taking me for some common fellow. Thou wast guilty of too great
insolence when thou sawest such an outrage and didst complacently
permit such a monster of a lout to strike the damsel and myself.
For such a crime I may well hate thee; for thou hast committed a
grave offence. Thou shalt now constitute thyself my prisoner,
and without delay go straight to my lady whom thou wilt surely
find at Cardigan, if thither thou takest thy way. Thou wilt
reach there this very night, for it is not seven leagues from
here, I think. Thou shalt hand over to her thyself, thy damsel,
and thy dwarf, to do as she may dictate; and tell her that I send
her word that to-morrow I shall come contented, bringing with me
a damsel so fair and wise and fine that in all the world she has
not her match. So much thou mayst tell her truthfully. And now
I wish to know thy name." Then he must needs say in spite of
himself: "Sire, my name is Yder, son of Nut. This morning I had
not thought that any single man by force of arms could conquer
me. Now I have found by experience a man who is better than I.
You are a very valiant knight, and I pledge you my faith here and
now that I will go without delay and put myself in the Queen's
hands. But tell me without reserve what your name may be. Who
shall I say it is that sends me? For I am ready to start." And
he replies: "My name I will tell thee without disguise: it is
Erec. Go, and tell her that it is I who have sent thee to her."
"Now I'll go, and I promise you that I will put my dwarf, my
damsel, and myself altogether at her disposal (you need have no
fear), and I will give her news of you and of your damsel." Then
Erec received his plighted word, and the Count and all the people
round about the ladies and the gentlemen were present at the
agreement. Some were joyous, and some downcast; some were sorry,
and others glad. The most rejoiced for the sake of the damsel