ur horses
quickly saddled; then run and call our host, and tell him quickly to
come here. Treason has been long abroad." Now the horses are saddled,
and the lady summoned the host. Erec has armed and dressed himself, and
into his presence came the host. "Sire," said he, "what haste is this,
that you are risen at such an hour, before the day and the sun appear?"
Erec replies that he has a long road and a full day before him, and
therefore he has made ready to set out, having it much upon his mind;
and he added: "Sire, you have nor yet handed me any statement of my
expenses. You have received me with honour and kindness, and therein
great merit redounds to you. Cancel my indebtedness with these seven
horses that I brought here with me. Do not disdain them, but keep them
for your own. I cannot increase my gift to you by so much as the value
of a halter." The burgher was delighted with this gift and bowed low,
expressing his thanks and gratitude. Then Erec mounts and takes his
leave, and they set out upon their way. As they ride, he frequently
warns Enide that if she sees anything she should not be so bold as to
speak to him about it. Meanwhile, there entered the house a hundred
knights well armed, and very much dismayed they were to find Erec no
longer there. Then the Count learned that the lady had deceived him. He
discovered the footsteps of the horses, and they all followed the trail,
the Count threatening Erec and vowing that, if he can come up with him,
nothing can keep him from having his head on the spot. "A curse on
him who now hangs back, and does not spur on fast!" quoth he; "he who
presents me with the head of the knight whom I hate so bitterly, will
have served me to my taste." Then they plunge on at topmost speed,
filled with hostility toward him who had never laid eyes on them and had
never harmed them by deed or word. They ride ahead until they made him
out; at the edge of a forest they catch sight of him before he was hid
by the forest trees. Not one of them halted then, but all rushed on in
rivalry. Enide hears the clang and noise of their arms and horses, and
sees that the valley is full of them. As soon as she saw them, she could
not restrain her tongue. "Ah, sire," she cries, "alas, how this Count
has attacked you, when he leads against you such a host! Sire, ride
faster now, until we be within this wood. I think we can easily distance
them, for they are still a long way behind. If you go on at this pace,