at them lance
in rest. He fears neither of them, in spite of their menace and their
pride, and strikes the foremost of them through the eye so deep into the
brain that the blood and brains spurt out at the back of his neck; that
one lies dead and his heart stops beating. When the other saw him dead,
he had reason to be sorely grieved. Furious, he went to avenge him: with
both hands he raised his club on high and thought to strike him squarely
upon his unprotected head: but Erec watched the blow, and received it on
his shield. Even so, the giant landed such a blow that it quite stunned
him, and almost made him fall to earth from his steed. Erec covers
himself with his shield and the giant, recovering himself, thinks to
strike again quickly upon his head. But Erec had drawn his sword, and
attacked him with such fierceness that the giant was severely handled:
he strikes him so hard upon the neck that he splits him down to the
saddle-bow. He scatters his bowels upon the earth, and the body falls
full length, split in two halves. The knight weeps with joy and,
worshipping, praises God who has sent him this aid. Then Erec unbound
him, made him dress and arm himself, and mount one of the horses; the
other he made him lead with his right hand, and asks him who he is. And
he replied: "Noble knight, thou art my liege lord. I wish to regard
thee as my lord, as by right I ought to do, for thou hast saved my life,
which but now would have been cut off from my body with great torment
and cruelty. What chance, fair gentle sire, in God's name, guided thee
hither to me, to free me by thy courage from the hands of my enemies?
Sire, I wish to do thee homage. Henceforth, I shall always accompany
thee and serve thee as my lord." Erec sees that he is disposed to serve
him gladly, if he may, and says: "Friend, for your service I have no
desire; but you must know that I came hither to succour you at the
instance of your lady, whom I found sorrowing in this wood. Because of
you, she grieves and moans; for full of sorrow is her heart. I wish to
present you to her now. As soon as I have reunited you with her, I shall
continue my way alone; for you have no call to go with me. I have no
need cf your company; but I fain would know your name." "Sire," says he,
"as you wish. Since you desire to know my name, it must not be kept from
you. My name is Cadoc of Tabriol: know that thus I am called. But since
I must part from you. I should like to know, if it