So not a word
does she reply, but rather keeps silence; and thus they go,
leading with them all the eight horses.
(Vv. 3086-3208.) They rode till nightfall without coming to any
town or shelter. When night came on, they took refuge beneath a
tree in an open field. Erec bids his lady sleep, and he will
watch. She replies that she will not, for it is not right, and
she does not wish to do so. It is for him to sleep who is more
weary. Well pleased at this, Erec accedes. Beneath his head he
placed his shield, and the lady took her cloak, and stretched it
over him from head to foot. Thus, he slept and she kept watch,
never dozing the whole night, but holding tight in her hand by
the bridle the horses until the morning broke; and much she
blamed and reproached herself for the words which she had
uttered, and said that she acted badly, and was not half so ill-
treated as she deserved to be. "Alas," said she, "in what an evil
hour have I witnessed my pride and presumption! I might have
known without doubt that there was no knight better than, or so
good as, my lord. I knew it well enough before, but now I know
it better. For I have seen with my own eyes how he has not
quailed before three or even five armed men. A plague for ever
upon my tongue for having uttered such pride and insult as now
compel me to suffer shame!" All night long she thus lamented
until the morning dawned.
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