Four Arthurian Romances
truth concerning all that you asked me. But I must still tell you that
there is in this garden a horn which I doubt not you have seen. I cannot
issue forth from here until you have blown the horn; but then you will
have released me, and then the Joy will begin. Whoever shall hear and
give it heed no hindrance will detain him, when he shall hear the sound
of the horn, from coming straight-way to the court. Rise up, sire! Go
quickly now! Go take the horn right joyfully; for you have no further
cause to wait; so do that which you must do." Now Erec rose, and the
other rises with him, and both approach the horn. Erec takes it and
blows it, putting into it all his strength, so that the sound of it
reaches far. Greatly did Enide rejoice when she heard the note, and
Guivret was greatly delighted too. The King is glad, and so are his
people; there is not one who is not well suited and pleased at this.
No one ceases or leaves off from making merry and from song. Erec could
boast that day, for never was such rejoicing made; it could not be
described or related by mouth of man, but I will tell you the sum of it
briefly and with few words. The news spreads through the country that
thus the affair has turned out. Then there was no holding back from
coming to the court. All the people hasten thither in confusion, some
on foot and some on horse, without waiting for each other. And those who
were in the garden hastened to remove Erec's arms, and in emulation they
all sang a song about the Joy; and the ladies made up a lay which they
called 'the Lay of Joy', [142] but the lay is not well known. Erec was
well sated with joy and well served to his heart's desire; but she who
sat on the silver couch was not a bit pleased. The joy which she saw was
not at all to her taste. But many people have to keep still and look
on at what gives them pain. Enide acted graciously; because she saw her
sitting pensive, alone on the couch, she felt moved to go and speak with
her and tell her about her affairs and about herself, and to strive, if
possible, to make her tell in return about herself, if it did not cause
her too great distress. Enide thought to go alone, wishing to take no
one with her, but some of the most noble and fairest dames and damsels
followed her out of affection to bear her company, and also to comfort
her to whom the joy brings great chagrin; for she assumed that now her
lover would be no longer with her so much as he had been, inasmuch as he
desired to leave the garden. However disappointing it may be, no one can
prevent his going away, for the hour and the time have come. Therefore
the tears ran down her face from her eyes. Much more than I can say was
she grieving and distressed; nevertheless she sat up straight. But she
does not care so much for any of those who try to comfort her that she
ceases her moan. Enide salutes her kindly; but for a while the other
could not reply a word, being prevented by the sighs and sobs which
torment and distress her. Some time it was before the damsel returned
her salutation, and when she had looked at her and examined her for a
while, it seemed that she had seen and known her before. But not being
very certain of it, she was not slow to inquire from whence she was, of
what country, and where her lord was born; she inquires who they both
are. Enide replies briefly and tells her the truth, saying: "I am the
niece of the Count who holds sway over Lalut, the daughter of his own
sister; at Lalut I was born and brought up." The other cannot help
smiling, without hearing more, for she is so delighted that she forgets
her sorrow. Her heart leaps with joy which she cannot conceal. She runs
and embraces Enide, saying: "I am your cousin! This is the very truth,
and you are my father's niece; for he and your father are brothers. But
I suspect that you do not know and have never heard how I came into this
country. The Count, your uncle, was at war, and to him there came to
fight for pay knights of many lands. Thus, fair cousin, it came about,
that with these hireling knights there came one who was the nephew of
the king of Brandigan. He was with my father almost a year. That was, I
think, twelve years ago, and I was still but a little child. He was very
handsome and attractive. There we had an understanding between us that
pleased us both. I never had any wish but his, until at last he began to
love me and promised and swore to me that he would always be my lover,
and that he would bring me here; that pleased us both alike. He could
not wait, and I was longing to come hither with him; so we both came
away, and no one knew of it but ourselves. In those days you and I were
both young and little girls. I have told you the truth; so now tell me
in turn, as I have told you, all about your lover, and by what adventure
he won you." "Fair cousin, he married me in such a way that my father
knew all about it, and my mother was greatly pleased. All our relatives
knew it and rejoiced over it, as they should do. Even the Count was
glad. For he is so good a knight that better cannot be found, and he
does not need to prove his honour and knighthood, and he is of very
gentle birth: I do not think that any can be his equal. He loves me
much, and I love him more, and our love cannot be greater. Never yet
could I withhold my love from him, nor should I do so. For is not my
lord the son of a king? For did he not take me when I was poor and
naked? Through him has such honour come to me that never was any such
vouchsafed to a poor helpless girl. And if it please you, I will tell
you without lying how I came to be thus raised up; for never will I be
slow to tell the story." Then she told and related to her how Erec
came to Lalut; for she had no desire to conceal it. She told her the
adventure word for word, without omission. But I pass over it now,
because he who tells a story twice makes his tale now tiresome. While
they were thus conversing, one lady slipped away alone, who sent and
told it all to the gentlemen, in order to increase and heighten their
pleasure too. All those who heard it rejoiced at this news. And when
Mabonagrain knew it he was delighted for his sweetheart because now
she was comforted. And she who bore them quickly the news made them all
happy in a short space. Even the King was glad for it; although he was
very happy before, yet now he is still happier, and shows Erec great
honour. Enide leads away her fair cousin, fairer than Helen, more
graceful and charming. Now Erec and Mabonagrain, Guivret and King
Evrain, and all the others run to meet them and salute them and do them
honour, for no one is grudging or holds back. Mabonagrain makes much of
Enide, and she of him. Erec and Guivret, for their part, rejoice over
the damsel as they all kiss and embrace each other. They propose to
return to the castle, for they have stayed too long in the garden. They
are all prepared to go out; so they sally forth joyfully, kissing each
other on the way. All go out after the King, but before they reached the
castle, the nobles were assembled from all the country around, and all
those who knew of the Joy, and who could do so, came hither. Great was
the gathering and the press. Every one, high and low, rich and poor,
strives to see Erec. Each thrusts himself before the other, and they
all salute him and bow before him, saying constantly: "May God save
him through whom joy and gladness come to our court! God save the most
blessed man whom God has ever brought into being!" Thus they bring him
to the court, and strive to show their glee as their hearts dictate.
Breton zithers, harps, and viols sound, fiddles, psalteries, and other
stringed instruments, and all kinds of music that one could name or
mention. But I wish to conclude the matter briefly without too long
delay. The King honours him to the extent of his power, as do all the
others ungrudgingly. There is no one who does not gladly offer to do his
service. Three whole days the Joy lasted, before Erec could get away.
On the fourth he would no longer tarry for any reason they could urge.
There was a great crowd to accompany him and a very great press when it
came to taking leave. If he had wished to reply to each one, he would
not have been able in half a day to return the salutations individually.
The nobles he salutes and embraces; the others he commends to God in
a word, and salutes them. Enide, for her part, is not silent when she
takes leave of the nobles. She salutes them all by name, and they in
turn do the like. Before she goes, she kisses her cousin very tenderly
and embraces her. Then they go and the Joy is over.
(Vv. 6411-6509.) They go off and the others return. Erec and Guivret do
not tarry, but keep joyfully on their way, until they came in nine days
to Robais, where they were told the King was. The day before he had
been bled privately in his apartments; with him he had only five hundred
nobles of his household. Never before at any time was the King found so
alone, and he was much distressed that he had no more numerous suite at
his court. At that time a messenger comes running, whom they had sent
ahead to apprise the King of their approach. This man came in before the
assembly, found the King and all his people, and saluting him correctly,
said: "I am a messenger of Erec and of Guivret the Little." Then he told
him how they were coming to see him at his court. The King replies: "Let
them be welcome, as valiant and gallant gentlemen! Nowhere do I know
of any better than they two. By their presence my court will be much
enhanced." Then he sent for the Queen and told her the news. The others
have their horses saddled to go and meet the gentlemen. In such haste
are they to mount that they did not put on their spurs. I ought to state
briefly that the crowd of common people, including squires, cooks, and
butlers, had already entered the town to prepare for the lodgings.
The main party came after, and had already drawn so near that they had
entered the town. Now the two parties have met each other, and salute
and kiss each other. They come to the lodgings and make themselves
comfortable, removing their hose and making their toilet by donning
their rich robes. When they were completely decked out, they took their
way to the court. They come to court, where the King sees them, and the
Queen, who is beside herself with impatience to see Erec and Enide. The
King makes them take seats beside him, kisses Erec and Guivret; about
Enide's neck he throws his arms and kisses her repeatedly, in his great
joy. Nor is the Queen slow in embracing Erec and Enide. One might well
rejoice to see her now so full of joy. Every one enters with spirit into
the merry-making. Then the King causes silence to be made, and appeals
to Erec and asks news of his adventures. When the noise had ceased, Erec
began his story, telling him of his adventures, without forgetting any
detail. Do you think now that I shall tell you what motive he had had in
starting out? Nay, for you know the whole truth about this and the rest,
as I have revealed it to you. To tell the story again would burden me;
for the tale is not short, that any one should wish to begin it afresh
and re-embelish it, as he told and related it: of the three knights whom
he defeated, and then of the five, and then of the Count who strove to
do him harm, and then of the two giants--all in order, one after the
other, he told him of his adventures up to the point where he met Count
Oringle of Limors. "Many a danger have you gone through, fair gentle
friend," said the King to him; "now tarry in this country at my court,
as you are wont to do." "Sire, since you wish it, I shall remain very
gladly three or four years entire. But ask Guivret to remain here too a
request in which I would fain join." The King prays him to remain, and