and my mother was greatly pleased. All our relatives
knew it and rejoiced over it, as they should do. Even the Count was
glad. For he is so good a knight that better cannot be found, and he
does not need to prove his honour and knighthood, and he is of very
gentle birth: I do not think that any can be his equal. He loves me
much, and I love him more, and our love cannot be greater. Never yet
could I withhold my love from him, nor should I do so. For is not my
lord the son of a king? For did he not take me when I was poor and
naked? Through him has such honour come to me that never was any such
vouchsafed to a poor helpless girl. And if it please you, I will tell
you without lying how I came to be thus raised up; for never will I be
slow to tell the story." Then she told and related to her how Erec
came to Lalut; for she had no desire to conceal it. She told her the
adventure word for word, without omission. But I pass over it now,
because he who tells a story twice makes his tale now tiresome. While
they were thus conversing, one lady slipped away alone, who sent and
told it all to the gentlemen, in order to increase and heighten their
pleasure too. All those who heard it rejoiced at this news. And when
Mabonagrain knew it he was delighted for his sweetheart because now
she was comforted. And she who bore them quickly the news made them all
happy in a short space. Even the King was glad for it; although he was
very happy before, yet now he is still happier, and shows Erec great
honour. Enide leads away her fair cousin, fairer than Helen, more
graceful and charming. Now Erec and Mabonagrain, Guivret and King
Evrain, and all the others run to meet them and salute them and do them
honour, for no one is grudging or holds back. Mabonagrain makes much of
Enide, and she of him. Erec and Guivret, for their part, rejoice over
the damsel as they all kiss and embrace each other. They propose to
return to the castle, for they have stayed too long in the garden. They
are all prepared to go out; so they sally forth joyfully, kissing each
other on the way. All go out after the King, but before they reached the
castle, the nobles were assembled from all the country around, and all
those who knew of the Joy, and who could do so, came hither. Great was
the gathering and the press. Every one, high and low, rich and poor,
strives to see Erec. Each thrusts himself before the other, and they
all salute him and bow before him, saying constantly