ejoiced
together, taking each other by the hand, they all four came before the
King, saluting him and likewise the Queen, who was sitting by his side.
Taking his host by the hand, Erec said: "Sire, behold my good host, my
kind friend, who did me such honour that he made me master in his
own house. Before he knew anything about me, he lodged me well and
handsomely. All that he had he made over to me, and even his daughter he
bestowed upon me, without the advice or counsel of any one." "And this
lady with him," the King inquires, "who is she?" Erec does not conceal
the truth: "Sire," says he, "of this lady I may say that she is the
mother of my wife." "Is she her mother?" "Yes, truly, sire." "Certainly,
I may then well say that fair and comely should be the flower born of so
fair a stem, and better the fruit one picks; for sweet is the smell
of what springs from good. Fair is Enide and fair she should be in all
reason and by right; for her mother is a very handsome lady, and her
father is a goodly knight. Nor does she in aught belie them; for she
descends and inherits directly from them both in many respects." Then
the King ceases and sits down, bidding them be seated too. They do not
disobey his command, but straightway take seats. Now is Enide filled
with joy when she sees her father and mother, for a very long time had
passed since she had seen them. Her happiness now is greatly increased,
for she was delighted and happy, and she showed it all she could, but
she could not make such demonstration but that her joy was yet greater.
But I wish to say no more of that, for my heart draws me toward the
court which was now assembled in force. From many a different country
there were counts and dukes and kings, Normans, Bretons. Scotch, and
Irish: from England and Cornwall there was a very rich gathering of
nobles; for from Wales to Anjou, in Maine and in Poitou, there was no
knight of importance, nor lady of quality, but the best and the most
elegant were at the court at Nantes, as the King had bidden them. Now
hear, if you will, the great joy and grandeur, the display and the
wealth, that was exhibited at the court. Before the hour of nones had
sounded, King Arthur dubbed four hundred knights or more all sons of
counts and of kings. To each one he gave three horses and two pairs of
suits, in order that his court may make a better showing. Puissant and
lavish was the King; for the mantles he bestowed were not of serge, nor
of r