When thou thus dost petition me I fain would hear thee admit
outright whether thou art defeated and overcome. Thou shalt not again be
touched by me if thou dost surrender at my discretion." The knight was
slow to make reply. So, when Erec saw him hesitate, in order to further
dismay him, he again attacked him, rushing at him with drawn sword;
whereupon, thoroughly terrified, he cried: "Mercy, sire! Regard me as
your captive, since it cannot be otherwise." Erec answers: "More than
that is necessary. You shall not get off so easily as that. Tell me your
station and your name, and I in turn will tell you mine." "Sire," says
he, "you are right. I am king of this country. My liegemen are Irishmen,
and there is none who does not have to pay me rent. [129] My name
is Guivret the Little. I am very rich and powerful; for there is no
landholder whose lands touch mine in any direction who ever transgresses
my command and who does not do my pleasure. I have no neighbour who does
not fear me, however proud and bold he may be. But I greatly desire to
be your confidant and friend from this time on." Erec replies: "I, too,
can boast that I am a noble man. My name is Erec, son of King Lac. My
father is king of Farther Wales, and has many a rich city, fine hall,
and strong town; no king or emperor has more than he, save only King
Arthur. Him, of course, I except; for with him none can compare."
Guivret is greatly astonished at this, and says: "Sire, a great marvel
is this I hear. I was never so glad of anything as of your acquaintance.
You may put full trust in me! And should it please you to abide in my
country within my estates, I shall have you treated with great honour.
So long as you care to remain here, you shall be recognised as my lord.
We both have need of a physician, and I have a castle of mine near here,
not eight leagues away, nor even seven. I wish to take you thither with
me, and there we shall have our wounds tended." Erec replies: "I thank
you for what I have heard you say. However, I will not go, thank you.
But only so much I request of you, that if I should be in need, and
you should hear that I had need of aid, you would not then forget me."
"Sire" says he, "I promise you that never, so long as I am alive, shall
you have need of my help but that I shall go at once to aid you with all
the assistance I can command." "I have nothing more to ask of you," says
Erec; "you have promised me much. You are now my lord and friend,