you." Erec replies: "Thank you!
For no other purpose have I come; I need a lodging place this night."

(Vv. 393-410.) Erec dismounts from his horse, which the host himself
leads away by the bridle, and does great honour to his guest. The
vavasor summons his wife and his beautiful daughter, who were busy in a
work-room--doing I know not what. The lady came out with her daughter,
who was dressed in a soft white under-robe with wide skirts hanging
loose in folds. Over it she wore a white linen garment, which completed
her attire. And this garment was so old that it was full of holes down
the sides. Poor, indeed, was her garb without, but within her body was
fair.

(Vv. 411-458.) The maid was charming, in sooth, for Nature had used all
her skill in forming her. Nature herself had marvelled more than five
hundred times how upon this one occasion she had succeeded in creating
such a perfect thing. Never again could she so strive successfully to
reproduce her pattern. Nature bears witness concerning her that never
was so fair a creature seen in all the world. In truth I say that never
did Iseut the Fair have such radiant golden tresses that she could be
compared with this maiden. [18] The complexion of her forehead and face
was clearer and more delicate than the lily. But with wondrous art her
face with all its delicate pallor was suffused with a fresh crimson
which Nature had bestowed upon her. Her eyes were so bright that they
seemed like two stars. God never formed better nose, mouth, and eyes.
What shall I say of her beauty? In sooth, she was made to be looked at;
for in her one could have seen himself as in a mirror. So she came forth
from the work-room: and when she saw the knight whom she had never seen
before, she drew back a little, because she did not know him, and in her
modesty she blushed. Erec, for his part, was amazed when he beheld such
beauty in her, and the vavasor said to her: "Fair daughter dear, take
this horse and lead him to the stable along with my own horses. See that
he lack for nothing: take off his saddle and bridle, give him oats and
hay, look after him and curry him, that he may be in good condition."

(Vv. 459-546) The maiden takes the horse, unlaces his breast-strap, and
takes off his bridle and saddle. Now the horse is in good hands, for she
takes excellent care of him. She throws a halter over his head, rubs him
down, curries him, and makes him comfortable. Then she ties him to the
manger an