nt: it was no less valuable than her own which had stayed
behind at Limors. That other one was dappled, this one was sorrel; but
the head was of another colour: it was marked in such a way that one
cheek was all white, while the other was raven black. Between the
two colours there was a line, greener than a grape-vine leaf, which
separated the white from the black. Of the bridle, breast-strap, and
saddle I can surely say that the workmanship was rich and handsome. All
the breast-strap and bridle was of gold set with emeralds. The saddle
was decorated in another style, covered with a precious purple cloth.
The saddle-bows were of ivory, on which was carved the story of how
Aeneas came from Troy, how at Carthage with great joy Dido received him
to her bed, how Aeneas deceived her, and how for him she killed herself,
how Aeneas conquered Laurentum and all Lombardy, of which he was king
all his life. [135] Cunning was the workmanship and well carved, all
decorated with fine gold. A skilful craftsman, who made it spent more
than seven years in carving it, without touching any other piece of
work. I do not know whether he sold it; but he ought to have obtained a
good price for it. Now that Enide was presented with this palfrey, she
was well compensated for the loss of her own. The palfrey, thus richly
apparelled, was given to her and she mounted it gladly; then the
gentlemen and squires quickly mounted too. For their pleasure and
sport Guivret caused to be taken with them rich falcons, both young
and moulted, many a tercel and sparrow-hawk, and many a setter and
greyhound.

(Vv. 5367-5446.) [136] They rode straight on from morn till eve more
than thirty Welsh leagues, and then came to the towers of a stronghold,
rich and fair, girt all about with a new wall. And all around, beneath
this wall, ran a very deep stream, roaring rushing like a storm. Erec
stops to look at it, and ask and find out if any one could truly
tell him who was the lord of this town. "Friend," said he to his kind
companion, "could you tell me the name of this town, and whose it is?
Tell me if it belongs to a count or a king. Since you have brought me
here, tell me, if you know." "Sire," he says, "I know very well, and
will tell you the truth about it. The name of the town is Brandigant,
and it is so strong and fine that it fears neither king nor emperor.
If France, and all of England, and all who live from here to Liege were
ranged about to lay a siege, th