God! there can be nothing but
good in joy," says Erec; "I go to seek it. Don't go now and discourage
me about this or anything else, fair gentle friend; but let us have our
lodgings taken, for great good may come to us of this. Nothing could
restrain me from going to seek the Joy." "Sire," says he, "God grant
your prayer, that you may find joy and return without mishap. I clearly
see that we must go in. Since otherwise it may not be, let us go in.
Our lodging is secured; for no knight of high degree, as I have heard it
said and told, can enter this castle with intent to lodge here but that
King Evrain offers to shelter him. So gentle and courteous is the King
that he has given notice to all his townsmen, appealing to their love
for him, that any gentleman from afar should not find lodging in their
houses, so that he himself may do honour to all gentlemen who may wish
to tarry here."

(Vv. 5493-5668.) [137] Thus they proceed toward the castle, passing the
list and the drawbridge; and when they passed the listing-place, the
people who were gathered in the streets in crowds see Erec in all his
beauty, and apparently they think and believe that all the others are
in his train. Marvelling much, they stare at him; the whole town was
stirred and moved, as they take counsel and discuss about him. Even
the maidens at their song leave off their singing and desist, as all
together they look at him; and because of his great beauty they cross
themselves, and marvellously they pity him. One to another whispers low:
"Alas! This knight, who is passing, is on his way to the 'Joy of the
Court.' He will be sorry before he returns; no one ever came from
another land to claim the 'Joy of the Court' who did not receive shame
and harm, and leave his head there as a forfeit." Then, that he may hear
their words, they cry-aloud: "God defend thee, knight, from harm; for
thou art wondrously handsome, and thy beauty is greatly to be pitied,
for to-morrow we shall see it quenched. Tomorrow thy death is come;
to-morrow thou shalt surely die if God does not guard and defend thee."
Erec hears and understands that they are speaking of him through the
lower town: more than two thousand pitied him; but nothing causes him
dismay. He passes on without delay, bowing gaily to men and women
alike. And they all salute him too; and most of them swear with anxiety,
fearing more than he does himself, for his shame and for his hurt. The
mere sight of his countenanc