dare to strike or touch him; but none ought
to reproach me, for I was completely unarmed. I mistrusted the armed
knight, who, being an ugly fellow and violent, would take it as no jest,
and would soon kill me in his pride. But this much I will promise you;
that if I can, I shall yet avenge my disgrace, or increase it. But my
arms are too far away to avail me in this time of need; for at Cardigan
did I leave them this morning when I came away. And if I should go to
fetch them there, peradventure I should never again find the knight who
is riding off apace. So I must follow him at once, far or near, until
I find some arms to hire or borrow. If I find some one who will lend me
arms, the knight will quickly find me ready for battle. And you may be
sure without fail that we two shall fight until he defeat me, or I him.
And if possible, I shall be back by the third day, when you will see me
home again either joyous or sad, I know not which. Lady, I cannot delay
longer, for I must follow after the knight. I go. To God I commend you."
And the Queen in like manner more than five hundred rimes commends him
to God, that he may defend him from harm.

(Vv. 275-310.) Erec leaves the Queen and ceases not to pursue the
knight. The Queen remains in the wood, where now the King had come up
with the Stag. The King himself outstripped the others at the death.
Thus they killed and took the White Stag, and all returned, carrying the
Stag, till they came again to Cardigan. After supper, when the knights
were all in high spirits throughout the hall, the King, as the custom
was, because he had taken the Stag, said that he would bestow the kiss
and thus observe the custom of the Stag. Throughout the court a great
murmur is heard: each one vows and swears to his neighbour that it
shall not be done without the protest of sword or ashen lance. Each one
gallantly desires to contend that his lady is the fairest in the hall.
Their conversation bodes no good, and when my lord Gawain heard it, you
must know that it was not to his liking. Thus he addressed the King:
"Sire," he says, "your knights here are greatly aroused, and all their
talk is of this kiss. They say that it shall never be bestowed without
disturbance and a fight." And the King wisely replied to him: "Fair
nephew Gawain, give me counsel now, sparing my honour and my dignity,
for I have no mind for any disturbance."

(Vv. 311-341.) To the council came a great part of the best knights of