res, cooks, and
butlers, had already entered the town to prepare for the lodgings.
The main party came after, and had already drawn so near that they had
entered the town. Now the two parties have met each other, and salute
and kiss each other. They come to the lodgings and make themselves
comfortable, removing their hose and making their toilet by donning
their rich robes. When they were completely decked out, they took their
way to the court. They come to court, where the King sees them, and the
Queen, who is beside herself with impatience to see Erec and Enide. The
King makes them take seats beside him, kisses Erec and Guivret; about
Enide's neck he throws his arms and kisses her repeatedly, in his great
joy. Nor is the Queen slow in embracing Erec and Enide. One might well
rejoice to see her now so full of joy. Every one enters with spirit into
the merry-making. Then the King causes silence to be made, and appeals
to Erec and asks news of his adventures. When the noise had ceased, Erec
began his story, telling him of his adventures, without forgetting any
detail. Do you think now that I shall tell you what motive he had had in
starting out? Nay, for you know the whole truth about this and the rest,
as I have revealed it to you. To tell the story again would burden me;
for the tale is not short, that any one should wish to begin it afresh
and re-embelish it, as he told and related it: of the three knights whom
he defeated, and then of the five, and then of the Count who strove to
do him harm, and then of the two giants--all in order, one after the
other, he told him of his adventures up to the point where he met Count
Oringle of Limors. "Many a danger have you gone through, fair gentle
friend," said the King to him; "now tarry in this country at my court,
as you are wont to do." "Sire, since you wish it, I shall remain very
gladly three or four years entire. But ask Guivret to remain here too a
request in which I would fain join." The King prays him to remain, and
he consents to stay. So they both stay: the King kept them with him, and
held them dear and honoured them.

(Vv. 6510-6712.) Erec stayed at court, together with Guivret and Enide,
until the death of his father, the king, who was an old man and full of
years. The messengers then started out: the nobles who went to seek him,
and who were the greatest men of the land, sought and searched for him
until they found him at Tintagel three weeks before Christmas; the