I swear by God and His goodness that you shall not learn my
name." Then she bids him give her leave to go, and she will turn back,
which request he gladly grants.

(Vv. 2023-2198.) Thereupon the damsel departs, and he rides on alone
until it grew very late. After vespers, about compline, as he pursued
his way, he saw a knight returning from the wood where he had been
hunting. With helmet unlaced, he rode along upon his big grey hunter,
to which he had tied the game which God had permitted him to take. This
gentleman came quickly to meet the knight, offering him hospitality.
"Sire," he says, "night will soon be here. It is time for you to be
reasonable and seek a place to spend the night. I have a house of mine
near at hand, whither I shall take you. No one ever lodged you better
than I shall do, to the extent of my resources: I shall be very glad, if
you consent." "For my part, I gladly accept," he says. The gentleman
at once sends his son ahead, to prepare the house and start the
preparations for supper. The lad willingly executes his command
forthwith, and goes off at a rapid pace, while the others, who are in
no haste, follow the road leisurely until they arrive at the house. The
gentleman's wife was a very accomplished lady; and he had five sons,
whom he dearly loved, three of them mere lads, and two already knights;
and he had two fair and charming daughters, who were still unmarried.
They were not natives of the land, but were there in durance, having
been long kept there as prisoners away from their native land of Logres.
When the gentleman led the knight into his yard, the lady with her sons
and daughters jumped up and ran to meet them, vying in their efforts to
do him honour, as they greeted him and helped him to dismount. Neither
the sisters nor the five brothers paid much attention to their father,
for they knew well enough that he would have it so. They honoured the
knight and welcomed him; and when they had relieved him of his armour,
one of his host's two daughters threw her own mantle about him, taking
it from her own shoulders and throwing it about his neck. I do not
need to tell how well he was served at supper; but when the meal
was finished, they felt no further hesitation in speaking of various
matters. First, the host began to ask him who he was, and from what
land, but he did not inquire about his name. The knight promptly
answered him: "I am from the kingdom of Logres, and have never been in
this