mortal fear. Having noticed them, I am of the opinion that
they intend to fight with you. Four of them have stayed behind, and the
other comes toward you as fast as his steed can carry him. I am afraid
every moment lest he will strike you. 'Tis true, the four have stayed
behind; but still they are not far away, and will quickly aid him,
if need arise." Erec replies: "You had an evil thought, when you
transgressed my command--a thing which I had forbidden you. And yet I
knew all the time that you did not hold me in esteem. Your service has
been ill employed; for it has not awakened my gratitude, but rather
kindled the more my ire. I have told you that once, and I say it again.
This once again I will pardon you; but another time restrain yourself,
and do not again turn around to watch me: for in doing so you would
be very foolish. I do not relish your words." Then he spurs across the
field toward his adversary, and they come together. Each seeks out and
assails the other. Erec strikes him with such force that his shield
flies from his neck, and thus he breaks his collar-bone. His stirrups
break, and he falls without the strength to rise again, for he was badly
bruised and wounded. One of the others then appeared, and they attack
each other fiercely. Without difficulty Erec thrusts the sharp and well
forged steel into his neck beneath the chin, severing thus the bones
and nerves. At the back of his neck the blade protrudes, and the hot red
blood flows down on both sides from the wound. He yields his spirit, and
his heart is still. The third sallies forth from his hiding-place on
the other side of a ford. Straight through the water, on he comes. Erec
spurs forward and meets him before he came out of the water, striking
him so hard that he beats down flat both rider and horse. The steed lay
upon the body long enough to drown him in the stream, and then struggled
until with difficulty he got upon his feet. Thus he conquered three of
them, when the other two thought it wise to quit the conflict and not to
strive with him. In flight they follow the stream, and Erec after them
in hot pursuit, until he strikes one upon the spine so hard that he
throws him forward upon the saddle-bow. He put all his strength into the
blow, and breaks his lance upon his body, so that the fellow fell head
foremost. Erec makes him pay dearly for the lance which he has broken
on him, and drew his sword from the scabbard. The fellow unwisely
straightene