hoice and the best situated that there were in all his
land, with nothing to fear from attack. Montrevel was the name of one,
and the other's name was Roadan. When they should arrive in his kingdom,
they should make over to them these two towns, together with their rents
and their jurisdiction, in accordance with what he had promised them.
All was carried out as Erec had ordered. The messengers made no delay,
and in good time they presented to his host the gold and the silver
and the sumpters and the robes and the money, of which there was great
plenty. They escorted them into Erec's kingdom, and strove to serve them
well. They came into the country on the third day, and transferred to
them the towers of the towns; for King Lac made no objection. He gave
them a warm welcome and showed them honour, loving them for the sake
of his son Erec. He made over to them the title to the towns, and
established their suzerainty by making knights and bourgeois swear that
they would reverence them as their true liege lords. When this was
done and accomplished, the messengers returned to their lord Erec, who
received them gladly. When he asked for news of the vavasor and his
lady, of his own father and of his kingdom, the report they gave him was
good and fair.

(Vv. 1915-2024.) Not long after this, the time drew near when Erec was
to celebrate his marriage. The delay was irksome to him, and he resolved
no longer to suffer and wait. So he went and asked of the King that
it might please him to allow him to be married at the court. The King
vouchsafed him the boon, and sent through all his kingdom to search for
the kings and counts who were his liege-men, bidding them that none be
so bold as not to be present at Pentecost. None dares to hold back and
not go to court at the King's summons. Now I will tell you, and listen
well, who were these counts and kings. With a rich escort and one
hundred extra mounts Count Brandes of Gloucester came. After him came
Menagormon, who was Count of Clivelon. And he of the Haute Montagne came
with a very rich following. The Count of Treverain came, too, with a
hundred of his knights, and Count Godegrain with as many more. Along
with those whom I have just mentioned came Maheloas, a great baron, lord
of the Isle of Voirre. In this island no thunder is heard, no lightning
strikes, nor tempests rage, nor do toads or serpents exist there, nor is
it ever too hot or too cold. [121] Graislemier of Fine Posterne b