d up; for Erec gave him three such strokes that he slaked his
sword's thirst in his blood. He severs the shoulder from his body, so
that it fell down on the ground. Then, with sword drawn, he attacked the
other, as he sought to escape without company or escort. When he sees
Erec pursuing him, he is so afraid that he knows not what to do: he does
not dare to face him, and cannot turn aside; he has to leave his horse,
for he has no more trust in him. He throws away his shield and lance,
and slips from his horse to earth. When he saw him on his feet, Erec
no longer cared to pursue him, but he stooped over for the lance, not
wishing to leave that, because of his own which had been broken. He
carries off his lance and goes away, not leaving the horses behind: he
catches all five of them and leads them off. Enide had hard work to
lead them all; for he hands over all five of them to her with the other
three, and commands her to go along smartly, and to keep from addressing
him in order that no evil or harm may come to her. So not a word does
she reply, but rather keeps silence; and thus they go, leading with them
all the eight horses.

(Vv. 3086-3208.) They rode till nightfall without coming to any town or
shelter. When night came on, they took refuge beneath a tree in an open
field. Erec bids his lady sleep, and he will watch. She replies that she
will not, for it is not right, and she does not wish to do so. It is
for him to sleep who is more weary. Well pleased at this, Erec accedes.
Beneath his head he placed his shield, and the lady took her cloak, and
stretched it over him from head to foot. Thus, he slept and she kept
watch, never dozing the whole night, but holding tight in her hand by
the bridle the horses until the morning broke; and much she blamed and
reproached herself for the words which she had uttered, and said that
she acted badly, and was not half so ill-treated as she deserved to be.
"Alas," said she, "in what an evil hour have I witnessed my pride and
presumption! I might have known without doubt that there was no knight
better than, or so good as, my lord. I knew it well enough before, but
now I know it better. For I have seen with my own eyes how he has not
quailed before three or even five armed men. A plague for ever upon
my tongue for having uttered such pride and insult as now compel me
to suffer shame!" All night long she thus lamented until the morning
dawned. Erec rises early, and again they take th