followed by the gentleman and his lady.

(Vv. 747-862.) Erec rides with lance erect and with the comely
damsel by his side. All the people, great and small, gaze at
them with wondering eyes as they pass through the streets. And
thus they question each other: "Who is yonder knight? He must be
doughty and brave, indeed, to act as escort for this fair maid.
His efforts will be well employed in proving that this damsel is
the fairest of them all." One man to another says: "In very
truth, she ought to have the sparrow-hawk." Some praised the
maid, while many said: "God! who can this knight be, with the
fair damsel by his side?" "I know not." "Nor I." Thus spake
each one. "But his gleaming helmet becomes him well, and the
hauberk, and shield, and his sharp steel sword. He sits well
upon his steed and has the bearing of a valiant vassal, well-
shapen in arm, in limb and foot." While all thus stand and gaze
at them, they for their part made no delay to take their stand by
the sparrow-hawk, where to one side they awaited the knight. And
now behold! they see him come, attended by his dwarf and his
damsel. He had heard the report, that a knight had come who
wished to obtain the sparrow-hawk, but he did not believe there
could be in the world a knight so bold as to dare to fight with
him. He would quickly defeat him and lay him low. All the
people knew him well, and all welcome him and escort him in a
noisy crowd: knights, squires, ladies, and damsels make haste to
run after him. Leading them all the knight rides proudly on,
with his damsel and his dwarf at his side, and he makes his way
quickly to the sparrow-hawk. But all about there was such a
press of the rough and vulgar crowd that it was impossible to
touch the hawk or to come near where it was. Then the Count