have slain my beloved husband also," said she. "And who was it that
slew them?" "Some giants," she answered, "slew my best-beloved, and
the other knight went in pursuit of them, and came back in the state
thou seest, his blood flowing excessively; but it appears to me that
he did not leave the giants without killing some of them, if not
all." The Earl caused the knight that was dead to be buried, but he
thought that there still remained some life in Geraint; and to see if
he yet would live, he had him carried with him in the hollow of his
shield, and upon a bier. And the two damsels went to the Court; and
when they arrived there, Geraint was placed upon a litter-couch in
front of the table that was in the hall. Then they all took off
their travelling gear, and the Earl besought Enid to do the same, and
to clothe herself in other garments. "I will not, by Heaven," said
she. "Ah! Lady," said he, "be not so sorrowful for this matter."
"It were hard to persuade me to be otherwise," said she. "I will act
towards thee in such wise, that thou needest not be sorrowful,
whether yonder knight live or die. Behold, a good Earldom, together
with myself, will I bestow on thee; be, therefore, happy and joyful."
"I declare to Heaven," said she, "that henceforth I shall never be
joyful while I live." "Come, then," said he, "and eat." "No, by
Heaven, I will not," she answered. "But, by Heaven, thou shalt,"
said he. So he took her with him to the table against her will, and
many times desired her to eat. "I call Heaven to witness," said she,
"that I will not eat until the man that is upon yonder bier shall eat
likewise." "Thou canst not fulfil that," said the Earl, "yonder man
is dead already." "I will prove that I can," said she. Then he
offered her a goblet of liquor. "Drink this goblet," he said, "and
it will cause thee to change thy mind." "Evil betide me," she
answered, "if I drink aught until he drink also." "Truly," said the
Earl, "it is of no more avail for me to be gentle with thee than