od things, now she had her joy and pleasures; for
unadorned they lie in bed and each enfolds and kisses the other; nothing
gives them so much joy. They have had so much pain and sorrow, he for
her, and she for him, that now they have their satisfaction. Each vies
in seeking to please the other. Of their further sport I must not speak.
Now they have so welded their love and forgotten their grief that they
scarcely remember it any more. But now they must go on their way; so
they asked his leave to depart from Guivret, in whom they had found a
friend indeed; for he had honoured and served them in every way. When he
came to take leave, Erec said: "Sire, I do not wish to delay longer
my departure for my own land. Order everything to be prepared and
collected, in order that I may have all I need. I shall wish to start
to-morrow morning, as soon as it is day. I have stayed so long with you
that I feel strong and vigorous. God grant, if it please Him, that I may
live to meet you again somewhere, when I may be able in my turn to serve
and honour you. Unless I am captured or detained, I do not expect to
tarry anywhere until I reach the court of King Arthur, whom I hope to
find either at Robais or Carduel." To which Guivret makes prompt reply,
"Sire, you shall not go off alone! For I myself shall go with you and
shall take companions with us, if it be your pleasure." Erec accedes to
this advice, and says that, in accordance with his plans, he wishes
the journey to be begun. That night they make preparations for their
journey, not wishing to delay there longer. They all make ready and
prepare. In the early morning, when they awake, the saddles are placed
upon the steeds. Before he leaves, Erec goes to bid farewell to the
damsels in their rooms; and Enide (who was glad and full of joy) thither
follows him. When their preparations for departure were made, they took
their leave of the damsels. Erec, who was very courteous, in taking
leave of them, thanks them for his health and life, and pledges to them
his service. Then he took one of them by the hand she who was the nearer
to him and Enide took the other's hand: hand in hand they came up from
the bedroom into the castle hall. Guivret urges them to mount at once
without delay. Enide thinks the time will never come for them to mount.
They bring around to the block for her a good-tempered palfrey, a soft
stepper, handsome and well shaped. The palfrey was of fine appearance
and a good mou