ly that hardly can they leave off. Thus,
kissing was their first sport. And the love which is between them
emboldened the maid and left her quite without her fears; regardless of
pain, she suffered all. Before she rose, she no longer bore the name
of maid; in the morning she was a new-made dame. That day the minstrels
were in happy mood, for they were all well paid. They were fully
compensated for the entertainment they had given, and many a handsome
gift was bestowed upon them: robes of grey squirrel skin and ermine, of
rabbit skins and violet stuffs, scarlets and silken stuffs. Whether
it be a horse or money, each one got what he deserved according to his
skill. And thus the wedding festivities and the court lasted almost
a fortnight with great joy and magnificence. For his own glory and
satisfaction, as well as to honour Erec the more, King Arthur made all
the knights remain a full fortnight. When the third week began, all
together by common consent agreed to hold a tournament. On the one
side, my lord Gawain offered himself as surety that it would take place
between Evroic and Tenebroc: and Meliz and Meliadoc were guarantors on
the other side. Then the court separated.

(Vv. 2135-2292.) A month after Pentecost the tournament assembled, and
the jousting began in the plain below Tenebroc. Many an ensign of red,
blue, and white, many a veil and many a sleeve were bestowed as tokens
of love. Many a lance was carried there, flying the colours argent and
green, or gold and azure blue. There were many, too, with different
devices, some with stripes and some with dots. That day one saw laced on
many a helmet of gold or steel, some green, some yellow, and others red,
all aglowing in the sun; so many scutcheons and white hauberks; so many
swords girt on the left side; so many good shields, fresh and new, some
resplendent in silver and green, others of azure with buckles of gold;
so many good steeds marked with white, or sorrel, tawny, white, black,
and bay: all gather hastily. And now the field is quite covered with
arms. On either side the ranks tremble, and a roar rises from the fight.
The shock of the lances is very great. Lances break and shields are
riddled, the hauberks receive bumps and are torn asunder, saddles go
empty and horsemen ramble, while the horses sweat and foam. Swords are
quickly drawn on those who tumble noisily, and some run to receive the
promise of a ransom, others to stave off this disgrace. Erec rode