e you thinking?
There come riding after you three knights who press you hard. I greatly
fear they will do you harm." "What?" says Erec, "what's that you say?
You have surely been very bold to disdain my command and prohibition.
This time you shall be pardoned; but if it should happen another time,
you would not be forgiven." Then turning his shield and lance, he rushes
at the knight. The latter sees him coming and challenges him. When Erec
hears him, he defies him. Both give spur and clash together, holding
their lances at full extent. But he missed Erec, while Erec used him
hard; for he knew well the right attack. He strikes him on the shield
so fiercely that he cracks it from top to bottom. Nor is his hauberk any
protection: Erec pierces and crushes it in the middle of his breast, and
thrusts a foot and a half of his lance into his body. When he drew back,
he pulled out the shaft. And the other fell to earth. He must needs die,
for the blade had drunk of his life's blood. Then one of the other two
rushes forward, leaving his companion behind, and spurs toward Erec,
threatening him. Erec firmly grasps his shield, and attacks him with
a stout heart. The other holds his shield before his breast. Then they
strike upon the emblazoned shields. The knight's lance flies into two
bits, while Erec drives a quarter of lance's length through the other's
breast. He will give him no more trouble. Erec unhorses him and leaves
him in a faint, while he spurs at an angle toward the third robber. When
the latter saw him coming on he began to make his escape. He was afraid,
and did not dare to face him; so he hastened to take refuge in the
woods. But his flight is of small avail, for Erec follows him close
and cries aloud: "Vassal, vassal, turn about now, and prepare to defend
yourself, so that I may not slay you in act of flight. It is useless
to try to escape." But the fellow has no desire to turn about, and
continues to flee with might and main. Following and overtaking him,
Erec hits him squarely on his painted shield, and throws him over on the
other side. To these three robbers he gives no further heed: one he has
killed, another wounded, and of the third he got rid by throwing him
to earth from his steed. He took the horses of all three and tied them
together by the bridles. In colour they were not alike: the first was
white as milk, the second black and not at all bad looking, while the
third was dappled all over. He came back to t