He gladly accepted
the arms and had himself equipped with them in the hall. When he
was armed, he descends the steps and finds his horse saddled and
the King who had mounted. Every one in the castle and in the
houses of the town hastened to mount. In all the town there
remained neither man nor woman, erect or deformed, great or
small, weak or strong, who is able to go and does not do so.
When they start, there is a great noise and clamour in all the
streets; for those of high and low degree alike cry out: "Alas,
alas! oh knight, the Joy that thou wishest to win has betrayed
thee, and thou goest to win but grief and death." And there is
not one but says: "God curse this joy! which has been the death
of so many gentlemen. To-day it will wreak the worst woe that it
has ever yet wrought." Erec hears well and notes that up and
down they said of him: "Alas, alas, ill-starred wert thou, fair,
gentle, skilful knight! Surely it would not be just that thy
life should end so soon, or that harm should come to wound and
injure thee." He hears clearly the words and what they said; but
notwithstanding, he passes on without lowering his head, and
without the bearing of a craven. Whoever may speak, he longs to
see and know and understand why they are all in such distress,
anxiety, and woe.
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