Her heart was tender toward her lord, like a
good and loyal lady. Her heart was neither deceitful nor false.
So she rises and makes ready, and drew near to her lord to wake
him up. "Ah, sire," says she, "I crave your pardon. Rise
quickly now, for you are betrayed beyond all doubt, though
guiltless and free from any crime. The Count is a proven
traitor, and if he can but catch you here, you will never get
away without his having cut you in pieces. He hates you because
he desires me. But if it please God, who knows all things, you
shall be neither slain nor caught. Last evening he would have
killed you had I not assured him that I would be his mistress and
his wife. You will see him return here soon: he wants to seize
me and keep me here and kill you if he can find you." Now Erec
learns how loyal his wife is to him. "Lady," says he, "have our
horses quickly saddled; then run and call our host, and tell him
quickly to come here. Treason has been long abroad." Now the
horses are saddled, and the lady summoned the host. Erec has
armed and dressed himself, and into his presence came the host.
"Sire," said he, "what haste is this, that you are risen at such
an hour, before the day and the sun appear?" Erec replies that
he has a long road and a full day before him, and therefore he
has made ready to set out, having it much upon his mind; and he
added: "Sire, you have nor yet handed me any statement of my
expenses.
Pages:
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131