When she had
finished her prayer, she stepped back a little and crossed
herself with her right hand, as a well-bred dame should do. Then
they came out from the church and entered the royal palace, when
the festivity began. That day Erec received many presents from
the knights and burghers: from one a palfrey of northern stock,
and from another a golden cup. One presents him with a golden
pigeon-hawk, another with a setter-dog, this one a greyhound,
this other a sparrowhawk, and another a swift Arab steed, this
one a shield, this one an ensign, this one a sword, and this a
helmet. Never was a king more gladly seen in his kingdom, nor
received with greater joy, as all strove to serve him well. Yet
greater joy they made of Enide than of him, for the great beauty
which they saw in her, and still more for her open charm. She
was seated in a chamber upon a cushion of brocade which had been
brought from Thessaly. Round about her was many a fair lady; yet
as the lustrous gem outshines the brown flint, and as the rose
excels the poppy, so was Enide fairer than any other lady or
damsel to be found in the world, wherever one might search. She
was so gentle and honourable, of wise speech and affable, of
pleasing character and kindly mien. No one could ever be so
watchful as to detect in her any folly, or sign of evil or
villainy.
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