n the fifth day to Camant, where King Lac was residing in a very
charming town. No one ever saw one better situated; for the town was
provided with forests and meadow-land, with vineyards and farms, with
streams and orchards, with ladies and knights, and fine, lively youths,
and polite, well-mannered clerks who spent their incomes freely, with
fair and charming maidens, and with prosperous burghers. Before Erec
reached the town, he sent two knights ahead to announce his arrival
to the King. When he heard the news, the King had clerks, knights, and
damsels quickly mount, and ordered the bells to be rung, and the streets
to be hung with tapestries and silken stuffs, that his son might be
received with joy; then he himself got on his horse. Of clerks there
were present fourscore, gentle and honourable men, clad in grey cloaks
bordered with sable. Of knights there were full five hundred, mounted
on bay, sorrel, or white-spotted steeds. There were so many burghers and
dames that no one could tell the number of them. The King and his son
galloped and rode on till they saw and recognised each other. They both
jump down from their horses and embrace and greet each other for a long
time, without stirring from the place where they first met. Each party
wished the other joy: the King makes much of Erec, but all at once
breaks off to turn to Enide. On all sides he is in clover: he embraces
and kisses them both, and knows not which of the two pleases him the
more. As they gaily enter the castle, the bells all ring their peals to
honour Erec's arrival. The streets are all strewn with reeds, mint, and
iris, and are hung overhead with curtains and tapestries of fancy silk
and satin stuffs. There was great rejoicing; for all the people came
together to see their new lord, and no one ever saw greater happiness
than was shown alike by young and old. First they came to the church,
where very devoutly they were received in a procession. Erec kneeled
before the altar of the Crucifix, and two knights led his wife to the
image of Our Lady. When she had finished her prayer, she stepped back
a little and crossed herself with her right hand, as a well-bred dame
should do. Then they came out from the church and entered the royal
palace, when the festivity began. That day Erec received many presents
from the knights and burghers: from one a palfrey of northern stock, and
from another a golden cup. One presents him with a golden pigeon-hawk,
another w