Have my
chaplain summoned now, and do you go and fetch the lady. The
half of all my land I will give her as her dower if she will
comply with my desire." Then they bade the chaplain come, in
accordance with the Count's command, and the dame they brought
there, too, and made her marry him perforce; for she flatly
refused to give consent. But in spite of all, the Count married
her in accordance with his wish. And when he had married her,
the constable at once had the tables set in the palace, and had
the food prepared; for already it was time for the evening meal.
(Vv. 4779-4852.) After vespers, that day in May, Enide was in
sore distress, nor did her grief cease to trouble her. And the
Count urged her mildly by prayer and threat to make her peace and
be consoled, and he made her sit down upon a chair, though it was
against her will. In spite of her, they made her take a seat and
placed the table in front of her. The Count takes his place on
the other side, almost beside himself with rage to find that he
cannot comfort her. "Lady," he says, "you must now leave off
this grief and banish it. You can have full trust in me, that
honour and riches will be yours. You must surely realise that
mourning will not revive the dead; for no one ever saw such a
thing come about.
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