rderlands of Geraint, in burning, plundering and slaying, since he
had heard that Geraint was become soft and foolish. And he had
recognised Sir Geraint while he lay in the swoon, and rejoiced that now
he was like to die.

As he rode along he thought that if he could prevail upon the Lady Enid
to wed him, he might get much land with her, as the widow of the dead
Sir Geraint, future King of Cornwall. And he determined to make her
marry him.

When, therefore, he and his host had reached his castle, he ordered the
dead knight to be buried, but Sir Geraint he commanded to be laid in
his shield on a litter-couch in front of the high table in the hall. So
that Sir Geraint should die, he commanded that no leech should be sent
for.

While his knights and men-at-arms sat down to dine, Earl Madoc came to
Enid and begged her to make good cheer. But, thinking to gain more from
secrecy, he did not tell her that he knew who she was, nor did he show
her that he knew who was her lord.

'Take off thy travelling clothes, fair lady,' he said, 'and weep not
for this dead knight.'

'I will not,' she said, and hung over Geraint, chafing his hands and
looking earnestly into his pallid face.

'Ah, lady,' the earl said, 'be not so sorrowful. For he is now dead,
and therefore ye need no longer mourn. But as ye are beautiful, I would
wed thee, and thou shalt have this earldom and myself and much wealth
and all these men to serve thee.'

'I tell you I will rather die with my dead lord, if indeed he be dead,'
cried Enid, 'than live in wealth with you or any one.'

'Come, then,' said the earl, 'and at least take food with me.'

'Nay, I will not,' said Enid, 'and never more will I eat or be joyful
in life.'

'But, by Heaven, thou shalt,' said Madoc, furious at her resistance to
his will.

And he drew her from beside the litter, and forced her to come to the
table where his knights sat eating, and commanded her to eat.

'I will not eat,' she cried, straining from his hold towards where
Geraint lay, 'unless my dear lord shall eat also.'

'But he is dead already, thou mad woman,' cried the earl. 'Drink this
goblet of wine,' he commanded, 'and thou wilt change thy mind.'

'I will not drink again until my dear lord drink also,' said Enid, and
strove to free herself from the grasp of the earl.

'Now, by Heaven!' said Madoc wrathfully, 'I have tried gentle means
with thee. Let this teach thee that I am not to be baulked of my will.'

Wi