may be, who you are
and of what land, where I may sometime find and search for you, when
I shall go a way from here." Erec replies: "Friend, that I will never
confide to you. Never speak of it again; but if you wish to find it out
and do me honour in any wise go quickly now without delay to my lord,
King Arthur, who with might and main is hunting the stag in yonder wood,
as I take it, not five short leagues from here. Go thither quickly and
take him word that you are sent to him as a gift by him whom yesterday
within his tent he joyfully received and lodged. And be careful not to
conceal from him from what peril I set free both your life and body. I
am dearly cherished at the court, and if you present yourself in my name
you will do me a service and honour. There you shall ask who I am; but
you cannot know it otherwise." "Sire," says Cadoc, "I will follow your
bidding in all respects. You need never have any fear that I do not go
with a glad heart. I shall tell the King the full truth regarding
the battle which you have fought on my behalf." Thus speaking, they
continued their way until they came to the maiden where Erec had left
her. The damsel's joy knew no bounds when she saw coming her lover whom
she never thought to see again. Taking him by the hand, Erec presents
him to her with the words: "Grieve no longer, demoiselle! Behold your
lover glad and joyous." And she with prudence makes reply: "Sire, by
right you have won us both. Yours we should be, to serve and honour. But
who could ever repay half the debt we owe you?" Erec makes answer: "My
gentle lady, no recompense do I ask of you. To God I now commend you
both, for too long, methinks, I have tarried here." Then he turns his
horse about, and rides away as fast as he can. Cadoc of Tabriol with his
damsel rides off in another direction; and soon he told the news to King
Arthur and the Queen.

(Vv. 4580-4778.) Erec continues to ride at great speed to the place
where Enide was awaiting him in great concern, thinking that surely he
had completely deserted her. And he, too, was in great fear lest some
one, finding her alone, might have carried her off. So he made all haste
to return. But the heat of the day was such, and his arms caused him
such distress, that his wounds broke open and burst the bandages. His
wounds never stopped bleeding before he came directly to the spot where
Enide was waiting for him. She espied him and rejoiced: but she did not
realise or know