They ride ahead until they
made him out; at the edge of a forest they catch sight of him
before he was hid by the forest trees. Not one of them halted
then, but all rushed on in rivalry. Enide hears the clang and
noise of their arms and horses, and sees that the valley is full
of them. As soon as she saw them, she could not restrain her
tongue. "Ah, sire," she cries. "alas, how this Count has
attacked you, when he leads against you such a host! Sire, ride
faster now, until we be within this wood. I think we can easily
distance them, for they are still a long way behind. If you go
on at this pace, you can never escape from death, for you are no
match for them." Erec replies: "Little esteem you have for me,
and lightly you hold my words. It seems I cannot correct you by
fair request. But as the Lord have mercy upon me until I escape
from here, I swear that you shall pay dearly for this speech of
yours; that is, unless my mind should change." Then he
straightway turns about, and sees the seneschal drawing near upon
a horse both strong and fleet. Before them all he takes his
stand at the distance of four cross-bow shots. He had not
disposed of his arms, but was thoroughly well equipped. Erec
reckons up his opponents' strength, and sees there are fully a
hundred of them.
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