unless she is called by her
proper name. As yet no one knew her name, but now for the first time it
was made known: Enide was her baptismal name. [122] The Archbishop of
Canterbury, who had come to the court, blessed them, as is his right.
When the court was all assembled, there was not a minstrel in the
countryside who possessed any pleasing accomplishment that did not come
to the court. In the great hall there was much merry-making, each one
contributing what he could to the entertainment: one jumps, another
tumbles, another does magic; there is story-telling, singing, whistling,
playing from notes; they play on the harp, the rote, the fiddle, the
violin, the flute, and pipe. The maidens sing and dance, and outdo each
other in the merry-making. At the wedding that day everything was
done which can give joy and incline man's heart to gladness. Drums are
beaten, large and small, and there is playing of pipes, fifes, horns,
trumpets, and bagpipes. What more shall I say? There was not a wicket or
a gate kept closed; but the exits and entrances all stood ajar, so that
no one, poor or rich, was turned away. King Arthur was not miserly, but
gave orders to the bakers, the cooks, and the butlers that they should
serve every one generously with bread, wine, and venison. No one asked
anything whatever to be passed to him without getting all he desired.

(Vv. 2069-2134.) There was great merriment in the palace. But I will
pass over the rest, and you shall hear of the joy and pleasure in the
bridal chamber. Bishops and archbishops were there on the night when
the bride and groom retired. At this their first meeting, Iseut was not
filched away, nor was Brangien put in her place. [123] The Queen herself
took charge of their preparations for the night; for both of them were
dear to her. The hunted stag which pants for thirst does not so long for
the spring, nor does the hungry sparrow-hawk return so quickly when he
is called, as did these two come to hold each other in close embrace.
That night they had full compensation for their long delay. After the
chamber had been cleared, they allow each sense to be gratified: the
eyes, which are the entrance-way of love, and which carry messages to
the heart, take satisfaction in the glance, for they rejoice in all they
see; after the message of the eyes comes the far surpassing sweetness of
the kisses inviting love; both of them make trial of this sweetness, and
let their hearts quaff so free