e in courtesy, beauty, and gentleness. And they were so alike in
quality, manner, and customs, that no one wishing to tell the truth
could choose the better of them, nor the fairer, nor the more discreet.
Their sentiments, too, were much alike; so that they were well suited
to each other. Thus each steals the other's heart away. Law or marriage
never brought together two such sweet creatures. And so they rode along
until just on the stroke of noon they approached the castle of Cardigan,
where they were both expected. Some of the first nobles of the court had
gone up to look from the upper windows and see if they could see them.
Queen Guinevere ran up, and even the King came with Kay and Perceval of
Wales, and with them my lord Gawain and Tor, the son of King Ares; Lucan
the cupbearer was there, too, and many another doughty knight. Finally,
they espied Erec coming along in company with his lady. They all knew
him well enough from as far as they could see him. The Queen is greatly
pleased, and indeed the whole court is glad of his coming, because they
all love him so. As soon as he was come before the entrance hall, the
King and Queen go down to meet him, all greeting him in God's name. They
welcome Erec and his maiden, commending and praising her great beauty.
And the King himself caught her and lifted her down from her palfrey.
The King was decked in fine array and was then in cheery mood. He did
signal honour to the damsel by taking her hand and leading her up into
the great stone hall. After them Erec and the Queen also went up hand
in hand, and he said to her: "I bring you, lady, my damsel and my
sweetheart dressed in poor garb. As she was given to me, so have I
brought her to you. She is the daughter of a poor vavasor. Through
poverty many an honourable man is brought low: her father, for instance,
is gentle and courteous, but he has little means. And her mother is a
very gentle lady, the sister of a rich Count. She has no lack of beauty
or of lineage, that I should not marry her. It is poverty that has
compelled her to wear this white linen garment until both sleeves are
torn at the side. And yet, had it been my desire, she might have had
dresses rich enough. For another damsel, a cousin of hers, wished to
give her a robe of ermine and of spotted or grey silk. But I would
not have her dressed in any other robe until you should have seen her.
Gentle lady, consider the matter now and see what need she has of a
fine be