nstructs me how to describe, according
as I have found it in the book, the workmanship and the figures of the
cloth. Four fairies had made it with great skill and mastery. [145] One
represented there geometry, how it estimates and measures the extent of
the heavens and the earth, so that nothing is lacking there; and
then the depth and the height, and the width, and the length; then it
estimates, besides, how broad and deep the sea is, and thus measures
the whole world. Such was the work of the first fairy. And the second
devoted her effort to the portrayal of arithmetic, and she strove hard
to represent clearly how it wisely enumerates the days and the hours of
time, and the water of the sea drop by drop, and then all the sand, and
the stars one by one, knowing well how to tell the truth, and how many
leaves there are in the woods: such is the skill of arithmetic that
numbers have never deceived her, nor will she ever be in error when she
wishes to apply her sense to them. The third design was that of music,
with which all merriment finds itself in accord, songs and harmonies,
and sounds of string: of harp, of Breton violin, and of viol. This
piece of work was good and fine; for upon it were portrayed all the
instruments and all the pastimes. The fourth, who next performed her
task, executed a most excellent work; for the best of the arts she there
portrayed. She undertook astronomy, which accomplishes so many marvels
and draws inspiration from the stars, the moon, and the sun. Nowhere
else does it seek counsel concerning aught which it has to do. They give
it good and sure advice. Concerning whatever inquiry it make of them,
whether in the past or in the future, they give it information without
falsehood and without deception. This work was portrayed on the stuff
of which Erec's robe was made, all worked and woven with thread of gold.
The fur lining that was sewed within, belonged to some strange beasts
whose heads are all white, and whose necks are as black as mulberries,
and which have red backs and green bellies, and dark blue tail. These
beasts live in India and they are called "barbiolets". They eat nothing
but spices, cinnamon, and fresh cloves. What shall I tell you of the
mantle? It was very rich and fine and handsome; it had four stones
in the tassels--two chrysolites on one side, and two amethysts on the
other, which were mounted in gold.

(Vv. 6810-6946.) As yet Enide had not come to the palace. When the Kin