he will cause his mistress to step forward and lift the hawk from
the perch, if no one dares to interpose. This is the custom they
are observing, and for this each year they gather here."
Thereupon Erec speaks and asks him: "Fair host, may it not
displease you, but tell me, if you know, who is a certain knight
bearing arms of azure and gold, who passed by here not long ago,
having close beside him a courtly damsel, preceded by a hump-
backed dwarf." To him the host then made reply: "That is he who
will win the hawk without any opposition from the other knights.
I don't believe that any one will offer opposition; this time
there will be no blows or wounds. For two years already he has
won it without being challenged; and if he wins it again this
year, he will have gained permanent possession of it. Every
succeeding year he may keep it without contest or challenge."
Quickly Erec makes reply: "I do not like that knight. Upon my
word, had I some arms I should challenge him for the hawk. Fair
host, I beg you as a boon to advise me how I may be equipped with
arms whether old or new, poor or rich, it matters not." And he
replies to him generously: "It were a pity for you to feel
concern on that score! I have good fine arms which I shall be
glad to lend you. In the house I have a triple-woven hauberk,
(10) which was selected from among five hundred. And I have some
fine valuable greaves, polished, handsome, and light in weight.
The helmet is bright and handsome, and the shield fresh and new.
Horse, sword, and lance all I will lend you, of course; so let no
more be said." "Thank you kindly, fair gentle host! But I wish
for no better sword that this one which I have brought with me,
nor for any other horse than my own, for I can get along well
enough with him. If you will lend me the rest, I shall esteem it
a great favour. But there is one more boon I wish to ask of you,