g to heed my enemy and kill me thus." While she, intent
upon his death, admonishes him to cut off his head, and not to believe
a word he says. He strikes: the head flies across the sward and the body
fails. Then the damsel is pleased and satisfied. Grasping the head by
the hair, the knight presents it to the damsel, who takes it joyfully
with the words: "May thy heart receive such delight from whatever it
most desires as my heart now receives from what I most coveted. I had
only one grief in life, and that was that this man was still alive. I
have a reward laid up for thee which thou shalt receive at the proper
time. I promise thee that thou shalt have a worthy reward for the
service thou hast rendered me. Now I will go away, with the prayer
that God may guard thee from harm." Then the damsel leaves him, as each
commends the other to God. But all those who had seen the battle in the
plain are overjoyed, and in their joy they at once relieve the knight of
his armour, and honour him in every way they can. Then they wash their
hands again and take their places at the meal, which they eat with
better cheer than is their wont. When they had been eating for some
time, the gentleman turned to his guest at his side, and said: "Sire, a
long while ago we came hither from the kingdom of Logres. We were born
your countrymen, and we should like to see you win honour and fortune
and joy in this country; for we should profit by it as well as you, and
it would be to the advantage of many others, if you should gain honour
and fortune in the enterprise you have undertaken in this land." And he
makes answer: "May God hear your desire."

(Vv. 2979-3020.) When the host had dropped his voice and ceased
speaking, one of his sons followed him and said: "Sire, we ought to
place all our resources at your service, and give them outright rather
than promise them; if you have any need of our assistance, we ought not
to wait until you ask for it. Sire, be not concerned over your horse
which is dead. We have good strong horses here. I want you to take
anything of ours which you need, and you shall choose the best of
our horses in place of yours." And he replies: "I willingly accept."
Thereupon, they have the beds prepared and retire for the night. The
next morning they rise early, and dress, after which they prepare to
start. Upon leaving, they fail in no act of courtesy, but take leave of
the lady, her lord, and all the rest. But in order to omit not