nd the earth, however far it stretch, bears no spice or root of
use in making medicine, but it had been planted there, and was to be
found in abundance. Through a narrow entrance the people entered--King
Evrain and all the rest. Erec went riding, lance in rest, into the
middle of the garden, greatly delighting in the song of the birds which
were singing there; they put him in mind of his Joy the thing he most
was longing for. But he saw a wondrous thing, which might arouse fear
in the bravest warrior of all whom we know, be it Thiebaut the Esclavon,
[139] or Ospinel, or Fernagu. For before them, on sharpened stakes,
there stood bright and shining helmets, and each one had beneath the rim
a man's head. But at the end there stood a stake where as yet there was
nothing but a horn. [140] He knows not what this signifies, yet draws
not back a step for that; rather does he ask the King, who was beside
him at the right, what this can be. The King speaks and explains to him:
"Friend," he says, "do you know the meaning of this thing that you see
here? You must be in great terror of it, if you care at all for your own
body; for this single stake which stands apart, where you see this horn
hung up, has been waiting a very long time, but we know not for whom,
whether for you or someone else. Take care lest thy head be set up
there; for such is the purpose of the stake. I had warned you well of
that before you came here. I do not expect that you will escape hence,
but that you will be killed and rent apart. For this much we know, that
the stake awaits your head. And if it turns out that it be placed
there, as the matter stands agreed, as soon as thy head is fixed upon it
another stake will be set up beside it which will await the arrival of
some one else--I know not when or whom. I will tell you nothing of the
horn; but never has any one been able to blow it. [141] However, he
who shall succeed in blowing it his fame and honour will grow until it
distance all those of his country, and he shall find such renown that
all will come to do him honour, and will hold him to be the best of them
all. Now there is no more of this matter. Have your men withdraw; for
'the Joy' will soon arrive, and will make you sorry, I suspect."

(Vv. 5827-6410.) Meanwhile King Evrain leaves his side, and Erec stoops
over before Enide, whose heart was in great distress, although she held
her peace; for grief on lips is of no account unless it also touch the
he