The people round about weep too; the ladies and
knights shed tears and make great moan for him. There is not one
who does not mourn, and many a one in the courtyard swoons.
Weeping, they kiss and embrace him, and are almost beside
themselves with grief. I think they would not have been more sad
if they had seen him dead or wounded. Then Erec said to comfort
them: "My lords, why do you weep so sore? I am neither in prison
nor wounded. You gain nothing by this display of grief. If I go
away, I shall come again when it please God and when I can. To
God I commend you one and all; so now let me go; too long you
keep me here. I am sorry and grieved to see you weep." To God
he commends them and they him.
(Vv. 2765-2924.) So they departed, leaving sorrow behind them.
Erec starts, and leads his wife he knows not whither, as chance
dictates. "Ride fast," he says, "and take good care not to be so
rash as to speak to me of anything you may see. Take care never
to speak to me, unless I address you first. Ride on now fast and
with confidence." "Sire," says she, "it shall be done." She
rode ahead and held her peace. Neither one nor the other spoke a
word. But Enide's heart is very sad, and within herself she thus
laments, soft and low that he may not hear: "Alas," she says,
"God had raised and exalted me to such great joy; but now He has
suddenly cast me down.
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