This king of whom I speak was a
dwarf himself and own brother of Brien. Bilis, on the one hand,
was the smallest of all the dwarfs, while his brother Brien was a
half-foot or full palm taller than any other knight in the
kingdom. To display his wealth and power, Bilis brought with him
two kings who were also dwarfs and who were vassals of his,
Grigoras and Glecidalan. Every one looked at them as marvels.
When they had arrived at court, they were treated with great
esteem. All three were honoured and served at the court like
kings, for they were very perfect gentlemen. In brief, when King
Arthur saw all his lords assembled, his heart was glad. Then, to
heighten the joy, he ordered a hundred squires to be bathed whom
he wished to dub knights. There was none of them but had a
parti-coloured robe of rich brocade of Alexandria, each one
choosing such as pleased his fancy. All had arms of a uniform
pattern, and horses swift and full of mettle, of which the worst
was worth a hundred livres.
(Vv. 2025-2068.) When Erec received his wife, he must needs call
her by her right name. For a wife is not espoused unless she is
called by her proper name. As yet no one knew her name, but now
for the first time it was made known: Enide was her baptismal
name.
Pages:
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93