be so rash as to speak
to me of anything you may see. Take care never to speak to me, unless I
address you first. Ride on now fast and with confidence." "Sire," says
she, "it shall be done." She rode ahead and held her peace. Neither one
nor the other spoke a word. But Enide's heart is very sad, and within
herself she thus laments, soft and low that he may not hear: "Alas," she
says, "God had raised and exalted me to such great joy; but now He
has suddenly cast me down. Fortune who had beckoned me has quickly now
withdrawn her hand. I should not mind that so much, alas, if only I
dared to address my lord. But I am mortified and distressed because my
lord has turned against me, I see it clearly, since he will not speak
to me. And I am not so bold as to dare to look at him." While she thus
laments, a knight who lived by robbery issued forth from the woods. He
had two companions with him, and all three were armed. They covet the
palfrey which Enide rides. "My lords, do you know the news I bring?"
says he to his two companions. "If we do not now make a haul, we are
good-for-nothing cowards and are playing in bad luck. Here comes a lady
wondrous fair, whether married or not I do not know, but she is very
richly dressed. The palfrey and saddle, with the breast-strap and reins,
are worth a thousand livres of Chartres. I will take the palfrey for
mine, and the rest of the booty you may have. I don't want any more for
my share. The knight shall not lead away the lady, so help me God. For I
intend to give him such a thrust as he will dearly pay. I it was who saw
him first, and so it is my right to go the first and offer battle."
They give him leave and he rides off, crouching well beneath his shield,
while the other two remain aloof. In those days it was the custom and
practice that in an attack two knights should not join against one;
thus if they too had assailed him, it would seem that they had acted
treacherously. Enide saw the robbers, and was seized with great fear.
"God," says she, "what can I say? Now my lord will be either killed
or made a prisoner; for there are three of them and he is alone. The
contest is not fair between one knight and three. That fellow will
strike him now at a disadvantage; for my lord is off his guard. God,
shall I be then such a craven as not to dare to raise my voice? Such a
coward I will not be: I will not fail to speak to him." On the spot
she turns about and calls to him: "Fair sire, of what ar