hed, handsome, and light in weight. The helmet
is bright and handsome, and the shield fresh and new. Horse, sword, and
lance all I will lend you, of course; so let no more be said." "Thank
you kindly, fair gentle host! But I wish for no better sword that this
one which I have brought with me, nor for any other horse than my own,
for I can get along well enough with him. If you will lend me the rest,
I shall esteem it a great favour. But there is one more boon I wish to
ask of you, for which I shall make just return if God grant that I come
off from the battle with honour." And frankly he replies to him: "Ask
confidently for what you want, whatever it be, for nothing of mine shall
lack you." Then Erec said that he wished to defend the hawk on behalf
of his daughter; for surely there will be no damsel who is one hundredth
part as beautiful as she. And if he takes her with him, he will have
good and just reason to maintain and to prove that she is entitled to
carry away the hawk. Then he added: "Sire, you know not what guest you
have sheltered here, nor do you know my estate and kin. I am the son of
a rich and puissant king: my father's name is King Lac, and the Bretons
call me Erec. I belong to King Arthur's court, and have been with him
now three years. I know not if any report of my father or of me has ever
reached this land. But I promise you and vow that if you will fit me out
with arms, and will give me your daughter to-morrow when I strive for
the hawk, I will take her to my country, if God grant me the victory,
and I will give her a crown to wear, and she shall be queen of three
cities." "Ah, fair sir! Is it true that you are Erec, the son of Lac?"
"That is who I am, indeed" quoth he. Then the host was greatly delighted
and said: "We have indeed heard of you in this country. Now I think all
the more of you, for you are very valiant and brave. Nothing now shall
you be refused by me. At your request I give you my fair daughter."
Then taking her by the hand, he says: "Here, I give her to you." Erec
received her joyfully, and now has all he desired. Now they are all
happy there: the father is greatly delighted, and the mother weeps for
joy. The maiden sat quiet; but she was very happy and glad that she was
betrothed to him, because he was valiant and courteous: and she knew
that he would some day be king, and she should receive honour and be
crowned rich queen.

(Vv. 691-746.) They had sat up very late that night. But n