li s'esloignoit, mes ainz por ce moins ne donoit de rien nule a ses chevaliers, armes ne robes ne deniers. 2415 Nul leu n' avoit tornoiemant nes anveast, molt richemant aparelliez et atornez. Destriers lor donoit sejornez por tomoier et por joster, 2420 que qu'il li deüssent coster. Ce disoit trestoz li barnages que granz diax ert et granz domages, quant artnes porter ne voloit tex ber com il estre soloit. 2425 Tant fu blasmez de totes genz, de chevaliers et de sergenz, qu'Enyde l'oï antredire que recreant aloit ses sire d'armes et de chevalerie; 2430 molt avoit changiee sa vie. De ceste chose li pesa, [Wc] mes sanblant fere n'an osa, que ses sire an mal le preïst * asez tost, s'ele le deïst. 2435 Tant li fu la chose celee qu'il avint une matinee, la ou il jurent an un lit ou orent eü maint delit: boche a boche antre braz gisoient, 2440 come cil qui molt s'antre amoient. Cil dormi et cele veilla; de la parole li manbra que disoient de son seignor par la contree li plusor. 2445 Quant il l'an prist a sovenir, de plorer ne se pot tenir, tel duel en ot et tel pesance 109to embracing and kissing; he sought no other delight, 2405 His companions were grieved thereby; often they lamented among themselves that he loved her far too much. Often it was past noon before he rose from her side. 2410 This pleased him, whoever might be grieved by it. He kept very close to her, but still for all that gave no less of anything to his knights, not of arms nor clothes nor deniers. 2415 Wherever there was a tournament he sent them there, most richly appareled and equipped. He gave them fresh chargers to tourney and to joust with, 2420 whatever they might cost him. All his lords said that it was a great shame and sorrow, when such a lord as he once was no longer wanted to bear arms. 2425 He was so blamed by everyone, by knights and men-at-arms alike, that Enide heard them say among themselves that her lord was becoming recreant about arms and knighthood; 2430 he had profoundly changed his way of life. This thing weighed upon her, but she dared not show it, for her lord would probably have taken it ill, had she mentioned it. 2435 The matter was hidden from him until it happened one morning, while they lay in the bed where they had many a delight: in each other's arms and mouth to mouth they lay, 2440 like those who are deeply in love. He slept and she lay awake; she remembered what many people throughout the land were saying about her lord. 2445 When she began to remember that, she could not refrain from weeping; she felt such pain and sorrow 110qu'il li avint par mescheance qu'ele dist lors une parole 2450 dom ele se tint puis por fole, mes ele n'i pansoit nul mal. Son seignor a mont et a val comanga tant a regarder; le cors vit bel et le vis cler, 2455 et plora de si grant ravine que, plorant, desor la peitrine an chieent les lermes sor lui. "Lasse," fet ele, "con mar fui! * De mon pais que ving 9a querre? 2460 Bien me doit essorbir la terre, quant toz li miaudres chevaliers, li plus hardiz et li plus fiers, li plus lëax, li plus cortois qui onques fust ne cuens ne rois, 2465 a del tot an tot relanquie por moi tote chevalerie. Dons l'ai ge honi tot por voir; nel volsisse por nul avoir." Lors li dist: "Amis, con mar fus!" * 2470 A tant se tot, si ne dist plus. Et cil ne dormi pas formant: la voiz 01 tot an dormant; de la parole s'esveilla et de ce molt se merveilla 2475 que si formant plorer la vit. [10d] Puis li a demandé et dit: "Dites moi, dolce amie chiere, por coi plorez an tel meniere? De coi avez ire ne duel? 2480 Certes, je le savrai, mon vuel. Dites le moi, ma dolce amie; gardez nel me celez vos mie: por qu'avez dit que mar i fui? Por moi fu dit, non por autrui: 2485 bien ai la parole antandue." Lors fu molt Enyde esperdue; grant peor ot et grant esmai: "Sire," fet ele, "je ne sai neant de quanque vos me dites." 2490 "Dame, por coi vos escondites? Li celers ne vos i valt rien. Ploré avez, ce voi ge bien; por neant ne plorez vos mie. Et an dormant ai ge oïe 111that by mischance it happened that she made a remark 2450 for which she later counted herself a fool, but she meant no evil thereby. She began to contemplate her lord from head to foot; she saw his handsome body and fair face, 2455 and wept so violently that, as she wept, her tears fell upon his chest, "Wretch," said she, "unhappy me! Why did I come here from my land? 2460 The earth should truly swallow me up, since the very best of knights, the boldest and the bravest, the most loyal, the most courtly that was ever count or king, 2465 has, because of me, completely abandoned all chivalry. Now have I truly shamed him; I should not have wished it for anything." Then she said to him: "My friend, how unfortunate for you!' 2470 Then she fell silent, and said no more. But he was not deeply asleep: he heard her voice as he slept; he awoke upon hearing her words, and was greatly astonished 2475 to see her weeping so bitterly. Then he questioned her, saying: "Tell me, dear sweet lady, why are you weeping in this way? What causes you anguish or sorrow? 2480 Truly, I will find out—I insist. Tell me, my sweet lady; take care not to conceal it from me: why did you say I was unfortunate? It was said about me, not any other: 2485 I clearly heard your words." Then Enide was quite distraught; she felt great fear and great dismay: "My lord," said she, "I know nothing of what you say." 2490 "My lady, why do you dissemble? Concealment will not avail you. You have been weeping, I see it clearly; you do not weep without reason. And while I slept I heard 112 2495 la parole que vos deïstes." "Ha! biax sire, onques ne l'oïstes, mes je cuit bien que ce fu songes." "Or me servez vos de mançonges. Apertemant vos oi mantir, 2500 mes tart vandroiz au repantir se voir ne me reconuissiez." "Sire, quant vos si m'angoissiez, la verité vos an dirai; ja plus ne le vos celerai, 2505 mes je criem qu'il ne vos enuit. Par ceste terre dïent tuit, li blonc et li mor et li ros, que granz domages est de vos que voz armes antrelessiez. 2510 Vostre pris est molt abessiez: tuit soloient dire l'autre an qu'an tot le mont ne savoit l'an meillor chevalier ne plus preu; vostres parauz n'estoit nul leu, 2515 Or se vont tuit de vos gabant, juesne et chenu, petit et grant; recreant vos apelent tuit. Cuidiez vos qu'il ne m'an enuit, quant j'oi dire de vos despit? [10e] 2520 Molt me poise quant l'an le dit, et por ce m'an poise ancor plus qu'il m'an metent le blasme sus: blasmee an sui, ce poise moi, et dïent tuit reison por coi, 2525 car si vos ai lacié et pris que vos an perdez vostre pris, ne ne querez a el antandre. Or vos an estuet consoil prandre, que vos puissiez ce blasme estaindre 2530 et vostre premier los ataindre, car trop vos ai oï blasmer. Onques nel vos osai mostrer. Sovantes foiz, quant m'an sovient, d'angoisse plorer me covient: 2535 si grant angoisse orainz en oi que garde prandre ne m'an soi, tant que je dis que mar i fustes." "Dame," fet il, "droit an eüstes, et cil qui m'an blasment ont droit. 2540 Apareilliez vos or androit; 1132495 the words you spoke." "Ah, fair lord, you never heard it; rather, I do believe it was a dream." "Now you are telling me lies. I hear you lying openly to me; 2500 you will repent too late if you do not recognize that I speak the truth." "My lord, since you press me so, I shall tell you the truth; I shall conceal it from you no longer, 2505 but I fear it will distress you. Throughout this land all are saying, the blonds and the brunets and the redheads, that it is a great shame that you have laid aside your arms. 2510 Your renown has greatly declined: everyone used to say, last year, that in all the world no one knew a better nor a more valiant knight; your equal was nowhere to be found. * 2515 Now everyone holds you up to ridicule, young and old, high and low; all call you recreant. Do you believe it does not distress me, when I hear you spoken of with scorn? 2520 It grieves me much when they speak so, and it grieves me even more because they place the blame upon me: I am blamed for it; this grieves me, and they all say for this reason: 2525 that I have so bound and captured you that you are losing your renown, and wish to concern yourself with nothing else. Now it is fitting that you consider, so that you may put an end to this blame 2530 and regain your former glory, for I have heard you blamed too much. I never dared reveal this to you. Oftentimes, when I recall it, I have to weep with anguish: 2535 just now it caused me such anguish that I could not restrain myself from saying you were unfortunate." "My lady," said he, "you were right to do so, * and those who blame me are also right. 2540 Prepare yourself forthwith; 114por chevauchier vos aprestez: levez de ci, si vos vestez de vostre robe la plus bele et feites metre vostre sele 2545 sor vostre meillor palefroi." Or est Enyde an grant esfroi. Molt se lieve triste et panssive; a li seule tance et estrive de la folie qu'ele dist: 2550 tant grate chievre que mal gist. * "Ha!" fet ele, "fole malveise, or estoie je trop a eise, qu'il ne me failloit nule chose Ha! lasse, por coi fui tant ose, 2555 qui tel forssenaige osai dire? Dex! don ne m'amoit trop mes sire? Par foi, lasse, trop m'amoit il. Or m'estuet aler an essil! Mes de ce ai ge duel greignor, 2560 que ge ne verrai mon seignor, qui tant m'amoit de grant meniere que nule rien n'avoit tant chiere. [10f] Li miaudres qui onques fust nez s'estoit si a moi atomez 2565 que d'autre rien ne li chaloit. Nule chose ne me failloit: molt estoie boene eüree, mes trop m'a orguialz alevee, quant ge ai dit si grant oltraige. 2570 An mon orguel avrai domaige, et molt est bien droiz que je l'aie: ne set qu'est biens qui mal n'essaie." * Tant s'est la dame demantee que bien et bel s'est atornee 2575 de la meillor robe qu'ele ot, mes nule chose ne li plot; eincois li dut molt enuier. Puis a fet un suen escuier par une pucele apeler, 2580 si li comande a anseler son riche palefroi norrois: onques meillor n'ot cuens ne rois. Des qu'ele li ot comandé, cil n'i a respit demandé: 2585 le palefroi veir ansela. Et Erec un autre apela, * si li comande a aporter ses armes por son cors armer. Puis s'an monta en unes loiges, 2590 et fist un tapiz de Limoiges 115make ready to ride: arise from here, and put on your most beautiful dress and have the saddle placed 2545 upon your finest palfrey." Now Enide was sorely afraid. She arose, very sad and pensive; she accused and criticized herself for her ill-advised words: 2550 the goat scratches till it cannot lie comfortably. "Ah!" said she, "wicked fool, I was too well off, for I wanted for nothing. Ah, wretch, why was I so bold 2555 as to dare speak such madness? God! Did my lord not love me too much? In faith, unlucky me, he did indeed. Now I must go into exile! But it grieves me even more 2560 that I shall no more see my lord, who loved me so greatly that he held nothing else so dear. The best man who was ever born had so devoted himself to me 2565 that he cared for nothing else. I wanted for nothing: I was most fortunate, but pride raised me up too high, since I said such an outrageous thing. 2570 I shall be punished in my pride, and it is entirely right that I should be: one does not recognize good fortune who has not tasted misery." While the lady continued her lamentations she attractively dressed herself 2575 in her best dress, but nothing gave her any pleasure; rather, it caused her much grief. Then she had a maiden call for one of her squires, 2580 and ordered him to saddle her costly Norwegian palfrey: neither count nor king ever had better. As soon as she had given the order, he obeyed without delay: 2585 he saddled the dapple-gray palfrey. And Erec called for another squire, and ordered him to bring his armor, that he might put it on. Then he went up to a gallery 2590 and had a Limoges rug 116devant lui a la terre estandre. Et cil corrut les armes prandre, cui il l'ot comandé et dit, ses aporta sor le tapit. 2595 Erec s'asist de l'autre part sor une ymage de liepart qui el tapiz estoit portraite. Por armer s'atorne et afaite. Premieremant se fist lacier 2600 unes chauces de blanc acier. Un hauberc vest aprés tant chier qu'an n'an puet maille detranchier. Molt estoit riches li haubers, que an Fan droit ne an l'anvers 2605 n'ot tant de fer com une aguille: n'onques n'i pot coillir reoïlle, [11a] que toz estoit d'argent feitiz, de tnenües mailles tresliz, si ert ovrez si soutilmant, 2610 dire vos puis seüremant, que ja nus qui vestu l'eüst plus las ne plus doillanz n'an fust ne que s'eüst sor sa chemise une cote de soie mise. 2615 Li sergent et li chevalier se prenent tuit a mervellier por coi il se feisoit armer, mes nus ne l'ose demander. Quant del hauberc l'orent armé, 2620 un hiaume a cercle d'or jamé, qui plus cler reluisoit que glace, uns vaslez sor le chief li lace. Puis prant l'espee, si la ceint. Lors comanda qu'an li amaint 2625 le bai de Gascoigne anselé; puis a un vaslet apelé: "Vaslez," fet il, "va tost et cor an la chanbre delez la tor ou ma fame est; va, se li di 2630 que trop me fet demorer ci; trop a mis a li atorner. * Di li qu'el veigne tost monter, que ge l'atant." Et cil i va; apareilliee la trova, 2635 son plor et son duel demenant, et cil li dist tot maintenant: "Dame, por coi demorez tant? Mes sires la hors vos atant, 117spread out before him on the floor. And the squire to whom he had given the order ran to get the armor and placed it on the rug. 2595 Erec sat on the other side, upon the image of a leopard which was portrayed in the rug. He prepared to arm himself. First he had the greaves 2600 of shining steel laced on. Next he put on such an expensive hauberk that no link could be cut from it. The hauberk was extremely costly, for on the outside and on the inside 2605 there was not so much iron as in a needle: rust could never gather there, for it was all of fine-wrought silver in tiny triple-woven links, and it was so subtly worked, 2610 I can confidently tell you, that anyone who ever wore it would be no more tired or sore than if he had put on a silken tunic over his chemise. * 2615 The men-at-arms and the knights all began to wonder why he was putting on his armor, but no one dared to question him. When they had put on his hauberk, 2620 a valet laced upon his head a helmet, with a bejeweled golden circlet, which shone more brightly than a mirror. Then he girded on his sword. Next he ordered them to bring him 2625 his Gascon bay, all saddled up; then he called to a valet: "Valet," said he, "go, run quickly to the chamber by the tower, where my wife is; go, and tell her 2630 she is making me wait too long here; she has taken too long to get dressed. Tell her to come quickly and to mount, that I'm waiting for her." The valet went there; he found her ready, 2635 weeping and grieving, and he immediately said to her: "My lady, why do you tarry so? My lord awaits you outside 118de totes ses armes armez; 2640 grant piece a que il fust montez, se vos fussiez apareilliee." Molt s'est Enyde merveilliee que ses sires ot an corage, mes de ce fist ele que sage, 2645 car plus lieemant se contint qu'ele pot, quant devant lui vint, Devant lui vint en mi la cort, et li rois Lac aprés li cort. Chevalier corent qui mialz mialz: * 2650 il n'i remaint juenes ne chauz [lib] n'aille savoir et demander s'il an voldra nul d'ax mener; chascuns s'an porofre et presante, mes il lor jure et acreante 2655 qu'il n'an manra ja conpaignon, se sa fame solemant non; ensi dit qu'il en ira seus. Molt an est li rois angoisseus: "Biax filz," fet il, "que viax tu fere? 2660 Moi doiz tu dire ton afere; ne me doiz nule rien celer. Di moi quel part tu viax aler, que por rien nule que te die ne viax que an ta conpaignie 2665 escuiers ne chevaliers aille. Se tu as anprise bataille seul a seul contre un chevalier, por ce ne doiz tu pas lessier que tu n'an mainz une partie, 2670 por solaz et por conpaignie, de tes chevaliers avoec toi: ne doit seus aler filz de roi. Biax filz, fai chargier tes somiers, et mainne de tes chevaliers 2675 trante ou quarante, ou plus ancor, si fai porter argent et or, et quanqu'il convient a prodome." Erec respont a la parsome, et li conte tot, et devise 2680 comant il a sa voie anprise: "Sire," fet il, "ne puet autre estre. Ja n'an manrai cheval an destre; n'ai que feire d'or ne d'argent, ne d'escuier, ne de sergent; 2685 ne conpaignie ne demant fors de ma fame seulemant Mes je vos pri, que qu'il aveigne, se ge muir et ele reveigne, 119with all his armor on; 2640 he would have mounted long since, had you been ready." Enide wondered greatly what her lord had in mind, but she behaved wisely, 2645 for she acted as joyously as she could, when she came before him. She came before him in the middle of the courtyard, and King Lac came running after her. Knights came running as fast as they could: 2650 no one, young or old, refrained from inquiring and asking whether he wanted to take any of them along; everyone offered his services, but he swore and promised them 2655 that he would have no companion apart from his wife; he said that he would go alone. * The king was full of anguish at this: "Fair son," said he, "what is your purpose? 2660 You must tell me your plans; you must conceal nothing from me. Tell me where you want to go, since, whatever I may say to you, you wish no squire or knight 2665 to accompany you. If you have undertaken to fight in single combat against some knight, you must not refuse for all that to take along with you, 2670 for pleasure and companionship, some portion of your knights: a king's son must not travel alone. Fair son, have your packhorses loaded, and take along thirty or forty 2675 of your knights, or even more, and have silver and gold brought along, and everything befitting a gentleman." At length Erec replied, and told him everything and related 2680 how he had undertaken his journey: "Sire," said he, "it cannot be otherwise. I shall take along no spare horse; I have no need of gold or silver, squires or men-at-arms; 2685 I ask no company other than my wife's. But, whatever may happen, if I die and she returns, 120que vos l'amoiz et tenez chiere, 2690 por m' amor et por ma proiere, et la mitié de vostre terre quite, sanz bataille et sanz guerre, li otroiez tote sa vie." Li rois ot que ses filz li prie [11c] 2695 et dist: "Biax filz, je li otroi. Mes de ce que aler t'an voi sanz conpaignie, ai molt grant duel; ja ne le feïsses, mon vuel." "Sire, ne puet estre autremant. 2700 Je m'an vois; a Deu vos comant. Mes de mes conpaignons pansez: chevax et armes lor donez et quanqu'a chevaliers estuet." Del plorer tenir ne se puet 2705 li rois, quant de son fil depart; les genz replorent d'autre part. Dames et chevalier ploroient: por lui molt grant duel demenoient. N'i a un seul qui duel n'an face; 2710 maint s'an pasmerent an la place. Plorant le beisent et acolent; a po que de duel ne s'afolent. Ne cuit que greignor duel feïssent se a mort navré le veïssent. 2715 Et il lor dist por reconfort: "Seignor, por coi plorez si fort? Je ne sui pris ne mahaigniez; an cest duel rien ne gahaigniez. Se je m'an vois, je revanrai 2720 quant Deu pleira et je porrai. Toz et totes vos comant gié a Deu, si me donez congié, que trop me feites demorer, et ce que je vos voi plorer 2725 me fet grant mal et grant enui." A Deu les comande, et il lui; departi sont a molt grant poinne. Erec s'an va: sa fame an moinne, ne set ou, mes en avanture. 2730 "Alez," fet il, "grant aleüre, et gardez ne soiez tant ose que, se vos veez nule chose, ne me dites ne ce ne quoi. Tenez vos de parler a moi, 2735 se ge ne vos aresne avant. 121I pray you may love her and hold her dear, 2690 for love of me and because I ask it, and that you grant her half your land, freely, without battle and without strife, for the rest of her life." The king heard what his son was asking 2695 and said: "Fair son, I grant her this. But seeing you leave unaccompanied causes me great sorrow; you would not do so, were it up to me." "Sire, it cannot be otherwise. 2700 I am leaving; I commend you to God. But think of my companions: give them horses and arms and everything knights need." The king could not keep from weeping 2705 when he parted from his son; the other people likewise wept. Ladies and knights were weeping: they displayed great sorrow for him. There was no one who did not sorrow; 2710 many fainted upon the courtyard. Weeping they kissed and embraced him; their sorrow nearly made them harm themselves. I believe they would have shown no greater sorrow if they had seen him mortally wounded. 2715 And he said, to comfort them: "Lords, why do you weep so bitterly? I am neither mangled nor taken prisoner, you gain nothing by this soitow. If I go away, I shall return 2720 when it pleases God and when I can. One and all I commend you to God; give me your leave, for you are making me wait too long, and seeing you weep 2725 causes me great sorrow and anguish." He commended them to God, and they did him; then they parted with great sorrow. Erec rode off, leading his wife, knowing not where, but seeking adventure. * 2730 "Ride rapidly," said he, "and take care not to be so bold, if you see anything, as to say this or that to me. Take care not to speak to me, 2735 if I do not speak to you first. 122Alez grant aleüre avant * et chevauchiez tot a seür." "Sire," fet ele, "a boen eür." [11d] Devant s'est mise, si se tot. 2740 Li uns a l'autre ne dit mot, mes Enyde fu molt dolante; a li seule molt se demante söef an bas, que il ne l'oie: "Hé! lasse," fet ele, "a grant joie 2745 m'avoit Dex mise et essauciee; or m'a an po d'ore abessiee! Fortune, qui m'avoit atreite, a tost a li sa main retreite. De ce ne me chaussist il, lasse! 2750 s'a mon seignor parler osasse, mes de ce sui morte et traïe, que mes sires m'a anhaïe. Anhaïe m'a, bien le voi, quant il ne vialt parler a moi; 2755 ne je tant hardie ne sui que je os regarder vers lui." Que qu'ele se demante ensi, uns chevaliers del bois issi, qui de roberie vivoit; 2760 deus conpaignons o lui avoit, et s'estoient armé tuit troi. Molt coveita le palefroi qu'Enyde venoit chevalchant. "Savez, seignor, que vos atant?" 2765 fet il a ses deus conpeignons. "Se nos ici ne gaaignons, honi somes et recreant et a mervoilles mescheant. Ci vient une dame molt bele; 2770 ne sai s'ele est dame ou pucele, mes molt est richemant vestue. Ses palefroiz et sa sanbue et ses peitrax et ses lorains valent vint mars d'argent au mains. 2775 Le palefroi voel je avoir, et vos aiez tot l'autre avoir: ja plus n'an quier a ma partie. Li chevaliers n'an manra mie de la dame, se Dex me saut! 2780 Je li cuit feire tel asaut— ce vos di bien certeinnemant— file] qu'il conparra molt chieremant; por ce est droiz que ge i aille 123Go speedily before, and ride in complete confidence." "My lord," said she, "as you wish." She went before, and kept silent. 2740 Neither said a word to the other, but Enide was very sorrowful; to herself she greatly lamented, but softly, so that he would not hear. * "Oh, misery," said she, "God had raised 2745 and elevated me to great joy; now He has so soon abased me! Fortune, who had beckoned me, has speedily withdrawn her hand. I should not care about this, alas! 2750 if I dared speak to my lord, but I am undone and betrayed, for my lord has turned to hating me. He hates me, I see that clearly, since he does not wish to speak to me; 2755 and I am not so bold that I dare to look at him." While she was lamenting thus, a knight who lived by robbery came out of the forest; 2760 he had two companions with him, and all three of them wore armor. He greatly coveted the palfrey that Enide was riding. "Do you know, my lords, what awaits you?" 2765 said he to his two companions. "If we don't make a killing here, we are shamed and dishonored and incredibly unlucky. Here comes a very beautiful lady; 2770 whether married or not I don't know, but she is very richly dressed. Her palfrey and her saddle, and her breastplate and her crupper * are worth at least twenty marks of silver. 2775 I want to have the palfrey, and you can have all the other goods: I seek no more for my share. The knight will carry off nothing of the lady's, God save me! 2780 I'm planning such an attack on him— I tell you this quite confidently— that it will cost him very dearly; so it is right that I should go 124feire la premiere bataille." 2785 Il li otroient, et cil point; tot droit desoz l'escu se joint et li dui remestrent an sus. Adonc estoit costume et us que dui chevalier a un poindre 2790 ne devoient a un seul joindxe, et, s'il l'eüssent anvaï, vis fust qu'il l'eüssent traï. Enyde vit les robeors; molt Fan est prise granz peors: 2795 "Dex!" fet ele, "que porrai dire? Or iert ja morz ou pris mes sire, car cil sont troi et il est seus. N'est pas a droit partiz li jeus d'un chevalier ancontre trois; 2800 cil le ferra ja demenois, que mes sires ne s'an prant garde. Dex! serai je done si coarde que dire ne li oserai? Ja si coarde ne serai: 2805 jel li dirai, nel leirai pas." Vers lui se torne en es le pas et dist: "Biau sire, ou pansez vos? Ci vienent poignant aprés vos * troi chevalier qui molt vos chacent; 2810 peor ai que mal ne vos facent." "Cui?" fet Erec, "qu'avez vos dit? Or me prisiez vos trop petit! Trop avez fet grant hardemant, qui avez mon comandemant 2815 et ma desfanse trespassee. Ceste foiz vos iert pardonee, mes, s'autre foiz vos avenoit, ja pardoné ne vos seroit." Lors tome l'escu et la lance; 2820 contre le chevalier se lance: cil le voit venir, si l'escrie. Quant Erec l'ot, si le desfie. Andui poignent, si s'antre vienent; les lances esloigniees tienent, 2825 mes cil a a Erec failli, [11f] et Erec a lui maubailli, que bien le sot droit anvaïr. Sor l'escu fiert de tel aïr que d'un chief en autre le fant, 2830 ne li haubers ne li desfant: 125to make the first attack." 2785 They granted him this, and he spurred his horse; he positioned himself beneath his shield, and the other two remained behind. At that time it was customary that two knights in an attack 2790 should not join against one, and if the others had attacked him, it would have been considered treachery. Enide saw the robbers; she was seized by very great fear: 2795 "Dear God!" she cried, "what can I say? My lord will be killed or taken prisoner, for they are three and he is alone. The game is not equal with one knight against three; 2800 that one is about to strike him, for my lord is not on his guard. God! shall I then be so cowardly that I dare not warn him? I shall not be so cowardly: 2805 I shall warn him, without fail." She immediately turned toward him and said: "Fair lord, where are your thoughts? Here come three knights spurring after you, hunting you, in hot pursuit; 2810 I fear they will do you harm." "What?" said Erec, "what did you say? You really have too little esteem for me! You have shown too great presumption by disobeying my orders 2815 and doing what I forbade. You will be forgiven this time, but if it happens to you again, you will not be forgiven." Then he turned his shield and lance; 2820 he rode to meet the other knight, who saw him coming and challenged him. When Erec heard him, he defied him. Both spurred their mounts and came together, they held their lances lowered, 2825 but the other missed Erec, whereas Erec maltreated him, for he was skilled in the attack. He struck his shield so violendy that he split it from top to bottom, 2830 and the hauberk afforded no more protection: 126en mi le piz le fraint et ront, et de la lance li repont pié et demi dedanz le cors. Au retrere a son cop estors, 2835 et cil cheï; morir l'estut, car li glaives el cuer li but. Li uns des autres deus s'eslesse, son conpaignon arrieres lesse, vers Erec point, si le menace. 2840 Erec l'escu del col anbrace, si le requiert come hardiz; cil met l'escu devant le piz, si se fierent sor les blazons. La lance vola an tronçons 2845 au chevalier de l'autre part; Erec de sa lance le quart li fist par mi le cors passer. Cist nel fera hui mes lasser: pasmé jus del destrier l'anversse, 2850 puis point a l'autre a la traversse. Quant cil le vit vers lui venir, si s'an comança a foïr: peor ot; ne l'osa atandre. An la forest cort recet prandre, 2855 mes li foïrs rien ne li vaut. Erec l'anchauce et crie an haut: "Vasax, vasax, ça vos tornez! Del desfandre vos atornez, ou ge vos ferrai an fuiant: 2860 vostre fuie ne valt neant." Mes cil del retorner n'a cure; fuiant s'an vet grant aleüre. Erec lo chace si l'ataint; a droit le fiert sor l'escu paint 2865 si l'anversse de l'autre part. De ces trois n'a il mes regart: l'un en a mort, l'autre navré, si s'est del tierz si delivré qu'a pié l'a jus del destrier mis. [12a] 2870 Toz les trois chevax en a pris, ses lie par les frains ansanble. Li uns l'autre de poil dessanble: li premiers fu blans come leiz, li seconz noirs, ne fu pas leiz, 2875 et li tierz fu trestoz veiriez. A son chemin est repeiriez, la ou Enyde l'atandoit. Les trois chevax li comandoit 127in the middle of his chest he broke and ruptured it, and he thrust a foot and a half of his lance into his body. As he withdrew he turned it aside, 2835 and the other fell; he could not escape death, for the lance had drunk from his heart. One of the other two galloped forward, left his companion behind, spurred toward Erec and threatened him. 2840 Erec placed his shield in position, and boldly attacked the other, who placed his shield before his chest, and they struck one another on the blazons. * The other knight's lance 2845 flew into bits; Erec made the fourth of his lance pass through the other's body. That one will trouble him no more today: Erec knocked him unconscious from his charger, 2850 then spurred obliquely toward the other. When that one saw him coming toward him, he began to flee: he was afraid; he dared not wait for him. Into the forest he ran to seek refuge, 2855 but fleeing was to no avail. Erec pursued him and cried aloud: "Varlet, varlet, come back this way! Prepare to defend yourself, or I shall strike you as you flee: 2860 your flight avails you naught!" But the other had no wish to turn back; he went on fleeing at a great pace. Erec pursued and caught up with him; he struck him full on his painted shield 2865 and knocked him off on the other side. Erec need fear these three no more: one he had killed, another wounded, and so taken care of the third that he had brought him down on foot. 2870 He took all three horses, and tied them together by the reins. Each had a different coat from the others: the first was white as milk, the second black, not bad looking, 2875 and the third was all dappled. Erec came back to the road, where Enide was waiting for him. He ordered her to drive 128devant li mener et chacier, 2880 et molt la prist a menacier qu'ele ne soit plus si hardie c'un seul mot de la boche die, se il ne Fan done congié. Ele respont; "Nel ferai gié 2885 ja mes, biax sire, se vos plest." Lors s'an vont, et ele se test. N'orent pas une liue alee, qant devant, en une valee, lor vindrent cinc chevalier autre, 2890 chascuns la lance sor le fautre, les escuz as cos anbraciez et les hiaumes bruniz laciez: roberie querant aloient. A tant la dame venir voient, 2895 qui les trois chevax amenoit, et Erec qui aprés venoit. Tot maintenant que il les virent, par parole antr'ax departirent trestot le hernois autresi 2900 con s'il an fussent ja garni. Male chose a en covoitise, * mes ne fu pas a lor devise que bien i fu mise desfansse. Assez remaint de ce qu'an pansse, * 2905 et tex cuide prandre qui faut: si firent il a eel assaut. Ce dist li uns que il avroit la dame ou il toz an morroit, et li autres dist que suens iert 2910 li destriers veirs, que plus n'an quiert de trestot le gaaing avoir. Li tierz dist qu'il avroit le noir. "Et je le blanc!" ce dist li quarz. [12b] Li quinz ne fu mie coarz, 2915 qu'il dist qu'il avroit le destrier et les armes au chevalier: seul a seul les voloit conquerre, et si l'iroit premiers requerre, se il le congié l'an donoient. 2920 Et cil volantiers li otroient. Lors se part d'ax et vient avant; cheval ot boen et bien movant. Erec le vit et sanblant fist qu'ancor garde ne s'an preïst, 2925 Quant Enyde les a veüz, 129the three horses in front of her, 2880 and he began to threaten her, so that she should not again be so bold as to let a single word escape her lips, unless he gave her leave to do so. She replied: "I shall never do it again, 2885 fair lord, since that is your pleasure." Then they rode on, and she kept silent. They had not gone one league when, before them, in a valley, five other knights came toward them, 2890 each with his lance in its rest, shield on his arm, held to his neck, and burnished helmet laced on: they were going in search of robbery. At that point they saw the lady coming 2895 leading the three horses, and Erec who was following her. Just as soon as they saw them, they divided among themselves, in words, every bit of their equipment, 2900 just as if they were already in possession of it. Covetousness is a bad thing, and it was not to their liking that a good defense was made against it. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, 2905 and he who thinks to grasp may miss: so did they in this attack. One said that he would have the lady or die in the attempt, and another said the dappled charger 2910 would be his, that he sought to have no more of all the booty. The third said he would have the black. "And I the white!" said the fourth. The fifth was no coward, 2915 for he said he would have the knight's charger and his anmor: he wanted to win them in single combat, and so he would go attack him first, if they would give him leave to do so. 2920 And they readily granted him this. Then he left them and went forward; he had a good, smooth-gaited horse. Erec saw him and pretended he was not yet on his guard. 2925 When Enide saw them, 130toz li sans li est esmeüz; grant peor ot et grant esmai: "Lasse," fet ele, "que ferai? Ne sai que die ne que face, 2930 que mes sires molt me menace et dit qu'il me fera enui, se je de rien paroil a lui. Mes se mes sires ert ci morz, de moi ne seroit nus conforz: 2935 morte seroie et mal baillie. Dex! mes sire ne le voit mie; qu'atant je dons, malveise fole? Trop ai or chiere ma parole, quant je ne li ai dit pieç'a. 2940 Bien sai que cil qui vienent ça sont de mal faire ancoragié. Ha! Dex, comant li dirai gié? Il m'ocirra. Asez m'ocie! Ne leirai que je ne li die." 2945 Lors l'apele dolcemant: "Sire!" "Cui?" fet il, "que volez vos dire?" "Sire, merci! Dire vos vuel que desbunchié sont de ce bruel cinc chevalier, don je m'esmai; 2950 bien pans et aparceü ai qu'il se voelent a vos conbatre. Arrieres sont remés li quatre, et li cinquiesmes a vos muet tant con chevax porter le puet: 2955 ne gart l'ore que il vos fiere. Li catre sont remés arriere, mes ne sont gaires de ci loing: [12c] tuit le secorront au besoing." Erec respont: "Mar le pansastes, 2960 que ma parole trespassastes, ce que desfandu vos avoie! Et ne por quant tres bien savoie que gueres ne me priseiez. Cest servise mal anpleiez, 2965 que ge ne vos an sai nul gré; bien sachiez que ge vos an hé; dit le vos ai et di ancore. Ancor le vos pardonrai ore, mes autre foiz vos an gardez, 2970 ne ja vers moi ne regardez, que vos ferïez molt que fole, car je n'aim pas vostre parole." Lors point Erec contre celui, si s'antre vienent amedui: 2975 l'uns anvaïst l'autre et requiert. 131her blood raced in her veins; she felt great fear and great dismay: "Alas," said she, "what shall I do? I know not what to say or do, 2930 since my lord threatens me so and says that he will punish me if I speak to him of anything. But if my lord were killed here, nothing could comfort me: 2935 I would be dead and done for. God! My lord does not see him; what am I waiting for, wicked fool? Now I value my words too highly, since I have delayed speaking so long. 2940 I know full well that those who are coming are bent on doing ill. Oh, God, how will I tell him? He'll kill me. All right, let him! I shall tell him nevertheless." 2945 Then she called softly to him: "My lord!" "What?" said he, "what do you want?" "My lord, pity! I want to tell you that five knights have broken cover from that thicket, and I am very worried; 2950 I have seen them, and I very much think that they want to fight with you. Four of them have remained behind, and the fifth is coming toward you as fast as his horse can carry him: 2955 I fear that he may strike you at any moment. The other four have remained behind, but they are scarcely far from here: they will all help him, if need be." Erec replied: "Woe to you, that you 2960 decided to disobey my orders, and do what I forbade you to! And yet I knew very well that you had little esteem for me. You make bad use of this kindness, 2965 for I am in no way grateful to you; be assured that I hate you for it; I have told you this and I tell you again. I shall forgive you again this time, but take care another time, 2970 and do not look in my direction, for you would behave very foolishly, since I do not like your words." Then Erec spurred toward the other knight, and they both came together 2975 each of them attacked the other. 132Erec si duremant le fiert que li escuz del col li vole, et si li brise la chanole. Li estrié ronpent et cil chiet: 2980 n'a peor que il s'an reliet, que molt s'est quassez et bleciez. Uns des autres s'est adreciez, si s'antre vienent de randon. Erec li met tot a bandon 2985 desoz le manton an la gorge le fer tranchant de boerie forge; toz tranche les os et les ners, que d'autre part an saut li fers. Li sans vermauz toz chauz an raie 2990 d'anbedeus parz par mi la plaie: l'ame s'an va; li cuers li faut. Et li tierz de son agait saut, qui d'autre part d'un gué estoit; par mi le gué s'an vint tot droit. 2995 Erec point, si l'a ancontré ainz qu'il par fust issuz del gué; si bien le fiert que il abat et lui et le destrier tot plat, Li destriers sor le cors li jut 3000 tant qu' an l'eve morir l'estut, et li chevax tant s'esforça qu'a quelque poinne se dreça. Ensi en a les trois conquis. Li autre dui ont consoil pris 3005 que la place li guerpiront, ne ja a lui ne chanpiront: fuiant s'an vont par la riviere. Erec les anehauce derriere, si an fiert un derriers l'eschine 3010 que sor l'arçon devant l'ancline. Trestote sa force i a mise: sa lance sor le dos li brise, et cil cheï le col avant. Erec molt chieremant li vant 3015 sa lance, que sor lui a fraite; del fuerre a tost l'espee traite. Cil releva, si fist que fos: Erec li dona tex trois cos qu'el sane li fist l'espee boivre; 3020 l'espaule del bu li dessoivre, si qu'a la terre jus cheï. A l'espee l'autre anvaï, qui molt isnelernant s'an fuit sanz conpaignie et sanz conduit. 133Erec struck him with such force that he tore the shield from the other's neck and ruptured his windpipe. The stirrups broke and he fell: 2980 there was no fear he would get up again, for he was badly broken and wounded. One of the others headed his way, and they came violently together. Without restraint Erec thrust 2985 the keen-edged iron, finely made, into his throat beneath his chin; he sliced through all the bones and nerves, and the iron burst out the other side. The bright-red blood flowed hotly forth 2990 from both sides of the wound: his soul left him; his heart failed. And the third, who was on the other side of a ford, sprang from his hiding-place; he came straight through the ford. 2995 Erec spurred forward, and met him before he had completely cleared the ford; he struck him so hard that he knocked both him and his charger completely flat. The charger lay upon his body 3000 until he was drowned in the water, and the horse struggled until, with difficulty, it stood up again. Thus had Erec defeated three of them. The other two decided 3005 that they would leave him the field, and would never fight with him: they went off, fleeing, along the river. Erec went chasing after them, and so struck one in the back 3010 that he bent him over the front saddlebow. He had put all his strength into it: he broke his lance upon his back, and the other fell forward. Erec made him pay dearly 3015 for the lance he broke upon him; he quickly drew his sword from its scabbard. The other got up, but that was foolish: Erec gave him three such blows that he made his sword drink his blood; 3020 he severed the shoulder from the trunk, so that it fell to the ground. With his sword he attacked the other one, who was fleeing very speedily, alone, with no one to escort him. 134 3025 Quant cil voit que Erec le chace, * tel peor a ne set que face: n'ose atandre et ganchir ne puet. Le cheval guerpir li estuet, qu'il n'i a mes nule fiance; 3030 l'escu giete jus et la lance, si se lesse cheoir a terre. Erec ne le volt plus requerre, qu'a terre cheoir se leissa, mes a la lance s'abeissa: 3035 cele n'i a mie leissiee, por la soe qu'il a brisiee. La lance an porte, si s'an vet, et les chevax mie ne let; toz les cinc prant, si les an mainne. 3040 Del mener est Enyde an painne: les cinc avoec les trois li bailie, si li comande que tost aille et de parler a lui se taigne, que max ou enuiz ne Fan vaigne. 3045 Mes ele mot ne li respont, eingois se tot; et il s'an vont: les chevax an mainnent toz huit. [12e] Chevauchié ont jusqu'a la nuit, ne vile ne recet ne virent. 3050 A l'anuitier lor ostel prirent desoz un arbre an une lande. Erec a la dame comande qu'ele dorme, et il veillera; ele respont que nel fera, 3055 car n'est droiz, ne feire nel viaut: il dormira, qui plus se diaut. Erec l'otroie, et bel li fu, A son chief a mis son escu, et la dame son mantel prant, 3060 sor lui de chief an chief l'estant. Cil dormi, et cele veilla; onques la nuit ne someilla: chascun cheval tint an sa main tote nuit jusqu'a l'andemain, 3065 et molt s'est blasmee et maudite de la parole qu'ele ot dite, et dist que mal a esploitié, * 135 3025 When he saw Erec pursuing him, he was so afraid he knew not what to do: he dared not tarry and he could not escape. He had to abandon his horse, for he had no more hope in it. 3030 He threw down his shield and lance, and let himself fall to the ground. Erec did not wish to continue his attack, since he had let himself fall to the ground, but he stooped to take the lance: 3035 that he did not leave behind, since he had broken his own. He carried off the lance and went away, and he did not leave the horses behind: he took all five of them, and led them off. 3040 It was difficult for Enide to manage them: he gave her the five to go with the three, and ordered her to ride quickly and to refrain from speaking to him, lest evil or trouble come to her. 3045 She spoke not a word in reply, but rather kept silent; they went on their way, taking along all eight horses. They rode until night, and saw no town nor dwelling. 3050 At nightfall they took their lodging in a field, beneath a tree. Erec ordered his lady to sleep, and he would keep watch; she replied that she would not sleep, 3055 that it was not right, nor did she wish it: he could sleep, since he was suffering more. Erec granted this, and it pleased him. At his head he placed his shield, and the lady took her cloak 3060 and spread it over him from head to foot. He slept, and she kept watch; never did she sleep that night: she held the horses in her hand all night until the next day, 3065 and she bitterly blamed and cursed herself for the remark she had made, and said she had acted badly, 136ne n'a mie de la mité tant mal com ele a desservi. 3070 "Lasse," fet ele, "si mar vi mon orguel et ma sorcuidance! Savoir pooie satiz dotance que tel chevalier ne meillor ne savoit l'an de mon seignor. 3075 Bien le savoie; or le sai mialz, car ge l'ai veü a mes ialz que trois ne cinc armez ne dote. Honie soit ma leingue tote, qui l'orguel et l'outrage dist * 3080 dont mes cors a tel honte gist." Ensi s'est la nuit demantee tresque le main a l'anjornee. Erec se lieve par matin, si se remetent au chemin, 3085 ele devant et il derriers. Androit midi uns escuiers lor vint devant an un valet; o lui venoient dui vaslet qui portoient gastiaus et vin * 3090 et cinc fromages de gaïn as prez le conte Galoain a ces qui fauchoient son fain. Li escuiers sot de voidie: [12f] quant il vit Erec et s'arnie 3095 qui de vers la forest venoient, bien apargut que il avoient la nuit an la forest geü; n'avoient mangié ne beü, c'une jornee tot an tor * 3100 n'avoit chastel, vile ne tor, ne meison fort ne abaïe, ospital ne herbergerie. Puis s'apansa de grant franchise: ancontre ax a sa voie anprise, 3105 si les salue come frans et dist: "Sire, je crois et pans 137and had not by half as much misfortune as she deserved. 3070 "Alas," said she, "how I rue my pride and my effrontery! I could be absolutely sure that there was not such a knight as my lord nor a better one. 3075 I knew this full well; now I know it better, for I have seen with my own eyes that he fears neither three nor five armed men. May my tongue be completely disgraced, which spoke the prideful and outrageous things 3080 for which I now lie in such shame." Thus she lamented all night until daybreak the following morning, Erec arose early and they went on their way again, 3085 she in front and he behind. Just at noon a squire came before them in a vale; two servants were with him, carrying cakes and wine 3090 and five rich cheeses * to the meadows of Count Galoain, to the people cutting his hay. The squire was clever and quick-witted: when he saw Erec and his lady 3095 coming from the direction of the forest, he clearly saw that they had lain there that night; they had neither eaten nor drunk, since for a day's ride in any direction 3100 there was no castle, town, nor tower, nor fortified manor nor abbey, nor hospice nor inn. Then he had a very generous thought: he set out to meet them, 3105 and greeted them courteously and said: "My lord, I think and believe 138qu'enuit avez molt traveillié, et cele dame molt veillié et geü an ceste forest. 3110 De cest blanc gastel vos revest, s'il vos plest un po a mangier. Nel di pas por vos losangier, ne rien nule ne vos demant. Li gastiax est de boen fromant; 3115 boen vin ai et fromage gras, blanche toaille et biax henas: s'il vos plest a desgeüner, ne vos covient aillors torner. An ces onbres, desoz ces charmes, 3120 vos desarmeroiz de voz armes, si vos reposeroiz un po. Descendez, car ge le vos lo." Erec a pié a terre mis, si li respont: "Biax dolz amis, 3125 je mangerai, vostre merci; ne quier aler avant de ci." Li sergenz fu de bel servise: la dame a jus del cheval mise, et li vaslet les chevax tindrent, 3130 qui ansanble l'escuier vindrent. Puis se vont aseoir an l'onbre. Li escuiers Erec desconbre de son hiaume, et si li deslace la vantaille devant la face. 3135 Puis a devant ax estandue la toaille sor l'erbe drue; le gastel et le vin lor bailie; [13a] un fromage lor pere et taille. Cil mangierent qui fain avoient, 3140 et del vin volantiers bevoient; li escuiers devant ax sert, qui son servise pas ne pert. Quant mangié orent et beü, Erec cortois et larges fu: 3145 "Amis," fet il, "an guerredon vos faz d'un de mes chevax don: prenez celui qui mialz vos siet! Et si vos pri qu'il ne vos griet: arriers el chastel retomez; 3150 un riche ostel m'i atornez." Et il respont que il fera volantiers quanque lui pleira; 139you have had little comfort this night, and this lady has long kept watch and lain in this forest. 3110 I present you with this white cake, if you wish to eat a little. I do not say it to flatter you, nor do I ask anything of you. The cake is made of good wheat; 3115 I have good wine and rich cheese, white cloth and fine goblets: if you wish to eat, you need turn nowhere else. In the shade here, beneath these hornbeams,' 3120 you may remove your armor, and you may rest a little. Dismount, for I advise it." Erec stepped down to the ground, and replied: "Fair gentle friend, 3125 I shall eat, thanks to you; I have no wish to go further." The squire was skilled in serving: he helped the lady to dismount, and the servants who had come with him 3130 held the horses. Then they went to sit in the shade. The squire helped Erec remove his helmet, and unlaced the ventail before his face. 3135 Then he spread the cloth out in front of them on the thick grass; he gave them the cake and the wine; he prepared and cut a cheese for them. They who were hungry ate, 3140 and readily drank wine; the squire served them, and his service was not wasted. When they had eaten and drunk, Erec was courtly and generous: 3145 "Friend," said he, "as a reward I make you a gift of one of my horses: take the one that suits you best! And I pray it may not displease you to return to the town; 3150 prepare rich lodgings there for me." The squire replied that he would gladly do whatever pleased him; 140puis vint as chevax, ses deslie, le noir a pris si l'an mercie, 3155 carcilli sanble miaudres estre. Sus monte par l'estrié senestre; andeus les a iluec leissiez: el chastel vint toz esleissiez, ostel a pris bien atorné; 3160 ez le vos arriers retorné. "Or tost, sire," fet §, "montez, que boen ostel et bel avez." Erec monte, la dame aprés, Li chastiax estoit auques pres: 3165 tost furent a l'ostel venu. A joie furent receü: li ostes molt bel les reçut, et tot quanque il lor estut fist atorner a grant planté, 3170 liez et de boene volanté. Quant li escuiers fet lor ot tant d'enor con feire lor pot, a son cheval vient, si remonte. Par devant les loiges le conte 3175 menoit a ostel son cheval. Li cuens et troi autre vasal s'i erent venu apoier; quant li cuens vit son escuier, qui sor le noir destrier seoit, 3180 demanda li cui il estoit, et cil respont que il est suens. [13b] Molt s'an est merveilliez li cuens: "Comant?" fet il, "ou l'as tu pris?" "Uns chevaliers, cui ge molt pris, 3185 sire," fet il, "le m'a doné. An cest chastel l'ai amené, s'est a ostel chiés un borjois. Li chevaliers est molt cortois; tant bel home onques mes ne vi: 3190 se juré l'avoie et plevi, ne vos reconteroie mie sa biauté tote ne demie." Li cuens respont: "Je pans et croi qu'il n'est mie plus biax de moi." 3195 "Par foi, sire," fet li sergenz, "vos estes assez biax et genz; n'a chevalier an cest païs, qui de la terre soit naïs, que plus biax ne soiez de lui, 141then he went to the horses and untied them, took the black one and thanked him for it, 3155 for it seemed to him to be the best. He mounted by the left stirrup; he left them both there: he went full speed to the town, took well-prepared lodgings for them, 3160 and there he was, back again. "Now, quickly, my lord," said he, "mount up, for you have good and attractive lodgings." Erec mounted, with the lady after him. The town was fairly near by: 3165 they had soon reached their lodgings. They were joyfully received: the host gave them a fine welcome, and everything they needed he had prepared for them in great plenty, 3170 joyfully and willingly. When the squire had shown them all the honor he could, he went back to his horse, and remounted. In front of the count's galleries 3175 he led his horse to the stable. The count and three other vassals had come there to take their ease; when the count saw his squire seated on the black charger, 3180 he asked him whose it was, and he replied that it was his. The count was greatly astonished at this: "What?" said he, "where did you get it?" "A knight whom I highly esteem, 3185 sire," said he, "gave it to me. I brought him into this town, and he is lodging with a burgher. The knight is very courtly; I never saw such a handsome man: 3190 even if I had sworn and pledged, I could not describe to you his beauty, neither in full nor halfway." The count replied: "I think and believe that he is not more handsome than I." 3195 "Upon my word, sire," said the squire, "you are very handsome and fine; there is no knight in this land born of the earth who is better looking than you, 142 3200 mes bien os dire de cestui qu'il est plus biax de vos assez, se del hauberc ne fust lassez et quamoissiez et debatuz. An la forest s'est conbatuz 3205 toz seus contre huit chevaliers, s'an amainne toz les destriers. Et avoec lui mainne une dame tant bele c'onques nule fame la mitié de sa biauté n'ot." 3210 Quant li cuens cele novele ot, talanz li prist que veoir aille se ce est veritez ou faille. "Onques mes," fet il, "n'oï tel. Mainne moi dons a son ostel, 3215 que certeinnemant vuel savoir se tu me diz mançonge ou voir." Cil respont: "Sire, volantiers. Ci est la voie et li santiers, et jusque la n'a pas grant voie." 3220 "Et molt m'est tart que je les voie," fet li cuens, et lors vint a val. Et cil descent de son cheval, si a fet le conte monter; devant corrut Erec conter 3225 que li cuens veoir le venoit. [13c] Erec molt riche ostel tenoit, que bien an ert acostumez: molt i ot cierges alumez et chandoiles espessemant. 3230 A trois conpaignons seulemant vint li cuens, qu'il n'amenoit plus. Erec contre lui leva sus, qui molt estoit bien afeitiez, si li dist: "Sire, bien vaigniez!" 3235 Et li cuens resalua lui. Acointié se sont anbedui sor une coute blanche et mole; s'antre acointierent de parole. Li cuens li porofre et presante 3240 et prie que il li consante que de lui ses gaiges repraigne. Mes Erec baillier ne li daigne, einz dit qu'asez a a despandre; n'a mestier de son avoir prandre. 3245 Molt parolent de plusor chose, * mes li cuens onques ne repose de regarder de l'autre part. 143 3200 but I dare say of this one that he is far handsomer than you, save that he is wearied from his hauberk, and battered and bruised. In the forest he did battle 3205 all alone, against eight knights, and has brought back all their chargers. And he brings a lady with him, so beautiful that no woman ever had the half of her beauty." 3210 When the count heard this news, he wished to go and see whether this was truth or falsehood. "Never," said he, "have I heard the like. Take me to his lodgings, 3215 for I wish to know for certain whether you are telling me falsehood or truth." He replied: "Sire, gladly. Here is the way and the path, and it is not very far away." 3220 "I am impatient to see them," said the count, and then he got down. The squire dismounted, and had the count mount in his place; he ran ahead to tell Erec 3225 that the count was coming to see him. Erec had very rich lodgings, for that was what he was accustomed to: there were many lighted candles, both wax and tallow, in profusion. 3230 With just three companions came the count, for he brought no more. Erec rose to greet him, for he was very well-bred, and he said: "My lord, welcome!" 3235 And the count greeted him in turn. They joined one another on a soft white pad; they became acquainted. The count offered and proposed 3240 and begged him to consent to allow him to pay his expenses. But Erec did not deign to do so, saying that he had plenty to spend; he had no need to take his wealth. 3245 They spoke at length of numerous things, but the count never stopped looking in the other direction. 144De la dame s'est pris esgart: por la biauté qu'an li estoit 3250 tot son pansé an li avoit. Tant l'esgarda com il plus pot; tant la covi et tant li plot que sa biautez d'amors l'esprist. De parler a li congié prist 3255 a Erec, molt covertemant: "Sire," fet il, "je vos demant congié, mes qu'il ne vos enuit: par corteisie et par deduit voel lez cele dame seoir. 3260 Por bien vos ving andeus veoir, ne vos n'i devez mal noter: a la dame voel presanter mon servise sor tote rien. Tot son pleisir, ce sachiez bien, 3265 feroie por amor de vos." * Erec ne fu mie jalous, que il n'i pansa nule boise. "Sire," fet il, "pas ne me poise; joer et parler vos i loist. [13d] 3270 Ne cuidiez pas que il m'an poist; volantiers congié vos an doing." La dame seoit de lui loing tant con deus lances ont de lone, et li cuens s'est assis selonc 3275 delez li sor un bas eschame. Devers lui se torna la dame, qui molt estoit saige et cortoise. "Ha!" fet li cuens, "com il me poise quant vos alez an tel viltance! 3280 Grant duel en ai et grant pesance. Mes se croire me volïez, enor et preu i avrïez et molt granz biens vos an vandroit. A vostre biauté covandroit 3285 grant enor et grant seignorie. Je feroie de vos m'amie, s'il vos pleisoit et boen vos iere; vos serïez m'amie chiere et dame de tote ma tene. 3290 Quant je vos daing d'amors requerre, ne me devez pas escondire. Bien voi et sai que vostre sire ne vos ainme ne ne vos prise; 145He had noticed the lady: because of the beauty that was in her 3250 all his thoughts were of her. He gazed at her as much as he could; he coveted her so and she so pleased him that her beauty inflamed him with love. Very guilefully he asked Erec 3255 for permission to speak with her: "My lord," said he, "I ask your leave, provided it does not upset you: out of politeness and for pleasure I wish to sit by that lady. 3260 In good faith I came to see you both, and you should not take it amiss: I wish to offer my services to the lady, above all else. Be assured that, whatever pleased her, 3565 I would do it for the love of you." Erec was not the least bit jealous, for he saw no deceit in this. "My lord," said he, "it does not upset me at all; you are free to enjoy her conversation. 3270 Do not believe that I am upset by this; I gladly give you leave." The lady sat as far from him as the length of two lances, and the count sat down beside her 3275 upon a low stool. The lady, who was very sensible and courteous, turned toward him. "Ah," said the count, "how it grieves me that you travel in such a shameful fashion! 3280 Great sadness have I and great grief. But if you were willing to believe me, you would gain honor and profit, and great good would come to you thereby. Great honor and great nobility 3285 would be appropriate to your beauty. I would make you my lady, were it pleasing and agreeable to you; you would be my beloved, and lady of all my land. 3290 Since I deign to court you with love, you must not reject me. I see well and I know that your lord neither loves nor esteems you; 146a boen seignor vos seroiz prise, * 3295 se vos avoec moi remenez.". "Sire, de neant vos penez," fet Enyde; "ce ne puet estre. Hé! mialz fusse je or a nestre, ou an un feu d'espines arse 3300 si que la cendre an fust esparse, que j'eüsse de rien faussé vers mon seignor, ne mal panse felenie ne traïson! Trop avez fet grant mesprison, 3305 qui tel chose m'avez requise: je nel feroie an nule guise." Li cuens comanee a enflamer: "Ne me deignerïez amer, dame?" fet il; "trop estes fiere. 3310 Por losange ne por proiere * ne fereiez rien que je vuelle? Bien est voirs que fame s'orguelle, quant l'an plus la prie et losange; [13e] mes qui la honist et leidange, 3315 cil la trueve meillor sovant. Certes, je vos met an covant que, se vos mon talant ne feites, ja i avra espees treites. Ocirre ferai or androit, 3320 ou soit a tort ou soit a droit, vostre seignor devant voz ialz." "Sire, faire le pöez mialz," fet Enyde, "que vos ne dites: * trop sereiez fel et traïtes, 3325 se vos ceanz l'ocieiez. Mes, biax sire, or vos apaiez, car je ferai vostre pleisir. Por vostre me pöez seisir: je sui vostre et estre le vuel. 3330 Ne vos ai rien dit par orguel, mes por savoir et esprover se je porroie an vos trover que vos m'amessiez de boen cuer, mes je ne voldroie a nul fuer 3335 qu'aüssiez tel traïson fete. Mes sires de vos ne se guete: se vos einsi l'ocieiez, trop grant mesprison ferïez 147you will have a proper lord 3295 if you remain with me." "Sire, you are wasting your effort," said Enide; "that cannot be. Ah! better that I were not yet born, or burned in a fire of thorns 3300 so that the ashes might be scattered, than that I were in any way false toward my lord, or wickedly contemplated disloyalty or treason! You have made a very great error 3305 by requesting such a thing of me: I would not do it in any way." The count began to flare up: "You would not deign to love me, my lady?" said he; "you are too proud! 3310 Would neither praise nor supplication make you do what I wish? It is indeed true that the more one begs and praises a woman, the more prideful she becomes; but he who shames and mistreats her 3315 often finds her the better for it. Truly, I promise you that, if you do not do as I wish, swords will be drawn. Rightly or wrongly, 3320 I shall have your lord slain forthwith, right before your very eyes." "Sire, you can do better," said Enide, "than what you say: you would be too disloyal and treacherous 3325 if you killed him right here. But, good sir, calm yourself, for I shall do as you desire. You can take me as your own: I am yours and I wish to be. 3330 I did not speak out of pride, but in order to learn and ascertain whether I could be sure that you might love me truly; but I should not at any price 3335 wish you to commit such an act of treason. My lord is not on his guard: if you killed him in such a way, you would be committing too great an offense, 148et g'en reseroie blasmee. 3340 Tuit diroient par la contree que ce seroit fet par mon los. Jusqu'au matin aiez repos, que mes sires voldra lever: adonc le porroiz mialz grever, 3345 sanz blasme avoir et sanz reproche," Ce panse cuers que ne dit boche. "Sire," fet ele, "or me creez! Ne soiez pas si esfreez, mes demain anvoiez ceanz 3350 voz chevaliers et voz sergenz, si me feites a force prandre: mes sires me voldra desfandre, qui molt est fiers et corageus, ou soit a certes ou a geus. 3355 Feites le prandre et afoler ou de la teste decoler. Trop ai menee ceste vie; [13f] je n'aim mie la conpaignie mon seignor, ja n'an quier mantir. 3360 Je vos voldroie ja santir an un lit, certes, nuanu Des qu'a ce an somes venu, de m'amor estes aseur." Li cuens respont: "A boen eür, 3365 dame! Certes buer fustes nee; a grant enor seroiz gardee." "Sire," fet ele, "bien le croi, mes avoir an voel vostre foi, que vos me tandroiz chieremant; 3370 ne vos an cresrai autremant." Li cuens respont liez et joianz: "Tenez: ma foi je vos fïanz, dame, lëaumant come cuens, que je ferai trestoz voz buens. 3375 Ja de ce ne vos esmaiez: ne voldroiz rien que vos n'aiez." Lors en a cele la foi prise, mes po Fan est et po la prise: por son seignor fu delivrer. 3380 Bien sot par parole enivrer bricon, des qu'ele i met s'antante: mialz est asez qu'ele li mante, que ses sires fust depeciez. 149and I would in turn be blamed for it. 3340 Throughout the land all would say that it had been done on my advice. Take your repose until the morning, when my lord will wish to rise: then you will be better able to harm him 3345 without incurring blame or reproach." The heart thinks what the mouth does not say. "Sire," said she, "believe me! Be not so disturbed, but tomorrow send in 3350 your knights and your men-at-arms, and have me taken by force; my lord, who is very proud and courageous, will want to defend me, whether in earnest or in sport. 3355 Have him taken and wounded or have his head cut off. Too long have I led this life; I have no liking for my lord's company, and do not seek to lie about it. 3360 Indeed, I should already like to feel you naked, beside me, in a bed. Since we have agreed on this, you are assured of my love." The count replied: "Splendid, 3365 my lady! Surely you were born under a lucky star; you will be kept with great honor." "My lord," said she, "I do believe it, but I wish to have your pledge that you will hold me dear; 3370 I shall not believe you otherwise." The count replied, happy and joyful: "Here: I pledge you my faith, my lady, loyally, as a count, that I will do all you wish. 3375 Have no fear on this account: you will not want for anything." Then she accepted his pledge, but it mattered little to her and little she valued it: it was done to save her lord. 3380 She knew well how to intoxicate a rogue with words when she put her mind to it: it was far better that she lie to him than for her lord to be cut to pieces. 150De lez li s'est li cuens dreciez, 3385 si la comande a Deu cent foiz, mes molt li valdra po la foiz que fïanciee li avoit. Erec de ce rien ne savoit qu'il deüssent sa mort pleidier, 3390 mes Dex li porra bien aidier, et je cuit que si fera il. Or est Erec an grant peril et si ne cuide avoir regart; molt est li cuens de male part, 3395 qui sa fame tolir li panse et lui ocirre sanz desfanse. Come fel prant a lui congié: "A Deu," fet il, "vos comant gié." Erec respont: "Sire, et je vos." 3400 Ensi departent antr'ax dos. De la nuit fu grant masse alee. [14a] An une chanbre recelee furent dui lit a terre fet. Erec an l'un couchier se vet; 3405 an l'autre est Enyde couchiee, molt dolante et molt correciee. Onques la nuit ne prist somoil: por son seignor fu an esvoil, car le conte ot bien coneü, 3410 de tant com ele l'ot veü, que plains estoit de felenie. Bien set que, s'il a la baillie de son seignor, ne puet faillir que il nel face maubaillir: 3415 seürs puet estre de la mort. De lui ne set nul reconfort: tote nuit veillier li estuet, mes ainz le jor, se ele puet et ses sires la voelle croirre, 3420 avront si atorné lor oirre que por neant vanra li cuens, * que ja n'iert soe, ne il suens. Erec dormi molt longuemant, tote la nuit, seüremant, 3425 tant que li jorz molt aprocha. Lors vit bien Enyde et soucha que ele pooit trop atandre. Vers son seignor ot le cuer tandre come bone dame et lëax: 151The count rose from beside her, 3385 and a hundred times commended her to God, but the pledge he made to her will be of little worth to him. Erec knew nothing of the fact that they might be plotting his death, 3390 but God may well come to his aid, and I believe that he will indeed do so. Now was Erec in great danger, and yet he did not believe he had to be on guard; the count was very ignoble 3395 in thinking to take his wife from him and kill him when he was defenseless. Treacherously he took leave of him: "I commend you," said he, "to God." Erec replied: "My lord, and I you." 3400 Thus the two of them parted. It was already late at night. In a secluded room two beds were prepared on the floor. Erec went to lie down in one; 3405 Enide lay down in the other, deeply saddened and troubled. She never slept at all that night: she kept watch because of her lord, for she had seen enough of the count 3410 to realize clearly that he was full of evil intentions. She knew full well that, if he had the power over her lord, he would not fail to do him great injury: 3415 her lord would be sure to die. Nothing could allay her fears for him: she must keep watch all night, but before daybreak, if she could manage it and her lord was willing to believe her, 3420 they would make their departure in such a way that the count would come for naught, and she would never be his, nor he hers. * Erec slept a long time all through the night, confidently, 3425 until daybreak was near. Then Enide realized that she might wait too long. Her heart was tender toward her lord, like a good and loyal lady: 152 3430 ses cuers ne fu dobliers ne fax. Ele se vest et aparoille, a son seignor vient, si l'esvoille: "Ha! sire," fet ele, "merci! Levez isnelemant de ci, 3435 que traïz estes antreset sanz acoison et sanz forfet. Li cuens est trai'tres provez: se ci poez estre trovez, ja n'eschaperoiz de la place 3440 que tot desmanbrer ne vos face. Avoir me vialt; por ce vos het. Mes se Deu plest, qui toz biens set, vos n'i seroiz ne morz ne pris. Des her soir vos eüst ocis, 3445 se creanté ne li eüsse [14b] que s'amie et sa fame fusse. Ja le verroiz ceanz venir: prandre me vialt et retenir, et vos ocirre, s'il vos trueve." 3450 Or ot Erec que bien se prueve vers lui sa fame lëaumant. "Dame," fet il, "isnelemant feites noz chevax anseler, et feites nostre oste lever, 3455 si li dites qu'il veigne ça. Traïsons comença piece a!" Ja sont li cheval anselé, et la dame a l'oste apelé. Erec s'est araumant vestuz. 3460 Ses ostes est a lui venuz: "Sire," dist il, "quel haste avez, qui a tele ore vos levez, ainz que jorz ne solauz apeire?" Erec respont qu'il a a feire 3465 molt longue voie et grant jornee; por ce a sa voie atornee, que molt an est an grant espans, et dist: "Sire, de mon despans n'avez ancores rien conté. 3470 Enor m'avez feite et bonte, et molt i afiert grant merite. Por set destriers me clamez quite, que je ai ceanz amenez. Ne vos soit po; ces retenez. 153 3430 her heart was neither deceitful nor false. She dressed and made ready, came to her lord, and awakened him: "Ah, my lord," said she, "forgive me! Get up quickly from here, 3435 for you are certainly betrayed without reason or misdeed on your part. The count is a proven traitor: if he can find you here, you will never escape 3440 without his having you cut to pieces. He wants me; that is why he hates you. But if it please God, who knows all, you will be neither killed nor taken prisoner. Already last evening he would have killed you, 3445 had I not made him believe that I would be his lover and his wife. You'll soon see him come in here: he wants to take and keep me, and kill you, if he finds you." 3450 Now Erec could tell that his wife was proving her loyalty for him. "My lady," said he, "have our horses speedily saddled, and have our host get up, 3455 and tell him to come here. Treason has already begun long since!" The horses were soon saddled, and the lady called for the host. Erec promptly got dressed. 3460 His host came to him: "My lord," said he, "what's the hurry, getting up at such an hour, before the daylight and the sun appear?" Erec replied that he had 3465 very far to go and a long day's ride; for that reason he had prepared his departure, for he was extremely concerned about it, and he said: "Sir, you have as yet made no reckoning of my expenses. 3470 You have shown me honor and kindness, and that deserves a rich reward. Let me be quit for seven chargers, which I brought in here with me. Keep them, and may this not be too little. 154 3475 De plus ne vos puis mon don croistre, nes de la monte d'un chevoistre." De ce don fu li borjois liez, si l'an anclina jusqu'as piez; granz merciz et grasces l'an rant. 3480 Lors monte Erec et congié prant, si se remetent a la voie. Molt vet chastiant tote voie Enyde, se nule rien voit, qu'ele si hardie ne soit 3485 que ele l'an mete a reison, A tant antrent an la meison cent chevalier d'armes garni; de ce furent tuit escherni qu'il n'i ont pas Erec trové, 3490 Lors a bien li cuens esprové que la dame l'a deceü. [14c] L'esclos des chevax a veü, * si se sont tuit mis an la trace. Li cuens Erec formant menace 3495 et dit que, s'il le puet ataindre, por nule rien ne puet remaindre que maintenant le chief n'an praigne. "Mar i avra nul qui s'an faigne," fet il, "de tost esperoner! 3500 Qui me porra le chief doner del chevalier que je tant hé, molt m'avra bien servi an gré." Lors le sivent tuit abrivé, de mautalant sont aïré * 3505 vers celui qui onques nes vit ne mal ne lor a fet ne dit. * Tant chevauchent qu'il le choisirenr au chief d'une forest le virent, einz qu'il se fust anforestez. 155 3475 I cannot increase my gift to you, even by the price of a halter." The burgher was happy with this gift, and he bowed down at his feet; he thanked him abundantly. 3480 Then Erec mounted and took his leave, and they went on their way again. Erec repeatedly warned Enide that, if she saw anything, she should not be so bold 3485 as to speak to him about it. At that point into the house came a hundred knights, fully armed; they were thoroughly discomfited because they did not find Erec there. 3490 Then the count fully realized that the lady had tricked him. He saw the horses' tracks, and they all set out on their trail. The count vigorously threatened Erec 3495 and said that, if he could catch him, nothing would keep him from cutting off his head without delay. "Woe to anyone who holds back," said he, "from spurring quickly! 3500 Whoever can give me the head of the knight whom I hate so much will have served me extremely well." Then they all followed him impatiendy, furious and wrathful 3505 toward him who had never seen them nor done them ill by word or deed. They rode till they caught sight of him: they saw him at the edge of a forest before he had entered it. 156 3510 Lors n'an est uns seus arestez; par contanç s'esleissent tuit. Enyde ot la noise et le bruit de lor armes, de lor chevax, et vit que plains estoit li vax. 3515 Des que cele les vit venir, de parler ne se pot tenir: "Haï! sire," fet ele, "haï"! Con vos a cist cuens anvaï, qui por vos amainne tel ost! 3520 Sire, car chevalchiez plus tost, tant qu'an cele forest fussiens; espoir tost eschaperïens: cil sont ancore molt arriere. Se nos alons an tel meniere * 3525 ne pöez de ci eschaper, car n'iestes mie per a per." Erec respont: "Po me prisiez, quant ma parole despisiez; je ne vos sai si bel prïer 3530 que je vos puisse chastïer. Mes se Dex ait de moi merci et eschaper puisse de ci, ceste vos iert molt chier vandue, se corages ne me remue." 3535 Il se retorne maintenant et vit le seneschal venant sor un cheval fort et isnel. [14dj Devant aus a fet un cenbel le tret de catre arbalestees. 3540 N'ot pas ses armes anpruntees, car molt se fu bien acesmez. Erec les a bien aesmez, et voit que bien en i a cent. Celui qui si le va chacent 3545 panse qu'arester li estuet. Li uns contre l'autre s'esmuet, si se fierent par les escuz des deus fers tranchanz esmoluz. Erec son fort espié d'acier 3550 li fist dedanz le cors glacier: ne li escuz ne li haubers ne li valut un cendal pers. 157 3510 Then not one of them stopped; all raced forward at top speed. Enide heard the din and the noise of their armor, of their horses, and saw that the valley was full of them. 3515 As soon as she saw them coming, she could not keep from speaking: "Oh! my lord," said she, "Alas! What an attack this count is making, bringing a whole army with him against you! 3520 My lord, ride more quickly, until we're in this forest; perhaps we'll quickly escape: they are still far behind. If we keep on at this pace, 3525 you cannot escape from here, for you are not at all evenly matched." Erec replied: "You have little esteem for me, since you despise my instructions; there is nothing I can say to you 3530 that can correct your behavior. But if God has mercy on me and I can escape from here, this will cost you very dearly, if I don't change my mind." 3535 Then straightaway he turned around and saw the seneschal coming on a strong, fast horse. In front of the others he galloped forth the distance of four crossbowshots. 3540 His armor was not borrowed, for he was very well equipped. Erec estimated their number, and saw that there were easily a hundred of them. He thought that he must stop 3545 the one who was pursuing him. They went at each other, and struck one another on their shields with their two sharpened, cutting blades. Erec made his strong steel sword 3550 slide into his body; neither the shield nor the hauberk was worth a piece of blue silk to him. 158A tant ez vos poingnant le conte. Si con L'estoire le reconte, 3555 chevaliers estoit forz et buens, mes de ce fist que fos li cuens qu'il n'ot que l'escu et la lance: an sa vertu ot tel fiance qu'armer ne se volt autremant. 3560 De ce fist molt grant hardemant que devant trestotes ses genz s'esleissa plus de nuef arpanz. Quant Erec le vit fors de rote, a lui ganchist; cil nel redote, 3565 si s'antre vienent fieremant. Li cuens le fiert premieremant par tel vertu devant le piz que les estriés eüst guerpiz, se bien afichiez ne se fust; 3570 de l'escu fet croissir le fust, que d'autre part an saut li fers, mes molt fu riches li haubers, qui si de mort le garanti que einz maille n'an deronpi. 3575 Li cuens fu forz: sa lance froisse. Erec le fiert de tel angoisse, sor l'escu qui fu tainz an jaune, que de la lance plus d'une aune par mi le costé li anbat; 3580 pasmé jus del destrier l'abat. A tant ganchist si s'an retorne. [14e] En la place plus ne sejorne; par mi la forest a droiture s'an vet poignant grant aleüre. 3585 Ez vos Erec anforesté, et li autre sont aresté sor cez qui en mi le chanp jurent: molt s'afichent formant et jurent que il le chaceront einçois, 3590 a esperon deus jorz ou trois, que il nel praignent et ocïent Et li cuens antant ce qu'il dïent, qui molt ert el costé bleciez. Centre mont s'est un po dreciez 3595 et les ialz un petitet oevre; bien apargoit que malveise oevre avoit ancomanciee a faire. Les chevaliers fet arriers traire: "Seignor," fet il, "a toz vos di 3600 qu'il n'i ait un seul si hardi, 159And now the count came spurring on. As the stoiy relates, 3555 he was a good knight and strong, but the count acted foolishly in this, for he had only a shield and a lance: he had such confidence in his prowess that he chose to wear no armor. 3560 He acted very boldly, galloping forward a great distance * out in front of all his men. When Erec saw him out by himself, he turned toward him; the count did not fear him, 3565 and they came bravely at one another. The count struck Erec first, on the chest, with such power that he would have been unhorsed, had he not been well set in his stirrups; 3570 it cracked the wood of the shield, so that the iron stuck out the other side, but the hauberk was very fine, and it so protected him from death that not a link of it gave way. 3575 The count was strong; he broke his lance. Erec struck him with such violence on his yellow-painted shield that he thrust more than an ell of his lance into the count's side; 3580 he knocked him unconscious from his horse. Then Erec turned and came back. He stayed no longer in the field; he went galloping full speed into the forest. 3585 Now Erec was in the forest, and the others stopped over those who lay upon the field: very loudly they aiffirmed and swore that they would pursue him 3590 with all speed for two or three days until they caught and killed him. And the count, who was badly wounded in the side, heard what they were saying. He rose up a little 3595 and opened his eyes just a bit; he realized full well that it was an evil deed that he had undertaken. He ordered his knights to hold back: "My lords," said he, "to all of you I say: 3600 let there be not a single one so bold, 160fort ne foible, ne haut ne bas, qui ost aler avant un pas. Retornez tuit isnelemant! Esploitié ai vilainnemant; 3605 de ma vilenie me poise. Molt est preuz et saige et cortoise la dame qui deceü m'a. La biautez de li m'aluma: por ce que ge la desiroie, 3610 son seignor ocirre voloie et li par force retenir. Bien m'an devoit max avenir: sor moi an est venuz li max, que fos feisoie et deslëax 3615 et traïtes et forssenez. Onques ne fu de mere nez miaudres chevaliers de cestui; ja mes par moi n'avra enui la ou jel puisse destorner. 3620 Or vos comant a retorner." Cil s'an vont tuit desconforté. Le seneschal an ont porté mort an l'an vers de son escu. Li cuens a puis asez vescu, 3625 qu'il ne fu pas a mort navrez. [14f] Ensi est Erec delivrez. Erec s'an vet toz esleissiez une voie antre deus pleissiez. * Au desbuschier d'un pleisseïz 3630 troverent un pont torneïz, par devant une haute tor qui close estoit de mur an tor et de fossé lé et parfont. Isnelemant passent le pont, 3635 mes molt orent alé petit quant de la tor a mont les vit cil qui de la tor estoit sire. De celui savrai ge bien dire qu'il estoit molt de cors petiz, 3640 mes de grant cuer estoit hardiz. Quant il vit Erec trespassant, jus de la tor a val descent et fist sor un grant destrier sor 161strong or weak, high or low, as to dare go one step further. Return speedily, all of you! I have acted basely; 3605 I deeply regret my villainy. The lady who has foiled me is very brave, sensible, and courtly. Her beauty inflamed me: because I desired her, 3610 I wanted to kill her lord and hold her by force. Evil was certain to come to me thereby: evil has befallen me, for I behaved rashly and disloyally, 3615 treacherously and madly. Never was there born of woman a better knight than this one; never will he suffer ill on my account, if I can prevent it. 3620 Now I command you to turn back." They went away, sad and discouraged. They carried off the seneschal, dead, upon his upturned shield. The count lived long afterwards, 3625 for he was not mortally wounded. Thus was Erec delivered. Erec galloped off along a path between two hedges. Emerging from an enclosed portion of the wood 3630 they found a drawbridge in front of a high tower that was enclosed within a wall and a wide and deep moat. They quickly crossed over the bridge, 3635 but they had gone a very little way when from the tower above the lord of the tower saw them. Of him I can truly say that he was very small in stature, 3640 but bold and very courageous. When he saw Erec coming along, he came down from the tower and had a saddle with golden lions 162metre une sele a lyons d'or; 3645 puis comande qu'an li aport escu et lance roide et fort, espee brunie et tranchanu et hiaume cler et reluisant, hauberc blanc et chauces treslices, 3650 qu'il ot veü devant ses lices un chevalier armé passer a cui se vialt d'armes lasser, ou il a lui se lassera tant que toz recreanz sera. 3655 Cil ont son comandemant fet: ez vos ja le cheval hors tret; la sele mise et anfrené l'a uns escuiers amené; uns autres les armes aporte. 3660 Li chevaliers par mi la porte s'an est issuz plus tost qu'il pot, toz seus, que conpaignon n'i ot. Erec vet par mi un pandant. Ez vos le chevalier fandant 3665 par mi le tertre contre val, et sist sor un molt fier cheval qui si grant esfroi demenoit que il desoz ses piez fraignoit les chailloz plus delivremant [15a] 3670 que mole ne quasse fromant, et s'an voloient de toz sanz estanceles cleres ardanz, car des catre piez est a vis que tuit fussent de feu espris. 3675 Enyde ot la noise et Fesfroi; a po que de son palefroi ne che'i jus pasmee et vainne: an tot le cors de li n'ot vainne don ne li remuast li sans, 3680 si li devint pales et blans li vis con se ele fust morte. Molt se despoire et desconforte, car son seignor dire ne l'ose, qu'il la menace molt et chose 3685 et comande qu'ele se teise. De deus parz est molt a male eise, qu'ele ne set lequel seisir, ou le parler ou le teisir. A li meïsmes s'an consoille: 163placed on a big soirel charger; 3645 then he ordered brought to him his shield and lance, sturdy and strong, his sharp and burnished sword, his bright shining helmet, white hauberk and thrice-woven greaves, 3650 for before his enceintes he had seen * an armed knight pass by, with whom he wished to exhaust himself in combat, or the other would wear himself out and declare himself defeated. 3655 They carried out his orders: there was the horse being led out; a squire brought it, saddled and bridled; another brought his arms. 3660 Through the gate the knight went out as fast as he could, all alone, for he had no companion. Erec was crossing a slope. Now here was the knight charging 3665 across the hill and down the slope, seated on a very bold horse that was making such a racket that beneath its feet it was shattering the pebbles more freely 3670 than a mill grinds up wheat, and in all directions there flew bright burning sparks, for it seemed its four feet were all on fire. 3675 Enide heard the din and the racket; she almost fell, fainting and weak, from her palfrey: in all her body there was no vein in which the blood did not turn, 3680 and her face became pale and white as if she were dead. She greatly despaired and grieved, for she dared not tell her lord, lest he threaten and blame her 3685 and order her to be silent. On both sides she was very badly off, so that she knew not which course to choose: speaking or keeping silent. She deliberated within herself; 164 3690 sovant del dire s'aparoille si que la leingue se remuet, mes la voiz pas issir n'an puet, car de peor estraint les danz, s'anclost la parole dedanz. 3695 Ensi se justise et destraint: la boche clot, les danz estraint, que la parole hors n'an aille; a li a prise grant bataille, et dit: "Seüre sui et certe 3700 que trop recevrai leide perte, se je ici mon seignor pert. Dirai li done tot en apert? Nenil. Por quoi? Je n'oseroie, que mon seignor correceroie, 3705 et se mes sires se corroce, il me leira an ceste broce seule et cheitive et esgaree; lors serai plus mal eüree. Mai eüree? Moi que chaut? 3710 Diax ne pesance ne me faut ja mes, tant con je aie a vivre, se mes sires tot a delivre an tel guise de ci n'estort [15b] qu'il ne soit mahaigniez a mort. 3715 Mes se je tost ne li acoint, cist chevaliers qui ci apoint l'avra einz mort que il se gart, que molt sanble de male part. Lasse, trop ai or atandu! 3720 Si le m'a il molt desfandu, mes ja nel leirai por desfansse: je voi bien que mes sires pansse tant que lui meïsmes oblie; done est bien droiz que je li die." 3725 Ele li dit; il ia menace, mes n'a talant que mal li face, qu'il aparçoit et conuist bien qu'ele l'ainme sor tote rien, et il li, tant que plus ne puet. 3730 Centre le chevalier s'esmuet qui de bataille le semont. Asanblé sont au chief del pont: la s'antre vienent et desfïent; as fers des lances s'antre anvïent 3735 anbedui de totes lor forces. Ne lor valurent deus escorces li escu qui as cos lor pandent: 165 3690 often she prepared to speak so that her tongue moved, but her voice could not get out, for out of fear she clenched her teeth, and withheld the words inside. 3695 Thus she governed and fettered herself: she closed her mouth, clenched her teeth, so that the words would not get out; she battled with herself, and said: "Sure am I and certain 3700 I will receive too great a loss, if I lose my lord here. Shall I then speak openly to him? Certainly not. Why? I wouldn't dare, for I would anger my lord, 3705 and if my lord grows angry, he will leave me in this brush, alone and wretched and abandoned; then I shall be even worse off. Worse off? What does that matter to me? 3710 I shall nevermore lack for grief or sorrow as long as I live if my lord does not escape freely from here in such a way that he is not mortally mangled. 3715 But if I don't warn him soon, this knight who is spurring this way will have killed him before he gets his guard up, for he seems full of evil intentions. Wretch, now I have waited too long! 3720 He has indeed forbidden me to speak, but I shall not let that deter me: I can see that my lord is deep in thought, so much so that he forgets himself; therefore it is quite right that I should tell him." 3725 She spoke to him; he threatened her, but had no wish to harm her, for he perceived and knew full well that she loved him above all else, and he loved her, with all his might. 3730 Erec rushed at the other knight who was summoning him to battle. They met at the head of the bridge: there they came together and challenged one another; with their iron-tipped lances 3735 they both attacked with all their strength. The shields hung at their necks were not worth two bits of bark: 166li cuir ronpent et les es fandent et des haubers ronpent les mailles, 3740 si qu'anbedui jusqu'as antrailles sont anglaivé et anferré et li destrier sont aterré. Ne furent pas navré a mort, car molt erent li baron fort. * 3745 Les lances ont el chanp gitees; des fuerres traient les espees, si s'antre fierent par grant ire. Li uns l'autre sache et detire, que de rien ne s'antr'espargnoient. 3750 Granz cos sor les hiaumes donoient qu'estanceles ardanz an issent quant les espees ressortissent. Li escu fandent et esclicent; lor haubers faussent et deslicent. 3755 An mainz leus lor sont anbatues les espees jusqu'as charz nues, que molt s'afebloient et lassent; et se les espees durassent longuemant l'une et 1'autre antiere, [15c] 3760 ne se treississent pas arriere, ne la bataille ne fenist, tant que l'un morir covenist. Enyde, qui les esgardoit, a po de duel ne forssenoit. 3765 Qui li veïst son grant duel fere, ses poinz tordre, ses chevox trere, et les lermes des ialz cheoir, leal dame poïst veoir, et trop fust fel qui la veïst, 3770 se granz pitiez ne l'an preïst. * Li uns a 1'autre granz cos done; des tierce jusque pres de none dura la bataille tant fiere que nus horn an nule meniere 3775 certainnemant n'aparceüst li quex le meillor en eüst. Erec s'esforce et esvertue: s'espee li a anbatue el hiaume jusqu'el chapeler, 3780 si que tot le fet chanceler, mes bien se tint qu'il ne cheï. 167the leather broke and the wood split and the mail of their hauberks broke, 3740 so that both of them were run through right into their entrails, and their chargers were thrown to the ground. They were not mortally wounded, for the barons were very strong. 3745 They threw their lances onto the field; from their scabbards they drew their swords, and struck each other with great fury. They heaved and pulled at one another, sparing each other nothing. 3750 They struck great blows on their helmets so that sparks flew from them when their swords rebounded. Their shields split and flew apart; their hauberks were battered and broken. 3755 In many places the swords penetrated all the way to their naked flesh, so that they grew very weak and tired; and if their swords had both remained whole for a long time, 3760 they would not have drawn back, and the battle would not have ended, until one of them was killed. Enide, who was watching them, nearly went mad from distress. 3765 Anyone who saw her in such a sorrowful state, wringing her hands, tearing her hair, and the tears falling from her eyes, would have seen a loyal lady, and anyone who saw her would have been most cruel, 3770 if great pity had not seized him. Each dealt the other great blows; from mid-morning till mid-afternoon * the battle raged so fiercely that no man, by any means, 3775 could have told with certainty which of them had the better of it. Erec strove to do his utmost: his sword penetrated the other's helmet all the way to the coif of mail, * 3780 so that he quite caused him to reel, but he managed to keep from falling. 168Et cil ra Erec anvaï, si l'a si duremant feru sor la pane de son escu 3785 qu'au retraire est li branz brisiez, qui molt ert boens et bien prisiez. Quant cil vit brisiee s'espee, par mautalant a jus gitee la part qui li remest el poing 3790 tant com il onques pot plus loing. Peor ot; arriers l'estut treire, que ne puet pas grant esforz feire an bataille ne an assaut chevaliers cui s'espee faut. 3795 Erec l'anchauce, et cil li prie por Deu qu'il ne l'ocie mie. "Merci," fet il, "frans chevaliers! Ne soiez vers moi fel ne fiers: * des que m'espee m'est faillie, 3800 la force avez et la baillie de moi ocirre ou de vif prandre, que n'ai don me puisse desfandre." Erec respont: "Quant tu me prïes, oltreemant vuel que tu dïes 3805 que tu es oltrez et conquis; puis ne seras par moi requis se tu te mez an ma menaie." Et cil del dire se delaie. Quant Erec le vit delaier, 3810 por lui fere plus esmaier li ra une anvaïe fete: sore li cort l'espee trete, et cil dit, qui fu esmaiez: "Merci, sire! Conquis m'aiez, 3815 des qu'altremant estre ne puet." Erec respont: "Plus i estuet, qu'a tant n'an iroiz vos pas quites: vostre estre et vostre non me dites, et je vos redirai le mien." 3820 "Sire," fet il, "molt dites bien. Je sui de ceste terre rois: mi home lige sont Irois; n'i a nul ne soit mes rantiz. Et j'ai non Guivrez li Petiz; 3825 assez sui riches et puissanz, qu'an ceste teiTe, de toz sanz, 169Then he attacked Erec in turn, and struck him with such force on the rim of his shield 3785 that his good and precious blade was broken when he brought it back. When he saw his sword was broken, in fury he flung down the part that remained in his hand, 3790 as far away as he could. He was afraid; he was obliged to draw back, for a knight who lacks a sword cannot make a great effort in battle or attack. 3795 Erec pursued him, and the other begged him, for God's sake, not to kill him. "Have mercy," cried he, "noble knight! Be not cruel and savage toward me: since my sword has failed me, 3800 you have the force and the right to kill me or to take me alive, since I have nothing with which to defend myself." Erec replied: "Since you beseech me, I want you to say without reserve 3805 that you are beaten and defeated; I shall attack you no more if you place yourself in my power." But the other delayed in speaking When Erec saw him delay, 3810 to frighten him the more he made another attack: he ran upon him, with his sword drawn, and the other, terrified, cried out: "Pity, my lord! Consider me defeated, 3815 since it cannot be otherwise." Erec replied: "I demand more, for you won't get off with so little: tell me your name and your situation, and I shall tell you mine." 3820 "My lord," said he, "what you say is right. I am the king of this land: my liegemen are Irish; every one of them pays me tribute. And my name is Guivret the Short; 3825 I am very rich and powerful, for in this land, in all directions, 170n'a baron, qui a moi marchisse, qui de mon comandemant isse et mon pleisir ne face tot. 3830 Je n'ai veisin qui ne me dot, tant se face orguellex ne cointes. Molt voldroie estre vostre acointes et vostre amis d'or en avant." Erec respont: "Je me revant 3835 que je sui assez gentix hom: Erec, filz le roi Lac, ai non. Rois est mes peres d'Estre Gales. Riches citez et beles sales et forz chastiax a molt mes peres; 3840 plus n'en a rois ne empereres, fors li rois Artus seulemant: celui an ost je voiremant, car a lui nus ne s'aparoille." Quant Guivrez I'ot, molt s'an mervoille, 3845 et dist: "Sire, grant mervoille oi; onques de rien tel joie n'oi con j'ai de vostre conuissance; [15e] avoir poez tele fiance * en ma terre et an mon avoir 3850 que ja tant n'i voldroiz manoir que molt ne vos face enorer. Ja tant n'i voldroiz demorer que desor moi ne soiez sire. Andui avons mestier de mire, 3855 et j'ai ci pres un mien recet; n'i a pas sis liues ne set. La vos voel avoec moi mener, s'i ferons noz piaies sener." Erec respont: "Boen gré vos sai 3860 de ce qu'oï dire vos ai; n'i irai pas, vostre merci, mes itant solemant vos pri que, se nus besoinz m'avenoit et la novele a vos venoit 3865 que j'eüsse mestier d'aïe, adonc ne m'oblïessiez mie." "Sire," fet il, "je vos plevis que, ja tant con je soie vis, n'avroiz de mon secors mestier 3870 que tantost ne vos vaigne aidier a quanque je porrai mander." "Ja plus ne vos quier demander," fet Erec; "molt m'avez promis. Mes sire estes et mes amis, 3875 se i'uevre est tex con la parole." Li uns l'autre beise et acole. 171there is not a baron whose lands border on mine who eludes my command or who does not do exactly as I wish. 3830 All my neighbors fear me, however arrogant or valiant they may be. I should very much like to be your confidant and your friend, from this time forward." Erec replied: "I in turn boast 3835 that I am quite a noble man: Erec, son of King Lac, is my name. My father is king of Estre-Gales. My father has many rich cities, beautiful halls, and strong castles; 3840 no king or emperor has more, except for King Arthur alone: truly I set him apart, for no one is his equal." When Guivret heard this, he was astonished, 3845 and said: "My lord, this is wondrous news; I never had such joy from anything as I do from making your acquaintance; you may so count on my land and my possessions 3850 that, however long you may wish to stay there, I shall do you the greatest honor. However long you may wish to stay there, you will be my overlord. We both have need of a doctor, 3855 and one of my castles is near here; it's not six leagues away or seven. I wish to take you there with me, and we shall have our wounds tended." Erec replied: "I am grateful to you 3860 for what you have said; I shall not go with you, by your leave, but I ask just this of you: that, if any need should befall me and the news reached you 3865 that I needed help, then you should not forget me." "My lord," said he, "I promise you that, as long as I live, whenever you need my help, 3870 I will quickly come to aid you with ail the resources at my command." "I wish to ask no more of you," said Erec; "you have promised me much. You are my lord and my friend, 3875 if the deed is like the words." Each of them kissed and embraced the other. 172Onques de si dure bataille ne fu si dolce dessevraille, que par amor et par franchise 3880 chascuns, des panz de sa chemise, trancha bandes longues et lees, s'ont lor plaies antre bandees. Quant il se sont antre bandé, a Deu s'antre sont comandé. 3885 Departi sont an tel meniere: seus s'an revet Guivrez arriere; Erec a son chemin retret, qui grant mestier etist d'antret por ses plaies medeciner. 3890 Einz ne fina de cheminer tant que il vint an une plaigne [15f] lez une haute forest plaigne de cers, de biches et de dains, et de chevriax et de farains 3895 et de tote autre salvagine. Li rois Artus et la reïne et de ses barons li meillor i estoient venu le jor: an la forest voloit li rois 3900 demorer catre jorz ou trois por lui deduire et deporter, si ot comandé aporter tantes et pavellons et trez. El tref le roi estoit antrez 3905 mes sire Gauvains toz lassez, qui chevalchié avoit assez. Devant son tref estoit uns charmes; la ot un escu de ses armes * pandu, et sa lance de fresne 3910 a une branche par la resne, s'ot le gringalet aresné, la sele mise et anfrené. Tant estut iluec li chevax que Keus i vint, li seneschax: 3915 cele part vint grant aleüre. Ausi con par anvoiseüre prist le cheval et monta sus: onques ne li contredist nus; la lance et l'escu prist aprés 3920 qui soz l'arbre erent iluec pres. Galopant sor le gringalet 173Never from such a fierce battle was there such a sweet parting, for, moved by love and generosity, 3880 each of them cut long, broad bands from the tail of his shirt, and they bound up each other's wounds. When they had bandaged each other, they commended one another to God. 3885 They separated in this way: Guivret came back alone; Erec, who was badly in need of dressing to care for his wounds, resumed his journey. 3890 He never ceased riding until he came to a meadow beside a tall forest full of stags, does, and fallow deer, roe deer and game animals 3895 and every other wild beast. King Arthur and the queen and the best of his barons had come there that day; the king wanted to stay 3900 three or four days in the forest, to amuse and disport himself, and he had ordered tents and pavilions to be brought. * Into the king's tent had come 3905 my lord Gawain, very tired from a long ride. In front of his tent was a hornbeam; there he had hung a shield with his coat of arms, and his ash-wood lance, 3910 suspended from a branch by the shoulder-strap, and he had tied his horse, * saddled and bridled, by the reins. The horse had been there some while when Kay, the seneschal, came there: 3915 he came that way very rapidly. As if to play a trick, he took the horse and mounted it: no one opposed him; then he took the lance and the shield 3920 that were there nearby beneath the tree. Galloping on Gawain's horse, 174s'an aloit Keus tot un valet, tant que par avanture avint qu'Erec a l'ancontre li vint. 3925 Erec conut le seneschal et les armes et le cheval, mes Keus pas lui ne reconut, car a ses armes ne parut nule veraie conuissance: 3930 tant cos d'espee et tant de lance avoit sor son escu eüz que toz li tainz an ert cheüz. Et la dame par grant veidie, por ce qu'ele ne voloit mie 3935 qu'il la coneüst ne veïst, [16a] ausi con s'ele le feïst por le chaut ou por la poldriere, mist sa guinple devant sa chiere. Keus vint avant plus que le pas 3940 et prist Erec en es le pas par les resnes sanz salüer, einz qu'il le lessast remüer, li demanda par grant orguel: "Chevaliers," fet il, "savoir vuel 3945 qui vos estes et d'ou venez." "Fos estes quant vos me tenez," fet Erec; "nel savroiz enuit." Et cil respont: "Ne vos enuit, que por vostre bien le demant. 3950 Je voi et sai certainnemant que bleciez estes et navrez. Anquenuit mon ostel prenez: se vos volez o moi venir, je vos ferai molt chier tenir 3955 et enorer et aeisier, car de repos avez mestier. Li rois Artus et la reïne sont ci pres en une gaudine, de trez et de tantes logié. 3960 En boene foi le vos lo gié, que vos veigniez avoeques moi veoir la reïne et le roi, qui de vos grant joie feront et grant enor vos porteront." 175Kay went off along a vale, until by chance it happened that Erec came to meet him. 3925 Erec recognized the seneschal, and the arms and the horse, but Kay did not recognize him, for on his armor appeared no identifiable markings; 3930 he had taken so many blows on it from sword and lance that all the paint had fallen off. And the lady, very cleverly, because she did not want 3935 Kay to see or recognize her, put her wimple over her face, just as she would have done to protect herself from heat or dust, Kay came rapidly forward 3940 and immediately, without greeting him, seized Erec's reins; before allowing him to move, he questioned him most haughtily: "Knight," said he, "I want to know 3945 who you are and where you're from." "You are mad to hold me thus," said Erec; "you'll not learn it today." And Kay replied: "May it not trouble you, for it is for your good that I inquire. 3950 I can clearly see that you are wounded and injured. Take my lodgings this night: if you will come with me, I shall see that you are richly treated, 3955 honored, and cared for, for you have need of rest. King Arthur and the queen are nearby in a small wood, encamped in tents and pavilions. 3960 In good faith I advise you to come with me to see the queen and the king, who will welcome you warmly and show you great honor." 176 3965 Erec respont: "Vos dites bien, mes n'iroie por nule rien, Ne savez mie mon besoing; ancor m'estuet aler plus loing. Lessiez m'aler, car trop demor; 3970 assez i a encor del jor." Keus respont: "Grant folie dites, qui del venir vos escondites; espoir vos an repantiroiz, car je cuit que vos i vanroiz 3975 andui, et vos et vostre fame, * si con li prestres va au sane, * ou volantiers ou a enviz. Anquenuit seroiz mal serviz (se mes consauz en est creüz), * 3980 se bien n'i estes coneüz. Venez an tost, car je vos praing." [16b] De ce ot Erec grant desdaing: "Vasax," fet il, "folie feites, qui par force aprés vos me treites. 3985 Sanz desfiance m'avez pris. Je di que vos avez mespris, car toz seürs estre cuidoie; de rien vers vos ne me gardoie." Lors met a l'espee la main 3990 et dit: "Vasax, lessiez mon frain! Traiez vos la! Je vos tieng molt * por orgueilleus et por estout. Se aprés vos plus me sachiez, je vos ferrai, bien le sachiez. 3995 Leissiez m'aler!" Et cil le leisse; el chanp plus d'un arpant s'esleisse, puis retorne, si le desfie com hom plains de grant felenie. Li uns contre l'autre ganchist, 4000 mes Erec de tant se franchist, por ce que cil desarmez iere, de sa lance torna desriere le fer, et l'arestuel devant. Tel cop li done ne por quant, 4005 an son escu tot el plus emple, que hurter li fist a la temple et que le braz au piz li serre: tot estandu le porte a terre. Puis vient au destrier, si le prant; 4010 Enyde par le frain le rant. 177 3965 Erec replied: "You speak well, but I would not go there for anything. You do not know my need; I still must go further. Let me go, for I tarry too long; 3970 there is still plenty of daylight left." Kay replied: "You speak very unwisely, you who refuse to come along; perhaps you will regret it, for I think you will both come, 3975 you and your wife, just as the priest goes to the synod, either willingly or unwillingly. This night you will be badly served (if my counsel is heeded), 3980 if you are not well known there. Come along quickly, for I'm taking you." For this Erec had great disdain: "Vassal," said he, "you are quite mad to drag me after you by force. 3985 You have taken me without challenge. I say that you have acted wrongly, for I believed myself secure from danger; I was not on my guard against you." Then he put his hand to his sword 3990 and said: "Vassal, let go of my bridle! Draw back! I consider you excessively haughty and daring. If you pull me after you any more, be assured that I will strike you. 3995 Let me go!" And Kay did so; he galloped away across the field, * then turned around and challenged Erec like a man full of great wrath. Each of them dodged the other's blow, 4000 but Erec behaved nobly because the other wore no armor, * and turned the head of his lance behind, and held the butt in front Nonetheless Erec gave him such a blow 4005 on his shield at the widest part that it struck him on the temple and pinned his arm against his chest; Erec stretched him out full length on the ground. Then he came to the charger and took it; 4010 by the reins he gave it to Enide. 178Mener l'en vost, mes cil li prie, qui molt sot de losangerie, que par franchise li randist; molt bel le losange et blandist: 4015 "Vasax," fet il, "se Dex me gaxt, an ce destrier je n'i ai part; einz est au chevalier del monde an cui graindre proesce abonde, mon seignor Gauvain le hardi. 4020 Tant de la soe part vos di que son destrier li anvoiez, por ce que enor i aiez; molt feroiz que frans et que sages, et ge serai vostre mesages." 4025 Erec respont: "Vasax, prenez le cheval, si l'en remenez: des qu'il est mon seignor Gauvain, n'est mie droiz que je l'en main." Keus prant le cheval, si remonte; 4030 au tref le roi vient, si li conte le voir, que rien ne l'an cela. Et li rois Gauvain apela: "Biax niés Gauvain," ce dit li rois, "s'onques fustes frans ne cortois, 4035 alez aprés isnelemant; demandez amïablemant de son estre et de son afeire. Et se vos le pöez atreire tant que avoec vos l'ameigniez, 4040 gardez ja ne vos an feigniez." Gauvains monte an son gringalet; aprés le sivent dui vaslet: ja ont Erec aconseü, mes ne l'ont mie coneü. 4045 Gauvains le salue et il lui; salüé se sont amedui. Puis li dist mes sire Gauvains, qui de grant franchise estoit plains: "Sire," fet il, "a vos m'anvoie 4050 li rois Artus an ceste voie. La reïne et li rois vos mandent saluz, et prïent et comandent qu'avoec ax vos vaingniez deduire. Eidier vos vuelent, non pas nuire, 4055 et il ne sont pas loing de ci." Erec respont: "Molt an merci le roi et la reïne ansanble, et vos qui estes, ce me sanble, 179He wanted to take it with him, but the other, who was very skilled in flattery, begged him to return it, out of generosity; artfully he flattered and blandished him: 4015 "Vassal," said he, "God protect me, I have no right to this charger, rather it belongs to that knight in all the world in whom the greatest prowess abounds, my lord Gawain the brave. 4020 So on his behalf I ask you to send him his charger, so that you may gain honor thereby; you will be acting both nobly and wisely, and I shall be your messenger." 4025 Erec replied: "Vassal, take the horse and return him; since he belongs to my lord Gawain, it is not right that I should take him." Kay took the horse and got back on; 4030 he came to the king's tent and told him the truth, keeping nothing hidden. And the king called Gawain: "Fair nephew Gawain," said the king, "if ever you were noble or courteous, 4035 go speedily after him; ask him, in a friendly way, about himself and his business. And if you can persuade him so that you can bring him back with you, 4040 be sure you do not fail to do so." Gawain mounted upon his horse; * two valets followed him; they soon caught up with Erec, but they did not recognize him at all. 4045 Gawain greeted Erec and Erec him; each of them greeted the other. Then my lord Gawain, who was full of great nobility, said: "My lord," said he, "King Arthur 4050 sends me to you upon this path. The queen and the king send you greetings, and beg and request that you come and take pleasure with them. They wish to help you, not to harm you, 4055 and they are not far from here." Erec replied: "I sincerely thank the king and the queen together, and you, who are, it seems to me, 180de bon eire et bien afeitiez. 4060 Je ne sui mie bien heitiez, einz sui navrez dedanz le cors, et ne por quant ja n'istrai hors de mon chemin por ostel prendre. Ne vos i covient plus atendre; 4065 vostre merci, ralez vos an." Gauvains estoit de molt grant san. Arrieres se tret et consoille a un des vaslez an l'oroille que tost aille dire le roi [16d] 4070 que il preigne prochain conroi de ses trez destendre et abatre et veigne trois liues ou catre devant ax en mi le chemin tandre les aucubes de lin. 4075 "Iluec l'estuet enuit logier, s'il vialt conoistre et herbergier le meillor chevalier por voir c'onques ve'ist, au mien espoir, qu'il ne vialt por un ne por el 4080 guerpir sa veie por ostel." Cil s'an vet; son message a dit. Destandre fet sanz nul respit li rois ses trez: destandu sont. Les somiers chargent, si s'an vont. 4085 Sor l'aubagu monta li rois; sor un blanc palefroi norrois remonta la rei'ne apres. Mes sire Gauvains tot ades ne finoit d'Erec delaier, 4090 et cil li dist: "Plus alai hier asez que je ne ferai hui. Sire, vos me feites enui; lessiez m'aler. De ma jornee m'avez grant masse destorbee." 4095 Et mes sire Gauvains li dit; "Encor voel aler un petit avoeques vos, ne vos enuit, car grant piece a jusqu'a la nuit." Tant ont a parler entandu 4100 que tuit li tref furent tandu devant aus, et Erec les voit: herbergiez est, bien l'aparçoit. "Haï!" fet il, "Gauvain, haï! Vostres granz sans m'a esbahi; 4105 par grant san m'avez retenu. 181of noble birth and well-bred. 4060 I am not hale or sound, but rather my body is wounded, and nevertheless I will not stray from my road to take lodgings. You need wait no longer; 4065 I will thank you to go back." Gawain was very clever. He drew back and whispered to one of the valets to go quickly and tell the king 4070 that he should take immediate measures to have his tents taken down, and he should come three or four leagues in front of them, right on the road, to have his linen tents set up. 4075 "That is where he must spend this night, if he wants to know and give lodging to the best knight, in truth, that he ever saw, as I believe, for he does not want, for any reason, 4080 to abandon his path to seek lodging." The valet left; he delivered his message. The king had his tents taken down without any delay; they were taken down. They loaded the packhorses and they left. 4085 The king mounted his horse; * the queen in turn mounted upon a white Norwegian palfrey. My lord Gawain, meanwhile, kept on delaying Erec, 4090 and the latter said to him: "I went much farther yesterday than I shall go today. Sir, you are annoying me; let me go. You have greatly disrupted my day's travel." 4095 And my lord Gawain said to him: "I wish to go a bit farther with you, if you don't mind, for there is still much time before nightfall." They spent so much time talking 4100 that all the tents were set up ahead of them, and Erec saw them; he was to be lodged, as he clearly saw. "Oho!" said he, "Gawain, oho! Your great cleverness has caught me; 4105 you have very cleverly detained me. 182Des que ore est si avenu, mon non vos dirai or endroit: li celers rien ne m'i vaudroit. Je sui Erec, qui fui jadis 4110 vostre conpainz et vostre amis." Gauvains l'ot; acoler le va: son hiaume a mont li sozleva et la ventaille li deslace; [16e] de joie l'acole et anbrace, 4115 et Erec lui de l'autre part. A tant Gauvains de lui se part et dist: "Sire, ceste novele sera j a mon seignor molt bele. Liez en iert ma dame et mes sire 4120 et je lor irai avant dire, mes einçois m'estuet anbracier et conjoïr et solacier ma dame Enyde, vostre fame; de li veoir a molt ma dame 4125 la reïne grant desirrier: encor parler l'en oï hier." Gauvains tantost lez li se tret, si li demande qu'ele fet, se ele est bien sainne et heitiee; 4130 cele respont com afeitiee: "Sire, mal ne dolor n'eüsse, se an grant dotance ne fusse de mon seignor, mes ce m'esmaie qu'il n'a gueires manbre sanz plaie." 4135 Gauvains respont: "Moi poise molt. * Il apert molt bien a son vout, qu'il a pale et descoloré, et g'en eüsse asez ploré, quant ge le vi si pale et taint, 4140 mes la joie le duel estaint, car de lui tex joie me vint que de nul duel ne me sovint. Or venez petite anbleüre; g'irai avant grant aleüre 4145 dire la reïne et le roi que vos venez ci aprés moi. Bien sai qu'amedui en avront grant joie, quant il le savront." Lors s'an part; au tref le roi vient. 4150 "Sire," fet il, "or vos covient * joie feire, vos et ma dame, que ci vient Erec et sa fame." Li rois de joie saut an piez: 183Since that's the way things are, I shall tell you my name at once: hiding it would do me no good. I am Erec, who used to be 4110 your companion and your friend." Gawain heard this and went to embrace him; he lifted up his helmet and untied his ventail; for joy he embraced him again and again, 4115 and Erec for his part did likewise. Then Gawain parted from him and said: "Sir, this news will be very pleasing to my lord the king. My lady and my lord will be delighted, 4120 and I shall go ahead to tell them, but first I must embrace and welcome and comfort my lady Enide, your wife; my lady the queen is 4125 very eager to see her; I heard her speak of it only yesterday." Then Gawain drew near her and asked her how she was, whether she was quite healthy and well; 4130 she replied like a well-bred lady: "My lord, I should have neither pain nor sorrow were I not extremely concerned for my lord, but it frightens me that he has scarcely a limb without a wound." 4135 Gawain replied: "This pains me deeply. It shows very clearly in his face, which is pale and colorless, and I would surely have wept at this, when I saw him so pale and wan, 4140 but joy extinguishes sorrow, for he brought me such joy that I forgot my sorrow. Now come along at a slow pace; I shall go swiftly ahead 4145 to tell the queen and the king that you are coming behind me. I know well that both of them will be oveijoyed when they learn this." Then he left; he came to the king's tent. 4150 "Sire," said he, "now you should be joyful, you and my lady, for here come Erec and his wife." The king sprang to his feet for joy: 184"Certes," fet il, "molt an sui liez; 4155 ne poïsse novels oïr qui tant me feïst resjoïr." * Tantost li rois ist de son tré. [16f] Molt ont Erec pres ancontre. Quant Erec voit le roi venant, 4160 a terre descent maintenant, et Enyde rest descendue. Li rois les acole et salue, et la reïne dolcemant les beise et acole ausimant: 4165 n'i a nul qui joie n'en face. Iluec meïsmes an la place li ont ses armes desvestues, et quant ses plaies ont veües, si retorne lor joie en ire. 4170 Li rois molt parfont an sospire, * puis fet aporter un antret que Morgue sa suer avoit fet. Li antrez ert de tel vertu, que Morgue avoit doné Artu, 4175 que la plaie qui an est ointe, ou soit sor nerf ou soit sor jointe, ne faussist qu'an une semainne ne fust tote senee et sainne, mes que le jor une foiee 4180 fust de l'antret apareilliee. L'antret ont le roi aporté, qui molt a Erec conforte. Quant ses plaies orent lavees, * l'antret mis sus et rebandees, 4185 li rois lui et Enyde an mainne en la soe chanbre demainne, et dist que por la soe amor vialt an la forest a sejor demorer quinze jorz toz plains, 4190 tant que toz soit gariz et sains. Erec de ce le roi mercie, et li dist: "Sire, je n'ai mie 185"Truly," said he, "I am very glad; 4155 I could hear no other news that would give me so much joy." Then the king left his tent. They met Erec quite close at hand. When Erec saw the king coming, 4160 he immediately dismounted, and Enide got down in turn. The king embraced and greeted them, and the queen likewise sweetly kissed and embraced them; 4165 everyone welcomed them joyfully. Right there on the spot they removed Erec's armor, and when they saw his wounds their joy turned to anger. 4170 The king sighed deeply, then had an ointment brought which his sister Morgan had made. The ointment, which Morgan had given Arthur, was so wonderfully effective 4175 that the wound to which it was applied, whether on a nerve or on a joint, could not fail within a week to be completely cured and healed, provided it was treated 4180 with the ointment once a day. They brought the ointment to the king; it greatly comforted Erec. When they had washed his wounds, put on the ointment and rebandaged them, 4185 the king led him and Enide into his own chamber, and said that, out of love for Erec, he wanted to stay two full weeks in the forest, 4190 until he was completely healed and well. Erec thanked the king for this, and said to him: "Sire, I have no 186plaie de coi je tant me duelle que ma voie lessier an vuelle. 4195 Retenir ne me porroit nus: demain—ja ne tarderai plus— m'an voldrai par matin aler, lors que le jor verrai lever." Li rois en a crollé le chief, 4200 et dist: "Ci a molt grant meschief, quant vos remenoir ne volez. [17a] Je sai bien que molt vos dolez; remenez, si feroiz que sages, car il sera trop granz domages, 4205 se vos an ces forez morez. Biax dolz amis, car remenez tant que vos soiez respassez." Erec respont: "Or est assez. Je ai si ceste chose anprise, 4210 ne remanroie en nule guise." Li rois ot qu'an nule meniere ne remanroit por sa proiere, si leisse la parole ester, * et comande tost aprester 4215 le souper et les tables metre; li vaslet s'an vont antremetre. Ce fu un samedi a nuit qu'il mangierent poissons et fruit, luz et perches, saumons et truites, 4220 et puis poires crues et cuites. Aprés souper ne tardent gaire; comandent les napes a traire. Li rois avoit Erec molt chier; an un lit le fist seul couchier: 4225 ne vost qu'avoec lui se couchast nus qui ses plaies atochast. Cele nuit fu bien ostelez. An une chanbre par delez, Enyde avoeques la rei'ne, 4230 sor un grant covertor d'ermine, s'an dormirent a grant repos, tant que li matins est esclos. L'andemain, lués que il ajorne, Erec se lieve et si s'atorne: 4235 ses chevax comande anseler et fet ses armes aporter, 187wound from which I am suffering so much that I want to interrupt my journey. 4195 No one could detain me; tomorrow—I shall tarry no more— I shall want to leave in the morning, when I see the day dawning." At this the king shook his head 4200 and said: "There is something very wrong here, if you do not wish to stay. I know full well that you are in great pain; stay, you will act sensibly, for it will be a great loss 4205 if you die in this forest. Fair gentle friend, do stay until you have recovered." Erec replied: "That is enough. I have undertaken this matter, 4210 and would not stay in any manner." The king heard that there was no way to convince him to stay, so he dropped the matter and ordered the evening meal quickly prepared 4215 and the tables set; the valets went to work at it. It was a Saturday evening when they ate fish and fruit, pike and perch, salmon and trout, 4220 and then raw and cooked pears. They tarried little after the meal; they ordered the tablecloths removed. The king held Erec very dear, he had him sleep alone in a bed: 4225 he did not want anyone to lie with him who might touch his wounds. Erec was well lodged that night. In a nearby chamber Enide and the queen, 4230 on a great ermine coverlet, slept in deep repose until the morning dawned. The next day, as soon as it was light, Erec arose and made ready; 4235 he ordered his horses saddled and had his arms brought to him; 188vaslet corent si li aportent. Ancor de remenoir l'enortent li rois et tuit li chevalier, 4240 mes proiere n'i a mestier, que por rien ne vost demorer. Lors les veïssiez toz plorer et demener un duel si fort con s'il le veïssent ja mort, 4245 Erec s'arme; Enyde se lieve. Au departir a toz molt grieve, que ja mes reveoir nes cuident. [17b] Tuit aprés aus lor tantes vuident; por lor chevax font anvoier 4250 por ax conduire et convoier. Erec lor dit: "Ne vos poist pas: ja avoec moi n'iroiz un pas; les voz granz merciz, remenez." Ses chevax li fu amenez, 4255 et il monte sanz demorance; son escu a pris et sa lance, si les comande toz a Dé, * et il i ront lui comandé. Enyde monte, si s'an vont. 4260 An une forest antré sont; jusque vers prime ne finerent. Par la forest tant cheminerent qu'il oïrent crïer molt loing une pucele a grant besoing. 4265 Erec a entandu le cri: bien aparçut, quant il l'oï, que la voiz de dolor estoit et de secors mestier avoit. Tot maintenant Enyde apele: 4270 "Dame," fet il, "une pucele va par ce bois formant crïant; ele a, par le mien escïant, mestier d'aïe et de secors. Cele part voel aler le cors, 4275 si savrai quel besoing ele a. Descendez ci, et g'irai la, si m'atandez andemantiers." "Sire," fet ele, "volantiers." Seule la leisse, et seus s'an va, 4280 tant que la pucele trova qui par le bois aloit crïant por son ami que dui jaiant avoient pris, si l'an menoient; 189valets ran and brought them. The king and all his knights again exhorted him to stay, 4240 but prayers were of no avail, for he would not stay for anything. Then you could have seen them all weep and display such sorrow as if they beheld him already dead. 4245 Erec put on his armor; Enide arose. Their departure distressed them all, for they thought never to see them again. Everyone, after them, poured out of their tents; they sent for their horses 4250 in order to accompany and escort them. Erec said to them: "Be not aggrieved; you will not go one step with me; I implore you, stay." His horse was brought to him, 4255 and he mounted without delay; he took his shield and his lance, and commended them all to God, and they in turn commended him. Enide mounted, and off they went. 4260 They entered a forest; they did not stop until about prime. They rode through the forest until they heard the distant cry of a damsel in distress. 4265 Erec heard the cry; he clearly recognized, when he heard it, that it was the voice of sorrow and that it needed help. Immediately he called to Enide: 4270 "My lady," said he, "some maiden goes through this wood, crying loudly; she is, I am sure, in need of aid and of help. I want to hurry in her direction, 4275 and find out what her need is. Dismount here, while I go there, and wait for me meanwhile." "My lord," said she, "willingly." He left her alone, and alone went off, 4280 until he found the maiden who was crying in the wood for her lover, whom two giants had taken prisoner, and were leading away; 190vilainnemant le demenoient. 4285 La pucele aloit detirant * ses crins, et ses dras desirant et sa tandre face vermoille. Erec la voit, si s'an mervoille, et prie li qu'ele li die 4290 por coi si formant plore et crie. La pucele plore et soupire; [17c] an sopirant li respont: "Sire, n'est mervoille se je faz duel, car morte seroie, mon vuel. 4295 Je n'aim ma vie ne ne pris, car mon ami an mainnent pris dui jaiant felon et cruel qui sont si anemi mortel. Dex! que ferai, lasse, cheitive, 4300 del meillor chevalier qui vive, del plus franc et del plus gentil? Or est de mort an grant peril: * ancui le feront a grant tort morir de molt vilainne mort. 4305 Frans chevaliers, por Deu te pri que tu secores mon ami, se tu onques le puez secorre; ne t'estovra gueres loing corre: ancor sont il de ci molt pres." 4310 "Dameisele, g'irai aprés," fet Erec, "quant vos m'an proiez, et tote seüre soiez que tot mon pooir an ferai: ou avoec lui pris esterai, 4315 ou jel vos randrai tot delivre. Se li jaiant le leissent vivre tant que je les puisse trover, bien me cuit a ax esprover." "Frans chevaliers," fet la pucele, 4320 "toz jorz serai mes vostre ancele se vos mon ami me randez. A Deu soiez vos comandez. 191they were vilely mistreating him. 4285 The maiden was tearing her hair and rending her clothes and her tender rosy face. Erec saw her and marveled, and begged her to tell him 4290 why she was weeping and crying so bitterly. The maiden wept and sighed, and sighing she replied: "My lord, it is no wonder if I show grief, for I wish that I were dead. 4295 I neither love nor value my life, for my beloved is taken prisoner by two evil and cruel giants, who are his mortal enemies. God! What shall I do, poor wretch, 4300 for the best knight alive, the noblest and the most generous? Now he is in great mortal danger; today, very wrongfully, they will make him suffer an ignoble death. 4305 Noble knight, I pray you for God's sake, assist my beloved, if ever you can assist him; you will not need to go far, they are still very near here." 4310 "Damsel, I will go after them," said Erec, "since you beg me to, and you may be quite sure that I will do everything in my power; either I will be taken prisoner with him, 4315 or I will return him to you completely free. If the giants let him live until I can find them, I will certainly give them a fight." "Noble knight," said the maiden, 4320 "I will always be your servant if you return my beloved to me. Be commended to God. 192Hastez vos, la vostre merci!" "Quel part s'an vont?"—"Sire, par ci; 4325 vez ci la voie et les escloz." Lors s'est Erec mis es galoz, se li dist que iluec l'atande. La pucele a Deu le comande et prie Deu molt dolcemant 4330 que il par son comandemant li doint force de desconfire ces qui vers son ami ont ire. Erec s'an vet tote la trace; a esperon les jaianz chace. 4335 Tant les a chaciez et seüz [17dj que il les a aparceüz einz que del bois par fussent hors. Le chevalier vit an pur cors, deschauz et nu sor un roncin, 4340 con s'il fust pris a laiTecin, les mains lïees et les piez. Li jaiant n'avoient espiez, escuz, n'espees esmolues, * ne lances; einz orent maçues; 4345 escorgiees andui tenoient. Tant feru et batu l'avoient que ja li avoient del dos la char ronpue jusqu'as os; par les costés et par les flans 4350 li coroit contre val li sans, si que li roncins estoit toz an sane jusqu'au vantre desoz. Et Erec vint aprés toz seus, molt dolanz et molt angoisseus 4355 del chevalier, quant il le vit demener a si grant despit. Antre deus bois, an une lande, les a atainz, si lor demande: "Seignor," fet il, "por quel forfet 4360 feites a cest home tel let, qui come lairon l'an menez? Trop laidemant le demenez; ausi le menez par sanblant con se il fust repris anblant. 4365 Grant viltance est de chevalier nu despoillier, et puis lïer et batre si vilainnemant. Randez le moi: jel vos demant par franchise et par corteisie; 4370 par force nel demant je mie." 193Hurry, I implore you!" "Which way are they headed?"—"My lord, this way; 4325 see here the path and their tracks." Then Erec set off at a gallop, telling her to wait for him there. The maiden commended him to God and prayed God very softly 4330 that by His will He might give him the strength to defeat those who felt ire toward her lover. Erec went off along the trail; he spurred in pursuit of the giants. 4335 So well did he pursue and follow them that he caught sight of them before they were completely out of the wood. He saw the unclad knight, barefoot and naked upon a draft horse, 4340 bound hand and foot, as if he had been caught committing larceny. The giants had neither spears, shields, sharpened swords, nor lances; instead they had clubs; 4345 they both held whips. They had struck and beaten him so much that on his back they had already flayed the skin right to the bone; the blood was running down 4350 along his sides and his flanks, so that the horse was all covered in blood, right down to its belly. And Erec came along all alone, greatly pained and anxious 4355 for the knight, when he saw him being treated with such scorn. Between two woods, in a field, he caught up with them, and asked them: "My lords," said he, "for what crime 4360 are you committing such an outrage upon this man, leading him like a thief? You are treating him too horribly; you are leading him as though he had been caught stealing. 4365 It is most shameful to strip a knight naked, and then to bind and beat him so vilely. Turn him over to me: I ask you this in generosity and courtesy; 4370 I ask it not by force." 194"Vasax," font il, "a vos que tient? De molt grant folie vos vient quant vos rien nos an demandez. S'il vos poise, si l'amandez!" 4375 Erec respont: "Por voir m'an poise. Ne Pan manroiz hui mes sanz noise; qant vos bandon m'an avez fait, qui le porra avoir, si l'ait. Traiez vos la; je vos desfi! [l7e] 4380 Ne Pan manroiz avant de ci qu'ainçois n'i ait departiz cos." "Vasax," font il, "vos estes fos quant a nos vos volez conbatre. Se vos estïez or tel quatre, 4385 n'avreïez vos force vers nos ne c'uns aigniax antre deus los." "Ne sai qu'an iert," Erec respont. "Se li ciax chiet et terre font, * dons sera prise mainte aloe; 4390 tex vaut petit qui molt se loe. Gardez vos, car je vos requier!" Li jaiant furent fort et fier, et tindrent an lor mains serrees les maçues granz et quarrees. 4395 Erec lor vint lance sor fautre: ne redote ne l'un ne l'autre por menace ne por orguel; einz fiert le premerain an l'uel si par mi outre le cervel 4400 que d'autre part le haterel li sans et la cervele an saut, et cil chiet morz—li cuers li faut. Quant li autres vit celui mort, si Pan pesa; n'ot mie tort. 4405 Par mautalant vangier le va; la maçue a deus mains leva et cuide ferir a droiture par mi le chief sanz coverture, mes Erec le cop aparçut 4410 et sor son escu le reut. Tel cop ne por quant li dona li jaianz que tot l'estona et par po que jus del destrier nel fist a terre trebuchier. 4415 Erec de son escu se cuevre, et li jaianz son cop recuevre et cuide ferir de rechief a delivre par mi le chief, mes Erec tint l'espee trete; 4420 une anvaïe li a fete 195"Vassal," said they, "what business is it of yours? It's utter madness on your part to ask us anything about this. If you don't like it, do something about it!" 4375 Erec replied: "In truth I do not like it. You'll take him no further today without a quarrel; since you have left the matter to me, let whoever can have him, have him. Come forward; I challenge you! 4380 You won't take him from here until we've exchanged blows." "Vassal," said they, "you're mad, wanting to fight with us. Even if there were four of you, 4385 you'd have no more force against us than a lamb between two wolves." "I don't know how it will be," Erec replied. "If the sky falls and the earth collapses, then many a lark will be taken; 4390 he who boasts a lot is worth little. Be on your guard, for I'm attacking you!" The giants were strong and fierce, and gripped in their hands the big, square clubs. 4395 Erec came at them, his lance in its rest: he feared neither one nor the other, whatever their threats and their pride; rather he struck the first in the eye, right through the brain, so that, 4400 at the back of the head, the blood and brains spurted out and the giant fell dead—his heart gave out. When the other saw this one dead, it grieved him, and with good reason. 4405 Furiously he went to avenge him: he raised his club with both hands and thought to strike Erec directly upon his unprotected head, but Erec saw the blow coming 4410 and took it on his shield. Nevertheless the giant gave him such a blow that he quite stunned him and nearly made him fall down from his charger to the ground. 4415 Erec covered himself with his shield, and the giant prepared another blow and thought again to strike him freely on the head, but Erec held his sword drawn; 4420 he made an attack 196don li jaianz fu mal serviz: si le fiert par mi la cerviz que desi es arçons le fant; la böele a terre an espant, 4425 et li cors chiet toz estanduz, qui fu an deus mitiez fanduz. Li chevaliers de joie plore, et reclainme Deu et aore, qui secors anvoié li a. 4430 A tant Erec le deslia, sel fist vestir et atorner et sor un des chevax monter; l'autre li fist mener an destre. Si li demande de son estre, 4435 et cil li dist: "Frans chevaliers, tu es mes sire droituriers; mon seignor vuel feire de toi, et par reison faire le doi, que tu m'as sauvee la vie: 4440 l'ame me fust del cors partie a grief tormant et a martire. Quiex avanture, biax dolz sire, por Deu t'a ci a moi tramis, que des mains a mes anemis 4445 m'as osté par ton vaselage? Sire, je te voel fere homage: toz jorz mes avoec toi irai; con mon seignor te servirai." Erec le vit antalanté 4450 de lui servir a volanté, se il poïst an nule guise, et dist: "Amis, vostre servise ne vuel je pas de vos avoir, mes ce devez vos bien savoir 4455 que je ving ça an vostre aïe por la proiere a vostre amie qu'an ce bois trovai molt dolante; por vos se conplaint et demante et molt en a son cuer dolant. 4460 De vos li vuel fere presant: s'a li rasanblé vos avoie, puis tandroie toz seus ma voie, qu'avoec moi n'an iroiz vos mie; n'ai soing de vostre conpaignie, 4465 mes vostre non savoir desir." * "Sire," fet il, "vostre pleisir. 197that served the giant ill; he struck him so atop the head that he split him right down to the saddlebows; he spilled the guts upon the ground, 4425 and the body fell, stretched out full length, split into two halves. The knight wept for joy, invoked and prayed to God, who had sent him help. 4430 Then Erec untied him, and had him dress and make ready and mount upon one of the horses; he had him lead the other by hand. And Erec asked him about himself, 4435 and he replied: "Noble knight, you are my rightful lord; I wish to make of you my liege, and I rightly must do so, for you have saved my life; 4440 my soul would have been torn from my body * by painful torment and by torture. What good fortune, fair gentle lord, for the love of God, sent you to me here, so that by your prowess 4445 you freed me from the hands of my enemies? My lord, I wish to pay you homage: I shall go with you evermore; I shall serve you as my liege lord." Erec saw that he was eager 4450 to serve him as he might wish, if he could do so in any way, and said: "Friend, I do not want service from you, but you must know 4455 that I came here in your aid at the behest of your lady, whom I found most sorrowful in this wood; because of you she laments and grieves and her heart is very sorrowful. 4460 I wish to make a present of you to her; if I reunited you with her, then I would continue on my way alone, for you will not be going with me; I have no desire for your company, 4465 but I wish to know your name." "My lord," said he, "as you wish. 198Quant vos mon non savoir volez, [18a] ne vos doit pas estre celez, Cadoe de Cabruel ai non; 4470 sachiez qu'ensi m'apele l'on. Mes quant de vos partir m'estuet, savoir voldroie, s'estre puet, qui vos estes et de quel terre, ou vos porrai trover ne querre 4475 ja mes, quant de ci partirai." "Ja ce, amis, ne vos dirai," fet Erec; "ja plus n'an parlez! Mes se vos savoir le volez et moi de rien nule enorer, 4480 dons alez tost sanz demorer a mon seignor le roi Artu, qui ehace a molt tres grant vertu an ceste forest de deça, et, mien escïant, jusque la 4485 n'a mie cinc Hues petites. Alez i tost, et se li dites qu'a lui vos anvoie et presante cil qu'il her soir dedanz sa tante * reçut a joie et herbeija, 4490 et gardez ne li celez ja de quel poinne je ai mis hors et vostre amie et vostre cors. Je sui a la cort molt amez: se de par moi vos reclamez, 4495 servise et enor me feroiz. La, qui je sui demanderoiz: nel pöez savoir autremant." "Sire, vostre comandemant," fet Cadoc, "voel je faire tot. 4500 Ja mar an seroiz an redot que je molt volantiers n'i aille; la verité de la bataille, si con l'avez faite por moi, conterai ge tres bien au roi." 4505 Ensi parlant la voie tindrent 199Since you wish to know my name, I must not keep it from you. My name is Cadoc de Cabruel; 4470 know please that people call me thus. But if I must depart from you, I should like to know, if I may, who you are and from what land, where I may seek and find you 4475 henceforth, when I have left here." "That, friend, I shall never tell you," said Eree; "say no more about it! But if you wish to learn it and honor me in any way, 4480 then go quickly without delay to my lord King Arthur, who is hunting in full force in this forest here, and, to my knowledge, from here to there 4485 is not even five short leagues. Go there quickly, and tell him you are sent to him and presented by one whom, last night, within his tent, he joyfully received and lodged, 4490 and be careful not to conceal from him what trouble I freed you from, your lady and yourself. I am much loved at court; if you mention me, 4495 you will honor and serve me. There, you will ask who I am; you cannot find out otherwise." "My lord," said Cadoc, "I wish to do everything you order. 4500 You need never fear that I will not go there most gladly; I shall carefully tell the king the truth of the combat, just as you fought it for me." 4505 Speaking thus they continued their way 200tant que a la pucele vindrent, la ou Erec lessiee l'ot. La pucele molt s'an esjot, quant son ami revenir voit, 4510 que ja mes veoir ne cuidoit. Erec par la main li presante et dist: "Ne soiez pas dolante, dameisele; veez vos ci tot lié et joiant vostre ami." 4515 Cele respont par grant savoir: "Sire, bien nos devez avoir andeus conquis, et moi et lui; vostre devons estre anbedui, por vos servir et enorer. 4520 Mes qui porroit guerredoner ceste desserte nes demie?" Erec respont: "Ma douce amie, nul guerredon ne vos demant; amedeus a Deu vos comant, 4525 que trop cuit avoir demoré." Lors a son cheval trestorné, si s'an va plus tost que il puet. Cadoc de Cabruel s'esmuet d'autre part, il et sa pucele, 4530 s'a recontee la novele le roi Artus et la reïne. Erec tote voie ne fine de chevalchier a grant esploit la ou Enyde l'atandoit, 4535 qui puis ot eü grant deshet, qu'ele cuidoit tot antreset qu'il l'eüst lessiee del tot Et il restoit an grant redot qu'aucuns ne l'an eüst menee, 4540 qui l'eüst a sa loi tornee, si se hastoit molt del retor. Mes la chalors qu'il ot le jor et les armes tant li greverent que ses plaies li escreverent 4545 et totes ses bandes tranchierent; onques ses plaies n'estanchierent tant que il vint au leu tot droit la ou Enyde l'atandoit. Cele le vit, grant joie en ot, 4550 mes ele n'aparçut ne sot la dolor dom il se plaignoit, car toz ses cors an sane baignoit et li cuers faillant li aloit. A un tertre qu'il avaloit, 4555 cheï toz a un fes a val 201until they came to the maiden, where Erec had left her. The maiden greatly rejoiced when she saw her lover returning, 4510 for she had thought never to see him again. By the hand Erec presented him to her, and said: "Do not be sorrowful, damsel; see here your lover, happy and joyful." 4515 She replied, full of good sense: "My lord, we must consider that you have won us both, myself and him; we must both be yours, to serve and honor you. 4520 But who could requite this service even halfway?" Erec replied: "My fair friend, I ask no recompense of you; I commend you both to God, 4525 for I fear I have tarried too long." Then he turned his horse about and rode off as fast as he could. Cadoc de Cabruel set off in the other direction, he and his maiden, 4530 and recounted the news to King Arthur and the queen. Erec meanwhile kept on riding at a great pace, back to where Enide was waiting for him; 4535 she had, meanwhile, felt great sorrow, for she believed without a doubt that he had quite abandoned her. And he in turn was sore afraid that someone might have led her off, 4540 who would have made her do his will, and so he hastened to return. But the heat of the day and his armor made him suffer so that his wounds reopened 4545 and all his dressings came apart; his wounds never stopped bleeding until he came straight to the place where Enide was waiting for him. She saw him; this gave her great joy, 4550 but she was not aware of the pain from which he suffered, for his whole body was bathed in blood and his heart was failing him. As he was coming down a knoll, 4555 he fell down all at once 202jusque sor le col del cheval; si com il relever cuida, la sele et les arçons vuida, et chiet pasmez con s'il fust morz. 4560 Lors comança li diax si forz, qant Enyde cheü le vit: molt li poise quant ele vit, et cort vers lui si come cele qui sa dolor mie ne cele. 4565 An haut s'escrie et tort ses poinz; [18c] de robe ne li remest poinz devant le piz a dessirier; ses chevox prist a arachier et sa tandre face desire. 4570 "Ha! Dex," fet ele, "biax dolz sire, por coi me leisses tu tant vivre? Morz, car m'oci, si t'an delivre!" A cest mot sor le cors se pasme; au revenir formant se blasme: 4575 "Ha!" fet ele, "dolante Enyde, de mon seignor sui omecide! Par ma folie l'ai ocis: ancor fust or mes sires vis, se ge, come outrageuse et fole, 4580 n'eüsse dite la parole por coi mes sires ça s'esmut. Ainz boens teisirs home ne nut, * mes parlers nuist mainte foiee: ceste chose ai bien essaiee 4585 et esprovee an mainte guise." Devant son seignor s'est assise, et met sor ses genouz son chief; son duel comance de rechief: "Haï! sire, con mar i fus! 4590 A toi ne s'apareilloit nus, qu'an toi s'estoit Biautez miree, Proesce s'i ert esprovee, Savoirs t'avoit son cuer doné, Largesce t'avoit coroné, 4595 cele sanz cui nus n'a grant pris. Mes qu'ai ge dit? Trop ai mespris, qui la parole ai manteüe don mes sire a mort receüe, la mortel parole antoschiee 4600 qui me doit estre reprochiee, et je requenuis et otroi que nus n'i a corpes fors moi; 203upon the neck of his horse; as he tried to get up again, he toppled from the saddle and fell unconscious as though dead. 4560 Then began great sorrowing, when Enide saw him fallen: it pained her greatly that she lived, and she ran toward him like one who makes no attempt to hide her grief. 4565 She cried aloud and wrung her hands; upon her breast no portion of her clothes remained unrent; she began to tear her hair and to rend her tender face. 4570 "Oh, God!" said she, "fair sweet lord, why do you let me live so long? Death, come kill me, get on with it!" With these words she fainted upon the body; when she revived she blamed herself severely: 4575 "Ah!" said she, "sorrowful Enide, I am the murderess of my lord! I have killed him by my folly; my lord would still be alive, if I, like one both rash and mad, 4580 had not spoken the words that caused my lord to come here. A good silence never harmed anyone, but speaking oftentimes causes harm: I have truly found this out 4585 by experience, in many a way." She sat down before her lord and put his head upon her knees; her sorrow she began anew: "Oh, my lord, what misfortune for you! 4590 No other was your equal, for Beauty was mirrored in you, Prowess manifested itself in you, Wisdom had given its heart to you, Generosity had crowned you, 4595 she without whom no one has great renown. But what have I said? I have too gravely erred, mentioning the very words that have caused my lord's death, the fatal, poisonous words 4600 with which I must be reproached, and I acknowledge and concede that no one is guilty in this but me; 204je seule an doi estre blasmee." Lors rechiet a terre pasmee, 4605 et quant ele releva sus, si se rescrie plus et plus: "Dex! que ferai? Por coi vif tant? La Morz que demore, qu'atant, qui ne me prant sanz nul respit? [18d] 4610 Trop m'a la Morz an grant despit, quant ele ocirre ne me daigne; moi meïsmes estuet que praigne la vangence de mon forfait: ensi morrai, mau gré en ait 4615 la Morz qui ne me vialt haidier. Ne puis morir por souhaidier, ne rien ne m'i vaudroit conplainte: l'espee que mes sire a ceinte doit par reison sa mort vangier. 4620 Ja n'an serai mes an dongier, n'an proiere ne an souhait." L'espee hors del fuerre atrait, si la comance a esgarder, Dex la fet un petit tarder, 4625 qui plains est de misericorde. Andemantiers qu'ele recorde son duel et sa mesavanture, a tant ez vos grant aleüre un conte o grant chevalerie, 4630 qui molt de loing avoit oïe la dame a haute voiz crïer. Dex ne la vost pas oblïer, que maintenant se fust ocise, se cil ne l'eüssent sorprise, 4635 qui li ont l'espee tolue et arriers el fuerre anbatue. Puis descendi li cuens a terre, si li comança a enquerre del chevalier, qu'ele li die 4640 s'ele estoit sa fame ou s'amie. "L'un et l'autre," fet ele, "sire; * tel duel ai ne vos sai que dire, mes moi poise quant ne sui morte." Et li cuens molt la reconforte: 4645 "Dame," fet il, "por Deu vos pri, de vos meïsme aiez merci! Bien est reisons que duel aiez, mes por neant vos esmaiez, qu'ancor porroiz asez valoir. 4650 Ne vos metez an nonchaloir; 205I alone must be blamed for it." Then fainting she fell back upon the ground, 4605 and when she raised up again she cried out more and more: "God! What shall I do? Why do I live so long? Why does Death tarry, what is it waiting for, that it does not take me without delay? 4610 Death holds me in too great contempt, since it does not deign to kill me; I myself must take the vengeance for my terrible crime: so I shall die, despite Death, 4615 who does not wish to help me. I cannot die by wishing, nor would laments be of any use to me; the sword that my lord girded on must by right avenge his death. 4620 No more shall I be in Death's power, nor plead or wish for it." She drew the sword from the scabbard and began to look at it; God, who is full of mercy, 4625 caused her to delay a little. While she was recalling her sorrow and her misfortune, there came with great speed a count with a great troop of knights, 4630 who from afar had heard the lady crying aloud. God did not wish to abandon her, for she would have killed herself at once, had they not surprised her, 4635 taken the sword from her and shoved it back into the scabbard. Then the count dismounted and began to question her about the knight, that she might tell him 4640 whether she was his wife or his lover. "The one and the other, my lord," said she; "my grief is such, I know not what to tell you, but it pains me deeply that I am not dead." And the count did much to comfort her: 4645 "My lady," said he, "for God's sake I beg you, have mercy on yourself! It is only right that you should feel grief, but you distress yourself for naught, for you can still achieve high station. 4650 Do not despair, 206confortez vos, ce sera sans: Dex vos fera liee par tans. Vostre biautez, qui tant est fine, [18e] bone avanture vos destine, 4655 que je vos recevrai a fame; de vos ferai contesse et dame: ce vos doit molt reconforter. Et g'en ferai le cors porter, s'iert mis an terre a grant enor. 4660 Lessiez ester vostre dolor, que folemant vos deduiez." Cele respont: "Sire, fuiez! Por Deu merci, lessiez m'ester! Ne poez ci rien conquester; 4665 rien qu'an poi'st dire ne faire ne me porroit a joie atraire." A tant se trest li cuens arriere et dist: "Feisons tost une biere sor coi le cors an porterons, 4670 et avoec la dame an manrons tot droit au chastel de Limors. La sera anfoi'z li cors; puis voldrai la dame esposer, mes que bien li doie peser, 4675 que onques tant bele ne vi ne dame mes tant ne covi. Molt sui liez quant trovee l'ai! Or feisons tost et sanz delai une biere chevaleresce; 4680 ne vos soit poinne ne peresce!" * Li auquant traient les espees; tost orent deus perches colpees et bastons liez a travers. Erec ont mis sus tot anvers, 4685 s'i ont deus chevax atelez, Enyde chevauchoit delez, qui de son duel fere ne fine. Sovant se pasme et chiet sovine; li chevalier qui la menoient 4690 antre lor braz la retenoient, si la relievent et confortent. Jusqu'a Limors le cors an portent et mainnent el palés le conte. Toz li pueples aprés aus monte: 4695 dames, chevalier et boijois. En mi la sale, sor un dois, ont le cors mis et estandu, [18f] lez lui sa lance et son escu. 207console yourself, that will be sensible; God will soon make you happy again. Your beauty, which is so fine, destines you for good fortune, 4655 for I shall take you as my wife; I shall make you my countess and my lady; this must give you much comfort. And I shall have the body borne away, and it will be interred with great honor. 4660 Now leave off your grieving, for you are behaving senselessly." She replied: "Sir, begone! For God's sake, let me be! You can gain nothing here; 4665 nothing one might say or do could bring me back to joy." Then the count drew back and said; "Let us make a stretcher on which we will bear away the body, 4670 and we'll take along the lady, straight to the castle of Limors. There the body will be buried; then I shall want to marry the lady, even though it may grieve her, 4675 for I never saw one so beautiful nor desired any lady so much. I'm very glad I found her! Now quickly and without delay let's make a horse-borne litter; 4680 let there be no trouble nor laziness!" Some of them drew their swords; soon they had cut two poles and tied sticks across them. They laid Erec upon this on his back, 4685 and attached two horses to it. Enide rode beside; she did not cease her grieving. Often she fainted and fell backwards; the knights who were escorting her 4690 supported her in their arms, and lifted her up and consoled her. They bore the body away to Limors and took it into the count's palace. All the people followed after them: 4695 ladies, knights, and burghers. In the middle of the great hall, on a table, they placed the body and laid it out, his shield and lance beside him. 208La sale anpli; granz est la presse: 4700 chascuns de demander s'angresse quiex diax ce est et quiex mervoille. Andemantiers li cuens consoille a ses barons priveemant: "Seignor," fet il, "isnelemant 4705 voel ceste dame recevoir. Nos poons bien aparcevoir, a ce qu'ele est et bele et sage, qu'ele est de molt gentil lignage; sa biautez mostre et sa franchise 4710 qu'an li seroit bien l'enors mise ou d'un rëaume, ou d'un empire. Je ne serai ja de li pire; ein5ois an cuit molt amander. Fetes mon chapelain mander, 4715 et vos, alez la dame querre: la mitié de tote ma terre li voldrai doner an doaire, s'ele vialt ma volanté faire." Lors ont le chapelain mande, 4720 si con li cuens l'ot comandé, et la dame ront amenee si li ont a force donee, car ele molt le refusa, mes totevoies l'esposa 4725 li cuens, qu'ainsi fere li plot. Et quant il esposee l'ot, tot maintenant li conestables fist el palés metre les tables et fist le mangier aprester, 4730 car tans estoit ja de soper. Apres vespres, un jor de mai, estoit Enyde an grant esmai: onques ses diax ne recessoit, et li cuens auques l'angressoit, 4735 par proiere et par menacier, de pes fere et d'esleescier. Et si l'ont sor un faudestuel feite aseoir, outre son vuel; vousist ou non, l'i ont asise 4740 et devant li la table mise. D'autre part est li cuens asis, [19a] qui par un po n'anrage vis, quant reconforter ne la puet: "Dame," fet il, "il vos estuet 4745 cest duel lessier et oblïer. 209The hall filled up; great was the press: 4700 everyone was pushing to inquire what grief this was and what a source of wonder. Meanwhile the count conferred privately with his barons: "Lords," said he, "I wish 4705 speedily to receive this lady. We can easily see, from both her beauty and her manner, that she is of very noble lineage; her beauty and her nobility show 4710 that the honor of a kingdom or of an empire would be well placed in her. I shall never be lessened through her; rather I think to better myself. Have my chaplain summoned, 4715 and you, go and get the lady: half of all my land I wish to give her as a dowry if she consents to do my will." Then they summoned the chaplain, 4720 just as the count had ordered, and in turn they brought the lady and gave her to him by force, for she vigorously refused him, but nonetheless the count 4725 married her, since such was his desire. And when he had married her, the constable immediately had the tables set in the palace and had the food prepared, 4730 for it was already time for the evening meal. After vespers, that day in May, Enide was greatly dismayed: never did her grief cease, and the count pressed her somewhat, 4735 with prayers and with threats, to make her peace and cheer up. And upon a faldstool * they made her sit, against her will; whether she wished it or no, they seated her there 4740 and set up the table in front of her. Across firom her sat the count, who was close to going mad because he could not console her: "My lady," said he, "you must 4745 leave off and forget this grieving. 210Molt vos pöez an moi fïer d'enor et de richesce avoir. Certainnemant pöez savoir que por duel nul morz ne revit, 4750 n'onques nus avenir nel vit. Sovaigne vos de quel poverte vos est granz richesce aoverte: povre estïez, or estes riche; n'est pas Fortune vers vos chiche, 4755 qui tel enor vos a donee c'or seroiz contesse clamee. Voirs est que morz est vostre sire; se vos en avez duel et ire, cuidiez vos que je m'an mervoil? 4760 Nenil. Mes ge vos doing consoil, le meillor que doner vos sai: quant je espousee vos ai, molt vos devez esleescier. Gardez vos de moi correcier; 4765 mangiez, quant je vos an semoing!" "Sire," fet ele, "n'en ai soing. Certes ja tant con je vivrai, * ne mangerai ne ne bevrai, se ge ne voi mangier einçois 4770 mon seignor, qui gist sor ce dois." "Dame, ce ne puet avenir. Por fole vos fetes tenir, quant vos si grant folie dites; vos en avroiz males merites, 4775 s'ui mes vos an fetes semondre." Cele ne li vialt mot respondre, car rien ne prisoit sa menace. Et li cuens la fiert an la face; ele s'escrie, et li baron 4780 an blasment le conte an viron: "Ostez, sire!" font il au conte. "Molt devreiez avoir grant honte, qui ceste dame avez ferue por ce que ele ne manjue. 4785 Trop grant vilenie avez feite: [19b] se ceste dame se desheite por son seignor qu'ele voit mort, nus ne doit dire qu'ele ait tort." "Teisiez vos an tuit!" fet li cuens. 4790 "La dame est moie et je sui suens, si ferai de li mon pleisir." 211You can have complete confidence in me to bring you wealth and honor. You may know for certain that grief does not make a dead man live anew, 4750 nor did anyone ever see it happen. Remember from what poverty great wealth is opened up to you: you were poor, and now you're rich; Fortune is not stingy with you, 4755 since she has given you such honor that now you will be called 'Countess.' It is true that your lord is dead; if you feel grief and sorrow at this, do you think I am astonished? 4760 Not at all. But I give you this advice, the best that I can give you: since I have married you, you should greatly rejoice. Beware not to anger me; 4765 eat, since I invite you to!" "Sir," said she, "I do not care to. Truly, as long as I shall live, I shall neither eat nor drink if I do not first see my lord eat, 4770 who is lying on that table." "My lady, that cannot be. You will be considered mad when you speak so foolishly; you will be ill rewarded 4775 if you need to be warned again today." She said not a word in reply, for she put no value on his threat. And the count struck her on the face; she cried out, and the barons 4780 around the count rebuked him: "Hold, sire!" they said to the count. "You should be deeply ashamed of striking this lady because she does not eat. 4785 You have committed a very great villainy: if this lady laments for her lord whom she sees dead, none should say she is wrong." "Be silent, all of you!" said the count. 4790 "The lady is mine and I am hers, and I shall do with her as I will." 212Lors ne se pot cele teisir, einz jure que ja soe n'iert, et li cuens hauce, si refiert, 4795 et cele s'escria an haut: "Ahi!" fet ele, "ne me chaut que tu me dïes ne ne faces: ne criem tes cos ne tes menaces. Asez me bat, asez me fier: 4800 ja tant ne te troverai fier que por toi face plus ne mains, se tu or androit a tes mains me devoies les ialz sachier ou tote vive detranchier!" 4805 Antre ces diz et ces tançons revint Erec de pasmeisons, ausi con li hom qui s'esvoille. * S'il s'esbahi, ne fu mervoille, des genz qu'il vit an viron lui, 4810 mes grant duel a et grant enui quant la voiz sa fame antandi. Del dois a terre descendi et trait l'espee isnelemant: ire li done hardemant, 4815 et Famors qu'an sa fame avoit. Cele part cort ou il la voit et fiert par mi le chief le conte si qu'il l'escervele et esfronte sanz desfïance et sanz parole: 4820 li sans et la cervele an vole. Li chevalier saillent des tables: tuit cuident que ce soit deables qui leanz soit antr'ax venuz. N'i remaint juenes ne chenuz, 4825 car molt furent esmaié tuit. Li uns devant l'autre s'an fuit quanqu'il pueent a grant eslais; * tost orent voidié le palés, et dïent tuit, et foible et fort: [19c] 4830 "Fuiez! Fuiez! Veez le mort!" Molt est granz la presse a Tissue: chascuns de tost foïr s'argüe; li uns l'autre anpoint et debote. Cil qui derriers ert an la rote 4835 volsist estre el premerain front; ensi trestuit fuiant s'an vont, que li uns n'ose l'autre atandre. Erec corrut son escu prandre; par la guige a son col le pant, 213Then she could keep silent no more, but swore that she would never be his, and the count raised his hand and struck again, 4795 and she cried out loudly: "Ha!" said she, "I don't care what you say or do to me: I fear neither your blows nor your threats. Beat me, strike me, go ahead: 4800 I'll never find you so fearsome that I'll do any more or less for you, even if right now with your own hands you were to tear out my eyes or skin me alive!" 4805 In the midst of this talking and quarreling Erec regained consciousness, like a man who awakes from sleep. If he was astonished at the people he saw around him, it was no wonder, 4810 but he felt deep grief and anguish when he heard his wife's voice. He got down from the table and quickly drew his sword: wrath made him bold, 4815 and the love he bore for his wife. * He ran to where he saw her and struck the count atop the head, so that he sliced through his brains and his brow, without challenge and without a word: 4820 the blood and the brains flew out. The knights jumped up from the tables; everyone believed it was a devil that had come among them there. Neither young nor old remained, 4825 for all were deeply frightened. One before the other they fled as fast as they could go, full speed; they had soon emptied the palace, and everyone said, both weak and strong: 4830 "Away! Away! The dead man!" The press at the door was great indeed: each one rushed to flee; they struck and shoved each other aside. He who was at the back of the crowd 4835 wanted to be in the first row; thus they all ran off, for one dared not await the other. Erec ran to take his shield; he slung it round his neck by the guige, 214 4840 et Enyde la lance prant si s'an vienent par mi la cort. N'i a si hardi qui lor tort, car ne cuidoient pas qu'il fust nus horn, qui chacier les deüst, 4845 mes deables ou enemis, qui dedanz le cors se fust mis. Tuit s'an fuient; Erec les chace, et trova hors en mi la place un gargon, qui voloit mener 4850 son cheval a l'aigue abevrer, atorne de frain et de sele. Ceste avanture li fu bele: Erec vers le cheval s'esleisse, et cil tot maintenant le leisse, 4855 car peor ot grant li garçons. Erec monte antre les arçons, puis se prant Enide a Festrier et saut sor le col del destrier, si con li comanda et dist 4860 Erec, qui sus monter la fist. Li chevax andeus les an porte; il truevent overte la porte, si s'an vont, que nus nes areste. El chastel avoit grant moleste 4865 del conte qui estoit ocis, mes n'i ot nul, tant fust de pris, qui voist aprés por le vangier. Ocis fu li cuens au mangier, et Erec, qui sa fame an porte, 4870 l'acole et beise et reconforte; antre ses braz contre son cuer l'estraint, et dit: "Ma dolce suer, bien vos ai de tot essaiee. [19d] Or ne soiez plus esmaiee, 4875 c'or vos aim plus qu'ainz mes ne fis, et je resui certains et fis que vos m'amez parfitemant. Or voel estre d'or en avant, ausi con j'estoie devant, 4880 tot a vostre comandemant; et se vos rien m'avez mesdit, je le vos pardoing tot et quit del forfet et de la parole." Adons la rebeise et acole. 4885 Or n'est pas Enyde a maleise, 215 4840 and Enide took the lance * and they came through the middle of the courtyard. There was none so bold as to turn to them, for they did not believe that there was any man who was pursuing them, 4845 but a devil or a demon that had gotten into the body. Everyone fled; Erec pursued them, and outside, in the middle of the square, he found a boy, who was about to lead 4850 his horse to drink at the water, saddle and bridle all in place. This was a fine chance for Erec: he rushed toward the horse, and the boy let go of it without delay, 4855 for he was extremely frightened. Erec got into the saddle; then Enide put her foot to the stirrup and jumped up to the neck of the charger, just as Erec, who had her get on, 4860 instructed her to do. The horse bore them both away; they found the gate open and away they went, for no one stopped them. In the casde there was great vexation 4865 because of the count who had been killed, but there was no one, of whatever renown, who would follow to avenge him. * The count was slain at table, and Erec, bearing his wife away, 4870 embraced and kissed and comforted her, in his arms, against his heart, he held her tightly and said: "My sweet sister, I have tested you well in every way. Now be no more dismayed, 4875 for now I love you more than ever I did, and I am once more certain and convinced that you love me completely. Now I want to be henceforth just as I was before, 4880 entirely at your command; and if your words offended me, I fully pardon and forgive you for both the deed and the word." Then he kissed and embraced her anew. 4885 Now Enide suffered no more 216quant ses sires l'acole et beise et de s'amor la raseüre. Par nuit s'an vont grant aleüre, et ce lor fet grant soatume 4890 que la lune cler lor alume. Tost est alee la novele, que riens nule n'est si isnele. Ceste novele ert ja alee a Guivret, et li fu contee 4895 c'uns chevaliers d'armes navrez ert morz an la forest trovez, o lui une dame tant bele, si oel sanbloient estancele, * et feisoit un duel mervelleus. 4900 Trovez les avoit anbedeus li cuens Oringles de Limors, s'an avoit fet porter le cors et la dame espouser voloit, mes ele le contredisoit. 4905 Quant Guivrez la novele oï, de rien nule ne s'esjoï, qu'araumant d'Erec li sovint; an cuer et an panser li vint que il iroit la dame querre, 4910 et feroit le cors metre an terre a grant enor, se ce est il. Sergenz et chevaliers ot mil asanblez por le chastel prandre: se li cuens ne li volsist randre 4915 volantiers le cors et la dame, tot meïst an feu et an flame. A la lune, qui cler luisoit, [19e] ses genz vers Lymors conduisoit, hiaumes laciez, haubers vestuz, 4920 et les escuz as cos panduz, et si venoient armé tuit. Et fu ja pres de mie nuit quant Erec les a parceüz: or cuide il estre deceüz 4925 ou morz ou pris sanz retenal. * Descendre a fet de son cheval Enyde delez une haie; n'est pas mervoille s'il s'esmaie: "Remenez ci, dame," fet il, 4930 "un petit delez ce santil, 217as her lord embraced and kissed her and reassured her of his love. Through the night they rode swiftly on, and it gave them much sweetness 4890 that the moon shone brightly upon them. The news went quickly, for nothing else is so swift. This news had already reached Guivret, for it was recounted to him 4895 that a knight, wounded in combat, had been found dead in the forest, and with him a lady so beautiful that her eyes were like sparks, and she was showing wondrous grief. 4900 The count Oringle de Limors had found them both, and had had the body borne away, and he desired to marry the lady, but she refused him. 4905 When Guivret heard the news, he rejoiced not at all, for he promptly recalled Erec; it came to him in heart and mind that he would go and seek the lady, 4910 and have the body interred with great honor, if it was he. A thousand men-at-arms and knights he had assembled to take the castle; if the count would not willingly 4915 yield the body and the lady, he would set everything ablaze. By the clear light of the moon he led his people toward Limors; with helmets laced, in hauberks clad, 4920 and with shields slung about their necks, thus armored they all came. It was already near to midnight when Erec caught sight of them: then he believed himself betrayed, 4925 or dead or captured without possible rescue. He had Enide dismount beside a hedge; it is no wonder if he was alarmed: "Stay here, my lady," said he, 4930 "a little while beside this path, 218tant que ces genz trespassé soient: je n'ai cure que il nos voient, car je ne sai quex genz ce sont ne quel chose querant il vont. 4935 Espoir nos n'avons d'ax regart, mes je ne voi de nule part nul leu ou nos puissiens reduire s'il nos voloient de rien nuire. Ne sai se max m'an avandra; 4940 ja por peor ne remandra que a l'ancontre ne lor aille, et s'il i a nul qui m'asaille, de joster ne li faudrai pas. Si sui je molt duillanz et las; 4945 n'est mervoille se je me duel. Droit a l'ancontre aler lor vuel, et vos soiez ci tote coie; gardez que nus d'ax ne vos voie, tant qu'il vos aient esloigniee." 4950 A tant ez vos lance beissiee Guivret, qui l'ot de loing veü; ne se sont pas reconeü, qu'an l'onbre d'une nue brune s'estoit esconsee la lune. 4955 Erec fu foibles et quassez, et cil fu auques respassez de ses plaies et de ses cos. Or fera Erec trop que fos, se tost conuistre ne se fet. 4960 An sus de la haie se tret, et Guivrez vers lui esperone; [19f] de rien nule ne l'areisone, ne Erec ne li sona mot. Plus cuida fere qu'il ne pot: 4965 qui plus vialt fere qu'il ne puet, recroirre ou reposer l'estuet. Li uns ancontre l'autre joste, mes ne fu pas igaus la joste, que cil fu foibles et cil forz. 4970 Guivrez le fiert par tel esforz que par la crope del cheval l'an porte a terre contre val. Enyde, qui tapie estoit, quant son seignor a terre voit, 4975 morte cuide estre et mal baillie: hors de la haie estoit saillie, et cort por aidier son seignor. S'onques ot duel, lors l'ot graignor. 219until these people have passed by; I do not care to have them see us, for I know not what people they are nor what it is they seek. 4935 Perhaps we need not fear them, but I do not see in any direction any place where we might take refuge if they wanted to harm us in any way. I know not whether harm will befall me; 4940 but fear will never prevent me from going to meet them, and if any one of them attacks me, I shall not fail to joust with him. Yet I am in great pain and very weary; 4945 it is no wonder that I am suffering. I want to go straight to meet them, and you, keep very still here; take care that none of them sees you till they have left you far behind." 4950 Then came Guivret, with lowered lance, who had seen him from afar; they did not recognize each other, for the moon had hid itself in the shadow of a dark cloud. 4955 Erec was weak and wounded, but Guivret was somewhat recovered from his wounds and from his blows. Now Erec will act very foolishly if he does not soon make himself known. 4960 He drew away from the hedge, and Guivret spurred toward him; he did not speak to him at all, nor did Erec say a word to him. He thought he could do more than he could: 4965 he who wants to do more than he is able must admit defeat or retire. They jousted one against the other, but the joust was not even, for one was weak and one was strong. 4970 Guivret struck him with such force that over the horse's croup he bore him to the ground. Enide, who was hidden, when she saw her lord upon the ground, 4975 thought herself dead and done for, she leapt out of the hedge and ran to help her lord. If ever she felt grief, now was it greater. 220Vers Guivret vient, si le seisist 4980 par la resne, lors si li dist: "Chevaliers, maudiz soies tu, c'un home seul et sanz vertu, dolant et pres navré a mort as anvai' a si grant tort 4985 que tu ne sez dire por coi! Se ci n'eüst ore fors toi, que seus fusses et sanz aïe, mar fust feite ceste anvaïe, mes que mes sires fust heitiez! 4990 Or soies frans et afeitiez, si lesse ester par ta franchise ceste bataille qu'as anprise, que ja n'an valdroit mialz tes pris se tu avoies morz ou pris 4995 un chevalier qui n'a pooir de relever—ce puez veoir, car d'armes a tant cos soferz que toz est de plaies coverz." Cil respont: "Dame, ne tamez. 5000 Bien voi que lëaumant amez vostre seignor, si vos an lo; n'aiez garde, ne bien ne po, de moi ne de ma conpaignie. Mes dites moi, nel celez mie, 5005 comant vostre sires a non, [20a] que ja n'i avroiz se preu non. Qui que il soit, si le me dites, puis s'an ira seürs et quites; n'estuet doter ne vos ne lui, 5010 qu 'a seiir estes anbedui." Quant Enyde aseiirer s'ot, briémant li respont a un mot: "Erec a non, mantir n'an doi, car de bon ere et franc vos voi." 5015 Guivrez descent, qui molt fu liez, et vet Erec cheoir as piez la ou il gisoit a la terre: "Sire, je vos aloie querre," fet il, "a Lymors droite voie, 5020 car mort trover vos i cuidoie. Por voir m'estoit dit et conté qu'a Lymors en avoit port6 un chevalier a armes mort li cuens Oringles, et a tort 5025 une dame esposer voloit qu'ansanble o lui trovee avoit, 221Towards Guivret she came, seized 4980 his reins, and said to him: "Knight, cursed be you, for you have attacked a man who is alone and powerless, in pain and wounded near to death, 4985 so wrongfully that you cannot say why! * If no one but you were here now, and you were alone and without help, this attack would be ill made, provided my lord were in good health. 4990 Now be generous and noble, and in your generosity abandon this combat that you have begun, for your esteem would never improve for having killed or captured 4995 a knight who had not the strength to get up—you can see this, for he has suffered so many blows that he is all covered with wounds." He replied: "My lady, fear not. 5000 I clearly see that you loyally love your lord, and I praise you for it; you need not be on your guard at all, towards me or towards my company. But tell me, do not conceal it, 5005 the name of your lord, for you can only gain thereby. Whoever he may be, tell it to me, then he will go surely and freely on his way; neither you nor he need fear, 5010 for you are both safe." When Enide heard herself reassured, she replied briefly, in a word: "His name is Erec, I must not lie, for I see you are well-born and noble." 5015 Guivret dismounted, full of joy, and threw himself at Erec's feet where he was lying on the ground: "My lord, I was on my way to seek you," said he, "straight toward Limors, 5020 for I thought to find you dead. It was recounted to me as the truth that Count Oringle had taken to Limors a knight, who had been killed in combat, and that he wanted wrongfully 5025 to marry a lady whom he had found with him, 222mes ele n'avoit de lui soing Et je venoie a grant besoing por li aidier et delivrer: 5030 se il ne me volsist livrer la dame et vos sanz contredit, je me prisasse molt petit s'un pié de terre li lessasse. Sachiez, se molt ne vos amasse, 5035 que ja ne m'an fusse antremis. Je sui Guivrez, li vostre amis, mes se je vos ai fet enui por ce que je ne vos conui, pardoner bien le me devez." 5040 A cest mot s'est Erec levez an son seant, qu'il ne pot plus, et dit: "Amis, relevez sus! De cest forfet quites soiez, quant vos ne me conoissoiez." 5045 Guivrez se lieve, et il li conte comant il a ocis le conte la ou il seoit a la table, et comant devant une estable avoit recovré son destrier, [20b] 5050 comant sergent et chevalier fuiant crioient an la place: "Fuiez! Fuiez! Li morz nos chace!"; comant il dut estre antrapez et comant il est eschapez 5055 parmi le tertre contre val; * comant sor le col del cheval an avoit sa fame aportee: s'avanture li a contee. Et Guivrez li redist aprés: 5060 "Sire, j'ai un chastel ci pres qui molt siet bien et an biau leu. Por vostre aise et por vostre preu vos i voldrai demain mener, s'i ferons voz plaies sener. 5065 J'ai deus serors gentes et gaies, qui molt sevent de garir plaies; celes vos garront bien et tost. Enuit ferons logier nostre ost jusqu'au matin par mi ces chans, 223but she cared not for him. And I was coming in great haste to help and deliver her: 5030 if he refused to yield freely the lady and yourself to me, I would have held myself in low esteem if I had left him a foot of ground. Be assured that, if I did not greatly love you, 5035 I should never have been concerned with this. I am Guivret, your friend, and if I caused you harm because I did not recognize you, you must indeed forgive me." 5040 At these words Erec sat up, for he could do no more, and said: "Friend, get up! You are forgiven for this injury, since you did not recognize me." 5045 Guivret arose, and Erec told him how he had slain the count where he was seated at the table, and how he had recovered his charger in front of a stable; 5050 how men-at-arms and knights fled shouting across the square: "Away! Away! The dead man is after us!"; how he should have been caught and how he had escaped 5055 across the hill and down the slope; how he had borne his wife away upon the horse's neck: he recounted his adventure. And afterwards Guivret said to him: 5060 "My lord, I have a castle near here that is well situated and in a fine place. For your comfort and for your benefit I wish to take you there tomorrow, and we shall have your wounds taken care of. 5065 I have two sisters, charming and gay, who know much about healing wounds; they will heal you well and speedily. We will have our troops spend the rest of the night amid these fields, 224 5070 car grant bien vos fera, ce pans, enuit un petit de repos: ci nos loigerons par mon los." Erec respont: "Ce relo gié." Iluec sont remés et logie. 5075 Ne furent pas de loigier quoi, mes petit troverent de quoi, car il n'i avoit pas po gent; par ces haies se vont loigent. Guivrez fist son pavellon tandre 5080 et comande une aesche esprandre por alumer et clarté feire; des cofres fet les cierges treire si les alument par la tante. Or n'est pas Enyde dolante, 5085 car molt bien avenu li est. Son seignor desarme et desvest, si li a ses plaies lavees, ressuiees et rebandees, car n'i leissa autrui tochier. 5090 Or ne li set que reprochier Erec, qui bien l'a esprovee: vers li a grant amor trovee. Et Guivrez molt le reconjot: de coutes porpointes qu'il ot 5095 fist un lit feire haut et lone, qu'asez i avoit herbe et jonc; s'ont Erec couchié et covert. Et puis li ont un cofre overt s'an fist hors traire trois pastez. 5100 "Amis," fet il, "or an tastez un petit de ces pastez froiz. Vin a eve meslé bevroiz: j'en ai de boen set barrilz plains, mes li purs ne vos est pas sains, 5105 car bleciez estes et plaiez. Biax dolz amis, or essaiez a mangier, que bien vos fera, et ma dame ausi mangera, vostre fame, qui molt a hui 5110 por vos esté an grant enui. Mes bien vos en estes vangiez: eschapez estes; or mangiez, et je mangerai, biax amis." Delez lui s'est Erec assis 5115 et Enyde, cui molt pleisoit trestot quanque Guivrez feisoit. Andui de mangier le semonent; vin et eve boivre li donent, car li purs li estoit trop rades. 225 5070 because a bit of rest, I believe, will do you much good this night: here we will take lodging, by my counsel." Erec replied: "I too advise this." There they stayed and took lodging. 5075 They were not hesitant about it, but they found little to their purpose, for there were not just a few people; in the hedges there they took their lodging. Guivret had his pavilion set up 5080 and ordered a wick to be set afire to make it light and bright; from the chests he had the tapers drawn and they lighted them within the tent. Now Enide was not sorrowful, 5085 for things had turned out well for her. She disarmed and disrobed her lord, and washed his wounds for him, wiped them and rebandaged them, for she let no one else touch them. 5090 Now Erec, who had come to know her thoroughly," could find nothing to reproach her with: he had come to feel great love for her. And Guivret in turn took excellent care of him: with embroidered quilts 5095 he had a bed made, high and long, for there was plenty of grass and rushes; they lay Erec down and covered him. Then they opened a chest for Guivret and he had three pâtés drawn forth. 5100 "Friend," said he, "now taste a bit of these cold pâtés. You will drink wine mixed with water: I have seven barrels full of good wine, but pure wine would not be good for you, 5105 for you are injured and wounded. Fair sweet friend, now try to eat, for it will do you good, and my lady, your wife, will eat as well, for today 5110 she has suffered greatly because of you. But you have avenged yourself well: you have escaped; now eat, and I too shall eat, fair friend." Erec sat down beside him, 5115 as did Enide, who was greatly pleased by everything that Guivret did. Both of them urged Erec to eat; they gave him wine and water to drink, for pure wine was too strong for him. 226 5120 Erec manja come malades et but petit, que il n'osa, mes a grant eise reposa et dormi trestote la nuit, qu'an ne li fist noise ne bruit. 5125 Au matinet sont esvellié si resont tuit aparellié de monter et de chevauchier. Erec ot molt son cheval chier, que d'autre chevalchier n'ot cure. * 5130 Enyde ont bailliee une mure, qui perdu ot son palefroi, mes n'an fu pas an grant esfroi; onques n'i pansa par sanblant: bele mule ot et bien anblant 5135 qui a grant eise la porta. Et ce molt la reconforta qu'Erec ne s'esmaioit de rien, einz li disoit qu'il garroit bien. A Pointurie, un fort chastel, 5140 qui seoit molt bien et molt bel, vindrent ainçois tierce de jor. La demorerent a sejor les serors Guivret anbedeus, por ce que biax estoit li leus. 5145 An une chanbre delitable, loing de noise et bien essorable, en a Guivrez Erec mené; a lui garir ont molt pené ses serors, que il an pria. 5150 Erec an eles se fia, car celes molt l'aseürerent. Premiers la morte char osterent, puis mistrent sus an trait et tante; a lui garir ont grant antante, 5155 et celes, qui molt an savoient, sovant ses plaies li lavoient et remetoient l'antrait sus. Chascun jor catre foiz ou plus le feisoient mangier et boivre, 5160 sel gardoient d'ail et de poivre. Mes qui qu'alast ne anz ne hors, toz jorz estoit devant son cors Enyde, cui plus an tenoit. Guivrez sovant leanz venoit 5165 por demander et por savoir s'il voloit nule rien avoir. Bien fu gardez et bien serviz, car ne fu pas faite a enviz rien nule qui li fust mestiers, 227 5120 Erec ate like a sick man and drank little, for he dared not, but he rested very comfortably and slept the whole night through, for the others made no sound or noise. 5125 They awoke at daybreak and all prepared anew to mount and to ride. * Erec gready prized his horse, for he cared to ride no other. 5130 To Enide they gave a mule, since she had lost her palfrey, but she was not greatly troubled by this, and apparently never thought of it: she had a fine, easy-gaited mule 5135 that carried her very comfortably. And it comforted her greatly that Erec was not troubled by anything, but rather told her he would recover well. To Pointurie, a strong castle, 5140 fine and beautifully situated, they came before mid-moming. There dwelt tranquilly the two sisters of Guivret, because the place was beautiful. 5145 To a delightful room, far from noise and well aired, Guivret led Erec; his sisters toiled much to heal him, for Guivret begged them to do so. 5150 Erec entrusted himself to them, for they gready reassured him. First they removed the dead flesh, then applied ointment and dressing; they showed great diligence in caring for him, 5155 and, being very knowledgeable, they frequendy washed his wounds and reapplied the ointment. Each day four times or more they made him eat and drink, 5160 and they kept him away from garlic and pepper. But whoever went in or out, Enide, to whom it mattered most, was at his service every day. Guivret often entered there 5165 in order to find out whether he desired anything. He was well kept and well served, for anything he needed was not done reluctantly, 228 5170 mes lieemant et volantiers. A lui garir mistrent grant painne les puceles: ainçois quinzainne ne santi il mal ne dolor. Lors, por revenir sa color, 5175 le comancierent a baignier: an eles n'ot que anseignier, car bien an sorent covenir. * Quant il pot aler et venir, Guivrez ot fet deus robes feire, 5180 l'une d'ermine et l'autre veire, de deus dras de soie divers. L'une fu d'un osterin pers et l'autre d'un bofu roié qu'an presant li ot anvoié 5185 d'Escoce une soe cousine. [20e] Enide ot la robe d'ermine et l'osterin qui molt chiers fu; Erec la veire o le bofu, qui ne revaloit mie mains. 5190 Or fu Erec toz forz et sains; * or fu gariz et respassez. Or fu Enyde liee assez; or ot sa joie et son deduit: ansanble gisent par la nuit. 5195 Or ot totes ses volantez; or li revient sa granz biautez, car molt estoit et pale et tainte, si l'avoit ses granz diaus atainte. Or fu acolee et beisiee; 5200 or fu de toz biens aeisiee; or ot sa joie et son delit. Ansanble jurent an un lit, et li uns l'autre acole et beise: riens nule n'est qui tant lor pleise. 5205 Tant ont eü mal et enui, 229 5170 but joyfully and willingly. The maidens took great pains to heal him: within a fortnight he felt neither ache nor pain. Then, to restore his color, 5175 they began to bathe him: there was nothing they needed to be taught, for they knew just how to go about it. When Erec could get up and move about, Guivret had two gowns made * 5180 of two different silken fabrics, one lined with ermine and the other with vair. One was of deep-blue Oriental silk and the other of striped brocade which a cousin had sent him 5185 from Scodand as a present. Enide had the one with ermine and the very expensive Oriental silk, Erec the vair with the brocade, which was not worth a bit less. 5190 Now Erec was all healthy and strong; now he was cured and well again. Now Enide was very joyful; now she had her joy and her pleasure: they lay together through the night. 5195 Now she had all that she desired; now her great beauty returned to her, for she had been very pale and wan, so touched had she been by her great sorrow. Now she was embraced and kissed; 5200 now she had everything she wished; now she had her joy and her delight. They lay together in one bed, and each embraced and kissed the other: nothing else pleased them so much. 5205 They had had so much pain and trouble, 230il por li et ele por lui, c'or ont feite lor penitance. Li uns ancontre l'autre tance comant il li puise pleisir: 5210 del sorplus me doi bien teisir. Or ont lor amor afermee et lor grant dolor obliee, que petit mes lor an sovient. Des or raler les an covient, 5215 si ont Guivret congié rové, cui ami orent molt trové, que de totes les riens qu'il pot serviz et enorez les ot. Erec li dist au congié prandre: 5220 "Sire, je ne puis plus atandre que je ne m'an aille an ma terre. Feites apareillier et querre que j'aie tot mon estovoir: je voldrai par matin movoir 5225 tantost com il iert ajorné. Tant ai antor vos sejorne que je me sant fort et delivre. Dex, se lui plest, me doint tant vivre que je ancor an leu vos voie 5230 que la puissance resoit moie de vos servir et enorer! Je ne cuit nul leu demorer, se ne sui pris ou retenuz, tant qu'a la cort soie venuz 5235 le roi Artus, que veoir vuel a Quarrois ou a Quaraduel." Guivrez respont en es le pas: [20f] "Sire, seus n'an iroiz vos pas, car je m'an irai avoec vos, 5240 et s'an manrons ansanble o nos conpaignons, s'a pleisir vos vient." Erec a ce consoil se tient et dit que tot a sa devise vialt que la voie soit anprise. 5245 La nuit fet la voie aprester, car plus n'i vostrent arester; tuit s'atornent et aparoillent. Au matinet, quant il s'esvoillent, sont es chevax mises les seles. 5250 Erec an la chanbre as puceles va congié prandre einz qu'il s'an tort, 231he for her and she for him, that now they had done their penance. They vied with each other in finding ways of pleasing: 5210 about the rest I must keep silent. Now they had confirmed their love and forgotten their great sorrow, which they little remembered henceforth. Now they had to go away again, 5215 and they asked leave of Guivret, whom they had found to be a great friend, for in every way that he could he had served and honored them. When taking leave Erec said to him: 5220 "My lord, I can wait no longer before returning to my own land. Have preparations made so that I may have all I need: I shall want to set out tomorrow 5225 as soon as it is light. I have stayed with you so long that I feel strong and well. May it please God to let me live so long that I may meet you again somewhere 5230 and the power may in turn be mine to serve and honor you! I do not intend to tarry anywhere, unless 1 am captured and held, until I've come to the court 5235 of King Arthur, whom I wish to see either at Quarrois or at Quaraduel." * Guivret immediately replied: "My lord, you will not leave alone, for I will go with you, 5240 and we'll take companions along with us, if that is pleasing to you." Erec accepted this advice and said that he wanted the journey undertaken in whatever way might please Guivret. 5245 That night he had their departure prepared, for they wished to stay there no longer, they all outfitted and appareled themselves. At daybreak, when they awoke, the horses were saddled. 5250 Erec went to the maidens' chamber, to take his leave before parting, 232et Enyde aprés lui recort, qui molt estoit joianz et liee que lor voie ert apareilliee. 5255 As puceles ont congié pris: Erec, qui bien estoit apris, au congié prandre les mercie de sa santé et de sa vie, et molt lor promet son servise. 5260 Puis a l'une par la main prise, celi qui plus ert de li pres; Enide a l'autre prise aprés, * si sont hors de la chanbre issu, tuit main a main antre tenu, 5265 si vienent el palés a mont. Guivrez de monter les semont maintenant sanz nule demore. Ja ne cuide veoir cele ore Enyde qu'il soient monté. 5270 Un palefroi de grant bonté, söef anblant, gent et bien fet, li a Fan hors au perron tret. Li palefroiz fu biax et buens; ne valoit pas moms que li suens 5275 qui estoit remés a Lymors. Cil estoit veirs et cist est sors, mes la teste fu d'autre guise: partie estoit par tel devise que tote ot blanche l'une joe 5280 et l'autre noire come choe; antre deus avoit une ligne [21a] plus vert que n'est fuelle de vingne, * qui departoit del blanc le noir. Del lorain vos sai dire voir, 5285 et del peitral et de la sele, que l'uevre an fu et boene et bele: toz li peitrax et li lorains estoient d'esmeraudes plains. La sele fu d'autre meniere, 5290 coverte d'une porpre chiere. Li arçon estoient d'ivoire, s'i fu antailliee l'estoire comant Eneas vint de Troye, comant a Cartaige a grant joie 5295 Dido an son leu le reçut, comant Eneas la deçut, comant ele por lui s'ocist, comant Eneas puis conquist 233and Enide in turn ran after him, very joyful and glad that their departure was prepared. 5255 They took leave of the maidens: Erec, who was well-mannered, at leave-taking thanked them for his health and his life, and promised them his complete service. 5260 Then he took one of them by the hand, the one who was nearest to him; then Enide took the other, and they came forth from the chamber, all holding hands together, 5265 and went up into the palace. Guivret urged them to mount up straightaway, without delay. Enide thought she would never see the moment when they would be mounted. 5270 A well-favored palfrey, easy-gaited, handsome, and well-made, was brought out for her to the entrance-steps. The palfrey was fine and gentle; it was not worth less than her own 5275 which had stayed at Limors. That one was dapple-gray and this was sorrel, but the head was of another sort; it was divided in such a way that it had one cheek completely white 5280 and the other as black as a crow; between the two there was a line, greener than a vine-leaf, * that separated the black from the white. Of the crupper I can tell you truly, 5285 and of the breastplate and the saddle, that the workmanship was fine and beautiful: the whole breastplate and the crupper were full of emeralds. The saddle was made in another way, 5290 covered with expensive cloth. The saddle-bows were of ivory, and there was carved the story of how Aeneas came from Troy, how in Carthage with great joy 5295 Dido received him in her bed, how Aeneas betrayed her, how she killed herself because of him, how Aeneas later conquered 234Laurente et tote Lonbardie, 5300 dom il fu rois tote sa vie. Soutix fu l'uevre et bien tailliee, tote a fin or apareilliee. Uns brez taillierres, qui la fist, au taillier plus de set anz mist, 5305 qu'a nule autre oevre n'antandi; ce ne sai ge qu'il la vandi, mes avoir an dut grant desserte. Molt ot bien Enyde la perte de son palefroi restoree, 5310 quant de cestui fu enoree. Li palefroiz li fu bailliez si richemant apareilliez, et ele i monte lieemant; * puis monterent isnelemant 5315 li seignor et li escuier. Maint riche ostor sor et muier, maint faucon et maint esprevier et maint brachet et maint levrier fist Guivrez avoec ax porter 5320 por aus deduire et deporter. Chevalchié ont des le matin jusqu'al vespre, le droit chemin, plus de trante liues galesches, tant qu'il sont devant les bretesches 5325 d'un chastel fort et riche et bel, [2lb] clos tot an tor de mur novel; et par desoz a la reonde coroit une eve molt parfonde, roide et bruianz come tanpeste. 5330 Erec an l'esgarder s'areste, por demander et por savoir se nus li porroit dire voir qui de ce chastel estoit sire. "Amis, savroiz le me vos dire," 5335 fit il a son boen conpaignon, "comant cist chastiax ci a non et cui il est? Dites le moi, s'il est ou a conte ou a roi; des que ci amené m'avez, 5340 dites le moi, se vos savez." "Sire," fet il, "molt bien le sai; la verité vos an dirai: Brandiganz a non li chastiax, 235Laurentum and all of Lombardy, 5300 where he was king for the rest of his life. Delicate was the workmanship and well carved, all embellished with fine gold. A Breton sculptor, who had made it, spent more than seven years at the carving, 5305 for he worked on nothing else; I know not what he sold it for, * but he must have been richly rewarded. Enide was very well repaid for the loss of her palfrey 5310 when she was honored with this one. The palfrey was given to her thus richly fitted out, and she mounted it joyfully; then the lords and the squires 5315 speedily mounted too. Many a fine goshawk, both red and moulted, * many a falcon and many a sparrow-hawk and many a pointer and many a greyhound were brought with them at Guivret's behest 5320 for their pleasure and entertainment. They rode straight along from morning until vespers, more than thirty Welsh leagues, until they came before the brattices * 5325 of a fortified town, strong and fine, closed all about by a new wall; and below it all around ran a very deep stream, swift and noisy as a storm. 5330 Erec stopped to look at it, and to inquire whether anyone could tell him rightly who was the lord of this castle. "Friend, could you tell me," 5335 said he to his good companion, "how this castle here is named and whose it is? Tell me whether it belongs to a count or a king; since you have brought me here, 5340 tell me, if you know." "My lord," said he, "I know it very well; I shall tell you the truth about it: the castle is called Brandigan, 236qui tant est boens et tant est biax 5345 que roi n'anpereor ne dote. Se France et la rëautez tote, et tuit cil qui sont jusqu'au Liege, estoient anviron a siege, nel panroient il an lor vies, * 5350 car plus dure de quinze lies l'isle ou li chastiax est assis, et tot croist dedanz le porpris quanqu'a riche chastel covient: et fruiz et blez et vins i vient, 5355 ne bois ne riviere n'i faut. De nule part ne crient asaut, ne riens nel porroit afamer. Li rois Evrains le fist fermer, qui l'a tenu an quiteé 5360 trestoz les jorz de son ahé et tandra trestote sa vie; mes fermer ne le fist il mie por ce qu'il dotast nules genz, mes li chastiax an est plus genz; 5365 que s'il n'i avoit mur ne tor, mes que l'eve qui cort an tor, tant forz et tant seürs seroit que nul home ne doteroit." "Dex!" fet Erec, "con grant richesce! [21c] 5370 Alons veoir la forteresce, et si feisons nostre ostel prandre el chastel, car g'i voel descendre." "Sire," fet cil cui molt grevoit, * "se enuier ne vos devoit, 5375 nos n'i descendrïemes pas: el chastel a molt mal trespas." "Mai?" fet Erec. "Savez le vos? Que que ce soit, dites le nos, car molt volantiers le savroie." 5380 "Sire," fet il, "peor avroie que vos n'i eüssiez domage. Je sai tant an vostre corage de hardemant et de bonté, se je vos avoie conté 5385 ce que g'en sai de l'avanture, qui molt est perilleuse et dure, que vos i voudrïez aler. J'en ai sovant oï parler, que passé a set anz ou p1lus 5390 que del chastel ne revint nus qui l'avanture i alast querre; 237and it is so good and fine 5345 that it fears neither king nor emperor. If France and all the kingdom, and all those from here to the region of Liège, surrounded it to lay siege, they would not take it in their lifetimes, 5350 for the island where the burg is situated extends for more than fifteen leagues, and everything grows within the walls that is needed for a strong town: fruit and wheat and wine are produced there, 5355 and there is no lack of wood nor water. From no side does it fear assault, and nothing could starve it. It was enclosed by King Evrain, who has held it peacefully * 5360 all the days of his life and will hold it as long as he lives; he did not have it enclosed because he feared any people, but the town is finer as a result; 5365 for if there were no wall nor tower, but only the water that flows around it, it would be so strong and secure that it would fear no man." "God," said Erec, "what great wealth! 5370 Let's go and see the fortress, and take our lodgings in the town, for I wish to stay there." "My lord," said he whom this deeply distressed, "if you don't mind, 5375 let us not stay there; there is a very evil ritual in the town." "Evil?" said Erec. "Do you know what it is? Whatever it is, tell us, for I should like to know about it." 5380 "My lord," said he, "I would be afraid that you would suffer harm from it. I know that in your heart there is so much courage and goodness that, if I told you 5385 what I know of the adventure, which is very dangerous and difficult, you would want to go there. I have often heard tell of it, for seven years or more have passed 5390 since anyone returned from the town who went there to seek the adventure; 238s'i sont venu de mainte terre chevalier fier et corageus. Sire, nel tenez mie a geus, 5395 que ja par moi ne le savroiz de si que creanté m'avroiz, par l'amor que m'avez promise, que par vos ne sera requise l'avanture don nus n'estort 5400 qui n'i reçoive honte et mort." Or ot Erec ce qui li siet. Guivret prie qu'il ne li griet, et dit: "Haï, biax dolz amis, sofrez que nostre ostex soit pris 5405 el chastel, si ne vos enuit: tans est d'osteler mes enuit, et por ce voel qu'il ne vos poist, que se il nule enors m'i croist, ce vos devroit estre molt bel. 5410 De l'avanture vos apel que seulemant le non me dites, et del sorplus soiez toz quites." "Sire," fet il, "ne puis teisir [21d] que ne die vostre pleisir. 5415 Li nons est molt biax a nomer, mes molt est griés a asomer, car nus n'an puet eschaper vis. L'avanture, ce vos plevis, la Joie de la Cort a non." 5420 "Dex! an joie n'a se bien non," fet Erec; "ce vois je querant. Ne m'alez ci desesperant, biax amis, ne de ce ne d'el, mes feisons prandre nostre ostel, 5425 que granz biens an puet avenir. Riens ne me porroit retenir que je n'aille querre la Joie." "Sire," fet il, "Dex vos en oie, que vos joie i puissiez trover 5430 et sanz anconbrier retorner! Bien voi qu'aler vos i estuet. * Des qu'autremant estre ne puet, alons: nostre ostex i est pris, car nus chevaliers de haut pris, 5435 ce ai oï dire et corner, ne puet an ce chastel antrer, por ce que herbergier i vuelle, que li rois Evrains nel recuelle. Tant est gentix et frans li rois 239and yet from many a land have come bold and courageous knights. My lord, do not consider this a game, 5395 for you will never learn of it from me until you have pledged, by the love you have promised me, that you will never seek the adventure from which none escapes 5400 without receiving shame and death." Now Erec heard something to his liking. * He begged Guivret not to be aggrieved, and said: "Ah, fair sweet friend, permit us to take our lodgings 5405 in the town, if you don't mind; it is time to find lodging for this night, and I do not wish to distress you, for if any honor accrues to me there, that should bring you great pleasure 5410 I call upon you to tell me just the name of the adventure, and I shall require no more of you." "My lord," said he, "I cannot keep silent nor avoid saying what you wish to hear. 5415 The name is beautiful to speak, but it is painful to achieve, for no one can escape from it alive. The adventure, I assure you, is called the Joy of the Court." 5420 "God! In joy there is naught but good," said Erec; "that is what I seek. Don't go discouraging me here, fair friend, not in this nor in anything else, but let us take our lodgings, 5425 for much good may come of this. Nothing could hold me back from going in search of the Joy." "My lord," said he, "may God hear you, that you may find joy there 5430 and return without hindrance! I clearly see that you must go there. Since it cannot be otherwise, let's go: that is where we will take our lodgings, for no highly reputed knight, 5435 so I have heard tell, can enter this town in search of lodging without being welcomed by King Evrain. The king is so noble and gracious 240 5440 qu'il a fet ban a ses boijois, si chier con chascuns a son cors, que prodom qui veigne de hors an lor meisons ostel ne truisse, por ce que il meïsmes puisse 5445 toz les prodomes enorer qui leanz voldront demorer." Einsi vers le chastel s'an vont, passent les lices et le pont. Quant les lices orent passees, 5450 les genz, qui furent amassees par la rue a granz tropeiax, * voient Erec, qui tant est biax que par sanblant cuident et croient que trestuit li autre a lui soient. 5455 A mervoilles Pesgardent tuit; la vile an fremist tote et bruit, tant an consoillent et parolent. [21e] Nes les puceles qui querolent lor chant an leissent et retardent. 5460 Totes ansanble le regardent et de sa grant biauté se saignent; a grant mervoille le deplaignent: "Ha! Dex!" dit l'une a l'autre, "lasse! Cist chevaliers qui par ci passe 5465 vient a la Joie de la Cort. Dolant an iert einz qu'il s'an tort: onques nus ne vint d'autre terre la Joie de la Cort requerre qu'il n'i eüst honte et dotnage 5470 et n'i leissast la teste an gage." Aprés, por ce que il l'antande, dïent an haut: "Dex te desfande, chevaliers, de mesavanture! car tu ies biax a desmesure, 5475 et molt fet ta biautez a plaindre, car demain la verrons estaindre: a demain est ta mora venue; demain morras sanz retenue, se Dex ne te garde et desfant" 5480 Erec ot bien et si antant qu'an dit de lui par mi la vile: il le plaignent plus de set mile, mes riens ne le puet esmaier. 241 5440 that he has made a proclamation to his burghers that, if they value their lives, * no nobleman who comes from outside may find lodging in their houses, so that he himself may 5445 honor all the noblemen who want to stay in the town." So they went off toward the town, and passed the enceintes and the bridge. When they had passed the enceintes, 5450 the people, who were gathered along the street in great crowds, saw Erec, who was so handsome that judging from appearances they thought that all file others were in his service. 5455 Everyone looked at him with admiration; the whole town was astir with rumors, so much were people buzzing and talking. Even the maidens dancing their rounds left off their singing and postponed it. 5460 All of them together looked at him and crossed themselves for his great beauty; wondrously they pitied him: "Oh, God!" said one to the other, "alas! This knight who is passing by 5465 is coming to the Joy of the Court. He will suffer from it before he leaves: no one ever came from another land to seek the Joy of the Court without meeting with shame and loss 5470 and forfeiting his head there." Then, so that he might hear it, they said aloud: "God keep you from misfortune, knight, for you are extraordinarily handsome, 5475 and much is your beauty to be pitied, for tomorrow we shall see it extinguished: tomorrow your death has come; tomorrow you'll die without delay, if God does not protect and defend you." 5480 Erec heard clearly and understood what they were saying about him in the town: more than seven thousand pitied him, but nothing could daunt him. 242Outre s'an vet sanz delaier, 5485 saluant deboneiremant toz et totes comunalmant, et tuit et totes le salüent. Li plusor d'angoisse tressüent, qui plus do tent que il ne fait 5490 ou de sa mort ou de son lait. Seul de veoir sa contenance, sa grant biauté et sa sanblance a si les cuers de toz a lui que tuit redotent son enui, 5495 chevalier, dames et puceles. Li rois Evrains ot les noveles que tex genz a sa cort venoient qui grant conpaignie menoient, et bien resanbloit au hernois 5500 que lor sires fust cuens ou rois. Li rois Evrains en mi la rue [21f] vint ancontre ax, si les salue: "Bien vaigne," fet il, "ceste rote, et li sires et la genz tote! 5505 Bien vaigniez," fet il; "descendez." Descendu sont; il fu asez qui lor chevax reçut et prist. Li rois Evrains pas n'antreprist quant il vit Enyde venant, 5510 si la salue maintenant et corrut aidier au descendre. Par la main, qu'ele ot bele et tandre, la mainne an son palés a mont, si con franchise le semont, 5515 si l'enora de quanqu'il pot, car bien et bel feire le sot, sanz folie et sanz mal panser. Ot feite une chanbre ancenser d'encens, de mirre et d'aloé: 5520 a l'antrer anz ont tuit loé le biau sanblant au roi Evrain. An la chanbre antrent main a main, si con li rois les i mena, qui d'ax grant joie demena. 5525 Mes por coi vos deviseroie la pointure des dras de soie don la chanbre estoit anbelie? Le tans gasteroie an folie, et ge nel vuel mie gaster; * 5530 einçois me voel un po haster, 243Onward he went without tarrying, 5485 greeting one and all like one well-born, without making distinctions, and one and all they greeted him. Many sweated with anguish, fearing more than he did himself 5490 either his death or his dishonor. Just the sight of his bearing, his great beauty, and his appearance had so won him the hearts of all that everyone—knights, ladies, and maidens— 5495 feared the misfortune that would befall him. King Evrain heard the news that such people were coming to his court with a great company, and it appeared from their equipment 5500 that their lord was a count or a king. King Evrain came to meet them in the street and greeted them: "Welcome," said he, "to this company, and to the lord and all his people! 5505 Welcome," said he; "do dismount." They dismounted; there were plenty who held and took their horses. King Evrain made no error when he saw Enide coming, 5510 but immediately greeted her and ran to help her dismount. By her beautiful and gentle hand he led her up into his palace, just as courtesy required, 5515 and he honored her in all he could, for he knew full well how to do it, without any base or foolish thought. He had had a chamber perfumed with incense, myrrh, and aloe; 5520 upon entering there everyone praised King Evrain's fine welcome.* Hand in hand they entered the chamber, just as the king had led them there, rejoicing greatly over them. 5525 But why should I relate to you in detail the embroidery of the silken tapestries that embellished the chamber? I would waste my time in folly, and I do not wish to waste it; 5530 rather I wish to hurry a bit, 244que qui tost va par droite voie celui passe qui se desvoie: por ce ne m'i voel arester. Li rois comanda aprester 5535 le souper, quant tans fu et ore. Ici ne vuel feire demore, se trover puis voie plus droite. Quanque cuers et boche covoite orent plenieremant la nuit: 5540 oisiax et venison et fruit et vin de diverse meniere— mes tot passa la bele chiere, que de toz mes est li plus dolz la bele chiere et li biax volz. 5545 Molt furent servi lieemant, [22a] tant qu'Erec estrosseemant leissa le mangier et le boivre et comanga a ramantoivre ce qui au cuer plus li tenoit: 5550 de la Joie li sovenoit, s'an a la parole esmeüe; li rois Evrains l'a maintenue. "Sire," fet il, "or est bien tans que je die ce que ge pans 5555 et por coi je sui ci venuz. Trop me sui del dire tenuz; or nel puis celer en avant. La Joie de la Cort demant, car nule rien tant ne covoit. 5560 Donez la moi, que que ce soit, se vos an estes posteïs." "Certes," fet li rois, "biax amis, parler vos oi de grant oiseuse. Ceste chose est molt dolereuse, 5565 car dolant a fet maint prodome. Vos meïsmes a la parsome an seroiz morz et afolez, se consoil croïire n'an volez. Mes se vos me volïez croirre, 5570 je vos löeroie a recroirre de demander chose si grief, dons ja ne vandrïez a chief. N'an parlez plus! Teisiez vos an! Ne vos vanroit pas de grant san 5575 se vos ne creez mon consoil. De rien nule ne me mervoil se vos querez enor et pris; 245for he who goes quickly by the direct road passes him who strays from the path: therefore I do not wish to tarry. The king ordered the evening meal prepared, 5535 when the time and the hour had come. Here I do not wish to linger, if I can find a more direct route. Whatever heart and palate desire they had in abundance that night: fowl and game and fruit and wine of various sorts— but the fine welcome was best of all, for of all dishes the sweetest is the fine welcome and the lovely face. 5545 They were served very joyfully, until suddenly Erec left off eating and drinking and began to recall what he had his heart most set on: 5550 he remembered the Joy, and began to speak of it; King Evrain continued the conversation. "Sire," said he, "now it is truly time that I tell you what I have in mind 5555 and why I have come here. I have too long refrained from speaking of it; now I can conceal it no longer. I request the Joy of the Court, for I desire nothing else so much. 5560 Give it to me, whatever it may be, if it is in your power." "Truly," said die king, "fair friend, I hear you speak of great folly. This subject is very painful, 5565 for it has brought pain to many a good man. You yourself, in the end, will be wounded and killed by it, if you will heed no counsel. But if you were willing to believe me, 5570 I would advise you to give up asking for such a painful thing, in which you could never succeed. Speak no more of it! Keep silent about it! You would be very unwise 5575 not to follow my advice. I do not wonder in the least if you seek honor and renown; 246mes se je vos veoie pns ou de vostre cors anpirié, 5580 molt avroie le cuer irié. Et sachiez bien que j'ai veüz mainz prodomes et receüz, qui ceste Joie demanderent: onques de rien n'i amanderent, 5585 ainz i sont tuit mort et peri. Einz que demain soit aseri, pöez ausi de vos atandre, se la Joie volez anprandre, que vos l'avroiz, mes bien vos poist. [22b] 5590 C'est une chose que vos loist * a repantir et a retraire, se vos volez vostre preu faire. Por ce vos di que traïson vers vos feroie et mesprison, 5595 se tot le voir ne vos disoie." Erec l'antant et bien otroie que li rois a droit le consoille, mes con plus granz est la mervoille et l'avanture plus grevainne, 5600 plus la covoite et plus s'an painne, et dist: "Sire, dire vos puis que preudome et leal vos truis; nul blasme ne vos i puis metre de ce don me vuel antremetre, 5605 comant que des or mes m'an chiee. Ci an soit la broche tranchiee, que ja de rien que j'aie anprise ne ferai tel recreantise que je tot mon pooir n'an face 5610 ainçois que fuie de la place." "Bien le savoie," fet li rois; "vos l'avroiz ancontre mon pois, la Joie que vos requerez, mes molt an sui desesperez 5615 et molt dot vostre mescheance. Mes des or estes an fiance d'avoir quanque vos covoitiez: se vos a joie an esploitiez, conquise avroiz si grant enor 5620 qu'onques hom ne conquist graignor; et Dex, si con je le desir, vos an doint a joie partir." De ce tote la nuit parlerent 247but if I should see you taken prisoner or physically wounded, 5580 I should be much aggrieved at heart. And please know well that I have seen and welcomed many good men who requested this Joy: they never improved their lot in any way, 5585 but rather all of them died and perished there. Before tomorrow draws to evening, you may expect a similar fate if you insist upon the Joy, for you will have it, but at your cost. 5590 It is a thing that you would better renounce and withdraw from, if you want to act in your own interest. That is why I tell you that I would betray you and do you wrong 5595 if I did not tell you the whole truth." Erec heard this and readily granted that the king had counseled him rightly, but the greater the wonder and the more dangerous the adventure, 5600 the more he desired and strove toward it, and he said: "Sire, I can say that I find you upright, noble, and true; I can place no blame on you for what I wish to undertake, 5605 however it may fall out for me. Let the matter be decided here and now, * for never in anything I have undertaken will I commit such an act of recreance as to do anything less than my utmost 5610 before fleeing from the field of combat." "I knew it!" said the king; "you will have it in spite of me, the Joy you seek, but I am in despair 5615 and I greatly fear your misfortune. But as of now you may be sure of having what you ardently desire; if you succeed with joy in this, you will have conquered a greater honor 5620 than any man has ever conquered; and God grant, as I desire, that you may come out of this with joy." They spoke of this all night 248jusque tant que couchier alerent, 5625 que li lit furent atomé. Au matin, quant fu ajorné, Erec, qui est an son esvoil, voit l'aube clere et le soloil, si se lieve tost et atorne. 5630 Enyde a molt grant enui torne et molt an est triste et iriee; molt an est la nuit anpiriee de sopeçon et de peor [22c] que ele avoit de son seignor, 5635 qui se vialt metre an tel peril. Mes tote voie s'atorne il, que nus ne l'an puet destomer. Li rois, por son cors atorner, a son lever li anvea 5640 armes que molt bien anplea. Erec nes a pas refusees, car les soes furent usees et anpiriees et mal mises; les armes a volantiers prises 5645 si s'an fet armer an la sale. Quant armez fu, si s'an avale trestoz les degrez contre val, et trueve anselé son cheval et le roi qui montez estoit. 5650 Chascuns de monter s'aprestoit, et a la cort et as ostés: an tot le chastel n'a remés home ne fame, droit ne tort, * grant ne petit, foible ne fort, 5655 qui aler puise, qui n'i voise. A l'esmovoir a molt grant noise et grant bruit par totes les rues, car les granz genz et les menues disoient tuit: "Haï! Haï! 5660 chevaliers, Joie t'a traï', ceste que tu cuides conquerre, mes ta rnort et ton duel vas querre." Ne n'i a un seul qui ne die: "Ceste Joie, Dex la maudie, 5665 que tant preudome i sont ocis! Hui an cest jor fera le pis que onques mes feïst sanz dote." Erec ot bien et si escote que les genz disoient li plus, 5670 car tuit disoient: "Mar i fus, biax chevaliers genz et adroiz! 249until they retired, 5625 when the beds were prepared. In the morning, when it was light, Eree, when he awoke, saw the clear dawn and the sun, and he rose quickly and made ready. 5630 Enide was sorely troubled and deeply sad and distressed; she had suffered much through the night from the apprehension and the fear that she felt on behalf of her lord, 5635 who wanted to place himself in such danger. But nonetheless he was getting ready, for no one could dissuade him from it. The king, in order to equip Erec, on arising sent him 5640 armor, which Erec put to very good use. Erec did not refuse it, for his own was worn and damaged and in bad shape; he gladly took the armor 5645 and had himself armed in the hall. When he was armed, he went down all the steps and found his horse saddled and the king already mounted. 5650 Everyone made ready to mount, both in the court and in the lodgings; in all the castle there remained neither man nor woman, well-formed or ill, tall or short, weak or strong, 5655 who could go along and did not do so. When they set out there was great noise and clamor in all the streets, for the high folk and the low were all saying; "Oh! Oh! 5660 Joy has betrayed you, knight, the one you think to conquer, but you are seeking your death and sorrow." There was not one who did not say: "God curse this Joy, 5665 since so many good men have died there! This day without doubt it will do the worst that it has ever done." Erec heard well and listened to what the people were saying most, 5670 for all were saying: "Woe to you, fair, noble, and upright knight! 250Certes ne seroit mie droiz que ta vie si tost fenist, ne que nus enuiz t'avenist, 5675 don bleeiez fusses ne leidiz." Bien ot la parole et les diz, mes tote voie outre s'an passe: ne tint mie la teste basse; ne fist pas sanblant de coart. [22dj 5680 Qui qu'an parost, molt li est tart que il voie et sache et conoisse dom il sont tuit an tel angoisse, an tel esfroi et an tel poinne. Li rois hors del chastel le moinne 5685 an un vergier qui estoit pres, et tote la gent vont aprés priant que de ceste besoigne Dex a joie partir Fan doigne. Mes ne fet pas a trespasser, 5690 por lengue debatre et lasser, que del vergier ne vos retraie lone l'estoire chose veraie. El vergier n'avoit an viron mur ne paliz, se de l'air non, 5695 mes de l'air est de totes parz par nigromance clos li jarz, si que riens antrer n'i pooit, se par un seul leu n'i antroit, ne que s'il fust toz clos de fer, 5700 Et tot esté et tot yver y avoit flors et fruit maür, et li fruiz avoit tel eür que leanz se lessoit mangier, mes au porter hors fet dongier; 5705 car qui point an volsist porter ne s'an seüst ja mes raler, car a Tissue ne venist tant qu'an son leu le remeïst. Ne soz ciel n'a oisel volant, 5710 tant pleise a home par son chant, * por lui deduire et resjoïr, qu'iluec ne poïst l'an oïr plusors de chascune nature. Et terre, tant com ele dure, 5715 ne porte espice ne mecine 251Surely it would not be right that your life should end so soon, nor that any misfortune befall you, 5675 to wound you or dishonor you." He clearly heard the words and the talk, but nonetheless he went on: he did not bow his head at all; he had nothing of the look of a coward. 5680 Whoever may speak of it, he was impatient to see and learn and know what it was that caused them such anguish, such fright and such grief. The king led him out of the town 5685 and into a garden that was nearby, and all the people went after, praying that from this urgent need God might let him leave with joy. But it is not proper to pass on, 5690 though tongue be worn out and fatigued, without telling you, concerning the garden, a true thing according to the story. Around the garden there was neither wall nor palisade, only air, 5695 but the garden was enclosed on all sides with air, by black magic, so that nothing could enter except through one single place, any more than if it were enclosed with iron. 5700 And all summer and all winter there were flowers and ripe fruit, and the fruit had the peculiar property that it could be eaten therein, but it could not be carried out; 5705 whoever wanted to take some away could never discover how to get out again, for he could not reach the exit until he put the fruit back in its place. Nor is there beneath heaven a flying bird, 5710 however much it pleases man with its song, to gladden and delight him, that could not be heard therein, and several of each sort. And the earth, however far it spreads, 5715 bears no spice or medicinal plant 252qui vaille a nule medecine, que iluec n'i eüst planté, s'an i avoit a grant planté. Leanz par une estroite antree 5720 est la torbe des genz antree, li rois avant et tuit li autre. Erec aloit, lance sor fautre, par mi le vergier chevauchant, [22e] qui molt se delitoit el chant 5725 des oisiax qui leanz chantoient, qui la Joie li presantoient, la chose a coi il plus baoit. Mes une grant mervoille voit qui poïst faire grant peor 5730 au plus hardi conbateor de trestoz ces que nos savons, * se fust Tiebauz li Esclavons, ou Opiniax ou Fernaguz: car devant ax sor pex aguz 5735 avoit hiaumes luisanz et clers, et voit de desoz les cerclers paroir testes desoz chascun; mes au chief des pex an voit un ou il n'avoit neant ancor, 5740 fors que tant solemant un cor. Il ne set que ce senefie, ne de neant ne s'an esfrie, einz demanda que ce puet estre au roi, qui lez lui ert a destre. 5745 Li rois li dit et si li conte: "Amis, savez vos que ce monte, ceste chose que ci veez? Molt an seroiez esfreez, se vos ameiez vostre cors, 5750 car cil seus piex qui est dehors, ou vos veez ce cor pandu, a molt longuemant atandu un chevalier, ne savons cui, se il atant vos ou autrui. 5755 Garde ta teste n'i soit mise, car li pex siet a la devise. Bien vos en avoie garni, eingois que vos venissiez ci. 253of use in any remedy that was not planted therein, and there were a great plenty of them. Through a narrow entry-way 5720 the crowd of people entered, first the king and then all the others. Erec rode along through the garden, his lance in its rest, delighting in the singing 5725 of the birds that sang therein, presenting to him the Joy, the thing to which he most aspired. But he saw a wondrous thing that could frighten 5730 the boldest warrior of all those we know, be it Thibaut the Slavonian, or Ospinel or Fernagu: in front of them on sharpened stakes 5735 there were bright and shining helmets, and beneath each one he saw a head appear below the circlet; but at the end of the stakes he saw one where there was nothing yet, 5740 apart from a horn. He did not know what this meant, but he was not at all worried, and instead asked the king, who was beside him on his right, what this might be. 5745 The king answered and recounted to him: "Friend, do you know the meaning of this thing you see here? You would greatly fear it if you valued your well-being, 5750 for this one stake set apart, where you see that hom hanging, has for a long time been waiting for a knight; we know not whom, whether it waits for you or another. 5755 Take care your head is not placed there, for the stake stands for that purpose. I warned you well of this before you came here. 254Ne cuit que ja mes an issiez, 5760 si soiez morz et detranchiez. Des ore an savez vos itant que li piex vostre teste atant, et se ç'avient qu'ele i soit mise, si con chose li est promise 5765 des qu'il i fu mis et dreciez, uns autres pex sera fichiez apres celui, qui atandra [22f] tant que ne sai qui revandra. Del cor ne vos dirai je plus, 5770 fors c'onques soner nel pot nus; mes cil qui soner le porra, et son pris et s'enor fera devant toz ces de ma contree, s'avra tel enor ancontree 5775 que tuit enorer le vandront et au meillor d'ax le tandront. Or n'i a plus de cest afere: feites voz genz arriere trere, car la Joie vanra par tans, 5780 qui vos fera dolant, ce pans." A tant li rois Evrains le leisse; et cil vers Enyde se beisse, qui delez lui grant duel feisoit, ne por quant ele se teisoit, 5785 car diax que l'an face de boche ne vaut neant, s'au cuer ne toche. Et cil, qui bien conuist son cuer, li a dit: "Bele douce suer, gentix dame lëax et sage, 5790 bien conuis tot vostre corage: peor avez grant, bien le voi, si ne savez ancor por coi. Mes por neant vos esmaiez jusqu'a itant que vos voiez 5795 que mes escuz iert depeciez et ge dedanz le cors bleciez, et verroiz de mon hauberc blanc les mailles covrir de mon sane, et mon hiaume frait et quassé, 5800 et moi recreant et lassé, que plus ne me porrai desfandre, ainz m'estovra merci atandre et deprier outre mon vuel. Lors porroiz fere vostre duel, 5805 que trop tost comancié l'avez. Douce dame, ancor ne savez 255I do not believe you will ever leave here, 5760 unless you are dead and dismembered. Now you know this much of it, that the stake awaits your head, and if it happens to be put there, as the thing has been promised 5765 since the stake was placed and raised there, another stake will be planted after this one, which will wait until someone else comes along in turn. Of the horn I shall tell you no more, 5770 except that no one was ever able to sound it; but anyone who is able to sound it will establish his renown and his honor above all those of my land, and he will have met with such honor 5775 that all will come to honor him and will consider him the best among them. Now there is no more of this matter: have your people withdraw, for the Joy will come presently, 5780 and will make you suffer, I think." Then King Evrain left him, and Erec leaned toward Enide, who was feeling great sorrow at his side, and yet she kept silent, 5785 for sorrow to which one gives voice is worth naught if it does not touch the heart. And he, who knew her feelings well, said to her: "Fair sweet sister, noble lady, loyal and wise, 5790 I know well what is in your heart: you are sorely afraid, I see it clearly, but you do not yet know why. Still, you distress yourself for naught, until such time as you see 5795 that my shield is in pieces and I am wounded in my person, and you see the links of my white hauberk covered with my blood, and my helmet smashed and broken, 5800 and me tired and defeated, no longer able to defend myself, but rather obliged to await and beg for mercy against my wishes. Then you can carry out your mourning, 5805 for you have begun it too soon. Sweet lady, you do not yet know 256que ce sera, ne ge nel sai: de neant estes an esmai, car bien sachiez seüremant, 5810 s'an moi n'avoit de hardemant fors taut con vostre amors m'an bailie, [23a] ne crienbroie je an bataille, cors a cors, nul home vivant. Si fais folie, qui m'an vant, 5815 mes je nel di por nul orguel, fors tant que conforter vos vuel, Confortez vos! Lessiez ester! Je ne puis plus ci arester, ne vos n'iroiz plus avoec moi, 5820 car avant mener ne vos doi, si con li rois Fa comandé." Lors la beise et comande a Dé, et ele i recomande lui, mes molt li torne a grant enui 5825 quant ele nel siust et convoie tant qu'ele sache et qu'ele voie quex avanture ce sera et comant il esploitera. Mes a remenoir li estuet, 5830 car avant sivre ne le puet: ele remaint triste et dolante. Et cil s'an vet tote une sante, seus, sanz conpaignie de gent, tant qu'il trova un lit d'argent 5835 covert d'un drap brosdé a or, desoz l'onbre d'un siquamor, et sor le lit une pucele, gente de cors et de vis bele de totes biautez a devise, 5840 la s'estoit tote seule assise. De li ne vuel plus deviser, mes qui bien seüst raviser et son ator et sa biauté, dire poïst por verité 5845 c'onques Lavine de Laurente, qui tant par fu et bele et gente, n'en ot de sa biauté le quart. * Erec s'aproche cele part, qui de plus pres la vialt veoir, 5850 lez li s'ala Erec seoir. A tant ez vos un chevalier, soz les arbres, par le vergier, 257what will occur, nor do I know; you distress yourself for naught, for know this without any doubt: 5810 if there were no bravery in me apart from what your love gives me, I would not fear to do battle, hand to hand, with any man alive. I act foolishly, boasting thus, 5815 yet I do not say this out of pride, but only because I wish to comfort you. Console yourself! Let it be! I cannot stop here any longer, nor can you go on with me, 5820 for I must lead you no further, as the king has commanded it." Then he kissed her and commended her to God, and she in turn commended him, but it greatly troubled her 5825 not to follow and accompany him until she might know and see what sort of adventure it would be and how he would fare. But she had to stay behind, 5830 for she could follow him no further: she stayed there, sad and sorrowful. And he went on along a path, alone, without any company, until he found a silver bed 5835 covered with a sheet embroidered with gold, in the shade of a sycamore, and on the bed a maiden, gracious of body and fair of face, endowed with every kind of beauty, 5840 was seated all alone. I do not wish to describe her further, but anyone who knew how to examine both her adornments and her beauty could say in truth 5845 that never did Lavinia of Laurentum, who was so very beautiful and noble, have a quarter of her beauty. Erec drew near in that direction, wanting to see her more closely; 5850 he went to sit down beside her. At that moment a knight came along beneath the trees through the garden, 258armé d'unes armes vermoilles, qui estoit granz a merevoilles, 5855 et s'il ne fust granz a enui, [23b] soz ciel n'eüst plus bel de lui, mes il estoit un pié plus granz, a tesmoing de totes les genz, que chevaliers que Fan seüst. 5860 Einz que Erec veü l'eüst, si s'escrïa: "Vasax! Vasax! Fos estes, se ge soie sax, qui vers ma dameisele alez. Mien escïant, tant ne valez 5865 que vers li doiez aprochier. Vos conparroiz ancui molt chier vostre folie, par ma teste. Estez arriers!" Et il s'areste, si le regarde, et cil s'estut. 5870 Li uns vers l'autre ne se mut tant qu'Erec respondu li ot trestot quanque dire li plot: "Amis," fet il, "dire puet l'an folie ausi tost come san. 5875 Menaciez tant con vos pleira, et je sui cil qui se teira, qu'an menacier n'a nul savoir. Savez por coi? Tex cuide avoir * le geu joé, qui puis le pert, 5880 et por c'est fos tot en apert qui Crop cuide et qui trop menace. S'est qui fuie, asez est qui chace, * mes je ne vos dot mie tant que je m'an fuie; ainçois atant, * 5885 apareilliez de moi desfandre, s'est qui estor me voelle randre, que par force feire l'estuisse n'autremant esehaper n'an puisse." "Nenil," fet il, "se Dex me saut! 5890 Sachiez bataille ne vos faut, que je vos requier et desfi." Ice sachiez vos tot de fi: einz puis n'i ot resnes tenues; n'orent mie lances menues, 5895 ainz furent grosses et plenees, et si estoient bien fences, s'an furent plus roides et forz. Sor les escuz par tel esforz s'antre fierent des fers tranchanz [23c] 5900 que par mi les escuz luisanz passa de chascun une toise; mes li uns l'autre an char n'adoise, 259dressed in vermilion armor, so tall that it was a wonder to behold, 5855 and had he not been excessively tall, there would have been under heaven none fairer, but he was taller by a foot, according to everyone's testimony, than any knight ever known. 5860 Before Erec had seen him, he shouted out: "Vassal! Vassal! You are mad, upon my soul, to go toward my damsel. By my word, you are not so worthy 5865 that you should approach her. This very day you will pay most dearly for your folly, by my head. Stand back!" And he stopped and looked at him, and Erec stood firm. 5870 Neither moved toward the other until Erec had replied and said everything he wished: "Friend," said he, "one can speak folly as easily as wisdom. 5875 Threaten all you like, and I shall just keep silent, for there is no wisdom in threats. Do you know why? One may believe he has won the game, and then may lose it, 5880 and therefore whoever is too confident and threatens too much is clearly mad. If there is one to flee, there is another to pursue, but I do not fear you so much as to flee; rather, I am waiting, * 5885 ready to defend myself, if there is anyone who wants to do battle with me until I am forced to do so and cannot otherwise escape." "No," said he, "God save me! 5890 Be assured that you'll get to fight, for I attack and challenge you." Now know this for certain: reins were held in check no more; they did not have slender lances, 5895 but rather they were thick and well planed, and they were well seasoned, which made them stronger and more rigid. Upon their shields they struck each other with the heads of their lances, with such force 5900 that through the shining shields a fathom of each one passed; but neither touched the other's flesh, 260ne lance brisiee n'i ot. Chascuns au plus tost que il pot 5905 a sa lance sachiee a lui, si s'antre vienent anbedui et revienent a droite joste. Li uns ancontre l'autre joste, si se fierent par tel angoisse 5910 que l'une et l'autre lance froisse et li cheval desoz aus chieent. Et cil qui sor les seles sieent ne se tienent a rien grevé: isnelemant sont relevé, 5915 car preu estoient et legier. A pié sont en mi le vergier, si s'antre vienent demanois as boens branz d'acier vïenois et fierent granz cos et nuisanz 5920 sor les escuz clers et luisanz, si que trestoz les escartelent et que li oel lor estancelent; ne ne se pueent mialz pener d'aus anpirier et d'ax grever 5925 que il se painnent et travaillent. Andui fieremant s'antr'asaillent as plaz des branz et as tranchanz. Tant se sont martelé les danz et les joes et les nasez 5930 et poinz et braz et plus assez, temples et hateriax et cos, que tuit lor an duelent li os. Molt sont duillant et molt sont las; ne por quant ne recroient pas, 5935 aingois s'esforcent mialz et mialz. La süors lor troble les ialz, et le sans qui avoec degote, si que par po ne voient gote, et bien sovant lor cos perdoient 5940 come cil qui pas ne veoient les espees sor aus conduire; ne ne pooit mes gueres nuire li uns a l'autre; ne por quant [23d] ne dotez ja ne tant ne quant 5945 que tote lor force n'an facent. Por ce que li oel lor esfacent si que tot perdent le veoir, leissent jus lor escuz cheoir si s'antr'aerdent par grant ire. 261nor was there a broken lance. Each of them, as quickly as he could, 5905 violently pulled back his lance, and they came at each other again and came back to proper jousting. They jousted one against the other, and struck each other with such violence 5910 that both lances shattered and the horses fell beneath them. They, who remained seated in their saddles, considered themselves none the worse off; speedily they got back up, 5915 for they were bold and nimble. On foot in the orchard, they came at each other straightaway with their good blades of steel from Vienne, * and they struck mighty and damaging blows 5920 on the bright and shining shields, so that they broke them all apart, and their eyes glittered; they could take no greater pains to wound and injure one another 5925 than they toiled and strove to do. Each of them fiercely attacked the other with the flat of his blade and with the edge. They had so hammered each other's teeth and cheeks and nasals * 5930 and wrists and arms and plenty more, temples and napes and necks, that all their bones ached. They were in great pain and very tired; nonetheless they did not give up, 5935 but instead strove more and more. The sweat blurred their vision, as did the blood dripping with it, so that they could barely see at all, and often their blows went astray 5940 like those of men who could not see to direct their swords at each other, they could scarcely do any more harm to one another; and yet never fear in any way 5945 that they did not do all they could. Because their eyes were growing so dim that they were completely losing their sight, they let their shields fall and seized each other with great fury. 262 5950 Li uns l'autxe sache et detire, si que sor les genouz s'abatent; ensi longuemant se conbatent, tant que l'ore de none passe, et li granz chevaliers se lasse 5955 si que tote li faut l'alainne. Erec a son talant le mainne et sache et tire, si que toz les laz de son hiaume a deroz et si que devers lui l'ancline. 5960 Cil chiet adanz sor la poitrine, ne n'a pooir de relever, que que il li doie grever, li covint dire et otroier: "Conquis m'avez, nel puis noier, 5965 mes molt me tome a grant contraire. Et ne por quant de tel afaire pöez estre et de tel renon qu'il ne m'an sera se bel non; et molt voldroie par proiere, 5970 s'estre puet an nule meniere, que je vostre droit non seüsse, por ce que confort an eüsse. Se miaudres de moi m'a conquis, liez an serai, ce vos plevis; 5975 mes se il m'est si ancontre que pires de moi m'ait outré, de ce doi ge grant duel avoir." "Amis, tu viax mon non savoir," fet Erec, "et jel te dirai; * 5980 ja ainz de ci ne partirai, mes ce iert par tel covenant que tu me dïes maintenant por coi tu ies an cest jardin. Savoir an voel tote la fin, 5985 que ton non dïes et la Joie, que molt me tarde que je l'oie." "La verite del tot an tot, [23e] sire," fet il, "sanz nul redot, vos dirai tot quanque vos plest." 5990 Erec son non plus ne li test: "Oïs onques parler," fet il, "del roi Lac et d'Erec son fil?" "Oïl, sire, bien le conui, car a la cort le roi Lac fui 5995 mainz jorz, ainz que chevaliers fusse, ne ja, son vuel, ne m'an meüsse d'ansanble lui por nule rien." "Dons me doiz tu conuistre bien, se tu fus onques avoec moi 263 5950 They heaved and pulled at one another so that they fell upon their knees; in this way they fought on at length, until the hour of nones was past, * and the tall knight grew weary 5955 and completely out of breath. Erec could lead him as he wished and heaved and pulled him, so that all the laces of his helm were ruptured and he made him bow before him. 5960 Face down upon his chest he fell, and had no strength to rise again; however much it grieved him, he was forced to say and grant: "You have defeated me, I cannot deny it, 5965 but it is much against my liking. Nevertheless you may be of such condition and such renown that it will bring me only pleasure; I should very much like to request, 5970 if it can be in any way, that I might know your true name, so as to have comfort thereby. If a better man than I has defeated me, I shall be glad, I promise you; 5975 but if it has befallen me that a lesser man has outdone me, I must be grieved because of that." "Friend, you wish to know my name," said Erec, "and I shall tell you; 59B0 never shall I leave here beforehand, but this will be upon the condition that you tell me without delay why you are in this garden. I want to know the whole story, 5985 to learn your name and about the Joy, and I am very impatient to hear it." "The truth in its entirety, my lord," said he, "without any doubt, I'll tell you all you wish to know." 5990 Erec concealed his name no more: "Did you ever hear tell," said he, "of King Lac and of his son Erec?" "Indeed, my lord, I knew him well, for I was at King Lac's court 5995 many a day, before becoming a knight, and never, had he had his way, would I have left for anything." "Then you must know me well, if ever you were with me 264 6000 a la cort mon pere le roi." "Par foi, done m'est bien avenu! Or oez qui m'a retenu an cest vergier si longuemant: trestot vostre comandemant 6005 voel je dire, que qu'il me griet. Cele pucele, qui la siet, m'ama des anfance et je li. A l'un et a l'autre abeli et l'amors crut et amanda, 6010 tant que ele me demanda un don, mes el nel noma mie. Qui veheroit neant s'amie? N'est pas amis qui antresait tot le boen s'amie ne fait, 6015 sanz rien leissier et sanz faintise, s'il onques puet an nule guise. Creantai li sa volanté, et quant li oi acreanté, si vost ancor que li plevisse. 6020 Se plus volsist, plus an feïsse, mes ele me crut par ma foi. Fiançai li, si ne soi quoi tant qu'avint que chevaliers fui: li rois Evrains, cui niés je sui, 6025 m'adoba veant mainz prodomes dedanz cest vergier ou nos somes. Ma dameisele, qui siet la, tantost de ma foi m'apela et dist que plevi li avoie 6030 que ja mes de ceanz n'istroie tant que chevaliers i venist {23/] qui par armes me conqueïst. Reisons fu que je remainsisse, ainz que ma fiance mantisse, 6035 ja ne l'eüsseje plevi. Des que ge soi le bien an li, a la rien que ge oi plus chiere n'an dui feire sanblant ne chiere que nule rien me despleüst, 6040 car, se ele raparceüst, el retraissist a li son cuer, et je nel volsisse a nul fuer por rien qui poïst avenir. Ensi me cuida retenir 6045 ma dameisele a lone sejor, 265 6000 at my father's court." "By my faith, then it has truly happened! Now hear who has kept me so long in this garden: as you have ordered, I wish to tell 6005 everything, however much it may grieve me. That maiden, who is sitting there, * loved me from childhood, and I loved her. Both of us were pleased by this and our love grew and improved, 6010 until she asked a boon of me, but she did not say what it was. Who would refuse his lady anything? He is no lover who does not unhesitatingly do whatever pleases his lady, neglecting nothing and unstintingly, 6015 if ever he can in any way. I promised I would do her will, and when I had promised her this, she still wanted me to swear it on oath. 6020 Had she wished for more, I would have done it, but she believed me on my word. I made her a promise, but knew not what, until it happened that I became a knight; King Evrain, whose nephew I am, 6025 dubbed me in the sight of many gentlemen, within this garden where we are. My damsel, who is sitting there, immediately invoked my oath and said that I had sworn to her 6030 that I would never leave this place until some knight came along who defeated me in combat. It was right for me to remain, rather than be untrue to my oath, 6035 or I should never have sworn to it. Since I knew the good in her, in the thing that I held most dear, I must not show in any way that anything displeased me, 6040 for, if she had noticed it, she would have withdrawn her love, and at no price did I wish that, no matter what might happen. Thus my damsel thought 6045 to keep me for a long stay; 266ne cuidoit pas que a nul jor delist an cest vergier antrer vasaus qui me deüst outrer. Par ce me cuida a delivre, 6050 toz les jorz que j'eüsse a vivre, avoec li tenir an prison. Et ge feïsse mesprison se de rien nule me fainsisse que trestoz ces ne conqueísse 6055 vers cui ge eüsse puissance: vilainne fust tex delivrance. Bien vos puis dire et acointier que je n'ai nul ami si chier vers cui je m'an fainsisse pas; 6060 onques mes d'armes ne fui las, ne de conbatre recreüz. Bien avez les hiaumes veüz de ces que j'ai vaincuz et morz; mes miens n'an est mie li torz, 6065 qui reison voldroit esgarder: de ce ne me poi ge garder, se ge ne volsisse estre fax et foi mantie et deslëax. La verité vos en ai dite, 6070 et, sachiez bien, n'est pas petite l'enors que vos avez conquise. Molt avez an grant joie mise la cort mon oncle et mes amis, c'or serai hors de ceanz mis. 6075 Et por ce que joie an feront [24a] tuit cil qui a la cort vanront, Joie de la Cort l'apeloient cil qui la joie an atandoient. Tant longuemant l'ont atandue 6080 que premiers lor sera randue par vos, qui l'avez desresniee. Molt avez rnatee et fesniee mon pris et ma chevalerie, et bien est droiz que je vos die 6085 mon non, quant savoir le volez: Maboagrins sui apelez, * mes ne sui nes point coneüz an leu ou j'aie esté veüz, par remanbrance de cest non, 6090 s'an cest païs solemant non, car onques tant con vaslez fui mon non ne dis ne ne conui. 267she did not think that into this garden might ever come a vassal who was to outdo me. Thus she thought to keep me with her, 6050 all the days of my life, completely in her power, in prison. And 1 should have committed a grievous fault had I held back in any way from defeating all those 6055 over whom I had power: such a deliverance would have been ignoble. I can truly say and inform you that I have no friend so dear that I would have held back at all against him;' 6060 never was I weary of bearing arms or tired of fighting. You have seen the helmets of those I have defeated and killed; but the fault is not at all mine, 6065 for anyone willing to look aright: I could not help do what I did, if I did not want to be false and faithless and disloyal. I have told you the truth of this, 6070 and, know you well, it is no small honor which you have won. You have brought great joy to the court of my uncle and my friends, for now I shall be released from here. 6075 And because all those who come to court will rejoice at this, those who awaited the joy of it called it the Joy of the Court. They have awaited it so long 6080 that it will first be granted them by you, who have contended for it. You have quite defeated and becharmed * my valor and my prowess, and it is only right that I tell you 6085 my name, since you wish to know it: I am called Maboagrain, but I am not at all well known in any place where I've been seen, by recollection of that name, 6090 except in this land, for while I was a youth I never spoke my name nor revealed it. 268Sire, la verité savez * de quanque vos requis m'avez, 6095 mes a dire vos ai ancor. Il a an cest vergier un cor, que bien avez veü, ce croi: hors de ceanz issir ne doi tant que le cor aiez soné, 6100 et lors m'avroiz desprisoné et lors comancera la Joie. Qui que l'antande et qui que l'oie, ja essoines ne le tandra, quant la voiz del cor antandra, 6105 qu'a la cort ne vaigne tantost. * Levez de ci, sire; alez tost por le cor isnelemant prandre, que n'i avez plus que atandre, s'an feites ce que vos devez." 6110 Maintenant s'est Erec levez, et cil se lieve ansanble o lui; au cor an vienent anbedui. Erec le prant et si le sone; tote sa force i abandone 6115 si que molt loing an va l'oï. Molt s'an est Enyde esjoïe quant ele la voiz antandi, * et Guivrez molt s'an esjoï. Liez est li rois et sa gent liee: 6120 n'i a un seul cui molt ne siee et molt ne pleise ceste chose; [24b] nus n'i cesse ne ne repose de joie feire et de chanter. Ce jor se pot Erec vanter 6125 c'onques tel joie ne fu feite; ne porroit pas estre retreite ne contee par boche d'ome, mes je vos an dirai la some briémant sanz trop longue parole. 6130 Par le païs novele vole qu'ainsi est la chose avenue. Puis n'i ot nule retenue que tuit ne venissent a cort; de toz sanz li pueples i cort, 6135 qu'a pié que a cheval batant, que li uns 1'autre n'i atant. 269My lord, you know the truth of everything you asked me about, 6095 but I have still more to tell you. There is in this garden a horn, which you clearly saw, I believe: I must not leave this place until you have sounded the horn, 6100 and then you will have freed me from prison and then will the Joy begin. Whoever hears and understands it will be held back by no obstacle, when he hears the voice of the horn, 6105 from coming to the court at once. Arise from here, my lord; go right away, swiftly to take the horn, for there is no reason to delay; so do with it what you must." 6110 At once Erec arose, and the other arose with him; they came together to the horn. Erec took it and sounded it; he put all his strength into it 6115 so that the sound was heard afar. At this Enide greatly rejoiced when she heard the voice of the horn, and Guivret too greatly rejoiced. Happy was the king as were his people; 6120 there was not a one whom this thing did not greatly suit and please; everyone sang and rejoiced without cease or rest. That day Erec could boast 6125 that never had there been such rejoicing; it could not be described nor recounted by mouth of man, but I shall tell you briefly the sum of it, without speaking at too great length. 6130 The news flew throughout the land that the thing had happened in this way. Then there was no preventing all the people from coming to court; from all directions they came running, 6135 some on foot, some rapidly on horseback, for no one waited for anyone else. 270Et cil qui el vergier estoient d'Erec desarmer s'aprestoient, et chantoient par contançon 6140 tuit de la joie une chançon, et les dames un lai troverent que le Lai de Joie apelerent, mes n'est gueres li lais saüz. Bien est de joie Erec paüz 6145 et bien serviz a son creante, mes celi mie n'atalante qui sor le lit d'argent seoit. La joie que ele veoit ne li venoit mie a pleisir— 6150 mes mainte gent covient sofrir et esgarder ce qui lor poise. Molt fist Enyde que cortoise: por ce que pansive la vit et seule seoir sor le lit, 6155 li prist talanz que ele iroit a li si li demanderoit de son afeire et de son estre, et anquerroit s'il pooit estre qu'ele del suen li redeïst, 6160 mes que trop ne li desseïst. Seule i cuida Enyde aler, que nelui n'i cuida mener, mes des dames et des puceles, des mialz vaillanz et des plus beles, 6165 la suioient une partie [24c] par amor et par conpaignie, et por celi feire confort a cui la joie enuioit fort, por ce qu'il li estoit a vis 6170 c'or ne seroit mes ses amis avoec li tant com il soloit, quant il del vergier issir doit. A cui que il desabelisse, * ne puet müer qu'il ne s'an isse, 6175 que venue est Tore et li termes; por ce li coroient les lermes des ialz tot contreval le vis. Molt plus que je ne vos devis estoit dolante et correciee, 6180 et ne por quant si s'est dreciee; * mes de nule ne li est tant de ces qui la vont confortant que ele an lest son duel a feire. 271And those who were in the garden made ready to remove Erec's armor, and all tried to outdo one another 6140 in singing a song about the joy, and the ladies composed a lay which they called the Lay of Joy, but the lay is little known. Erec truly had his fill of joy 6145 and was well served according to his wishes, but it was far from pleasing her who sat upon the silver bed. The joy she saw did not please her a bit— 6150 but many people must permit and look at what distresses them. Enide behaved most courteously: because she saw the maiden sitting pensively by herself upon the bed, 6155 she decided she would go to her and ask her about her business and her situation, and would inquire whether she might tell her in turn about her own, 6160 provided that did not overly displease her. Enide thought to go there alone and to take no one else with her, but some of the ladies and the maidens, among the worthiest and most beautiful, 6165 followed her, moved by friendship and the desire to keep her company, and to bring comfort to her who was greatly distressed by the Joy, because it seemed to her 6170 that henceforth her lover would no longer be with her as he was accustomed, since he was to leave the garden. Whoever might be displeased by it, he could not help leaving it, 6175 since the appointed hour and term had come; therefore the tears were running from her eyes all down her face. She was much more saddened and upset than what I have described to you, 6180 but nonetheless she arose; yet of those who were comforting her none meant so much to her that she would leave off grieving. 272Enyde, come de bon eire, 6185 la salue; cele ne pot de grant piece respondre rnot, car sopir et sanglot li tolent qui molt l'anpirent et afolent. Grant piece aprés li a randu 6190 la dameisele son salu, et quant ele l'ot esgardee une grant piece et ravisee, sanbla li qu'ele l'ot veüe autre foiee et coneüe, 6195 mes n'an fu pas tres bien certainne; ne d'anquerre ne li fu painne dom ele estoit, de quel païs, et don ses sires ert naïs: d'aus deus demande qui il sont. 6200 Enyde tantost li respont et la verité li reconte: "Niece," fet ele, "sui le conte qui tient Laluth an son demainne, fille de sa seror germainne; 6205 a Laluth fui nee et norrie." Ne puet müer que lors ne rie cele qui tant s'an esjoïst, einz que plus dire li oïst, que de son duel mes ne li chaut. [24d] 6210 De leesce li cuers li saut, car ne puet sa joie celer, beisier la vet et acoler et dist: "Je sui vostre cosine; sachiez que c'est veritez fine, 6215 et vos estes niece mon pere, car il et li vostres sont frere. Mes je cuit que vos ne savez, ne oï dire ne l'avez, comant je ving an ceste terre. 6220 Li cuens vostre oncles avoit guerre, si vindrent a lui an soldees chevalier de maintes contrees. Ensi, bele cosine, avint que avoec un soudoier vint * 6225 li niés le roi de Brandigan; chiés mon pere fu pres d'un an, bien a, ce croi, douze anz passez. Ancor estoie anfes asez, et il ert biax et avenanz; 273Enide, like a well-born woman, 6185 greeted her, for a long time the maiden could not reply, for sighs and sobs prevented her and hurt and made her most unwell. Long afterwards the maiden 6190 returned her greeting, and when she had looked long at Enide and examined her attentively, it seemed to her that she had seen her before and been acquainted with her, 6195 but she was not really certain; she eagerly inquired of her where she was from, from what land, and where her lord was from; she asked her who both of them were. 6200 Enide at once replied and recounted the truth to her: "I am the niece," said she, "of the count who holds Laluth in his domain, the daughter of his own sister; 6205 I was born and raised in Laluth." The maiden could not keep from laughing then, before she heard her say any more; she was so overjoyed at this that she cared no more for her grief. 6210 Her heart leapt for happiness, for she could not conceal her joy; she went to kiss and embrace her and said: "I am your cousin; know that this is the absolute truth, 6215 and you are my father's niece, for he and yours are brothers. But I believe you do not know and have not heard how I came to this land. 6220 The count your uncle was at war, and knights from many lands came to serve him for pay. Thus, fair cousin, it happened that with a mercenary came 6225 the nephew of the King of Brandigan; he spent nearly a year with my father, fully twelve years ago, I believe. I was still just a young child, and he was handsome and pleasing; 274 6230 la feïmes noz covenanz antre nos deus, tex con nos sist. Einz ne vos rien qu'il ne volsist, tant qu'a amer me comança, si me plevi et fïança 6235 que toz jorz mes amis seroit et que il ça m'an amanroit; moi plot et a lui d'autre part. Lui demora et moi fu tart que ça m'an venisse avoec lui; 6240 si nos an venimes andui que nus ne le sot mes que nos. A eel jor antre moi et vos estïens juenes et petites. Voir vos ai dit; or me redites, 6245 ausi con ge vos ai conté, de vostre ami la verité, par quel avanture il vos a." "Bele cosine, il m'espousa si que mes peres bien le sot 6250 et ma mere qui joie en ot. Tuit le sorent et lié an furent nostre parant, si com il durent. Liez an fu meïsmes li cuens, [24e] car il est chevaliers si buens 6255 qu'an ne porroit meillor trover, ne n'est or pas a esprover de bonté ne de vaselage: ne set l'an tel de son aage, ne cuit que ses parauz soit nus. 6260 Il m'ainme molt, et je lui plus, tant qu'amors ne puet estre graindre. Onques ancor ne me soi faindre de lui amer, ne je ne doi. Voir, mes sires est filz de roi, 6265 et si me prist et povre et nue; par lui m'est tex enors creüe qu'ainz a nule desconseilliee ne fu si granz apareilliee. Et, s'il vos plest, jel vos dirai, 6270 si que de rien n'an mantirai, comant je ving a tel hautesce; ja del dire ne m'iert peresce." Lors li conta et reconut comant Erec vint a Laluth, 6275 car elen'ot del celer cure. Bien li reconta l'avanture tot mot a mot, sanz antrelais; 275 6230 there we exchanged vows between the two of us, such as pleased us. I never wanted anything that he did not want, until at length he began to love me, and he swore to me and promised 6235 that he would always be my lover and that he would bring me here; this pleased me and him as well. He was impatient and so was I to come away here with him; 6240 we both came here in such a way that no one knew of it but us. At that time both you and I were young and little. I've told you the truth; now tell me in turn, 6245 just as I have told you, the truth about your lover, and by what chance he has you." "Fair cousin, he married me in such a way that my father knew it well 6250 and it gave my mother joy. All our relatives knew of it and were happy, as they should have been. The count himself was happy about it, for my lord is such a fine knight 6255 that one could find no better, and he is beyond proving himself in goodness and in valor: no one else of his age measures up to him, and I believe no one is his equal. 6260 He loves me deeply and I love him even more, so that love cannot be greater. I could never pretend to love him, nor should I. Truly, my lord is the son of a king, 6265 and yet he took me poor and naked; through him my honor has increased so much that such was never bestowed upon any poor, unprotected creature. And, if you wish, I shall tell you, 6270 and it will be nothing but the truth, how I attained such a lofty station; it will not trouble me at all to do so." * Then she recounted and revealed how Erec had come to Laluth, 6275 for she had no wish to conceal it. She fully told her the whole adventure, word for word, omitting nothing; 276mes a reconter vos an lais, por ce que d'enui croist son conte 6280 qui deus foiz une chose conte. Que qu'eles parolent ansanble, une dame seule s'an anble, qui as barons le vet conter por la joie croistre et monter, 6285 De ceste joie s'esjoïrent tuit ansanble cil qui l'oïrent, et quant Maboagrains le sot, sor toz les autres joie en ot. Ce que s'amie se conforte, 6290 et la dame qui li aporte la novele hastivemant, l'a fet molt lié soudenemant. Liez an fu meïsmes li rois, qui grant joie feisoit einçois, 6295 mes or la fet asez graignor. Enyde vient a son seignor et sa cosine o lui amainne, [24f] plus bele que ne fu Elainne et plus gente et plus avenant. 6300 Contre eles corent maintenant antre Erec et Maboagrain et Guivret et le roi Evrain, et trestuit li autre i acorent, si les salüent et enorent, 6305 que nus ne s'an faint ne retret. Maboagrains grant joie fet d'Enyde, et ele ausi de lui. Erec et Guivrez anbedui refont joie de la pucele; 6310 grant joie font et cil et cele, si s'antre beisent et acolent. De raler el chastel parolent, car trop ont el vergier esté; de l'issir sont tuit apresté, 6315 si s'an issent joie feisant, et li uns l'autre antre beisant. Trestuit aprés le roi s'an issent, mes ainz que el chastel venissent, furent asanblé li baron 6320 de tot le païs an viron, et tuit cil qui la Joie sorent i vindrent, qui venir i porent. Granz fu l'asanblee et la presse: chascuns d'Erec veoir s'angresse, 6325 et haut et bas et povre et riche. Li uns devant l'autre se fiche, si le salüent et anclinent, 277but I shall spare you the retelling, for he who tells a thing twice 6280 boringly expands his tale. While they were speaking together, one lady walked away alone, and went to tell the barons about it, in order to augment and increase the joy. 6285 Everyone who heard it rejoiced * together at this joy, and when Maboagrain learned of it he rejoiced more than all the others. The fact that his lady was consoled, 6290 and that the lady hastily brought him the news, made him suddenly very happy. The king himself was happy about it; he had been very joyful before, 6295 but now his joy was even greater. Enide came to her lord and brought her cousin with her, who was more beautiful than Helen and more noble and more pleasing. 6300 Together Erec and Maboagrain and Guivret and King Evrain all ran immediately to meet them, and all the others came running, and greeted them and honored them, 6305 for no one dawdled or held back. Maboagrain rejoiced over Enide, as she did over him. In turn, Erec and Guivret both rejoiced over the maiden; 6310 everyone greatly rejoiced, and kissed and embraced one another. They spoke of returning to the town, for they had been too long in the garden; they all made ready to leave there, 6315 and they did so joyfully, kissing one another. Following the king they all went forth, but before they came to the town, the barons had assembled 6320 from the country all around, and all those who knew of the Joy, who could come there, did so. Great was the gathering and the press: everyone was striving to see Erec, 6325 high and low, poor and rich. They planted themselves one in front of another, and greeted him and bowed, 278et dïent tuit, c'onques ne finent: "Dex saut celui par cui ressort 6330 joie et leesce an nostre cort! Dex saut le plus boen eüré que Dex a feire ait anduré!" Ensi jusqu'a la cort l'an mainnent et de joie faire se painnent, 6335 si con li cuer les an semonent. Harpes, vïeles i resonent, gigues, sautier et sinphonies et trestotes les armonies qu'an porroit dire ne nomer; 6340 mes je le vos vuel assomer briémant, sanz trop longue demore. [25a] Li rois a son pooir Fenore, et tuit li autre sanz feintise; n'i a nul qui de son servise 6345 ne s'aparaut molt volantiers. Trois jorz dura la Joie antiers einz qu'Erec s'an poïst torner. Au quart ne volt plus sejorner por rien qu'an li seüst proier. 6350 Grant joie ot a lui convoier, et molt grant presse au congié prandre. Ne pooit pas les saluz randre an demi jor par un et un, s'il volsist respondre a chascun: 6355 les barons salue et acole, les autres a une parole comande a Deu toz et salue. Et Enyde ne rest pas mue au congié prandre des barons: 6360 toz les salue par lor nons, et il li tuit comunemant. Au departir molt dolcemant beise et acole sa cosine. Departi sont; la Joie fine. 6365 Cil s'an vont, et cil s'an retornent. Erec et Guivrez ne sejornent, mes a joie lor voie tindrent tant que au chastel tot droit vindrent ou li rois lor fu anseigniez. 6370 Le jor devant estoit seniez. Ansanble o lui priveemant en ses chanbres ot seulemant * cinc cenz barons de sa meison; onques mes an nule seison 279and they all said, incessantly: "God save him through whom 6330 joy and happiness revive in our court! God save the most fortunate man ever created by God's labors!" Thus they brought him to the court and strove to show their joy, 6335 just as their hearts commanded them. Harps and hurdy-gurdies resounded, fiddles, psalteries, symphonia, * and all the stringed instruments that one could tell or name; 6340 but I wish to sum it up for you briefly, without too long a delay. The king honored Erec all that he could, as did all the others unstintingly; there was no one who did not prepare 6345 most willingly to serve him. Three whole days the Joy lasted before Erec could go on his way. On the fourth he wished to stay no more, however they might beseech him. 6350 There was great joy in escorting him, and a great press at leave-taking. In half a day he could not have returned their salutations one by one, had he wished to reply to each one: 6355 he saluted and embraced the barons; the others with a single word he saluted and commended to God. For her part Enide was not mute when taking leave of the barons: 6360 she saluted them all by their names, and together they all returned her salutation. At parting very tenderly she kissed and embraced her cousin. They departed; the Joy had come to an end. 6365 They went on their way, and the others turned back. Erec and Guivret did not delay, but joyfully pursued their way until they came straight to the castle where they had been told the king was staying. 6370 He had been bled the previous day. Together with him, in private in his chambers, there were only five hundred barons of his household; never before in any season 280 6375 ne fu trovez li rois si seus, si an estoit molt angoisseus que plus n'avoit gent a sa cort. A tant uns messages acort, que il orent fet avancier 6380 por lor venue au roi noncier, si s'an vint tost devant la rote; le roi trova et sa gent tote, si le salue come sages et dist: "Sire, ge sui messages 6385 Erec et Guivret le Petit." [25b] Aprés li a conté et dit qu'a sa cort veoir le venoient. Li rois respont: "Bien veignant soient, come baron vaillant et preu! 6390 Meillors d'aus deus ne sai nul leu; d'aus iert molt ma corz amandee." Lors a la reïne mandee si li a dites les noveles. Li autre font metre ior seles 6395 por aler centre les barons; einz ne chaucierent esperons, tant se hasterent de monter. Briémant vos voel dire et conter que ja estoit el bore venue * 6400 la rote de la gent menue, garçon et queu et botellier, por les ostex aparellier; la granz rote venoit aprés, s'estoient ja venu si pres 6405 qu'an la vile estoient antré. Maintenant se sont ancontré, si s'antre salüerit et beisent. As ostex vienent, si s'aeisent, si se desvestent et atornent; 6410 de lor beles robes s'aornent, * et quant il furent atornȩ a la cort s'an sont retornȩ. A cor vienent, li rois les voit, et la reïne, qui desvoit 6415 d'Erec et d'Enyde veoir. Li rois les fet lez lui seoir, * si beise Erec et puis Guivret; Enyde au col ses deus braz met 281 6375 had the king been so alone, and he was greatly distressed that he did not have more people at his court. Just then a messenger ran up, whom they had sent ahead 6380 to announce their arrival to the king, and he came quickly ahead of the company; he found the king and all his people, and he greeted him properly and said: "Sire, I am the messenger 6385 of Erec and Guivret the Short." Then he informed the king that they were coming to see him at his court. The king replied: "May they be welcome, like worthy and valiant barons! 6390 I know no better than those two anywhere; my court will be much improved by them." Then he sent for the queen and told her the news. The others had their horses saddled 6395 to go to meet the barons; never did they boot on their spurs, so eager were they to mount. Briefly I wish to tell and relate that the crowd of lesser folk, 6400 valets, cooks, and wine-stewards, had already come to the burg to prepare the lodgings; the major company came after, and they had already come so near 6405 that they had entered the town. The two groups immediately met, and they greeted and kissed one another. They came to their lodgings, made themselves comfortable, took off their clothes and put on others; 6410 they adorned themselves with their fine garments, and when they were all turned out, they returned to the court. They arrived at court, the king saw them, and the queen, who fervently wished 6415 to see Erec and Enide. The king had them sit beside him, and kissed Erec and then Guivret; he embraced Enide with both his arms 282si la rebeise et fet grant joie. 6420 La reïne ne rest pas coie d'Eree et d'Enyde acoler: de li poïst l'en oiseler, tant estoit de grant joie plainne. Chascuns d'ax conjoïr se painne, 6425 et li rois pes feire comande, puis anquiert Erec et demande noveles de ses avantures. Quant apeisiez fu li murmures, Erec ancomance son conte: 6430 ses avantures li reconte, que nule n'en i antroblie. Mes cuidiez vos que je vos die quex acoisons le fist movoir? Naie, que bien savez le voir 6435 et de ice et d'autre chose, [25c] si con ge la vos ai esclose; * li reconters me seroit griés, que li contes n'est mie briés, qui le voldroit recomancier 6440 et les paroles ragencier si com il lor conta et dist: des trois chevaliers qu'il conquist, et puis des cinc, et puis del conte qui feire li volt si grant honte, 6445 et puis des jaianz dist aprés. Trestot en ordre, pres a pres, ses avantures lor conta jusque la ou il esfronta le conte qui sist au mangier, 6450 et con recovra son destrier. "Erec," dist li rois, "biax amis, or remanez an cest païs, en ma cort, si con vos solez." "Sire, des que vos le volez, 6455 je remandrai molt volentiers deus anz ou trois trestoz antiers, mes priez Guivret tot ausi del remenoir, et gel li pri," Li rois del remenoir le prie 6460 et cil la remenance otrie. Ensi remainnent amedui: li rois les retient avoec lui, ses tint molt chiers et enora. 283and kissed her and made much of her. 6420 The queen, for her part, was not slow about embracing Erec and Enide: one could have gone birding with her, * so full of great joy was she. Each one strove to make them welcome, 6425 and the king called for silence, then questioned Erec and asked for news of his adventures. When the murmur had died down, Erec began his tale: 6430 he told the king his adventures, forgetting not a one of them. But do you expect me to tell you the reason that made him set out? No indeed, for you well know the truth 6435 of this and of other things, just as 1 have disclosed it to you: telling it again would be tedious for me, for the tale is not short, whoever might want to begin it anew 6440 and rearrange the words as he recounted it and told them: of the three knights that he defeated, and then the five, and of the count who wanted to bring him so much shame, 6445 and then he told them of the giants. All in order, one after the other, he told them of his adventures up to the point where he sliced through the brow of the count who was seated at table, 6450 and how he recovered his charger. "Erec," said the king, "fair friend, now stay in this land, at my court, as is your custom." "Sire, since you wish it, 6455 I shall most willingly stay two or three full years, but ask Guivret likewise to stay, and I ask him as well." The king asked him to stay 6460 and Guivret agreed to do so. Thus both of them stayed: the king kept them with him and held them most dear and honored them. 284Erec a cort tant demora, 6465 Guivrez et Enyde antr'aus trois, que morz fu ses peres li rois, qui vialz ert et de grant aage. Maintenant murent li message: li baron qui Falerent querre, 6470 li plus haut home de sa terre, tant le quistrent et demanderent que a Tintajuel le troverent, uit jorz devant Natevité. Cil li distrent la verité, 6475 comant il estoit avenu de son pere, le viel chenu, qui morz estoit et trespassez. Erec an pesa plus asez qu'il ne mostra sanblant as genz, [2 5dj 6480 mes diaus de roi n'est mie genz, n'a roi n'avient qu'il face duel. La ou il ert, a Tintajuel, fist chanter vigiles et messes, promist et randi les promesses 6485 si com il les avoit promises, as meisons Deu et as eglises. Molt fist bien ce que fere dut: povres mesaeisiez eslut plus de cent et seissante et nuef, 6490 si les revesti tot de nuef; as povres clers et as provoires dona, que droiz fu, chapes noires et chaudes pelices desoz. Molt fist por Deu grant bien a toz: 6495 a ces qui an orent mestier * dona deniers plus d'un setier. Qant departi ot son avoir, aprés fist un molt grant savoir, que del roi sa terre reprist; 6500 apr6s si li pria et dist qu'il le coronast a sa cort. Li rois dist que tost s'an atort, car coroné seront andui, il et sa famë avoec lui, * 6505 a la Natevité qui vient, et dist: "Aler nos an covient * de ci qu'a Nantes an Bretaigne; la porteroiz roial ansaigne, * 285Erec remained at court, 6465 with Guivret and Enide, all three together, until death came to his father the king, who was old and very advanced in years. Messengers set forth at once: the barons who went in search of him, 6470 the highest-placed men in his land, sought and inquired about him until they found him at Tintagel, a week before Christmas. They told him the truth, 6475 what had happened to his father, the white-haired old man, who had died and passed away. This weighed upon Erec much more than he showed people outwardly, 6480 but grieving is uncourtly on the part of a king, and it does not befit a king to show grief. At Tintagel, where he was, he had vigils and masses sung, made promises and honored them 6485 as he had promised, to the hospices and churches. He did very well what was fitting and proper: more than one hundred sixty-nine poor unfortunates he chose, 6490 and dressed them all anew; to the poor clerics and priests he gave, as was right, black copes * and warm pelisses to go under them. In God's name he did great good to all: 6495 to those who were in need he gave more than a pint of deniers. * When he had shared his wealth, he performed an act of great wisdom, for he took back his land from the king; 6500 then he entreated and requested that he crown him at his own court. The king told him to make ready without delay, for they would both be crowned, he and his wife with him, 6505 at the coming Christmas, and he said: "We must go from here to Nantes in Brittany; there you will wear the royal insignia, 286corone d'or et ceptre el poing: 6510 cest don et ceste enor vos doing." Erec le roi an mercia et dist que molt doné li a. A la Natevité ansanble li rois toz ses barons asanble; 6515 trestot par un et un les mande et les dames venir comande. Toz les manda; nus n'i remaint. Et Erec an remanda maint: maint venir en i comanda; 6520 plus en i vint qu'il ne cuida, por lui servir et enor fere. Ne vos sai dire ne retrere qui fu chascuns ne de lor non, [25e] mes qui qu'i venist ne qui non, 6525 Erec n'oblia pas le pere ma dame Enyde ne sa mere. Cil fu mandez premieremant, et vint a cort molt richemant con riches ber et chastelains; 6530 n'ot pas rote de chapelains ne de gent fole n'esbaïe, mes de bone chevalerie et de gent molt bien atornee. Chascun jor font molt grant jornee; 6535 tant chevalchierent chascun jor qu'a grant joie et a grant enor, la voille de Natevitë, vindrent a Nantes la citë. Onques nul leu ne s'aresterent 6540 jusqu'an la haute sale antrerent ou li rois et ses genz estoient. * Erec et Enyde les voient: savoir pöez que joie an orent. Ancontre vont, plus tost qu'il porent, 6545 si les salüent et acolent; molt dolcemant les aparolent et font joie, si com il durent. Quant antre conjoï se furent, tuit catre main a main se tindrent, 6550 jusque devant le roi s'an vindrent si le salüent maintenant et la reïnë ansemant, 287golden crown and scepter in hand: 6510 this gift and this honor I give you." Erec thanked the king for this, and said that he had given him much. At Christmas the king brought together all his barons; 6515 he summoned them all individually and ordered the ladies to come. He summoned them all; no one stayed behind. And Erec in turn summoned many: many he ordered to come there; 6520 more of them came than he expected, to serve him and to honor him. I cannot tell you or describe who each one was or give their names, but whoever came and who did not, 6525 Erec did not forget the father or the mother of my lady Enide. He was the first one summoned, and he came to court very richly, like a powerful baron and chatelain; 6530 he did not have a troop of chaplains or of silly or gaping folk, but of good knights and people well turned out. Each day they journeyed far, 6535 they rode so far each day with great joy and great honor that on the day before Christmas they came to the city of Nantes. Nowhere did they stop 6540 until they entered the great hall where the king and his people were. Erec and Enide saw them: you may be sure this gave them joy. They went to meet them, as quickly as they could, 6545 and greeted and embraced them; they spoke to them most tenderly and welcomed them with proper joy. When they had greeted one another, all four, holding hands, 6550 came before the king and greeted him at once and the queen likewise, 288qui delez lui seoit an coste. Erec tint par la main son oste 6555 et dist: "Sire, veez vos ci mon boen oste et mon boen ami, qui me porta si grant enor qu'an sa meison me fist seignor. Einz qu'il me coneüst de rien, 6560 me herbeija et bel et bien: quanque il ot m'abandona; neïs sa fille me dona, sanz los et sanz consoil d'autrui." "Et ceste dame ansanble o lui, 6565 amis," fet li rois, "qui est ele?" Erec nule rien ne li cele: "Sire," fet il, "de ceste dame vos di qu'ele est mere ma fame." "Sa mere est ele?"—"Voire, sire." [25f] 6570 "Certes done puis je tres bien dire * que molt doit estre bele et gente la flors qui ist de si bele ante, et li fruiz miaudres qu'an i quiaut, car qui de boen ist, söef iaut. * 6575 Bele est Enyde, et bele doit estre, par reison et par droit, que bele dame est molt sa mere; biau chevalier a en son pere. De rien nule ne les angigne, 6580 car molt retret bien et religne a anbedeus de mainte chose." Ci se test li rois et repose, si lor comande qu'il s'asieent. Cil son comandemant ne vieent: 6585 assis se sont tot maintenant. Or a Enyde joie grant, car son pere et sa mere voit, que molt lone tans passé avoit que ele nes avoit veüz. 6590 Molt l'an est granz joies creüz; molt Ten fu bel et molt li plot, s'an fist joie quanqu'ele pot, mes n'en pot pas tel joie faire qu'ancor n'an fust la joie maire. 6595 Ne je n'an voel ore plus dire, car vers la gent li cuers me tire, qui la estoit tote asanblee de mainte diverse contree. Asez i ot contes et rois, 6600 Normanz, Bretons, Escoz, Irois; * 289who was seated at his side. Erec held his host by the hand 6555 and said: "Sire, you see before you my good host and my good friend, who bore me such great honor that he made me lord in his house. Before he knew anything of me, 6560 he generously gave me lodging: he put all he had at my disposal; he even gave me his daughter, without advice or counsel from anyone." "And this lady with him, 6565 friend," said the king, "who is she?" Erec concealed nothing from him: "Sire," said he, "of this lady I tell you that she is the mother of my wife." "She is her mother?"—"Indeed, sire." 6570 "Certainly then I can truly say that the flower that comes from such a beautiful stem must be very beautiful and noble, and the fruit better that one gathers there, for what comes from a good source smells sweet. 6575 Enide is beautiful, and beautiful she must be, by reason and by rights, for her mother is a very beautiful lady, her father a handsome knight. She does not betray them in any way, 6580 for she greatly resembles and takes after them both in many ways." Here the king stopped and fell silent, and ordered them to be seated. They did not disobey his order: 6585 they sat down at once. Now Enide was very joyful, for she saw her father and mother, because she had not seen them for a very long time. 6590 Her joy was increased by this; she was very glad and very pleased, and she showed her joy as much as she could, but she could not show it so much that it was not still greater within her. 6595 But I wish to say no more of this, for inclination draws me toward the people who were all assembled there from many diverse lands. There were many counts and kings, 6600 Normans, Bretons, Scotsmen, Irish; 290d'Eingleterre et de Cornoaille i ot molt riche baronaille, car des Gales jusqu'an Anjo, ne el Mainne ne an Peito, 6605 n'ot chevalier de grant afeire * ne gentil dame de bon eire don les meillors et les plus gentes ne fussent a la cort a Nantes, que li rois les ot toz mandez. 6610 Or öez, se vos comandez, la grant joie et la grant hautesce, la seignorie et la richesce, qui a la cort fu demenee. Einçois que tierce fust sonee, 6615 ot adobez li rois Artus [26a] quatre cenz chevaliers et plus, toz filz de contes et de rois: chevax dona a chascun trois et robes a chascun trois peire, 6620 por ce que sa corz miaudre apeire. * Molt fu li rois puissanz et larges: ne dona pas mantiax de sarges, ne de conins ne de brunetes, mes de samiz et d'erminetes, 6625 de veir an tier et de dïapres, listez d'orfrois roides et aspres, Alixandres, qui tant conquist que desoz lui tot le mont mist, et tant fu larges et tant riches, 6630 fu anvers lui povres et chiches. Cesar, l'empereres de Rome, et tuit li roi que l'en vos nome an diz et an chançons de geste, ne dona tant a une feste 6635 come li rois Artus dona le jor que Erec corona; ne tant n'osassent pas despandre antre Cesar et Alixandre com a la cort ot despandu. 6640 Li mantel furent estandu a bandon par totes les sales; 291from England and from Cornwall there was a rich gathering of barons, for from Wales all the way to Anjou, in Maine or in Poitou, 6605 there was no important knight * nor noble lady of fine lineage; the best and the most noble of them were all at the court at Nantes, for the king had summoned them all. 6610 Now hear, if you will, the great joy and the great ceremony, the nobility and the magnificence that were displayed at the court. Before tierce had sounded, 6615 King Arthur had dubbed four hundred knights and more, all sons of counts and of kings; he gave each of them three horses and to each three pairs of cloaks, 6620 to improve the appearance of his court. The king was very powerful and generous: he did not give cloaks made of serge, nor of rabbit nor of dark-brown wool, but of samite and of ermine, 6625 of whole vair and mottled silk, bordered with orphrey, stiff and rough. Alexander, who conquered so much that he subdued the whole world, and was so generous and rich, 6630 compared to him was poor and stingy. Caesar, the emperor of Rome, and all the kings you hear about in narrative and epic poems, * did not give so much at a celebration 6635 as King Arthur gave the day he crowned Erec; nor did Caesar and Alexander between them dare to expend as much as was spent at the court. 6640 The cloaks were spread out freely through all the rooms; 292tuit furent gitié hors des males, s'an prist qui vost, sanz contrediz. En mi la cort, sor un tapiz, 6645 ot trante muis d'esterlins blans, car lors avoient a eel tans coreü des le tans Merlin par tote Bretaigne esterlin. Iluec pristrent livreison tuit: 6650 chascuns an porta cele nuit tant com il vost a son ostel. A tierce, le jor de Nöel, sont ilueques tuit asanblé. Tot ot Erec le cuer anblé 6655 la granz joie qui li aproche. Or ne porroit lengue ne boche de nul home, tant seüst d'art, deviser le tierz ne le quart ne le quint de l'atornemant [26b] 6660 qui fu a son coronemant. Done voel ge grant folie anprandre, qui au descrivre voel antandre; mes des que feire le m'estuet, or aveigne qu'avenir puet: * 6665 ne leirai pas que ge n'an die selonc mon san une partie. En la sale ot deus faudestués d'ivoire, blans et biax et nués, d'une meniere et d'une taille. 6670 Cil qui les fist, sanz nule faille, fu molt soutix et angigneus, car si les fist sanblanz andeus, d'un haut, d'un lone et d'un ator, ja tant n'esgardessiez an tor 6675 por l'un de l'autre dessevrer, que ja i poïssiez trover an Fun qui an l'autre ne fust. N'i avoit nule rien de fust, se d'or non et d'ivoire fin. 6680 Antaillié furent de grant fin, car li dui manbre d'une part orent sanblance de liepart, li autre dui de corquatrilles. Uns chevaliers, Bruianz des Illes, 6685 en avoit fet don et seisine le roi Artus et la reïne. 293all of them were thrown out of the trunks, and whoever wished could take some, undisputed. In the middle of the courtyard, on a tapestry, 6645 were thirty hogsheads of white sterlings, * for at that time the sterling was in use throughout Brittany and had been since the time of Merlin. There all helped themselves: 6650 each one carried off that night as much as he wished to his lodgings. At tierce, on Christmas day, they all assembled there. The great joy coming to him 6655 quite stole Erec's heart away. Now neither tongue nor mouth of any man, however much he knew of art, could describe the third or the fourth or the fifth of the display 6660 that was present at his coronation. So I wish to undertake a foolish venture, wishing to take on its description; but since I must do so, then come what may: 6665 I shall not refrain from telling a part of it, according to my understanding. In the hall were two faldstools of ivory, white and beautiful and new, of one style and of one size. 6670 He who made them was, without any doubt, extremely subtle and ingenious, for he made the pair of them so alike, one in height, length, and ornamentation, that you might look at them from every side, 6675 to distinguish one from the other, without ever being able to find anything in one not present in the other. There was nothing in them made of wood, but only of gold and fine ivory. 6680 They were very finely carved, for two of the legs had the form of leopards, and the other two of crocodiles. A knight, Bruiant of the Isles, 6685 had made a gift of them in homage * to King Arthur and the queen. 294Li rois Artus sor l'un s'asist; sor 1'autre Erec aseoir fist, qui fu vestuz d'un drap de moire. 6690 Lisant trovomes an l'estoire la description de la robe, si an trai a garant Macrobe, qui an l'estoire mist s'antante, que l'an ne die que je mante. * 6695 Macrobe m'anseigne a descrivre, si con je l'ai trové el livre, 1'uevre del drap et le portret. Quaere fees l'avoient fet par grant san et par grant mestrie. 6700 L'une i portraist Geometrie, si com ele esgarde et mesure con li ciax et la terre dure, si que de rien nule n'i faut, [26c] et puis le bas, et puis le haut, 6705 et puis le lé, et puis le lone, et puis esgarde par selonc con la mers est lee et parfonde, et si mesure tot le monde. Ceste oevre i mist la premerainne. 6710 Et la seconde mist sa painne en Arimetique portraire, si se pena de molt bien faire, si com ele nonbre par sans les jorz et les ores del tans, 6715 et l'eve de mer gote a gote, et puis la gravele trestote et les estoiles tire a tire; bien an set la verité dire, et quantes fuelles an bois a: 6720 onques nonbres ne l'an boisa, ne ja n'an mantira de rien, car ele i viaut antandre bien. Tex ert 1'uevre d'Arimetique. Et la tierce oevre ert de Musique, 6725 a cui toz li deduiz s'acorde, 295King Arthur sat on one; he had Erec sit on the other, dressed in moire cloth. 6690 Reading we find in the story a description of the robe, and I claim as my guarantor Macrobius, * who applied himself to history, lest anyone should say that I am lying. 6695 Macrobius teaches me how to describe, as I found it in the book, * the handiwork of the cloth and the portrayal. Four fairies had created it with great skill and great mastery. 6700 One of them portrayed Geometry, how she examines and measures the extent of the earth and sky, so that nothing is omitted, and then the bottom, and then the top, 6705 and then the breadth, and then the length, and then she examines all along how broad the sea is and how deep, and so she measures ail the world. This work was the first one's contribution. 6710 And the second put her effort into portraying Arithmetic, and she took pains to do it well, how she numbers rightly the days and the hours of time, 6715 and the water of the sea drop by drop, and then all the grains of sand and the stars one after the other, she can well tell the truth of this, and how many leaves are in a wood: 6720 no number ever deceived her, and she will never lie about anything, for she wants to be attentive to it. Such was the work of Arithmetic. And the third work was that of Music, 6725 with which all pleasures harmonize, 296chanz et deschanz et son de corde, * d'arpe, de rote et de vïele. Ceste oevre estoit et boene et bele, car devant li gisoient tuit 6730 li estrumant et li deduit. La quarte, qui aprés ovra, a molt boene oevre recovra, que la meillor des arz i mist: d'Astronomie s'antremist, 6735 cele qui fet tante mervoille et as estoiles se consoille et a la lune et au soloil. En autre leu ne prant consoil de rien qui a feire li soit; 6740 cil la consoillent bien a droit de quanque cele les requiert, * et quanque fu et quanque iert li font certainnemant savoir, sanz mantir et sanz decevoir. 6745 Ceste oevre fu el drap portreite don la robe Erec estoit feite, a fil d'orovree et tissue. [26d] La pane qui i fu cosue fu d'unes contrefetes bestes 6750 qui ont totes blondes les testes et les cos noirs com une more * et les dos ont vermauz desore, les vantres noirs et la coe inde. Itex bestes neissent en Inde 6755 si ont berbioletes non; ne manjüent s'espices non, * quenele et girofle novel. Que vos diroie del mantel? Molt fu riches et boens et biax. 6760 Catre pierres ot es tassiax: d'une part ot deus crisolites * et de l'autre deus ametistes, 297song and descant and sounds of strings, of harp, of rote, of hurdy-gurdy. This work was good and beautiful, for before her lay all 6730 the instruments and delights. The fourth one, who worked next, accomplished a most excellent work, for she contributed the best of the arts: she concerned herself with Astronomy, 6735 who makes so many wonders and seeks counsel from the stars and from the moon and sun. Nowhere else does she take counsel about what she must do; 6740 these advise her very well about whatever she asks of them, and whatever was and whatever will be they make her know with certainty, without lying and without deception. 6745 This work was portrayed in the cloth from which Erec's robe was made, worked and woven with golden thread. The fur lining that was sewn into it was from monstrous beasts 6750 that have completely blond heads and necks as black as a mulberry and their backs are bright red above, their bellies black and their tails indigo. Such beasts are born in India, 6755 and are called berbiolettes; they eat nothing but spices, cinnamon, and fresh clove. What should I tell you of the cloak? It was very rich and fine and handsome. 6760 There were four stones on the fasteners: on one side were two chrysolites * and on the other two amethysts, 298qui furent assises en or. Enyde n'estoit pas encor 6765 venue el palés a cele ore; quant li rois voit qu'ele demore, Gauvain i comande a aler por Enyde el palés mener. Gauvains i cort, ne fu pas lanz, 6770 o lui li rois Carodüanz et li larges rois de Gavoie; Guivrez li Petiz le convoie, aprés va Ydiers, li filz Nuht. Des autres barons i corut, 6775 et tot por les dames conduire, don l'en poïst un ost destruire, que plus en i ot d'un millier. Quanque pot, d'Enide atillier se fu la reïne penee. 6780 El palés l'en ont amenee d'une part Gauvains li cortois, de l'autre part li larges rois de Gavoie, qui molt l'ot chiere tot por Erec, qui ses niés iere. 6785 Quant eles vindrent el palés, contre eles cort a grant eslés li rois Artus, et par franchise lez Erec a Enyde assise, car molt li vialt grant enor feire. 6790 Maintenant comanda fors treire deus corones de son tresor, [26e] totes massices de fin or. Quant il l'ot comandé et dit, les corones sanz nul respit 6795 li furent devant aportees, d'escharbocles anlutninees, que catre en avoit en chascune. Nule riens n'est clartez de lune a la clarté que porroit randre 6800 des escharbocles la plus mandre. Por la clarté qu'eles gitoient, tuit cil qui el palés estoient si tres duremant s'esbaïrent que de piece gote ne virent; 6805 neïs li rois s'an esbaï, et ne por quant molt s'esjoï, qu'il les vit si cleres et beles. L'une fist prandre a deus puceles et l'autre a deus barons tenir. 299which were set in gold. Enide had not yet 6765 come to the palace at that time; when the king saw that she delayed, he ordered Gawain to go to bring Enide to the palace. Gawain ran to her without delay, 6770 and with him were King Caroduant and the generous King of Gavoie; Guivret the Short accompanied him, and then came Yder, son of Nut. So many other barons ran there, 6775 just to escort the ladies, that one could have destroyed an army, for there were more than a thousand of them. The queen had taken great pains to adorn Enide as well as she could. 6780 They brought her to the palace, Gawain the courtly on one side, and on the other the generous king of Gavoie, who held her very dear because of Erec, who was his nephew. 6785 When they arrived at the palace, King Arthur ran swiftly to meet them, and nobly seated Enide beside Erec, for he wanted to do her great honor. 6790 At once he ordered brought forth from his treasure two crowns, both of fine solid gold. When he had spoken and given this order, the crowns, without any delay, 6795 were brought before him, glowing with garnets, for there were four of them in each one. The light of the moon is nothing compared to the light the very least 6800 of those garnets could shed. Because of the light they gave forth, all those who were in the palace were so thoroughly dazzled that for a while they could not see a thing; 6805 even the king was dazzled by it, and yet he greatly rejoiced, seeing them so bright and beautiful. He had two maidens take one of them and two barons hold the other. 300 6810 Puis comanda avant venir les evesques et les prïeus et les abez religïeus, por enoindre le novel roi selonc la crestïene loi. 6815 Maintenant sont avant venu tuit li prelat, juesne et chenu, car a la cort avoit assez clers et evesques et abez. L'evesques de Nantes meïsmes, 6820 qui molt fu prodom et saintismes, fist le sacre del roi novel molt saintemant et bien et bel, et la corone el chief li mist. Li rois Artus aporter fist 6825 un ceptre qui molt fu löez. Del ceptre la façjon öez, qui fu plus clers c'une venine, toz d'une esmeraude anterine, et si avoit plain poing de gros. 6830 La verité dire vos os qu'an tot le monde n'a meniere de poisson, ne de beste fiere, ne d'ome, ne d'oisel volage, que chascuns lone sa propre ymage * 6835 n'i fust ovrez et antailliez. [26f] Li ceptres fu au roi bailliez, qui a mervoilles l'esgarda, si le mist, que plus ne tarda, li rois Erec an sa main destre: 6840 or fu rois si com il dut estre. Puis ont Enyde coronee. Ja estoit la messe sonee, si s'an vont a la mestre eglise o'£r la messe et le servise; 6845 a l'eveschié s'an vont orer. De joie veïssiez plorer le perë et la mere Enyde, qui ot a non Tarsenesyde; por voir ot non ensi sa mere, 6850 et Licoranz ot non ses pere; molt estoient anbedui lié Quant il vindrent a l'eveschié, ancontre s'an issirent hors, a reliques et a tresors, 6855 croiz et textes et ancenssier, * trestuit li moinne del mostier, 301 6810 Then he ordered the bishops and the priors and the abbots of the religious orders to come forward to anoint the new king according to Christian law. 6815 At once all the prelates, young and old, came forward, for at the court there were many clerics and bishops and abbots. The bishop of Nantes himself, 6820 who was a very saintly gentleman, performed the coronation of the new king, most piously and fittingly, and put the crown upon his head. King Arthur ordered a scepter 6825 brought forth which was greatly praised. Hear how the scepter was made: it was brighter than stained glass, made from one solid emerald, and it was as big as a fist. 6830 I dare to tell you the truth, that in all the world there is no manner of fish, nor of wild beast, nor of man, nor of flying bird, which was not wrought and carved there, 6835 each according to its proper image. The scepter was given to the king, who looked at it with wonder; then, without delay, he placed it in Erec's right hand: 6840 now he was king as he should be. Then they crowned Enide. The bells had already rung for mass, so they went to the main church to hear the mass and the service; 6845 they went to pray at the cathedral. You would have seen Enide's father weep for joy, and also her mother, whose name was Tarsenesyde; truly that was her mother's name, 6850 and her father's name was Licorant; both of them were very happy. When they arrived at the cathedral, all the monks of the monastery issued forth to meet them, 6855 with relics and with treasures, crosses and gospels and censers, 302et o chasses a toz cors sainz, car an l'eglise en avoit mainz: a l'encontre orent tot hors tret, 6860 et de chanter n'i ot po fet. Onques ansanble ne vit nus tant rois, tant contes, ne tant dus, ne tant barons a une messe; si fu granz la presse et espesse 6865 que toz an fu li mostiers plains: onques n'i pot antrer vilains, se dames non et chevalier. Dehors la porte del mostier en avoit ancores assez; 6870 tant en i avoit amassez que el mostier antrer ne porent. Quant tote la messe oïe orent, si sont el chastel retorné. Ja fu tot prest et atorné, 6875 tables mises et napes sus. Cine cenz tables i ot et plus, mes ne vos voel pas feire acroire chose qui ne sanble estre voire: mançonge sanbleroit trop granz 6880 se je disoie que cinc cenz tables fussent mises a tire [27a] en un palés; ja nel quier dire. Ainz en i ot cinc sales pleinnes, si que l'en pooit a granz peinnes 6885 voie antre les tables avoir. A chascune table, por voir, avoit ou roi ou due ou come, et cent chevaliers tot par conte * en chascune table seoient. 6890 Mil chevalier de pein servoient et mil de vin et mil de mes, vestuz d'ermins peliçons fres. Des mes divers don sont servi, ne por quant se ge nel vos di, 6895 vos savroie bien reison randre, mes il m'estuet a el antendre * que a reconter le mangier: asez an orent sanz dangier, 303and reliquaries with holy relics, for in the church there were many of them; to meet them they had brought everything out, 6860 and there was not just a little singing. Never did anyone see together so many kings, counts, dukes, and barons at one mass; so great was the crowd and so thick 6865 that the church was completely full; no peasant could enter there, but only ladies and knights. Outside the door of the church there were many more of them; 6870 so many had gathered that they could not enter the church, When they had heard the whole mass, they returned to the castle. All was ready and in order, 6875 tables set and tablecloths laid. Five hundred tables there were and more, but I do not wish to make you believe something that does not seem true: it would appear too great a lie 6880 if I said that five hundred tables were set up together in one great hall; I do not wish to say that. * Rather, there were five halls full, so that one could only with great difficulty 6885 find a way between the tables. At each table, in truth, there was either a king or a duke or a count, and a hundred knights, by actual count, were seated at each table. 6890 A thousand knights served the bread and a thousand the wine and a thousand the food, dressed in new ermine pelisses. Of the various dishes they were served, if I do not tell you. 6895 I could nevertheless give you an account, but I must attend to something else besides telling about the food; they had plenty, without fail; 304a grant joie et a grant planté 6900 servi furent a volanté. Quant cele feste fu finee, li rois departi l'asanblee des rois et des dus et des contes, dont asez estoit granz li contes, 6905 des autres genz et des menues qui a la feste sont venues. Molt lor ot doné largemant chevax et armes et argent, dras et pailes de mainte guise, 6910 por ce qu'il ert de grant franchise et por Erec qu'il ama tant. Li contes fine ci a tant.