if
your deed is as good as your word." Then each kisses and embraces the
other. Never was there such an affectionate parting after such a fierce
battle; for from very affection and generosity each one cut off long,
wide strips from the bottom of his shirt and bound up the other's
wounds. When they had thus bandaged each other, they commended each
other to God.

(Vv. 3931-4280.) So thus they parted. Guivret takes his way back alone,
while Erec resumed his road, in dire need of plaster wherewith to heal
his wounds. He did not cease to travel until he came to a plain beside a
lofty forest all full of stags, hinds, deer, does, and other beasts,
and all sorts of game. Now King Arthur and the Queen and the best of his
barons had come there that very day. The King wished to spend three or
four days in the forest for pleasure and sport, and had commanded tents,
pavilions, and canopies to be brought. My lord Gawain had stepped into
the King's tent, all tired out by a long ride. In front of the tent a
white beech stood, and there he had left a shield of his, together with
his ashen lance. He left his steed, all saddled and bridled, fastened to
a branch by the rein. There the horse stood until Kay the seneschal came
by. [130] He came up quickly and, as if to beguile the time, took the
steed and mounted, without the interference of any one. He took the
lance and the shield, too, which were close by under the tree. Galloping
along on the steed, Kay rode along a valley until it came about by
chance that Erec met him. Now Erec recognised the seneschal, and he knew
the arms and the horse, but Kay did not recognise him, for he could not
be distinguished by his arms. So many blows of sword and lance had he
received upon his shield that all the painted design had disappeared
from it. And the lady, who did not wish to be seen or recognised by him,
shrewdly held her veil before her face, as if she were doing it because
of the sun's glare and the dust. Kay approached rapidly and straightway
seized Erec's rein, without so much as saluting him. Before he let him
move, he presumptuously asked him: "Knight," says he, "I wish to know
who you are and whence you come." "You must be mad to stop me thus,"
says Erec; "you shall not know that just now." And the other replies:
"Be not angry; I only ask it for your good. I can see and make out
clearly that you are wounded and hurt. If you will come along with me
you shall have a good lodging this night;