y told
him the truth what had happened to his old, white-haired father, and
how he now was dead and gone. This grieved Erec much more than he showed
before the people. But sorrow is not seemly in a king, nor does it
become a king to mourn. There at Tintagel where he was, he caused vigils
for the dead and Masses to be sung; he promised and kept his promises,
as he had vowed to the religious houses and churches; he did well all
that he ought to do: he chose out more than one hundred and sixty-nine
of the wretched poor, and clothed them all in new garments. To the poor
clerks and priors he gave, as was right, black copes and warm linings to
wear beneath. For God's sake he did great good to all: to those who were
in need he distributed more than a barrel of small coins. When he had
shared his wealth, he then did a very wise thing in receiving his land
from the King's hand; and then he begged the King to crown him at his
court. The King bade him quickly be prepared; for they shall both be
crowned, he together with his wife, at the approaching Christmastide;
and he added: "You must go hence to Nantes in Brittany; there you shall
carry a royal ensign with crown on head and sceptre in hand; this gift
and privilege I bestow upon you." Erec thanked the King, and said that
that was a noble gift. At Christmas the King assembles all his nobles,
summoning them individually and commanding them to come to Nantes. He
summoned them all, and none stayed behind. Erec, too, sent word to many
of his followers, and summoned them to come thither; but more came than
he had bidden, to serve him and do him honour. I cannot tell you or
relate who each one was, and what his name; but whoever came or did not
come, the father and mother of my lady Enide were not forgotten. Her
father was sent for first of all, and he came to court in handsome
style, like a great lord and a chatelain. There was no great crowd of
chaplains or of silly, gaping yokels, but of excellent knights and of
people well equipped. Each day they made a long day's journey, and rode
on each day with great joy and great display, until on Christmas eve
they came to the city of Nantes. They made no halt until they entered
the great hall where the King and his courtiers were. Erec and Enide
see them, and you may know how glad they were. To meet them they quickly
make their way, and salute and embrace them, speaking to them tenderly
and showing their delight as they should. When they had r