r being caught, and how he escaped through the
town and down the hill, carrying his wife on his horse's neck: all this
adventure of his he told him. Then Guivret said, "Sire, I have a castle
here close by, which is well placed in a healthful site. For your
comfort and benefit I wish to take you there to-morrow and have your
wounds cared for. I have two charming and sprightly sisters who are
skilful in the care of wounds: they will soon completely cure you.
[134] To-night we shall let our company lodge here in the fields until
morning; for I think a little rest to-night will do you much good. My
advice is that we spend the night here." Erec replies: "I am in favour
of doing so." So there they stayed and spent the night. They were not
reluctant to prepare a lodging-place, but they found few accommodations,
for the company was quite numerous. They lodge as best they may among
the bushes: Guivret had his tent set up, and ordered tinder to be
kindled, that they might have light and cheer. He has tapers taken out
from the boxes, and they light them within the tent. Now Enide no longer
grieves, for all has turned out well. She strips her lord of his arms
and clothes, and having washed his wounds, she dried them and bound them
up again; for she would let no one else touch him. Now Erec knows no
further reason to reproach her, for he has tried her well and found that
she bears great love to him. And Guivret, who treats them kindly, had
a high, long bed constructed of quilted coverlids, laid upon grass and
reed, which they found in abundance. There they laid Erec and covered
him up. Then Guivret opened a box and took out two patties. "Friend,"
says he, "now try a little of these cold patties, and drink some wine
mixed with water. I have as much as six barrels of it, but undiluted it
is not good for you; for you are injured and covered with wounds. Fair
sweet friend, now try to eat; for it will do you good. And my lady will
eat some too--your wife who has been to-day in sore distress on your
account. But you have received full satisfaction for all that, and have
escaped. So eat now, and I will eat too, fair friend." Then Guivret sat
down by Erec's side, and so did Enide who was much pleased by all that
Guivret did. Both of them urge him to eat, giving him wine mixed with
water'; for unmixed it is too strong and heating. Erec ate as a sick man
eats, and drank a little--all he dared. But he rested comfortably and
slept all night; for