Now behold! he is back again: "Now mount, sire, quickly," says
he, "for you have a good fine lodging ready." Erec mounted, and
then his lady, and, as the town was hard by, they soon had
reached their lodging-place. There they were received with joy.
The host with kindness welcomed them, and with joy and gladness
made generous provision for their needs.
(Vv. 3209-3458.) When the squire had done for them all the
honour that he could do, he came and mounted his horse again,
leading it off in front of the Count's bower to the stable. The
Count and three of his vassals were leaning out of the bower,
when the Count, seeing his squire mounted on the dappled steed,
asked him whose it was. And he replied that it was his. The
Count, greatly astonished, says: "How is that? Where didst thou
get him?" "A knight whom I esteem highly gave him to me, sire,"
says he. "I have conducted him within this town, and he is lodged
at a burgher's house. He is a very courteous knight and the
handsomest man I ever saw. Even if I had given you my word and
oath, I could not half tell you how handsome he is." The Count
replies: "I suppose and presume that he is not more handsome than
I am." "Upon my word, sire," the sergeant says, "you are very
handsome and a gentleman.
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