Then he turned and rode away without further tarrying on
the spot. Straight into the forest he spurs at full speed. Now
Erec is in the woods, and the others paused a while over those
who lay in the middle of the field. Loudly they swear and vow
that they will rather follow after him for two or three days than
fail to capture and slaughter him. The Count, though grievously
wounded in the abdomen, hears what they say. He draws himself up
a little and opens his eyes a tiny bit. Now he realises what an
evil deed he had begun to execute. He makes the knights step
back, and says: "My lords, I bid you all, both strong and weak,
high and low, that none of you be so bold as to dare to advance a
single step. All of you return now quickly! I have done a
villainous deed, and I repent me of my foul design. The lady who
outwitted me is very honourable, prudent, and courteous. Her
beauty fired me with love for her; because I desired her, I
wished to kill her lord and keep her back with me by force. I
well deserved this woe, and now it has come upon me. How
abominably disloyal and treacherous I was in my madness! Never
was there a better knight born of mother than he. Never shall he
receive harm through me if I can in any way prevent it. I
command you all to retrace your steps.
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