at top speed, where he engaged
suitable quarters. Now behold! he is back again: "Now mount, sire,
quickly," says he, "for you have a good fine lodging ready." Erec
mounted, and then his lady, and, as the town was hard by, they soon had
reached their lodging-place. There they were received with joy. The host
with kindness welcomed them, and with joy and gladness made generous
provision for their needs.

(Vv. 3209-3458.) When the squire had done for them all the honour that
he could do, he came and mounted his horse again, leading it off in
front of the Count's bower to the stable. The Count and three of his
vassals were leaning out of the bower, when the Count, seeing his squire
mounted on the dappled steed, asked him whose it was. And he replied
that it was his. The Count, greatly astonished, says: "How is that?
Where didst thou get him?" "A knight whom I esteem highly gave him to
me, sire," says he. "I have conducted him within this town, and he
is lodged at a burgher's house. He is a very courteous knight and the
handsomest man I ever saw. Even if I had given you my word and oath,
I could not half tell you how handsome he is." The Count replies: "I
suppose and presume that he is not more handsome than I am." "Upon my
word, sire," the sergeant says, "you are very handsome and a gentleman.
There is not a knight in this country, a native of this land, whom you
do not excel in favour. But I dare maintain concerning this one that
he is fairer than you, if he were not beaten black and blue beneath his
hauberk, and bruised. In the forest he has been fighting single-handed
with eight knights, and leads away their eight horses. And there comes
with him a lady so fair that never lady was half so fair as she." [128]
When the Count hears this news, the desire takes him to go and see if
this is true or false. "I never heard such a thing," says he; "take me
now to his lodging-place, for certainly I wish to know if thou dost lie
or speak the truth." He replies: "Right gladly, sire. This is the way
and the path to follow, for it is not far from here." "I am anxious to
see them," says the Count. Then he comes down, and the squire gets off
his horse, and makes the Count mount in his place. Then he ran ahead
to tell Erec that the Count was coming to visit him. Erec's lodging was
rich indeed--the kind to which he was accustomed. There were many tapers
and candles lighted all about. The Count came attended by only three
companions. Erec,